Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-01-25

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Britain - Cyprus - Hannay

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Interior Minister - Lebanon

[04] Exhumations - Physicians for Human Rights

[05] Cyprus - Russia - Missiles

1625:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Britain - Cyprus - Hannay

"We regret what had happened. It was a step back and a missed opportunity for the promotion of the UN process," an official spokesman of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office told CNA here today, when invited to outline Britain's next steps.

"But it will not dampen our enthusiasm to do what we can for further progress in that process," the FCO official pointed out, noting that Sir David's comments were misunderstood.

President Clerides took great offense over Hannay's insinuation that he was making manoeuvres to get something in return from Turkey with his decision not to deploy anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus, in compliance with UN resolutions calling for a reduction in tension and progress towards a negotiated settlement.

The British envoy also referred to the Swiss Confederation, saying that labels do not matter, at a time when the Turkish Cypriot side insists on two separate states under a confederal umbrella while the UN resolutions provide for a bicommunal, bizonal federal Cyprus with a single sovereignty and single citizenship.

CNA KT/MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          99.90 ( 2.20)

      Traded Value            CYP 6,357,281

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 2,662,797     116.17 ( 2.42)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   482,505      61.60 ( 2.00)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   875,054      77.94 ( 0.63)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   448,330      93.67 ( 2.52)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   401,558      77.63 ( 3.94)
      Trading Companies       CYP   224,196      46.19 ( 0.83)
      Other Companies         CYP   475,524      87.92 ( 1.08)

CNA MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Interior Minister - Lebanon

The visit comes in the aftermath of an attempt by government officials to return to Lebanon 29 illegal immigrants, who set off from Tripoli. The Lebanese authorities only accepted six of them that had entry permits while the rest were returned to Cyprus.

Michaelides will propose to the government of Lebanon to sign an agreement allowing for repatriation of their citizens as well as nationals of third countries who enter one country and their original port of departure is the other.

The two ministers will discuss bilateral cooperation in efforts to combat illegal immigration, which has been on the increase in the past few years.

Earlier today, Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis said the government intends to buy radars to detect boats attempting to dock at Cyprus' shores illegally.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Exhumations - Physicians for Human Rights

The team visited Cyprus last week at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry to assess the possibility for exhumation and scientific tests to identify the remains of those whose identity was not established at the time of burial, an official Foreign Ministry press release said here today.

The team submitted to the government "observations, conclusions and proposals which are being examined with a view to begin exhumations in the near future."

"Physicians for Human Rights" is a widely respected organisation with great expertise in exhumations and their work recently took them to Rwanda, Croatia and Bosnia.

During their visit, the team made an on the spot evaluation of the prospects for exhumation in two cemeteries in and around Nicosia.

It also studied issues relating to exhumation as well as scientific identification of remains belonging to war victims.

The team had consultations with Foreign Ministry officials and Human Rights Presidential Commissioner Takis Christopoulos.

It also met with Attorney General, Alecos Markides, to discuss legal matters concerning the exhumations and looked into the archives of the Committee of Missing persons.

The experts visited the Institute of Neurology and Genetics to see the preparatory work done for the blood bank, which would help in the identification process.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus - Russia - Missiles

Cyprus has purchased the SAM (surface to air missiles) two years ago at a cost of more than 200 m. US dollars to provide the country with some air defence against the vastly superior Turkish military forces, which occupy part of the island for the past 25 years.

President Glafcos Clerides announced his decision not to deploy the missiles on the island and said talks will be held to see if they can be deployed in the Greek island of Crete.

"The fact that talks are continuing indicates that these issues will eventually conclude on a solution, as we expect them to," Minister Chrysostomis said, after a meeting with the leader of the socialist EDEK party.

He said Defence Ministry officials held talks in Athens about the prospect of integrating the Russian S300 missiles into the Greek armed forces.

The Minister will be in Athens next month for talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatsopoulos. He is expected to leave on February 7 and have talks on 8 and 9 February.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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