Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-01-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] US still believes Cyprus agreement feasible by end of February

[02] Simitis warns against backtracking on Cyprus solution

[03] Middle East Council of Churches meeting opens

[04] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Candidacies for presidential elections on Jan 17

[07] Schwimmer: consensus between G/C and T/C parties for Cyprus solution

[08] De Soto meets Annan

[01] US still believes Cyprus agreement feasible by end of February

0810:CYPPRESS:01

US still believes Cyprus agreement feasible by end February

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Jan 9 (CNA) -- US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher has indicated that there is still a chance to reach a negotiated settlement in Cyprus by 28 February, a target date set by the UN, in the context of the European Union.

Boucher also said the US continues to work towards this direction with the parties in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey as well as Europe in a bid to support the UN Secretary General's efforts in every way possible.

[02] Simitis warns against backtracking on Cyprus solution

1150:CYPPRESS:02

Simitis warns against backtracking on Cyprus solution

Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- Greek Prime Minister and current President of the European Council Costas Simitis has warned against backtracking in the Cyprus peace effort, stressing that the opportunity that exists should not be lost.

In an interview with the French paper ''Le Monde'', he said the EU timetable with regard to Turkey's accession should be maintained.

''All the parties, especially the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, have to make a very big effort to exploit the current momentum. If they backtrack, it will not be possible to find a political settlement,'' Simitis said, when asked if a solution is possible by the UN target date of 28 February.

[03] Middle East Council of Churches meeting opens

1155:CYPPRESS:03

Middle East Council of Churches meeting opens

Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- Over 20 delegates from countries of the Middle East have gathered in Limassol, Cyprus, for a two-day meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) to discuss preparations for the November MECC General Assembly and other issues, MECC Secretary General Riad Jar Jour told CNA today.

[04] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1440:CYPPRESS:04
Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) -- Today's weather and temperatures for Cyprus,
according to the Meteorological Service at Larnaca International
Airport are:

Temperatures (degrees Celcius)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Station               Maximum     Minimum       Weather
(At 1200 UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nicosia                  18           6          FAIR
Larnaca                  19           9          FINE
Limassol                 20           9          FINE
Paphos                   19          10          FAIR

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1530:CYPPRESS:05
Cyprus Stock Exchange
Nicosia, Jan 9 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               94,97   (-0,64)

Traded Value                  CYP    483.643

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    124.151   369,92   (-0,84)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     85.708   107,33   (-1,19)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     10.031    81,23   (-0,33)
Insurance Companies           CYP      1.194    20,90   (-0,52)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      4.589    65,61   ( 0,15)
Tourism Companies             CYP     13.780   106,19   ( 0,45)
Trading Companies             CYP      9.290    19,09   (-0,26)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      1.619    74,36   ( 1,95)
�nformation Technology
Companies                 CYP     15.149     3,31   (-1,19)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     31.247    19,27   (-0,52)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP         76    15,11   (-0,40)
Hotels                        CYP      7.257    47,12   (-1,44)
Other Companies               CYP     61.929    87,11   (-0,60)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[06] Candidacies for presidential elections on Jan 17

The bids will be put forward between 9am until midday at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia.

For every candidacy the sum of 1000 Cyprus Pounds is required as well as the signature of nine registered voters, one who will propose the candidacy and another eight who will support it.

[07] Schwimmer: consensus between G/C and T/C parties for Cyprus solution

Schwimmer, who took part in a bicommunal meeting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties at the Ledra Palace hotel in the buffer zone, said, there is no alternative to solution of the Cyprus issue by reunification of the island."

On his part, House President Demetris Christofias said everyones wish to find a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest was once again reiterated.

Schwimmer described the meeting with the leaders of the parties from both sides of the green line as very important, noting he was very glad to see a very broad consensus.

[08] De Soto meets Annan

Asked by CNA, De Soto confirmed his meeting with the Secretary-General, which took place at the latters residence, but did not want to go into details. The UN diplomat also met UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast.

A UN spokeswoman said she had no information on De Sotos contacts. UN sources said a review of developments, based on the positions of all relevant parties was examined, as well as the Turkish governments stance and the forthcoming presidential elections in Cyprus.

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