Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Boucher: we want Cyprus sides to show up, make progress

[02] State Department's 2003 Human Rights Report on Cyprus

[03] Bank of Cyprus 2003 financial results

[04] Papadopoulos: Denktash wants to undermine negotiating process

[05] French Ambassador sees problems if a divided Cyprus joins EU

[06] Greek Cypriot sides replies to Denktash's paper

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[08] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[09] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[10] President says Denktash paper contains unacceptable positions

[11] Cyprus to create regional research and technological institute

[01] Boucher: we want Cyprus sides to show up, make progress

0835:CYPPRESS:01

Boucher: we want Cyprus sides to show up, make progress

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Feb 26 (CNA) -- State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said postponing a session of the Cyprus talks is a normal part of the negotiating process, adding that the US wants ''both sides to show up and to work constructively to try to make progress''.

[02] State Department's 2003 Human Rights Report on Cyprus

0900:CYPPRESS:02

State Department's 2003 Human Rights Report on Cyprus

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens in 2003, however, there were problems in some areas, State Department's 2003 Human Rights Report on Cyprus said.

The report, issued here yesterday, said ''police brutality against detainees continued to be a problem, the Government placed some restrictions on persons travelling to the north, violence against women persisted and trafficking in women for prostitution remained a problem.''

As regards the situation in the Turkish-occupied areas of the island the report noted that ''Turkish Cypriot authorities generally respected the human rights of citizens living under its control; however, there were problems in some areas.''

[03] Bank of Cyprus 2003 financial results

1025:CYPPRESS:03

Bank of Cyprus 2003 financial results

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The Bank of Cyprus Group's core profit (profit before provisions for bad and doubtful debts and before tax) for 2003 amounted to 100.6 million pounds (171,5 million euros), registering a 12% increase compared to 2002, a bank press release has said.

The bank said ''2004 is a milestone year for Cyprus, as in two months Cyprus will be a full member of the European Union'' and that ''the internationalisation of the Group (Cyprus, Greece, United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Australia) constitutes a competitive advantage for increasing revenue through further exploitation of the synergies between the above mentioned geographic regions.''

[04] Papadopoulos: Denktash wants to undermine negotiating process

1050:CYPPRESS:04

Papadopoulos: Denktash wants to undermine negotiating process

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's effort is to undermine the negotiating process ''to a process of exchanging extremist positions, that does not allow to achieve those changes we want to the Annan plan.''

Answering questions, upon his departure from the Presidential Palace this morning for Nicosia Airport to meet Denktash, in the framework of the UN-led negotiations aiming to solve the Cyprus problem by May 1, Papadopoulos also there is no tug-of-war between the Greek Cypriot side on one side and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his special advisor on Cyprus Alvaro De Soto on the other.

''We have our positions, we outline the changes we want so that it will be decided whether it is possible to go on to the last phase of the process that is the referendum,'' he added.

Invited to say if with all the issues brought up by Denktash the Greek Cypriot side is legitimised to bring up core issues, Papadopoulos said ''the issues Denktash brings up are outside the framework of the this type of negotiations, as determined in New York.''

''Denktash's effort must be considered as a effort to undermine the process of the talks to a process of exchanging extremist positions, that does not allow to achieve those changes we want to the Annan plan,'' he added.

He also noted that Denktash furthermore undermines the other two stages of this round of talks, something that creates problems to the way the UN Secretary General will handle the issue.

[05] French Ambassador sees problems if a divided Cyprus joins EU

1145:CYPPRESS:05

French Ambassador sees problems if a divided Cyprus joins EU

by Maria Koniotou

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The accession of a divided Cyprus to the European Union will certainly create problems, French Ambassador to Cyprus Hadelin de La Tour-Du-Pin has said.

In an interview with CNA De La Tour-Du-Pin said if the Cyprus problem is not solved by Cyprus' accession to the EU on May 1st, 2004, the Union ''will inherit a situation which is very difficult and tricky.''

''To have a divided member within a club is never a good situation for the club. It is not a good situation for the member, so that's why I don't want to think about that,'' he said.

Asked about his country's position on the Cyprus problem the Ambassador referred to the meeting France's Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin had Monday in Brussels with Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou, on the sidelines of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, noting that de Villepin expressed to Iacovou the good will of France ''not only to maintain the contacts but also to provide some help if need.''

''So we'll see how we could for instance within the framework of the UN good offices be of some help,'' the French Ambassador added.

[06] Greek Cypriot sides replies to Denktash's paper

1325:CYPPRESS:06

Greek Cypriot sides replies to Denktash's paper

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The Greek Cypriot side replied in writing today to points Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has raised in a lengthy document he submitted Tuesday night to the negotiating table, President Tassos Papadopoulos said here today after he concluded another meeting with Rauf Denktash in the context of the UN-led peace talks.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, more than two hours long, the President said that today's discussions were taken up by the issues on the agenda and added that talks would continue tomorrow.

The Cypriot President refrained from responding to press questions about Denktash's reaction to the response of the Greek Cypriot side to his document.

Asked what UN Secretary General's special adviser Alvaro de Soto, who conducts the talks, said about the points Denktash had raised, Papadopoulos said "What can he say, is De Soto a judge? Mr de Soto chairs the meetings.''

Asked if Alvaro de Soto believes the Turkish Cypriot leader has gone beyond the boundaries of the current peace process, the President referred journalists to Mr de Soto for a reply.

[07] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1500:CYPPRESS:07

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 26 (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             7           FAIR
Larnaca                 19             8           FAIR
Limassol                20             9           HAZY
Paphos                  18            10           FAIR

[08] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1505:CYPPRESS:08

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               87,88   (-0,17)

Traded Value                  CYP    762.612

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    458.080   378,31   (-0,57)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.269,76   (-0,37)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     243.867  109,16   (-0,37)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP      42.377   76,15   (-0,81)
Insurance Companies           CYP       4.662   16,53   ( 2,10)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP       9.362   57,17   (-1,02)
Tourism Companies             CYP       4.199   63,31   (-1,22)
Trading Companies             CYP     210.009   24,45   ( 3,38)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      14.322   71,34   ( 0,92)
�nformation Technology
Companies                 CYP       5.882    3,26   (-1,81)
Financial Services Companies  CYP      25.511   10,74   (-1,29)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP           0   11,07   (-4,73)
Hotels                        CYP      14.345   36,35   ( 0,75)
Other Companies               CYP      70.622   71,73   (-0,80)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[09] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1525:CYPPRESS:09

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

On Friday (February 27) and Saturday (February 28) the weather will be mainly fine with patchy clouds and probable misty patches and low clouds towards dawn.

Winds will be southeasterly to northeasterly, gentle to moderate locally, over slight to moderate seas.

Temperatures will reach maximum of 20 to 22 degrees Centigrade inland, 21 to 23 along the coast, and 14 to 16 over the mountains, and a minimum of 7 to 9 degrees inland, 9 to 11 along the coast, and 4 to 6 over the mountains.

On Sunday (February 29) and Monday (March 1), no significant change in the weather conditions is expected. On Monday, temperatures are expected to decrease.

[10] President says Denktash paper contains unacceptable positions

1535:CYPPRESS:10

President says Denktash paper contains unacceptable positions

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The unacceptable positions which Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has put forward at the peace talks should not be allowed to divert the agreed procedure and agenda of the talks, President Tassos Papadopoulos has stressed here today, pointing out that he will insist on proceeding with substantive negotiations on the basis of what was agreed in mid February in New York.

He said that Denktash's document raises core issues that relate to the philosophy of the UN proposed plan, which both sides have agreed not to disturb during their latest effort to reach a negotiated settlement.

[11] Cyprus to create regional research and technological institute

2010:CYPPRESS:11

Cyprus to create regional research and technological institute

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) The government has decided to make Cyprus a regional Research Centre in the field of applied technology, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism George Lillikas said today.

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