Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-07-26

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

CONTENTS

[01] Successful 1995 for national carrier, says CY Chairman

[02] Opposition parties condemn death of Turkish prisoners

[03] Australian concerns about lack of progress in Cyprus

[04] Meningitis situation "stabilised"

[05] EU accession "a unique opportunity," says German MP

1850 :CYPPRESS:01

[01] Successful 1995 for national carrier, says CY Chairman

Speaking at a press conference, ahead of tomorrow's Annual General Meeting, Rologis said Cyprus Airways recorded a pre-tax profit and dividend of 3,9 m. in 1995, compared to 6 m. the year before.

Total revenue decreased by 5,7 per cent and fell to 113,4 m. in the year under review, primarily because of a drop in net passenger revenue, he said.

Total expenditure in 1995 recorded a marked drop of 4,2 per cent from 114,3 m. to 109,5 m.

Staff costs, which represent 33,4 per cent of total costs, remained the highest single expense for the company, while fuel costs, landing and handling fees as well as depreciation charges, fell, Rologis noted.

The company's net debt was reduced by 56 m. to reach 104 m. at the end of 1995, the CY chairman said.

He said Cyprus Airways carried 1.240.145 passengers in 1995, marking a 5,6 per cent passenger loss, and there was a slight drop in the number of passengers on scheduled flights unlike a 6,4 per cent increase in cargo traffic.

The company's European destinations constituted by far its biggest market and accounted for 87 per cent of its total traffic, he added.

''The pursuit of alliances with other airlines remained a key element in the company's overall strategic plan,'' Rologis said, noting that existing agreements with KLM on Amsterdam and Aeroflot on Moscow and St. Petersburg were renewed for a further year.

Cyprus Airways also continued its code-share operation with Gulf Air to both the Gulf as well as New York and Houston and has signed an agreement with Kuwait Airways and with Syrian Airlines on the Larnaca-Madrid route.

An agreement in principle was also concluded with Alitalia and talks for future cooperation have taken place with Swissair, Rologis.

''As of 1995 Cyprus Airways became an all Airbus operator with eight Airbus A320s and four A310s and the average age of the fleet was 7,8 years (except three A320),'' the Chairman said.

The company, Rologis said, employed at the end of 1995 1.460 permanent employees, a slight increase over 1994 figures.

CNA MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000 :CYPPRESS:02

[02] Opposition parties condemn death of Turkish prisoners

In separate statements, issued here today, both parties have also criticised countries who put up with Turkey's attitude, and argued that this enables Ankara to continue committing atrocities.

AKEL has sent separate letters to the UN Secretary General, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe condemning the death of political prisoners on hunger strike in prisons all over Turkey.

Eights prisoners, who were on hunger strike, have died so far.

The left wing opposition party notes that the death of political prisoners ''brings to the forefront the inhumane conditions in Turkish prisons and the violations of human and political rights in the country''.

AKEL calls on Turkey's allies to stop tolerating Ankara's attitude, because of their own geo-political interests, and considers that Turkey's allies bear a share of the responsibility.

EDEK believes tolerance of Turkey's crimes ''constitutes an encouragement for their continuation''.

The socialist party also notes the US and Europe ''has a special obligation'' to put an end to the situation and calls on them to realise that through their political support to Turkey ''they create a state that murders human rights and undermines peace in the region''.

CNA MA/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2005 :CYPPRESS:03

[03] Australian concerns about lack of progress in Cyprus

''I am concerned that after 22 years we seem to be little closer to a solution on Cyprus,'' Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a reply letter to Heini Becker, MP for South Australia, Peake.

He noted the continuing uncertainty about the fate of over 1,000 persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and said that Turkish troops ''occupy part of the island in contravention of numerous UN resolutions.''

The Minister has also pointed out that ''an increasing number of Turkish settlers is changing the demographic make-up of the island.''

Downer said he was ''encouraged'' that the US, Britain and Europe had refocused attention on Cyprus and added ''with such international interest and prospects of Cyprus joining the European Union, we may yet see some movement on the Cyprus question this year.''

''I sincerely hope that with the assistance of the international community, the Cypriot people will find a solution soon. Goodness knows, we have waited long enough,'' the Minister said.

Downer reiterated his government's support to UN and Commonwealth initiatives on Cyprus and said ''a settlement will involve the cooperation and good will of all parties to the dispute to work actively towards a solution.''

CNA MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2055 :CYPPRESS:04

[04] Meningitis situation ''stabilised''

The Spokesman told journalists there are now 57 cases of meningitis in Cyprus, including five new cases on Thursday in Limassol, two fewer new cases than on the previous day.

''Judging by the numbers, I can safely say that the situation has at least stabilised, if not improved,'' Cassoulides said.

Most of the meningitis cases since the outbreak began earlier this month involve very young children, most of them in Limassol.

The Spokesman said the government has taken precautionary measures to contain the spread of infection, including an epidemiological study to identify the causes of the outbreak and repeated public announcements advising the public on precautionary measures.

The government has also set up a special medical committee and a team of sanitary inspectors to test the water supply, swimming pools, other public places and private homes.

CNA MM/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:05

[05] EU accession ''a unique opportunity,'' says German MP

Seiters, who was speaking at a press conference here today, said Germany backed Cyprus' accession to the EU and favours a solution to the Cyprus problem.

However, he pointed out that it will be difficult for Cyprus to join the EU before it solves its political problem.

Seiters also said that the situation in Cyprus is ''terrible'', after a visit to the demarcation line in Nicosia, along with Dr. Friedbert Pfluger, a member of the German Bundestag.

''We were shocked,'' he said.

Seiters said Cyprus' accession to the EU ''is a unique and historic opportunity for the island and we are interested in all Cypriots benefiting from it''.

He also said he believes ''EU accession will improve the situation for the Turkish Cypriots and will bring Turkey closer to the EU''.

Asked to clarify this point, Seiters said he ''did not speak about Turkey's accession to the EU, but about closer contact, bearing in mind Turkey's customs union''.

''Turkey'', he added, ''must become interested in achieving a lasting and viable solution to the Cyprus problem''.

Seiters reminded that ''Germany was also divided for decades and so shares the feelings of the Cypriots and desires the end of the island's division.''

However, he stressed that ''Cyprus' accession will be difficult before a solution to the Cyprus problem is achieved'', because EU policy states that ''the unsolved problems of candidate countries should not be brought into the EU''.

Seiters said that ''the Turkish Cypriots will benefit from Cyprus' accession, not only financially, but also with regard to their security'', because ''EU law provides for minorities''. CNA RG/MM

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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