Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gulf Air to stop New York route via Cyprus

[02] Cyprus - EU transport talks

[03] President Clerides accepts UN proposal on military talks

[04] British envoy meets UN resident representative

[05] Parliament denounces murder by Turkish troops

[06] Specialised exhibition to open

1525:CYPPRESS:02

[01] Gulf Air to stop New York route via Cyprus

This flight was the result of an October 1994 three-year agreement between Gulf Air and Cyprus Airways.

Cyprus Airways spokesman Tasos Angelis told CNA Thursday that Bahrain-based Gulf Air had informed Cyprus Airways some two months ago on their intention to suspend their joint operation flights to New York, after a decision to limit their transatlantic routes.

A Cyprus Airways' high level delegation is having a meeting today with Gulf Air officials in Bahrain, in an effort to convince them not to suspend this flight which originated from Bahrein and via Larnaca it was flying to New York.

Angelis said flight was ''lucrative'' so Cyprus Airways had requested that the number of summer weekly flights be increased from two to three or four.

Meanwhile, Cyprus Airways have contacted some other airlines in order to achieve a new agreement for flights from Larnaca to New York, in case Gulf Air remains firm to its decision to terminate this agreement. Among them are American Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[02] Cyprus - EU transport talks

On his part, Cyprus Communications and Works Minister Adamos Adamides believes the EU appreciates the effort Cyprus is making towards this target but also acknowledges that a lot has to be done in this direction.

Speaking at a press conference after lengthy talks here, Kinnock described the meeting as ''frank and constructive'' and said the Union is anxious to iron out problems in the shipping industry and air transport liberalisation.

Cyprus' safety record, easy registration of vessels in Cyprus' ship registry and vessel operation of Cypriot-flagged ships must not affect Community interests, Kinnock said.

''This is a matter of particular concern to us given the size of Cyprus' fleet, the fourth largest and growing, and the large number of vessels owned by community companies that are flying the Cyprus flag,'' he said.

The Union, he explained, has to ensure global high standards in safety and operation as well as fair competition in the shipping industry in view of Cyprus' possible accession to the Union.

On air transport, the EU Commissioner said Cypriot legislation on civil aviation matches that of the Union to a great extent but added that a mandate on further opening up of markets to Cypriot air carriers will be ready for discussion.

Replying to questions about safety problems in air transport, caused by interference by the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus, Kinnock said the EU has ''more than usual interest in the conduct and relationship between countries'' but it would not legitimately intervene in disputes of any kind between the two countries (meaning apparently Cyprus and Turkey).

''What I am anxious to ensure is that in all respects air travel anywhere is safe and uninterrupted and in the course of pursuing that the less political intervention from any country the better,'' Kinnock added.

In his remarks to the press, Adamides said ''we got the impression that we have satisfied the EU officials about the way we go about implementing the promises we give to the EU.''

''There is no doubt that we are still a long way off from full harmonisation with EU directives but we are certainly on a solid course towards this goal and I believe the EU appreciates this,'' he said.

He said Cyprus will examine all the pros and cons of air transport liberalisation and in about six months' time it would be possible to exchange views with the EU and then sign the relevant agreement.

''Our national carrier, Cyprus Airways, does not seem to be ready to face up to competition that would result from liberalisation,'' he added.

On shipping, Adamides said Cyprus is not yet in a position to control fully safety standards of its commercial fleet (about 2,700 vessels).

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:04

[03] President Clerides accepts UN proposal on military talks

This was revealed here today by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, when asked to comment on an UNFICYP statement issued yesterday, stressing the need for the extension of the 1989 unmanning agreement, after the recent murders of unarmed Greek Cypriots by the Turkish occupation forces.

The government has expressed its readiness for such a dialogue, Cassoulides said, noting however that the Turkish side has not yet answered to the UNFICYP proposal.

The Government Spokesman also said that the issue was discussed during the meetings President Clerides had with the British representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, who is currently visiting the island.

''Sir David Hannay had certain views on the issue, as indeed the US and the UN also have'', Cassoulides, said.

The proposed indirect military dialogue would deal with issues such as an extension of the unmanning agreement as well as the prohibition of loaded weapons along the cease-fire lines and the 180-kilometre UN buffer zone, across the island.

The new proposal comes after a failure to realise an earlier proposal made by US Permanent Representative to the UN Madeleine Albright, during her visit to Cyprus last July.

Albright had proposed a direct military dialogue between the Commanders of the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces, in the presence of UNFICYP Commander, something which was not realised due to the insistence of the Turkish side for participation of the so-called commander of the illegal Turkish Cypriot forces.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:05

[04] British envoy meets UN resident representative

Speaking after the meeting, Sir David Hannay refrained from giving details about his meeting with Feissel, telling reporters ''I apply the same rules to my discussions, I do not talk about their content.''

Sir David Hannay said, however, that the meeting focused on ''the preparation for a political settlement and the negotiations and contacts beginning after that'' and noted that the UN, the European Union and a number of countries closely involved in efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem are coordinating efforts very closely.

The need to ensure that events like the tragic murder of Petros Kakouli last Sunday do not occur, including the proposal for further unmanning of military posts and the removal of live ammunition, was also discussed at the meeting.

Asked whether there has been progress, Sir David said he ''had a number of extremely useful and valuable and constructive meetings and whether or not I have made progress you will find out afterwards.''

The British envoy said he will report to his country's Foreign Secretary and not to the UN, noting that the international organisation has its own reporting process.

''My report is to the British Foreign Secretary and I do not publish my report'', he noted.

Gustave Feissel said Sir David's meetings with leaders of the two sides on the island were discussed as well as ''what lies ahead''.

''As you know we are trying very hard to bring the two leaders together'', Feissel said, noting that Sir David believes ''1997 is a good year for that.''

He described such a high-level meeting as ''a very crucial and determining event'', adding it should be made sure ''that everything is ready when that time comes.''

Asked whether there is greater chance for progress on finding common ground at this stage, Feissel said he did not think it useful ''to take the temperature every hour to see how things are''.

He said the focus should be ''on the objective of having things ready for the time when the two leaders will get together.''

Feissel said, that to his own mind, ''there is no other option to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem'' but a meeting between the leaders of the two communities on the island.

''Continuing the way things are at the present time is obviously not a solution and is not a future'', he noted.

The UN official said ''everybody realises or will realise that the only option they have is to solve the Cyprus problem and, of course, this requires at some point for the two leaders to get together to be part of that process.''

Noting that interest and support from Britain, the US and other countries are helpful to the Secretary-General's efforts, Feissel stressed the ''initiative is in the hands of the UN.''

Asked whether the UN has a new proposal concerning military issues, Feissel repeated the UN position supporting ''unmanning and unloading'', noting that ''the 1989 unmanning agreement has been a complete success where it has taken place.''

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1820:CYPPRESS:06

[05] Parliament denounces murder by Turkish troops

The retired fireman had strayed a few metres into the Turkish-occupied area, near the British Base Area of Dhekelia, in the island's south-eastern part, while collecting snails with his son-in-law Panikos Hadjiathanasiou 27.

Turkish soldiers opened fire against Kakoulli although he had raised his hands up.

Addressing the weekly plenary session of the House of Representatives, House President Spyros Kyprianou strongly denounced the Turkish barbaric act to kill an unarmed man.

This act, he noted, increases the responsibility of all those who want to contribute decisively to a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, a settlement that would free Cyprus from Turkey's permanent threat.

Representing all deputies, the House President added, ''I make it clear to every direction that such brutal murders do not discourage our people in their struggle to secure their rights but, on the contrary, they strengthen their determination, with patience and insistence, to carry on this struggle.''

Kakouli was the fourth Greek Cypriot to be killed by the Turks in the last four months. All four were unarmed. The first three murders took place in the UN-controlled buffer zone.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:08

[06] Specialised exhibition to open

The four-day exhibition of office equipment and technology has attracted 113 exhibitors, covering an exhibition space of 8000 square metres.

Takis Kyriakides, Chairman of the Cyprus State Fairs Authority, told a press conference today that a total of 25 Cypriot industries and services firms will participate in the exhibition while 88 of them are importing companies, which have on show the products of 420 companies from 23 countries.

Those countries are Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland, United States, Thailand, Japan, Ireland, Spain, Israel, Italy, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Netherlands, Hungary, Singapore, Sweden, Finland.

Products from Israel, Hong Kong and Taiwan will be also on display.

According to Kyriakides, this is the largest specialised exhibition organised in Cyprus and ''its prestige and radiance have exceeded the borders of our country.''

He said the aim of the OFFITEC exhibition is to help local and overseas businessman and professionals to utilise to the maximum the potentialities of modern technology and communications to achieve these goals.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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