Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-11-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriot film director awarded best film prize

[02] Military talks carry on, says Spokesman

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] British official arrives for familiarisation visit

1105:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cypriot film director awarded best film prize

''Sfagi tou Kokora'', (the slaughter of the cock) shared the best film award with ''Apontes'' (absentees) by Greek film director, Nicos Grammatikos.

George Corraface and Valeria Golino, were also awarded best actor and actress awards respectively for their roles in ''Sfagi tou Kokora''.

The movie took six years to film and it is an international co- Production between Cyprus, Greece and Italy, with the participation of Sweden, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria and Syria and the support of the Council of Europe's EURIMAGES.

This is the second time that a film by Pantzis is awarded a prize at Salonica Film Festival, the first time being when he was awarded the newcomer's award for his film ''Viasmos tis Aphrodites'' (Aphrodite's rape), based on the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Pantzis was born in 1950 in Famagusta, now under Turkish occupation, and studied film and television studies in Moscow. His work has been distinguished at numerous international film festivals.

CNA MCH/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Military talks carry on, says Spokesman

''UN officials and the leadership of the National Guard will meet later in the week in accordance with the terms of the military dialogue the UN is holding with the Greek and Turkish sides,'' he told the press today.

The Spokesman refrained from further comment on the talks, which are shrouded in secrecy.

Replying to press questions, Cassoulides said the Greek Cypriot side accepted the UN proposal for talks with the commander of the Turkish occupation troops, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1062, which calls for such a dialogue.

Commenting on press reports, he said the government had no information that the occupation troops refused to take delivery of the UN military proposals, which envisage the extension of the unmanning along the cease- fire line, the removal of loaded weapons and the definition of a code of conduct for soldiers serving along the demarcation line.

Reports carried by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation have suggested the military dialogue are on the brink of collapse because of the attitude of the Turkish side.

On the contentious issue of overflights by Greek and Turkish aircraft within Cyprus' air space, Cassoulides said President Glafcos Clerides has rejected a definite ban of flights by the Greek air force, which usually take place during joint military exercises of the Republic's armed forces and Greek forces.

Turkish fighters often violate the Republic's air space, a move which the government protests to the UN.

''At this stage, efforts must focus on a political settlement of the Cyprus question because if these attempts prove successful, then we might be in a position to iron out other problems as well,'' he said.

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

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    82.68 (-0.41)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.35 (-0.39)
Approved Investment Companies          75.57 (-0.36)
Insurance Companies                    60.18 (+0.02)
Industrial Companies                   81.43 (-0.25)
Tourist Industries                     71.49 (-1.41)
Commercial Companies                   62.74 (-0.60)
Other Companies                        76.13 (-0.33)

Trading Volume                         CYP 516860.709

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:04

[04] British official arrives for familiarisation visit

''My main purpose here is to consolidate all the information that I have about Cyprus, to help me and my team work over the next few months,'' said Smith at Larnaca International Airport.

Smith, whose Department is headed by Warren Gash, said he will have meetings with representatives of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, other personalities and political party leaders.

''I've been dealing with the fascinating triangle of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus within the Foreign Office for a year and several months now and I am ashamed to say that this is my first visit to Cyprus,'' he noted.

The British official said the forthcoming period for Cyprus will be ''fairly busy'' due to ''the prospect of the accession to the European Union and also the process of achieving a settlement to the Cyprus problem, '' he explained.

''All minds should be concentrated on making the two processes succeed, '' Smith remarked.

He was adamant that it would be ''unrealistic'' to meet issues on Cyprus separately, in order to find much common ground, and noted it will be a question ''of flexibility for a good deal of trust in what the process might bring.''

Looking at the question ''at the very minimalist level'', Smith noted, it will take a lot of time to find a really enormous volume of common ground.

However he said that, to some extent, a kind of preparation is required but stressed ''the opportunities are there, let's go for them.''

Smith said he expects his visit to be ''a useful education experience'' so that he will be better equipped to support the efforts of people in Cyprus, the UN and other people in the international community to make Cyprus question a success.

British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind is expected to pay a brief visit to the island next month, to give momentum to Britain's increased involvement in efforts to reach a settlement of the protracted Cyprus problem.

Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, whose appointment in April 1996 was announced by Rifkind, will accompany the Foreign Secretary.

CNA TA/AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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