Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Israeli assurances to Cyprus

[02] Cyprus' entry into EU to benefit both communities

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Rifkind's visit according to schedule, Cyprus says.

[05] No new Israel-Turkey military agreement, ambassador assures

[06] Police investigate shooting incident

[07] IMF considers Cyprus economy satisfactory

[08] Portillo: Cypriots must make difficult decisions for peace

[09] President Clerides to attend EU summit lunch

1020:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Israeli assurances to Cyprus

''Israel is friendly disposed towards Cyprus and would never enter into a military agreement with another country which would entail terms affecting Cyprus in an adverse manner,'' Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides said Sunday, on his return from a one-day official visit to Israel, following an invitation by his Israeli counterpart David Levy.

Michaelides said the recently signed agreement does not include any additional elements, beyond the terms of a previous defence agreement earlier this year.

''The latest accord concerns the implementation of the provisions of the previous agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister David Levy have assured us there is nothing in this agreement that affects Cyprus directly or indirectly,'' Michaelides said.

Speaking at Larnaca airport, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his visit and described it as ''a visit with substance which conveyed the message that Cyprus participates in regional developments.''

The recent Israeli-Turkish defence agreement envisaging joint military exercises, the Cyprus question, the Middle East peace process and other matters of mutual interest were on the agenda of the talks.

The Minister said Cyprus aims to become a bridge between Europe and the Middle East and to achieve this, one has to be in close contact with one's neighbours.

''We have achieved a lot in the past three years, signed five agreements on various fields and more are under way. Our cooperation is not limited to the political sphere but extends to cultural, scientific and economic cooperation,'' he added.

Michaelides, who also had talks with Levy, briefed the Israeli Premier on the latest developments in Cyprus while Netanyahu informed the Cypriot Minister on the latest moves to push the Middle East peace process forward.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus' entry into EU to benefit both communities

Speaking to ''Phileleptheros'', Pangalos notes an increased international interest in the Cyprus problem, mostly connected with the island's process of accession to the EU, expected to begin six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference.

''The prospect of accession to the EU puts pressure on Turkey for the first time. Turkey resists against it because it realises that it will create the necessary preconditions for the Turkish Cypriot community to cease being dependent on Ankara'', Pangalos says.

He stresses that it would be wrong to set a solution to the Cyprus problem as a precondition for joining the EU since accession would be to the benefit of both communities on the island.

Commenting on foreign initiatives on Cyprus, Pangalos says they are welcomed provided they are based on the respect of international law, while he underlines the importance of the issue of security.

''If Turkey wishes to protect Turkish Cypriots on the island it should give a reasonable answer to the security issue and the withdrawal of its troops from the island.''

At the same time, the Greek Foreign Minister repeated his full support to President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for Cyprus' complete demilitarisation.

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

1545:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.95 (+0.15)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  90.55 (+0.39)
Approved Investment Companies          73.91 (-1.28)
Insurance Companies                    56.50 (-1.26)
Industrial Companies                   86.74 (+0.63)
Tourist Industries                     71.20 (-0.56)
Commercial Companies                   60.07 (-0.66)
Other Companies                        70.00 (+0.17)

Trading Volume                         CYP 487487.100

CNA AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Rifkind's visit according to schedule, Cyprus says.

He made this statement when asked whether the government will ask for the postponement of Rifkind's visit after the reaction caused here by his intention to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in the Turkish- occupied part of the island.

Cypriot politicians have supported that Rifkind's visit to Denktash in the occupied areas (the first of a Foreign Minister since the 1974 Turkish invasion) would imply indirect recognition of the head of the occupation regime.

Cassoulides stressed that ''some of Rifkind's previous statements have created certain problems'', noting, at the same time, that there is no question of postponing the visit.

The Spokesman revealed that the Cyprus government had given its consent to Rifkind's visit to Denktash, in his capacity as representative of the Turkish Cypriot community.

He said the issue would be discussed at a session of the National Council, the island's top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides had a meeting today with British High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden.

Asked to comment on Rifkind's visit, Madden referred to the official British Foreign Office press release issued last Friday.

''That contains all we need to know about the purposes of the visit, who he (Rifkind) will see and the main purpose of the visit is to help to look for ways of Britain helping make progress towards the solution of the Cyprus problem'', Madden said.

During his stay on the island, Rifkind will meet Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Denktash.

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

1910:CYPPRESS:05

[05] No new Israel-Turkey military agreement, ambassador assures

Asked by CNA whether the latest military agreement signed between Israel and Turkey includes joint military exercises, Tzur said ''no, it's not a new agreement.''

''You sign an overall agreement and every year you implement part of it like planning the yearly work. That was the agreement, it's not a new agreement but implementing some of the provisions,'' the Israeli ambassador explained.

He said the agreement provides for Israeli pilots training in Turkey, using the Turkish air space, which is bigger than Israel, and industry cooperation. He noted ''we have something very similar with Greece.''

The ambassador travelled Sunday to Israel with Cyprus Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, who paid a one-day official visit to Israel, at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart David Levy. Michaelides had also a meeting with Premier Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tzur told CNA the atmosphere ''was really very friendly'' and said Michaelides had told the Israeli Prime Minister that Cyprus was willing to contribute to the Middle East peace process.

The Cypriot Minister also suggested that in meetings, like that of the Ceasefire Committee for Lebanon, ''Cyprus would be the best venue,'' because of its friendly relations with all countries in the region, its geographical position and telecommunications, Tzur added.

He described the meeting as ''very important'' as it was the first meeting with the new government in Israel, noting this is really the way to continue the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, in all fields.

''What is really important in these kind of meetings is the atmosphere and it was very friendly, open discussion, sincere discussion, like discussing something between close friends,'' the Israeli ambassador concluded.

On his return from Israel yesterday, Michaelides said Israel had given assurances to Cyprus that its military cooperation with Turkey neither affects nor threatens Cyprus' security.

He said the recently signed agreement did not include any additional elements, beyond the terms of the defence agreement signed earlier this year between Israel and Turkey.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1925:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Police investigate shooting incident

A police spokesman told CNA that the allegations were being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department. He did not elaborate.

In a dispatch from Ankara, the French News Agency (AFP) quoted the illegal ''Turkish Cypriot News Agency'' (TAK) as saying that soldiers guarding the Turkish-occupied areas at the Agios Dometios suburb of Nicosia, opened fire against three Greek Cypriots, who had broken down a Turkish flagpole.

It said they fled unharmed into the free areas of the Republic.

Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides confirmed earlier today that shots were heard around 0430 local time (0230 GMT) today by residents of the Agios Dometios area.

He said there were reports of minor damage to a parked car and water storage tanks, but no casualties.

Cassoulides said the Cypriot Police were investigating the issue and the United Nations, which is expected to issue a statement on the incident, visited both National Guard and Turkish military posts in the area.

None of the weapons held by the National Guard soldiers were used.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Four Greek Cypriots were shot or brutally murdered by Turkish troops and extremists during summer.

Turkish brutality was highlighted when a Greek Cypriot demonstrator was seen by millions of viewers worldwide, cold bloodily shot by a so-called Turkish Cypriot ''minister'' and Turkish military officers.

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:07

[07] IMF considers Cyprus economy satisfactory

Speaking here Monday after a meeting with an IMF two-member delegation, currently on the island to review Cyprus' annual economic performance, Christodoulou explained this was indicated to him during last month's IMF meeting in Washington.

For this reason, he added, this year's IMF delegation is made up only by two members and their mission here will be shorter.

However, the Minister noted that Cyprus' expected satisfactory economic level, in comparison with other countries, will not lead IMF to lessen its relations and ties with the island.

The Finance Minister said during today's meeting he briefed the IMF delegation about Cyprus' economic policy and the development in basic financial indicators.

Christodoulou said the IMF delegation raised a lot of queries in order to be informed of the government's intentions regarding the liberalisation of Cyprus' monetary system.

They also asked to be informed on matters concerning the status of the semi-government organisations and issues related to the industrial sector's problems.

The IMF delegation will also have separate meetings with Finance Ministry and the Central Bank officials.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2010:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Portillo: Cypriots must make difficult decisions for peace

Addressing Greek Cypriots at a gathering last night, Portillo said it ''has been 22 years of the Green Line, of this obscenity and of this scar for both communities''.

However, he said there maybe now some hope because the people of Cyprus have applied their minds for their island to join the European Union united.

Portillo said Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind is making a particular effort ''to come to grips with the Cyprus problem'', with a visit to the island which is scheduled to take place between December 16-17.

During his contacts, Rifkind will ''talk to both sides in order to see whether there is a way of bringing about a settlement,'' Portillo said.

Rifkind ''will go to see if Britain can contribute to achieving peace on the island,'', he added.

Portillo quoted former Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres' comments that when ''embarking upon a peace negotiation, the only preconception you can have in your mind is that you want to have peace''.

However, he stressed that if you go into negotiations with absolutely set positions, on both sides, ''then there will be no peace''.

Portillo noted that ''if next year is to be a sort of dawning, then there will be difficult decisions for the people of Cyprus to make. But the prize of peace is worth some difficulty''.

Rifkind is scheduled to meet Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in the first visit by a British Foreign Secretary since 1960, when the island, a former British colony, became independent.

The island has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA KT/EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:09

[09] President Clerides to attend EU summit lunch

The meeting will take place on Saturday afternoon, on the sidelines of the European Council to be held in Dublin on December 13-14.

President Clerides is leaving Wednesday afternoon for London, on his way to Dublin where he will represent Cyprus at a meeting between the members of the European Council and the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus, at the invitation of the EU Irish presidency.

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides will accompany President Clerides.

The Cypriot President will fly to Dublin on Friday and the next day he will attend a working lunch offered by the President of the European Council, Irish Prime Minister John Bruton, in honour of the EU Heads of State or Government and of the leaders of the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus.

These countries comprise Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

President of the European Commission Jacques Santer will also attend the lunch.

On the sidelines of the EU summit, the Cypriot Foreign Minister will attend a lunch offered on Saturday by the President of the EU Council, Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring, in honour of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU member-states and the associated countries.

Cyprus applied for full membership in July 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union agreement in 1987.

President Clerides will return on Sunday.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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