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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-12Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>CONTENTS
1330:CYPPRESS:01[01] UN envoy leaves for Athens and AnkaraNicosia, Dec 12 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo, left this morning for Athens, having concluded two- days of consultations on the island with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.Han, who is accompanied by UN Resident Representative Gustave Feissel, will have meetings in Athens on the Cyprus problem while on Firday the two UN officials will fly to Ankara for talks. Speaking at a press conference here, Wednesday, after he conclusion of his consultations with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, Han said he could not claim to have narrowed the gap between the two sides. Han said ''I will return before long,'' noting he is ''more hopeful that such talks will materialise'' than he was during his previous visit here. ''The important point is to create and foster the environment and conditions for such talks to take place,'' Han added. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA AP/MCH/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1445:CYPPRESS:02[02] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Dec 12 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE All Share Index 81.35 (-0.22) Sectural Indices Banks 90.04 (-0.03) Approved Investment Companies 73.72 (+0.29) Insurance Companies 55.42 (-2.21) Industrial Companies 85.63 (-0.21) Tourist Industries 72.08 (-0.07) Commercial Companies 59.44 (-1.34) Other Companies 68.71 (+0.96) Trading Volume CYP 609038.374* The difference in brackets represents the percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) of the index from the previous stock exchange meeting. CNA AP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1800:CYPPRESS:03[03] Rifkind's statement reflects official British policyNicosia, Dec 12 (CNA) -- British Foreign Secretary's recent statement, stressing that Britain does not recognise the illegal entity unilaterally established by the Turkish occupation regime in Cyprus' northern part, reflects Britain's official foreign policy.This was stated here today by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, when asked to comment on Malcolm Rifkind's statement that Britain ''in no way attempts to recognise the so-called Turkish republic of northern Cyprus.'' In an exclusive interview with the London Greek Radio (LGR), Rifkind noted the importance of meeting both President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, when he visits the island next week. ''That is obviously sensible, otherwise no progress can be made'', Rifkind said, stressing however that his meeting with Denktash is in the latter's capacity as ''leader of the Turkish Cypriot community'' and that Britain ''acknowledges that northern Cyprus is an occupied territory.'' Commenting on Rifkind's statement, Cassoulides said ''it reflects British official foreign policy and is compatible with the spirit of the decision of March 6, 1995'' by the EU Council of Ministers, according to which Cyprus-EU accession talks will start six months after the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. CNA MCH/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1915:CYPPRESS:04[04] UN Chief holds equal distanceNicosia, Dec 12 (CNA) -- The report prepared by the UN Secretary-General on the UN operation in Cyprus holds an equal distance between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides and is not objective.This was stated here today by Cyprus Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, replying to press questions. The report ''holds an equal distance and is not objective,'' he said. Referring to paragraph 13 of the report, which notes ''a number of air violations of the status quo, mainly in connection with the annual exercises of the National Guard and of the Turkish forces'', Cassoulides stressed that it is the ''inalienable right of the Republic of Cyprus to decide on overflights.'' He said, it was peculiar that the issue of overflights was only raised when Greek aircraft flew over Cyprus during a joint exercise with the National Guard, in the framework of a defence agreement between Cyprus and Greece, while Turkish aircraft have repeatedly violated Cyprus' airspace with no measures taken against them. Cassoulides said ''the Cyprus Republic respects the ceasefire agreement in regards to the UN buffer zone'', but said according to international law it also has the inalienable right to sovereignty and to decide about overflights. Commenting on the UN Chief's reference to the National Guard's ''military construction programme'', Cassoulides said, that Cypriot troops will never ''fire a bullet unless the Turkish army chooses to launch an attack against the free areas of the Republic.'' The Government Spokesman also referred to the UN Chief's remark that ''the period under review has seen a level of tension along the ceasefire lines unparalleled since 1974'', and stressed the need for the international community to intensify efforts towards the realisation of a direct dialogue between the two sides in Cyprus. 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/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1940:CYPPRESS:05[05] Rifkind to probe positions on Cyprus problemLondon, Dec 12 (CNA) -- British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind will be probing positions on both sides in an attempt to identify areas of possible flexibility, during his upcoming visit to Cyprus.Britain's Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, David Davis, told the House of Commons that British representative on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, ''has made three visits to the island, during which he probed positions on both sides and tried to identify areas of possible flexibility''. According to Davis, Rifkind ''will take a similar approach during his visit''. The British Secretary will pay a visit to Cyprus on December 16 and 17, during which he will hold talks with President Glafcos Clerides, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Speaking during a House debate on Cyprus, Davis said ''we believe that the basis for a political settlement is already on the table'', which is a result ''of hard, painstaking work over many years under the leadership of the United Nations, which has pursued the international commitment to Cyprus with great tenacity''. Furthermore, Davis said ''this is a time for vigilance. We must be alert to the dangers of the situation as it stands today and to the opportunity that exists to shape a settlement before it becomes even more difficult''. Rifkind's visit to Cyprus ''is an expression of his deeply held personal commitment to helping to overcome at long last the tragic division of the island and reflects the Government's determination to support the United Nations Secretary-General by using our best endeavours to make 1997 a year of real progress in Cyprus,'' Davis said. He noted that Rifkind's visit is the first of a British Foreign Secretary since Cyprus gained its independence in 1960. Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd visited Cyprus in October 1993, when Cyprus played host to the Commonwealth summit, and had a joint meeting with Clerides and Denktash at the Ledra Palace hotel situated in the UN- controlled buffer zone in Nicosia. Davis said ''all countries with an interest in promoting a safe prosperous future for Cyprus, must work closely and constructively together if we are to succeed in the search for a settlement''. Rifkind, according to Davis, will discuss these issues, as well as security matters and the process for Cyprus' accession to the European Union with Clerides and Denktash. ''His aim will be to help them find ways in which divides can be bridged and a secure and prosperous future for Cyprus can be assured,'' Davis added. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA KT/RG/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1950:CYPPRESS:06[06] FAO official arrives in CyprusLarnaca, Dec 12 (CNA) -- UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Director General, Jacques Diouf arrived this evening in Cyprus for a four- day official visit at the invitation of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Costas Petrides.Speaking at Larnaca airport, Diouf made special reference to good bilateral cooperation between FAO and Cyprus and said he came here ''to see the agricultural activities and to discuss new areas of cooperation for the future.'' Petrides said FAO has offered great assistance to Cyprus especially after the 1974 Turkish invasion when some 70 per cent of the island's natural resources and 37 per cent of its territory came under occupation. Tomorrow, Diouf will have meetings with Petrides, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou and Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades. He will be received by the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou. On Saturday, Diouf will visit the Forestry College at the mountainous village of Prodromos, the Kouris dam and meet agricultural associations. He leaves on Sunday. CNA MCH/GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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