Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides' message to Primakov

[02] New Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner named

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Cyprus slams Turkey's effort to change demographic character

[05] Clerides to send letter to UN chief on missing persons

[06] Russia calls for a UN-EU meeting on Cyprus

[07] New initiative ''most important'', says Clerides

1310:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides' message to Primakov

Christofias will travel to Moscow as a special envoy of President Clerides. This will be the third meeting between Christofias and Primakov in less than six months.

The message is a reply to a letter sent by Primakov to Clerides through Christofias in October. Although the contents of Primakov's message was not revealed, both the government and Christofias described it as ''important''.

The AKEL spokesman told CNA that President Clerides would reply to Russia's intention to play an active role in the forthcoming efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

In earlier statements, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides noted that the Cyprus government was expecting something positive from Primakov's message.

Christofias has refused to comment on the contents of Primakov's letter, noting that Russia insists on its position that any initiative for a solution to the Cyprus problem should be under the auspices of the United Nations.

This position was further reinforced by Russia' former ambassador to the island, Boris Zenkov, when he said there was no coordination among the initiatives underway, stressing that all efforts should be within the framework of the UN and especially the UN Security Council.

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

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:02

[02] New Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner named

Christopoulos, former Nicosia vice-mayor, has been appointed by President Glafcos Clerides, after the death of Commissioner Leandros Zachariades.

The new Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs will officially assume office on January 1, 1997.

The Commissioner's main task is to deal with the issue of 1619 people missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the enclaved Greek Cypriots and Maronites in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island.

Christopoulos studied at the Royal College of Surgeons, in Dublin (1947- 1967), and at St Paul's Hospital, in London (1962-1963).

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    82.30 (+0.77)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.69 (+0.59)
Approved Investment Companies          73.77 (+0.30)
Insurance Companies                    57.63 (+2.14)
Industrial Companies                   83.26 (-0.36)
Tourist Industries                     69.73 (-1.82)
Commercial Companies                   63.20 (+4.98)
Other Companies                        68.86 (+2.90)

Trading Volume                         CYP 691645.050

CNA AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus slams Turkey's effort to change demographic character

Cassoulides was asked by CNA to comment on provisional census figures published today in the Turkish-Cypriot press, which revealed that the population in the occupied areas has marked an increase of 90 per cent since 1960 when the Republic of Cyprus was established, reaching 198.215.

In 1960, the population of the Turkish Cypriots was said to be 104.000 making 18 per cent of the island's population.

According to the figures, 52 per cent of the population lives in the occupied towns and the remaining 47,23 per cent in rural areas.

In the occupied northern part of the divided capital Nicosia, the population has reached 56,69 per cent of the total, in Famagusta 31,32 per cent and in Kyrenia 11,99 per cent.

''If one takes into account that thousands of Turkish Cypriots emigrate, it is clear that the (Turkish) settlers are far more than the indigenous Turkish Cypriots'', Cassoulides said.

The Spokesman told CNA that this systematic effort to alter the demographic character of the occupied areas constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and of certain UN resolutions.

''It is a very serious development and the Cyprus government will examine what further steps to take'', Cassoulides concluded.

The Turkish Cypriot press reported that the final figures will be made known in some months.

Although so-called officials in the occupied areas say the exact number of Turkish settlers will not be released, the results of the census, carried out on Sunday, concern individuals with dual ''nationality''.

The Denktash regime, which is recognised only by Ankara, consents to the influx of Turkish and other Muslim settlers and grants them ''citizenship''.

The Turkish Cypriot newspaper ''Yeni Duzen'' reported that the bogus- state should be included in the Guinness Book of Records because despite the fact that thousands of Turkish Cypriots emigrate every year, the population there increases.

Opposition newspaper ''Ortam'' notes that among those listed as ''citizens'' of the illegal entity are ''immigrants'', tourists, soldiers and students.

In his last report on Cyprus, former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali remarked, for the first time, that ''the situation in Cyprus is changing, in terms of both the demographic composition of the island and of the relationship of the two communities with each other and to the outside world.''

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

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Clerides to send letter to UN chief on missing persons

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides told reporters today it was decided that the letter will deal with ''the effective operation of the (UN) Investigative Committee, so that at last the road to the investigation into the fate of the missing will open''.

Michaelides was speaking after a two-hour meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and representatives of two committees of relatives of missing persons.

The letter will also contain a reply to a letter by the former UN Secretary-General who, according to press reports, called on President Clerides to declare 992 missing persons dead.

Michaelides said the new Secretary-General's estimations should not be pre-judged or taken for granted. ''We have the responsibility to contact him and tell him our thoughts on how the issue should proceed,'' the Foreign Minister said.

President Clerides informed the committees on Boutros-Ghali's letter but Michaelides refused to reveal any details.

A total of 1.619 people were listed as missing persons after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Russia calls for a UN-EU meeting on Cyprus

Moscow has also reiterated its proposal for the establishment of a special team within the Security Council that would support the Secretary General, noting its implementation would be timely and extremely important.

These views were expressed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Demurin, in an interview with Novosti press agency Friday.

Demurin noted that this team should be enlarged with European Union representatives, considering the fact that Cyprus will soon start accession negotiations.

He pointed out that the experience for a Bosnian solution has proved that ''none of the Security Council permanent members can isolate or reject the collective effort that should be undertaken for a just solution on Cyprus.''

Demurin also expressed Russia's opposition to any initiatives for a Cyprus solution which are not within the framework of UN resolutions and the Secretary-General's mission of good offices.

He noted that all Security Council members should realise that a Cyprus settlement can only be achieved with a co-ordinated effort and the good will of all parties involved. This, he added, should be based on the basic elements that make up a federal state.

Asked to comment on the latest UN resolution, 1092/1996, which extended the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus for another six months, Demurin said it was the result of a compromise which leaves neither party satisfied.

However, he said Russia shares the grave concern expressed over the lack of progress on this ''international problem''.

Demurin expressed Moscow's willingness to cooperate closely with the UN and all interested parties, in efforts to find common ground and the basic elements of a future Cyprus settlement, the soonest possible.

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/MA/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040 :CYPPRESS:07

[07] New initiative ''most important'', says Clerides

In his New Year message to overseas Cypriots, President Clerides describes the initiative, expected to be launched early in 1997, as the ''most important'' so far and notes our aim is ''to find a solution ensuring our future on the land of our ancestors.''

He expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot side will also adopt the same attitude.

The President stressed that ''for the first time the permanent members of the UN Security Council are showing great interest in a solution of our national problem, as a result of the flexible, dynamic and prudent policy we are persuing and of our continuing efforts.''

This interest, he adds, is also a result of the new balance of power and the developments of the wider region of the Balkans, the South Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

President Clerides says the implementation of the Joint Defence Doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, agreed upon by the two governments in November 1993, ''creates new momentum for the solution of the Cyprus problem, as it increases our security and strengthens our negotiating capacity.''

He stresses that at the same time the government is promoting internationally its proposal for the full demilitarization of the island.

The President calls on overseas Cypriots to play their role in enlightening public opinion and influencing the government, the parties and the mass media in the countries where they are living, in order to persuade them to support efforts for justice in Cyprus.

He notes that in the past they have helped in this direction and expresses certainty that Cypriots abroad ''will help us more intensively and effectively at these crucial times.''

President Clerides reassures them that the government and the people of Cyprus shall always be by their side to help them cope with the problems they are facing.

The President concludes his statement to overseas Cypriots with the hopeful message that Cyprus' struggle will soon be vindicated and that their home country, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third, will be reunited.

CNA MA/AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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