Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Russia-Cyprus to sign bilateral investment agreement

[02] Cyprus, Bulgaria sign cooperation agreement

[03] Former Minister ready to help country and party

[04] Cypriot develops pioneer method for dyslexia remedy

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Christofides: No progress in substance of Cyprus problem

[07] UN Envoy says progress made in Cyprus

[08] Strong economy passport to the EU, says Cassoulides

[09] Hoteliers aim to revive Cyprus' competitiveness

[10] Weather steals show in IUT Cup

[11] European Parliament adopts resolution on enclaved

1450:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Russia-Cyprus to sign bilateral investment agreement

The Finance Minister will also meet Russian Federation Culture Minister, Evgeny V. Sidorov to discuss the agenda of the first meeting of the Inter- Governmental Committee on Economic, Technical and Industrial Cooperation, to take place in Moscow in June.

Christodoulou will also have contacts with other Russian Ministers with whom he will discuss issues of mutual benefit.

The Finance Minister will then fly to London where he will represent Cyprus in the Annual General Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, from April 13 and 15.

The 58-member Bank aims to help eastern European countries and former republics of the Soviet Union to ease into the free market economy.

CNA MH/MA/1997

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1515:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus, Bulgaria sign cooperation agreement

The agreement, which is the result of talks between the two countries' delegations, provides for measures aiming at increasing the volume and improving the quality of postal and telecommunications transmission, between the two countries.

It also provides for the encouragement of radio and TV programmes transmission through the two countries, and cooperation between their postal and telecommunications authorities.

After signing the agreement, Ierodiaconou said "it (the agreement) will increase the volume of postal and telecommunication transmissions between the two countries, while it indicates that the relations between them, have been strengthened in the economic, technological, and political fields".

Slavinski expressed the hope that the agreement "will open the door for the future and more active cooperation between the two countries' postal and telecommunications authorities."

The Bulgarian Minister accompanied by Ierodiaconou was received this morning by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

This afternoon, he will visit Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades, who will accompany him to the demarcation line in the walled city of Nicosia.

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1520:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Former Minister ready to help country and party

He also underlined the decisive role the US can play in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem and thanked Greece for its continuous support and solidarity, especially in European affairs.

The former Minister said he is ready to contribute to the promotion of a Cyprus solution and Cyprus' European aspirations through his many personal contacts.

Speaking at a press conference, a day after he handed over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to former Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, Michaelides said "the Ministry has done an important and successful job" and a significant part of this success is due to Greece's role.

Michaelides said "Cyprus' role in the region has been enhanced and upgraded" and noted in particular relations between Cyprus and Israel.

Outlining achievements towards EU accession, he said the start of membership talks six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference "opened the road to accession."

"Our course to a united Europe may be moving at a slower pace once the accession talks begin but I believe it will lead to Cyprus' accession to the Union."

Referring to the US role in efforts to solve the Cyprus question, he said "there has never been so much interest on the part of the US in the Cyprus problem."

US involvement in these efforts will play a decisive role, but many others can help, he added.

Michaelides did not fail to underline Greece's role on all counts, which he described as a "new relationship, marking an important element of our success."

Invited to comment on his removal from the Foreign Ministry in Tuesday's cabinet reshuffle, Michaelides restricted himself in saying that he respects the decision of the President of the Republic to reshuffle his cabinet if and when he deems correct.

Pressed by journalists to say if he would seek a party post within the ranks of the ruling rightwing Democratic Rally (DISY), Michaelides said he is ready to "offer his services to the country and the party" but not necessarily through an official post.

CNA MM/GP/1997

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1525:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cypriot develops pioneer method for dyslexia remedy

Headmistress of "New Hope" private special school, in Nicosia, Dr. Eleni Rossides presented last week her pioneer method called LiFLexiA at the 4th International Conference of the British Dyslexia Association, held at the University of York, in England.

LiFLexiA for the remediation of SpLD individuals (dyslexic -specific learning difficulties), is an over-learning approach that attempts to match teaching-to-learning style and to increase these persons' performance skills in writing, spelling and reading.

It took Rossides five years of intensive research to develop this multi- sensory method, who focused her attention on the consequences of dyslexic responses in writing, spelling and reading.

She developed LiFLexiA through the use of an electronic letter display unit where maximum benefit is gained through a presentation of red letter characters that flow one by one to form words.

LiFLexiA aims to increase visual memory for better word recognition and minimise failure to recognise words on print.

It also aims to alleviate auditory perceptual confusion, thus minimising disordered spelling, as well as to eliminate visual-motor tracking problems, so that pupils do not loose their place when reading, spelling or copying.

The predominant view to date is that dyslexia is associated with phonological difficulties originating within spoken language processes.

Since phoneme segmentation skill is required to develop literacy within an alphabetical writing system, a pupil who does not process this ability at the crucial time fails to learn, to read and spell and have come to be known as "dyslexics" or "language disabled".

CNA AP/GP/1997

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1630:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.46 (-0.33)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.07 (+0.16)
Approved Investment Companies          66.89 (-1.28)
Insurance Companies                    54.49 (-1.84)
Industrial Companies                   73.83 (-1.57)
Tourist Industries                     64.20 (-0.91)
Commercial Companies                   52.83 (-2.60)
Other Companies                        59.48 (+2.27)

Trading Volume                         CYP 613453.715

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1610:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Christofides: No progress in substance of Cyprus problem

Noting that "progress has been made concerning the creation of a better atmosphere between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides," he said the same could not be said about the substance of the Cyprus problem.

Real progress, he said, would be if common ground was found, and noted there is still no convergence of views on the issues of sovereignty, political equality, demilitarisation or guarantees.

"UN officials meticulously talk of some progress that encourages them to continue with their efforts for direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, as well as about the prospect of progress, but are not concrete in their statements," he added.

Christofides also pointed out to statements made by UN Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel, that more steps are necessary to achieve face-to-face negotiations.

Concluding his briefing the Government Spokesman said what is important is the ongoing effort of reaching agreement.

CNA KN/MCH/MA/1997

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[07] UN Envoy says progress made in Cyprus

"We have moved towards certain things where the two sides are close and where it ought to be possible to achieve a common understanding, including these good will gestures that we have been working on," Feissel said.

The UN envoy was speaking on his arrival at Larnaca Airport after attending a meeting in Geneva yesterday between UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and Turkish occupation regime leader, Rauf Denktash.

Feissel pointed out, however, that although progress has been made during his separate meetings with President Glafkos Clerides, and Denktash, the two sides have not quite reached total agreement on both the substance and the good will gestures.

The UN envoy had six separate meetings with President Clerides and Denktash, in the past three weeks, in a bid to prepare the ground for face- to-face negotiations, and to get the two sides to unilaterally adopt good will gestures.

"I think we've had some good talks. We're close to doing certain things, modest things. But until we do it there's nothing," Feissel said, and added that once agreement is reached on the good will gestures, they will be implemented.

"Once we have them, they should be implemented right away. As soon as we have finished talking about them we'll do it. It's not connected with something else," Feissel stressed.

Feissel said that UN Chief Kofi Annan underlined to Denktash the need to move forward on the Cyprus problem and to work towards an overall settlement, expressing both his personal interest in the Cyprus problem and the "great importance" he attaches to it.

"The meeting with the Secretary-General was important. He underlined the significance of the moment and that nobody can afford to see this effort and the direct negotiations, that will begin by mid year, fail. I think was a very clear message and I think that will be helpful," Feissel added.

He also said Annan is keen on getting Denktash and President Clerides to face-to-face talks by the middle of this year, he noted the UN Chief is following the Cyprus problem "very closely" and confirmed that Annan will be present at the direct negotiations.

The UN Secretary-General, Feissel said, stressed to Denktash that work setting the ground for that meeting is particularly important and that both sides "need to support this effort in very concrete ways."

Feissel noted that through the proximity talks, the UN wants to "ascertain the kind of possible flexibility that might exist on specific aspects" and prepare the ground so that when President Clerides and Denktash meet, "things will have been, maybe to a small extent, pre-cooked so that when they talk it will be easier and the chances of them reaching an agreement will be enhanced."

The UN Envoy will meet with President Clerides tomorrow morning to inform him on the Annan-Denktash meeting.

CNA TA/MH/MA/1997

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2000:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Strong economy passport to the EU, says Cassoulides

This was stated here, today, by newly-appointed Foreign Minister, Yiannakis Cassoulides, in his address to a gathering of local businesspeople at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEBE).

In his first formal speech, Cassoulides pointed out that the government's main concern is to place the necessary importance on the local economy, which, he said, is based on private initiative.

"A strong economy," he noted, "will assist the struggle for the re- unification of Cyprus and will be its passport for accession to the EU."

"The more we harmonise with the acquis communautaire the greater will be the moral dilemma of countries which presently claim that there has to be a settlement of the Cyprus problem prior to accession," he stressed.

Cassoulides said the production sector should adapt to new circumstances, but noted that "some of the most important steps that had to be made for the liberalisation of the market have already been taken."

Assessing recent developments in the Cyprus problem, Cassoulides said there has been growing international interest for a Cyprus settlement, to which Turkish intransigence is the main obstacle and pointed out that it is to the interest of the EU to try to curb this intransigence.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

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2030:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Hoteliers aim to revive Cyprus' competitiveness

Addressing the Cyprus Hotel Association's (CHA) Annual General Meeting in Nicosia, Association President, Kikis Constantinou, called on parties with an interest in seeing a booming tourist sector, to contribute towards reviving an industry that in the last five years has suffered what he called, "a marathon of survival".

"Our suggestion is the adoption of a three-year action plan for the revival of the competitiveness of touristic Cyprus with the contribution of all tourist partners involved," he said.

The CHA President noted the island's tourism can be given a boost by lowering tourist package prices by 20 per cent and creating a "specific infrastructure which will satisfy the demands of tourists in the upper income group."

In his address, President Glafcos Clerides said the government has responded to the hoteliers calls by implementing measures aimed at attracting a wider spectrum of tourists.

The President said funds have been poured into the construction of three new marinas and golf courses, to attract higher-scale tourism.

Clerides added that Cyprus, in keeping with European standards, has adopted the use of the Blue Flag on eleven beaches to promote the island as "a country with a developed awareness of environmental issues".

On his part, Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) President, Antonis Andronikou, told hoteliers Cyprus is moving gradually beyond the image of sun and surf towards the mantra, culture-man-environment, which emphasises the new forms of tourism, like cultural, athletic, convention and agro- tourism.

He added the CTO has undertaken a more intensive and aggressive marketing campaign in traditional markets to promote Cyprus as a vacation mecca, but is also expanding into new markets such as Poland, Hungary, Switzerland and the Baltic States.

"According to the messages we have received from markets abroad, the numbers of reservations in Cyprus during the summer period are increasing on a daily basis," Andronicou said.

Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister, Kyriakos Christofi, also assured hoteliers the government will do its utmost to aid the hotel and tourism industry to not only meet, but surpass current tourism levels.

Over two million tourists visit Cyprus each year, mainly from the UK and other European countries, and the island's economy heavily depends on the tourism sector.

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2050 CYPPRESS:10

[10] Weather steals show in IUT Cup

None of the athletes, either men or women, managed to come close to their personal bests in today's double trap event at the Cyprus Olympic Shooting Range in Nicosia's outskirts.

The bad weather also prevented the women athletes to reach the personal Olympic qualification standard of 100 hits out of 120 targets, while only 11 men managed to surpass the Olympic standard of 120 hits out of 150 targets.

Italian Daniel di Spinio was first in the men's category with a 132/150 preliminary score and 39/50 score in the final of the World Cup's first day of competition.

Another Italian, Nadia Innosetti, was first in the women's category, with a 98/120 preliminary score and a 27/40 in the final.

In the team rankings, Italy came first with a 382/450 score followed by Belgium with 364/450 and Finland with 361/450.

The top Cypriot was Andreas Mastrou in 24th place with a 111/150 score.

On the women's side, Cypriot champion, Androula Pourgouri came in 15th with a 15/120 score.

CNA RG/MH/MCH/1997

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2100:CYPPRESS:11

[11] European Parliament adopts resolution on enclaved

The resolution describes as unacceptable the conditions set by the Turkish occupation regime to requests by Euro-MPs to visit some 500 Greek Cypriots living in the northern occupied part of the island.

Such conditions, it notes, are equivalent to recognition of the illegal entity unilaterally declared in the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

Denouncing the continuing violation of the human rights of the enclaved, the resolution stresses that a delegation of the European Parliament should be allowed to visit them, unconditionally, in order to prepare a report on their living conditions.

It also calls upon the UN, the European Union and the Council of Ministers and the European Commission in particular, to take the necessary measures to see to the improvement of the living conditions of the enclaved.

Two times, the puppet regime has set preconditions to Euro-MP's who asked to visit the enclaved, which they turned down as it would have meant indirect recognition.

The last time was last March, during a meeting of the European Union - Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee.

CNA NB/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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