Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] FIBA Eurocup final in Cyprus on course

[03] Cyprus introduces agrotourism

[04] Cyprus government proposes rapprochement measures

[05] Cyprus problem among Washington's priorities

[06] President Clerides receives Greek official

1620:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    79.52 (-0.05)

Highest: 82.46 (2/1/97)
Lowest : 73.90 (30/1/97)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.43 (-0.06)
Approved Investment Companies          69.06 (+0.26)
Insurance Companies                    61.27 (-1.27)
Industrial Companies                   83.62 (+1.09)
Tourist Industries                     62.84 (-0.71)
Commercial Companies                   52.00 (-1.46)
Other Companies                        56.13 (+0.21)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1181948.658

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:02

[02] FIBA Eurocup final in Cyprus on course

"We want to put Cyprus on the basketball map in Europe. We want visitors leaving Cyprus to congratulate us for a job well done," Cyprus Basketball Federation (CBF) President, Takis Clerides, told journalists at a press conference today.

One of Europe's premier basketball events, this year's European Cup final between Spain's Real Madrid and Italy's Riello Verona, is set to bounce off April 15, at Nicosia's new Eleftheria indoor stadium.

Organisers say they have considered all the details, from back-up power generators to computerised time-keeping, to forestall any problems that may arise unexpectedly.

The two European basketball powerhouses arrive in Cyprus the day before the big match on chartered flights, each bringing with them about 500 of their most devoted fans.

"We don't foresee any fan problems", Clerides said, adding that from his experience, Spanish fans are "an example" of what club support should be.

Already 1000 tickets have been pre-sold since tickets went on sale March 24, but organisers expect that total to double over the weekend.

"It is a fact most tickets are sold at the stadium," Clerides said, adding that he expects Cypriot fans to fill the 6000-seat Eleftheria stadium.

Interest here in the Eurocup has waned after Greek club Iraklis bowed out of the competition in the semi-final stage of the competition.

Fans here have questioned ticket prices for the final which are 15 and 22 Cyprus pounds (about 30 and 44 US dollars) for regular and premier seating respectively.

Clerides admitted the prices are indeed high for Cyprus, but said local organisers have guaranteed a certain amount of proceeds from ticket sales to the two European clubs.

He also pointed out the ticket prices for this final are lower when compared to previous finals.

Game start time for the final is 2030 (1730 GMT) and will be broadcast live to Spain and Italy as well as other European countries.

Real Madrid is arguably the greatest basketball club in Europe. The club has won the European Championship 8 times, the last time in 1995.

The Spanish club side is also one of the few teams to have won all three major European competitions in Europe, having clinched the Spanish league title more than 25 times.

Riello Verona is relatively new in the big time, with only three appearances in European competitions. The Italian side took part in the Eurocup for the first time in 1992 and reached the semi-final.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1815:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus introduces agrotourism

Speaking at a press conference for the Cyprus Agrotourism Company's (CAC) first year of existence, Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) Director General Frini Michael, said Agrotourism, a new, alternative way of holidaying, "is based on accommodation in existing, restored, specially designed buildings, with traditional architecture, or new, though old-style ones."

Agrotourism aims to promote and maintain the "environmental, as well as cultural particularities of the island's countryside, while it constitutes an incentive, for remote villages, towards maintaining their local traditional style", Michael noted.

Under the project, 27 traditional premises in various villages, totalling 250 beds, have been restored and turned to tourist flats, museums or restaurants, by March 31, 1997, Michael said.

Agrotourism prices "are reasonable," varying between 8 and 10 Cyprus pounds per person, she added, (one Cyprus pound = two US dollars).

The CAC, which is assigned to promote agrotourism, has published a glossy colour guide in five languages, Greek, English, French, German and Italian, which is available at the CTO.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1850:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus government proposes rapprochement measures

"The measures are neither spasmodic nor temporary, and could lead to positive steps towards rapprochement," Christofides said, stressing that the government supports reconciliation between the two communities in Cyprus.

The Spokesman added that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides has made a proposal with measures he believes would contribute positively towards rapprochement.

Christofides noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash "follows exactly the opposite policy..."

Referring to the UN-led proximity talks between the two sides, aimed at paving the way for direct talks between President Clerides and Denktash, the Government Spokesman said there are some "encouraging" developments.

However, he noted that "we have not yet reached the desired point that would allow face-to-face negotiations". Efforts must continue, he added.

"The ground for direct talks has to be prepared in the best possible way and we all have to speak the same language, otherwise another round of negotiations, just for the sake of negotiations, will take place," Christofides said.

The Spokesman agreed with statements made by UN Resident Representative, Gustave Feissel, who is carrying out the proximity talks, that face-to-face negotiations, likely to take place in June, should be well prepared.

He said when the proximity talks end, the government will assess the outcome and decide "whether what we have before us is what we want to begin direct negotiations."

In the past three weeks Feissel has been holding bi-weekly separate meetings with President Clerides and Denktash, which he resumed today, after returning to Cyprus from Geneva, where he attended the first meeting between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Turkish Cypriot leader.

Meanwhile, Christofides said in today's meeting with Feissel, President Clerides stressed the urgent need for the UN chief to appoint the third member of the Investigatory Committee for the persons missing in Cyprus since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern part.

The tripartite Committee set up by the UN in 1981 is made up of a Greek Cypriot representative (Elias Georgiades), a Turkish Cypriot representative (Rustem Tatar) and a third member appointed by the UN Secretary-General.

Paul Wurth, an International Red Cross Society official, retired a year ago.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus problem among Washington's priorities

This was said here today by Cyprus Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, replying to press questions about the US stand on the Cyprus problem.

He believed that Washington would step up efforts to promote a solution to the Cyprus question, considering that "the year of Cyprus is approaching".

Christofides was asked to comment on the fact that US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, avoided answering a question if she intends to undertake an active initiative for a solution to the Cyprus problem, after a speech at the American Society of Newspaper Editors Convention in Washington D.C.

"There are no claims that the Cyprus issue is a top priority in US foreign policy, but we do have assurances that it is in their priorities," Christofides said.

The Spokesman pointed out that "it is not correct to conclude there is no US interest in a solution to the Cyprus problem, if the Secretary of State does not mention Cyprus every time she speaks."

At the same time, Christofides cited a statement made by Lee Hamilton, (D-IN), a ranking member in the US House International Relations Committee, that "all of us are highly frustrated with what's been the status quo there for many years".

Responding to a CNA question, during a foreign policy briefing at the Washington Foreign Press Centre, Hamilton said the US foreign policy agenda is "a very crowded agenda and it is not easy to get the attention of American top policy makers focused on the Cyprus problem.

"I very much hope the year of Cyprus will come about. I certainly will do all I can to make it come about," the US Congressman pledged.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1940:CYPPRESS:06

[06] President Clerides receives Greek official

Kranidiotis, who arrived last night for a four-day working visit, was received today by President Glafcos Clerides.

Speaking after the meeting, the Greek official told reporters that he discussed with President Clerides developments in the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' bid to become a full member of the European Union (EU).

Kranidiotis expressed the hope that the proximity talks "will be fruitful and eventually lead to the start of a face-to-face dialogue, in order to reach a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the UN resolutions and decisions."

He noted that, despite some difficulties, Cyprus' course to join the EU continues "smoothly", noting that accession negotiations will begin as scheduled, six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, with the legitimate government of Cyprus.

Kranidiotis said he conveyed to President Clerides Greece's full support to the Cyprus struggle.

The Greek Foreign Ministry official congratulated Cyprus' new Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides.

Later today, Kranidiotis and Cassoulides were the keynote speakers at a gathering organised by the Cyprus section of the Association of European Journalists on "The EU and the National Issues".

Among the audience were President Clerides, Ministers, MP's Greece's Ambassador in Nicosia Alexandros Sandis, Cypriot party leaders and other officials.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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