Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides praises UN coordination on Cyprus

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Government supports its right to defences

[04] Government welcomes Russian proposal

[05] Government welcomes EU position on Cyprus

[06] Cyprus protests cancellation of pilgrimage

[07] Tarschys calls on two sides to solve Cyprus problem

1540:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides praises UN coordination on Cyprus

President Clerides was commenting here Wednesday on yesterday's meeting on Cyprus of the five permanent members of the Security Council and representatives of the UN Secretariat.

"I can see, for the first time, an effort of coordination by the Security Council, something that was not present in the past. This is a good development," the President said.

He also noted "I believe this coordination should not only continue but be strengthened."

Asked to comment on the UN Secretary-General's appeal to both sides to show good will, Clerides said "we will continue to show our good will."

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

CNA TA/EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    78.49 (-0.23)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.49 (-0.09)
Approved Investment Companies          70.36 (+0.13)
Insurance Companies                    59.54 (+0.61)
Industrial Companies                   84.67 (-1.04)
Tourist Industries                     62.71 (-1.83)
Commercial Companies                   52.56 (+0.23)
Other Companies                        56.26 (-0.02)
Government Bonds                      100.00 (*****)

Trading Volume                         CYP 318271.410

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1815:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government supports its right to defences

At the same time it appreciates US concern over Turkish threats to strike Cyprus, after the government decision to buy the S-300.

"We believe it is the country's obligation and right to see to its defence because the Turkish occupation force is illegally armed up to its teeth, with American arms," Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, told his daily briefing Wednesday.

Commenting on the US President's bi-monthly report on Cyprus, the spokesman noted the Turkish forces, which invaded the island in 1974 and are since occupying its northern third, have brought over a large number of heavy duty American tanks.

In his report for the period December 1, 1996, to January 31, 1997, Bill Clinton describes the government decision to purchase the S-300 as "doubly regrettable", taking into consideration, as he argues "the already excessive levels of armaments on Cyprus".

The American President also expressed concern over "threats of a military strike by Turkey", resulting, as he says, from the purchase of the Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles.

Christofides said the government appreciates the US position on the Turkish threats. "We respect this position," he noted.

Turkey strongly opposed the Cyprus government's decision to buy the S- 300 and Turkish officials had threatened not to allow them to be deployed on the island.

The Spokesman agreed with the US government that "the Cyprus problem will be solved through a dialogue and not war", but pointed out that the presence of Turkish troops does not allow an unencumbered dialogue to take place.

However, Christofides dismissed part of the report which supports that the government had decided, "at US urging, to defer importation of components of the S-300 for 16 months".

"US diplomacy did not pressure us on the delivery date," he said, noting that the purchase contract defines when the S-300 will be delivered.

Foreign Minister, Yiannakis Cassoulides, also cast aside US claims that they had urged the government to defer importation of the S-300, and pointed out that they could only be deployed here 16 months after the down- payment. He added he sees no reason for carrying on with this discussion, as all efforts should now be concentrated on reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.

"Through our decision for the suspension of Greek military aircraft overflights in Cyprus, we have proved that we can take unilateral decisions, when we believe the timing is right, to help the climate in which efforts for a solution are being carried out," the Foreign Minister said. He called on all other governments involved to follow suit.

CNA MCH/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Government welcomes Russian proposal

The Russian proposal was put forward Tuesday, during a meeting of the UN Security Council permanent members, in New York, in the presence of foreign governments envoys for Cyprus.

Describing the proposal as "positive" and a document through which ideas can be drawn on, Christofides said "since we are still at the preparatory stage it can be used along with other documents," at any stage of the negotiations for a Cyprus solution.

He added the two high level agreements reached between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, in 1977 and 1979, the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus and a set of ideas proposed by the UN in 1992, are among documents on the negotiating table, as pointed out by the UN Secretary- General, Kofi Annan, in a letter he had sent to all interested parties last January.

The Russian proposal notes that the solution to the Cyprus problem should ensure the establishment of a bicommunal, bizonal federation, which will safeguard the existence of one independent and territorially integral state, with a single sovereignty, international status and citizenship.

Christofides said the proposal also rules out union of any part of Cyprus with another country, as well as any form of division or secession and provides for the establishment of a demilitarised and secular state.

The federation and its constitution will reflect the political equality of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, according to the Russian proposal, and will guarantee their religious, cultural and social identity.

With regard to the security of the future federal state, which is one of the thorny issues in the Cyprus question, Russia proposes it is safeguarded through international guarantees.

As for the issue of the displaced, it notes it will be solved through determining the territory each of the two communities will retain under their control.

Nearly 200.000 Greek Cypriots (about 40 per cent of the island's population) were forced to leave their homes after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of the island's territory. Some 120.000 Turkish Cypriots (18 per cent) have been living in the occupied areas, most of whom moved there following an exchange of population agreed in 1975.

The Russian proposal also stipulates that each community, as a federal entity, will have the same rights and power. This will also be applied to their local authorities.

The constitution, it adds, will also safeguard international rights and freedoms.

Christofides clarified that no decision was taken on the Russian proposal by the five UN permanent members, noting that a statement was issued after the meeting, in which they outline how they see efforts to reach a solution in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the Russian proposal was welcomed today by Foreign Minister, Yiannakis Cassoulides, who noted it "outlines the framework through which a solution should be reached."

Cassoulides stressed that the Greek Cypriot side would like this proposal to be included in the documents already on the negotiating table and noted the statement issued after the New York meeting does not portray what the Russian proposal outlines.

The Foreign Minister said, in their statement, the "big five" express support to the UN-led preparatory phase, carried out by indirect meetings between the two sides, and describes the present situation in Cyprus as unacceptable.

Cassoulides noted the UN Security Council permanent members consider "important" the preparatory work, expected to lead to face-to-face negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

He added the government agrees with this, as it does not want the negotiations to fail.

The Foreign Minister also expressed satisfaction with the fact that the "5" will hold regular meetings, to be briefed on developments and express their views, and reiterated that the UN Chief should coordinate efforts for a solution to the Cyprus question. CNA MCH/KN/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Government welcomes EU position on Cyprus

The EU reaffirmed that accession negotiations will begin with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

The Council also pointed out that Cyprus' accession should benefit all the island's communities and recalled that contacts with the Turkish Cypriot community must be organised, in consultation with the Cyprus government, to help it perceive the advantages of accession more clearly.

The Union reiterated the "highest importance" it attaches to current UN efforts to bring together President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in direct talks, with a view to solving the problem "in accordance with UN resolutions."

The EU notes the urgency for a solution in Cyprus and adds that "lack of progress would be to the detriment of Turkey, the EU and EU-Turkish relations."

It also "urges Turkey to join other states in promoting such a negotiated solution in direct talks this summer between the parties."

Meanwhile, Cassoulides called on EU member-states to seriously take into account statements made by his Turkish counterpart, Tansu Ciller, with which she relates Cyprus' EU accession to her country's relations with the Union. Many conclusions can be drawn from this statement, Cassoulides noted.

The Foreign Minister also pointed out that Greece's veto to EU aid for Turkey is not related to Athens' national issues, of which the Cyprus problem is a part.

He noted Greece insists on the veto because of recent Turkish threats in the Aegean and against Athens' right to extend her territorial waters.

Cassoulides expressed satisfaction with EU efforts to improve Greco- Turkish relations, through a group of experts who will study practical procedures with which the two countries could go about resolving their differences.

CNA KN/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2055:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus protests cancellation of pilgrimage

Some 800 Greek Cypriots were to visit last Sunday the Monastery, in the eastern tip of the island, for the Orthodox Easter, but the pilgrimage was cancelled following Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's insistence on censoring the list of pilgrims.

The occupation regime also wanted to limit the proposed number of pilgrims and would not allow entry to journalists and members of organisations from the occupied Karpass peninsula.

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said today that Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN, ambassador Nicos Agathocleous, protested to the big "5" and the UN Secretariat, on Monday, April 28.

"We demanded respect for our proposal and list of pilgrims, as we respected and accepted the list of Turkish Cypriot pilgrims that had come to the government-controlled part of the Republic," he added.

Christofides was referring to a pilgrimage by some 450 Turkish Cypriots, on April 19, who had prayed at the Hala Sultan Tekke, a mosque near the southern coastal town of Larnaca, one of the holiest Moslem places of worship.

He pointed out that all arrangements were made through the UN representatives in Cyprus. The UN had also criticised the Turkish Cypriot illegal regime for demanding to censor the list of pilgrims.

However, the Spokesman said Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Takis Christopoulos, will carry on with his efforts to arrange the pilgrimage.

CNA MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2105:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Tarschys calls on two sides to solve Cyprus problem

Strasbourg, Apr 30 (CNA) -- Secretary General of the Council of Europe (COE) Secretary-General, Daniel Tarschys, has pointed out that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved by any kind of (COE) instrument or by the UN, but only if Turks and Greeks in Cyprus decide that they must solve it.

Speaking on Tuesday to Cypriot journalists who are visiting Strasbourg, Tarschys also said that "it is an illusion to believe that some Messiah will come down and take away one of the major spectrums (the Turkish army)."

Tarschys described the present situation in Cyprus as "unacceptable", he assured the COE follows the situation very closely and expressed the hope that the COE will be able to play some kind of role in the efforts for finding a solution to the protracted Cyprus question.

He said that when he had visited Cyprus he noticed that the old generations of Greek and Turkish Cypriots were closely acquainted.

"There was a personal familiarity", he said, "with the Turkish side. I noticed that young people did not have that at all."

The COE Secretary General also pointed out that both sides have to put in on efforts for a solution and said he would "like to see more interest on both sides".

Asked how Turkey can be forced to withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus, Tarschys replied that "we have to recognise that neither the UN nor the COE nor a host of other international organisation can impose binding decisions on their member-states."

He also expressed the belief that the Cyprus issue is exclusively a European problem.

"I am convinced myself," he said, "that this is seen strictly as a European problem and that one should try to mobilise other Europeans to be involved in this problem."

However, he added that "there should be a very important part played by the international community, but they cannot eliminate the absolute importance of two players, and you (the Greek Cypriots) are one of them," he pointed out. CNA RG/MK/MA/AP/1997

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