Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-05-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] British end exercises earlier than expected

[02] Bicommunal soccer matches set for next month

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1300:CYPPRESS:01

[01] British end exercises earlier than expected

British Bases spokesman, Sean Tully, told CNA today "the training of troops was completed earlier than scheduled so they left the area and are on their way back."

He explained that "there were no hiccups during the training, so we finished earlier than expected and there is nothing unusual about that."

Asked if the early departure was a result of outside pressure, Tully replied "we were under pressure not to go and we did."

He said so far no proposals have been made by the government for alternative training areas for the British troops, stationed in the two military bases Britain has retained after it granted Cyprus its independence in 1960.

Tully also said the Bases administration has not suggested any alternative sites because it has no knowledge about the availability of sites for this purpose.

Reports from the western coastal town of Paphos said that women's groups protested as British army trucks were leaving the town but no incidents occurred during the brief protest.

A petition by the women demands from the Cyprus and British governments to "put a complete end to British exercises in Akamas."

It also notes women will continue their protests "using every legal and peaceful means" to end this practice and protect the environment.

A Cyprus police spokesman told CNA "the British troops who took part in the exercises have actually left the area and are heading back to barracks."

"They left the area in two groups, half of them in the early hours of today, the rest a few hours later," he said, and stressed that "there were no problems and the area is quiet."

George Perdikis, of the Ecologists - Environmentalists Movement, welcomed the British move but hastened to add "the decision to end the exercises two days ahead of the scheduled time aims at easing pressure Britain is under from various quarters to stop army exercises in Akamas."

He said British troops, on the island in accordance with the 1960 Treaty of Alliance granting Britain full sovereignty over two military bases in Cyprus, started withdrawing late last night.

Perdikis made it clear that environmental groups will continue to press for a complete halt to army exercises in Akamas because of the destruction on the environment.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Bicommunal soccer matches set for next month

On the initiative of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Cyprus Football Association (CFA) officials and representatives from the Turkish Cypriot clubs agreed to end a 42 year-old sporting hiatus between the two communities in a series of low-key meetings held over the past few months.

The matches will be held on June 12 and 19 at Makarios stadium in government-controlled Nicosia and Ataturk stadium in the occupied part of the capital.

CFA General Secretary Lambros Adamou told CNA the matches will be played by the under-18 club champions from both communities, but stressed the CFA was adamant in negotiations that the Turkish Cypriot team selected would have to be a CFA founding member.

"We didn't want to negotiate with any sporting body or football club set up in the Turkish-occupied areas that did not have a connection with the CFA," Adamou said. The CFA was founded by Greek and Turkish Cypriot clubs in 1934 but the Turkish Cypriot clubs unilaterally pulled out 21 years later.

CFA General Manager Andreas Stylianou told CNA Greek Cypriot under-18 champions AEL, from the southern coastal town of Limassol will most likely compete against CFA founding member, Cetincaya. About 300 Greek and Turkish Cypriot fans are expected to cross the demarcation line to cheer on their clubs at each game, as well as 50 club officials including the team squad.

Fan security had been an issue of concern during negotiations, but Adamou said both Cypriot police and Turkish Cypriot authorities have guaranteed the safety of fans travelling with their clubs.

"Security was a delicate issue," Lambrou said. "But, when Turkish Cypriot authorities had guaranteed security in the past, they have always followed through."

The government has also given assurances that it would make ironclad security arrangements in order to prevent any clashes between rival supporters.

Another sticking issue during negotiations was the signing of documents by Greek Cypriot fans crossing over into the occupied areas. The occupation regime demands that Greek Cypriots crossing the demarcation line sign "documents" as a sign of recognition of the pseudo-state declared by the occupation regime in 1983.

"We don't want to sign any documents at the checkpoint which would be tantamount to recognise the breakaway state," Stylianou told the English- language daily "Cyprus Mail".

The breakaway state is recognised by no country except Turkey. The CFA and the Turkish Cypriots are expected to issue a joint news release tomorrow officially announcing the bicommunal friendly games.

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

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.03 (-0.98)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.70 (-0.88)
Approved Investment Companies          61.88 (-2.67)
Insurance Companies                    58.08 (-1.04)
Industrial Companies                   79.39 (-0.34)
Tourist Industries                     62.34 (-1.64)
Commercial Companies                   49.89 (-2.27)
Other Companies                        54.72 (-1.01)

Trading Volume                         CYP 592599.759

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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