Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Kasoulides: A solution would benefit Turkey

[03] Foreign Minister says EU prospect can facilitate solution

[04] American Ambassador opens bicommunal photo exhibition

[05] Albright assures of US commitment for Cyprus settlement

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.22 (+0.29)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.87 (+0.30)
Approved Investment Companies          64.19 (-0.50)
Insurance Companies                    58.21 (+0.03)
Industrial Companies                   79.27 (+1.21)
Tourist Industries                     61.53 (-0.40)
Commercial Companies                   50.55 (-0.41)
Other Companies                        55.22 (+0.11)

Trading Volume                         CYP 573489.033

CNA MA/1997

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[02] Kasoulides: A solution would benefit Turkey

It has also called on Turkey's "allies and friends" to convince her that a Cyprus solution will be to her benefit and reiterated its readiness to negotiate with "an open mind" during next month's talks, which provide a "real, unique window of opportunity for peace."

In his opening remarks here today at the National Press Club, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, said the government "would have preferred if these negotiations were better prepared in advance and common ground narrowing the gap between the position of the two sides were to be established."

If negotiations were to collapse, he said, "this will increase the people's frustration since they have built expectations for a positive outcome."

Failure at the talks, he warned, would "erode faith in the negotiating process and give an opportunity to hard-lines from both sides to gain an advantage."

Expressing hope for "productive talks", Kasoulides said the government "desires to see tangible results in the negotiating process as soon as possible."

If the Turkish Cypriot side comes to the negotiating table "with the political will to be constructive and ready to negotiate a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem in a spirit of give and take, then peace and reconciliation can at last be achieved in Cyprus," he stressed.

Kasoulides said the difficulties that need to be overcome relate to "opposing priorities for both communities and certain misconceptions created over the past."

"The government of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot community understand fully the anxieties of the Turkish Cypriots. Our aim is not to dominate," he stressed. He called on the Turkish side to acknowledge that the legitimate concerns of the Greek Cypriots must also be met to help find a lasting settlement.

Describing the Cyprus question as a "problem of invasion and continuing occupation by Turkey", the Minister underlined the need to have Turkey convinced of the advantages it would gain from a resolution of the problem.

"A great number of strategic interests for the western world are at stake. Turkey must be convinced by her friends and allies how much she stands to gain from a solution of the Cyprus problem," Kasoulides told journalists.

A Cyprus solution, he pointed out, will have "a tremendous impact on Greek - Turkish relations."

Referring to the "improved atmosphere" ahead of the July talks, the Minister said the government's decision to avoid use of its sovereign air space, by the Greek airforce, and the seriousness with which it is dealing with three UN proposals (unmanning, unloading of weapons and rules of engagement) to reduce tension have "definitely contributed" to this.

CNA MM/MA/1997

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[03] Foreign Minister says EU prospect can facilitate solution

Kasoulides also defended Cyprus' right to its defences, but pointed out the government would be willing to accept the deployment of a multinational force in Cyprus.

Replying to questions Friday, during a press conference at the National Press Club, in Washington, the Foreign Minister said the government considers that the prospect for EU membership will facilitate "the process for a settlement."

He also noted EU membership will prevent Turkey from invading the island and could "be used to the advantage of Turkey," in view of Ankara's wish to join the Union.

Kasoulides stressed that no country which is not an EU member has the right to veto Cyprus' accession.

Asked about a government decision to buy the Russian-made anti-aircraft missile system S-300, he said Greek Cypriots "feel insecure due to the presence of the (Turkish) occupation forces."

Noting that the S-300 will deter Turkey from using future military force against Cyprus, Kasoulides pointed out "at the moment we concentrate our efforts on a political solution."

The Foreign Minister dismissed press reports that he has brought to the US proposals on the Cyprus question and reiterated the government's political will for a solution.

He said the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, remains intransigent in his views and said the proximity talks held in Nicosia by UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel, "have not bridged the gap" between the two sides.

Asked whether the government would accept participation of Turkish troops in a multinational force in Cyprus, Kasoulides said "if there is total demilitarisation, we will accept an international force in which a Greek and a Turkish contingent would participate."

The Foreign Minister also said the US could "exercise its influence, particularly on the Turkish side" for a solution and described the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as Presidential Emissary for Cyprus as an example of "US interest and determination to push for a political settlement."

Asked about the prospect of direct negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, to take place near New York early next month, Kasoulides said there are "some new factors" such as the EU decision that accession negotiations will begin with Cyprus six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference, EU interest for a solution and upgraded international interest.

Regarding his meeting later today with Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, the Foreign Minister said he will explain "we are ready to negotiate seriously" and will express the hope that Denktash is also ready to negotiate.

CNA DA/MA/AP/1997

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[04] American Ambassador opens bicommunal photo exhibition

"This is one of the many programs that we organised to help bring the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities together as part of our larger efforts to help promote a settlement to the Cyprus problem," US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, said inaugurating the exhibition.

Some 194 entries from 47 Greek and Turkish Cypriot photographers were submitted to the exhibition entitled "Our Cyprus".

One panel of judges reduced the original number of entries to 69 while another, composed of cultural attaches from four embassies on the island, selected the winners in the categories of People, Landscape and Wildlife.

"We thought this would be an excellent opportunity and an excellent way for Cypriots to convey through photographs, their images of what their homeland is, what's important about it to them, what's beautiful to them, or what they think is typically Cypriot," Brill added.

The US Ambassador noted the "enthusiastic response" from Greek and Turkish Cypriot photographers to the idea of an exhibition, and praised the quality of their work.

"(This) has made us realise that we've tapped into something here and we've decided to make this an annual event which we hope will bring photographers from both communities together and give them a chance to get to know one another and to share their work with each other," he said.

First prize in the People category was awarded to Turkish Cypriot Kadir Kaba, while Greek Cypriot Jack Iacovides took top prize in both the Landscape and Wildlife categories.

The exhibition will remain open at the American Centre, located in the government-controlled part of Nicosia, until June 13. It will then open in the Turkish-occupied part of the island from June 17 through to the 25th.

Similar efforts have been undertaken recently to bridge the gap between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, forcibly separated since the 1974 invasion and subsequent occupation by Turkey of 37 percent of Cyprus.

CNA MH/MA/1997

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[05] Albright assures of US commitment for Cyprus settlement

In a joint appearance, during a photo session before their meeting here Friday, Albright said there could be "no more dramatic a demonstration of that commitment" than President Bill Clinton's decision to assign Richard Holbrooke, as his emissary for Cyprus.

"We believe that the division of the island is unacceptable," she added.

The Secretary of State said her country's goal "remains to encourage a Cyprus settlement that establishes a stable, bizonal federation with adequate security guarantees for all". She pointed out that a solution "is a task for the people of Cyprus themselves to accomplish" but pledged "the US will do all it can to help them find the right path."

Speaking after the 40 minute-long meeting, Kasoulides said they discussed ways with which the US could help efforts for a Cyprus solution, as well as prospects for a settlement.

Describing the meeting as "particularly interesting" the Foreign Minister said he reiterated the government's commitment to attend UN- sponsored direct talks aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue "in a positive spirit."

He also expressed the hope that Ankara will convince Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, to attend the talks in the same spirit.

Kasoulides said he understands that the US will also have a meeting with Turkish officials, in view of UN-led direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash, due to take place near New York early July.

The Foreign Minister also said the government expects US and Holbrooke's involvement in UN efforts for a solution and stressed that he did not put forward any proposals during the meeting.

Kasoulides expressed to his American counterpart the Cyprus government's satisfaction with Holbrooke's appointment.

CNA DA/MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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