Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Greek Cypriot parties agree Turkish troops out after solution

[03] Government contented with US administration

[04] Government decides blackout on statements about Cyprus

[05] Israel on Turkish military exercises

[06] Chinese Assistant Minister to visit Cyprus

[07] France intends to honour EU decision on Cyprus

1550:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.49 (-0.53)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.11 (-0.63)
Approved Investment Companies          66.73 (+1.11)
Insurance Companies                    60.46 (-1.29)
Industrial Companies                   79.88 (+0.16)
Tourist Industries                     62.50 (-1.40)
Commercial Companies                   50.68 (-2.33)
Other Companies                        57.10 (+2.27)

Trading Volume                         CYP 642267.130

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek Cypriot parties agree Turkish troops out after solution

Party leaders expressed this common view in statements prior to their departure today as part of a House delegation visiting the Russian Federation's State Duma.

House President and Democratic Party (DIKO) leader, Spyros Kyprianou, said his party categorically rejected the presence of both the Turkish troops and the settlers from Turkey after a Cyprus solution is reached.

He also underscored that the National Council, the island's top political advisory body to the President, made no agreement to retreat on any issues in the forthcoming New York direct negotiations, between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, beyond its unanimous decisions taken in 1989.

"When you go to negotiations, you don't begin to talk about what you will discuss and what the limits of retreat are," Kyprianou said.

Asked to comment on a statement made yesterday by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, ruling right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) President, Nicos Anastasiades, was adamant that Turkish occupation troops must withdraw after a solution is found.

Kasoulides said yesterday that if a contingent of 5,000 Turkish troops remain on Cyprus after a solution, they may create a feeling of security among Turkish Cypriots, but that would create the opposite feeling for Greek Cypriots.

Anastasiades added that the Cyprus government is attempting to demonstrate its goodwill contrary to Turkish intransigence.

Main opposition left-wing AKEL party General Secretary, Demetris Christofias, said his party's position is that all Turkish troops as well as all 80,000 or so Turkish settlers illegally transferred to Cyprus must leave after a solution.

Christofias said the National Council "must insist" on this position and that political leaders "must remain silent" until the Council meets.

The National Council, comprised of all Greek Cypriot parliamentary parties, is scheduled to meet this Monday.

On his part, First Vice-President for the socialist EDEK party, Yiannakis Omirou, expressed his party's concerns over the upcoming direct negotiations, stressing that neither the National Council nor the Cypriot public have been informed on either the negotiations' agenda or their broader framework.

Omirou pointed out that there should be a "level of measure" on statements made prior to the National Council meeting and that the political leadership and Council members should refrain from making any statements.

He added that EDEK has never accepted the stay of Turkish troops after a Cyprus solution is found.

United Democrats party President, George Vasiliou, said "it would be destructive" for the Greek Cypriot side to discuss the limits at which it is willing to retreat during negotiations.

"It's inconceivable to me to imagine that the President of the Republic would want to hold such a discussion," Vasiliou said, adding that if such a discussion were held in the National Council, he would deny to take part.

"If we really want to help in efforts to find a solution, then we must stop creating scenarios on what our side or the other side may accept or reject," Vasiliou added. CNA MAN/RG/MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1705:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government contented with US administration

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides told reporters here Wednesday the government of Cyprus was satisfied with the American stance.

Burns had said yesterday the US "are very concerned about the reports of the movement of the Turkish naval vessels."

He added the US did not know the reasons behind these military naval manoeuvres and would be seeking an explanation from the Turkish government.

Nine Turkish war vessels, namely two frigates, two destroyers, two missile boats and three submarines, docked Monday in the closed ports of Turkish-occupied Kyrenia and Famagusta.

The vessels were taking part in the Turkish seaborne military exercise "Sea Wolf '97".

CNA MM/EC/AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Government decides blackout on statements about Cyprus

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides however was quick to add this does not mean there will be a "blackout" on the Cyprus problem.

Explaining the government's position, Christofides said "in view of the countdown to the start of the direct talks, we consider it wise not reply to questions which might lead to a revelation of positions, argumentation or tactics at the talks."

Referring to the session of the National Council (top political advisory body to the President), scheduled for June 23, Christofides said it is expected to set out a clear picture of the limits in which the Greek Cypriot side will move.

At this point, the Spokesman clarified that the Council members and the President will decide whether their unanimous decisions of 1989 should be re-adjusted.

The Greek government, he added, will be kept informed on the course of the talks, and added that at present "there are no differences of views, positions or tactic," since there is excellent cooperation between the two governments.

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

President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had two informal meetings in Nicosia in October 1994, which reached a deadlock. The two men have not met since.

CNA MM/EC/AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Israel on Turkish military exercises

In a written statement released here Wednesday, the Embassy of Israel stressed "there is no Israeli participation whatsoever in the Turkish exercises, which, as reported in the media, are currently being held in the Eastern Mediterranean."

Nine Turkish war vessels, namely two frigates, two destroyers, two missile boats and three submarines, docked Monday in the closed ports of Turkish-occupied Kyrenia and Famagusta.

The vessels were taking part in the Turkish seaborne military exercise "Sea Wolf '97".

The Israeli embassy further reiterated "that Israel is not violating the FIR (Flight Information Region) of Nicosia, neither the territorial waters, nor the sovereignty of Cyprus."

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1940:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Chinese Assistant Minister to visit Cyprus

On Friday, the Chinese official will meet Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. The meeting will be followed by official talks between the two countries' delegations and the signing of a cooperation protocol between the two ministries.

Ji Peiding will call on President Glafcos Clerides and meet the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Chinese official will also have a meeting with Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades before visiting the cease fire line dividing Nicosia, the world's last divided capital.

Ji Peiding leaves Cyprus on Sunday, June 22.

CNA EC/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:07

[07] France intends to honour EU decision on Cyprus

The pledge was made by France's Defence Minister Alain Richard, during a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart Costas Eliades, on the sidelines of the 42nd International Aeronautical and Space Exhibition in Paris. National Guard commander, Lieutenant General Nikolaos Vorvolakos, accompanies the minister.

Noting that a settlement to the Cyprus problem will make the island's accession course easier, Richard warned that should there not be a solution, France will carefully examine the situation and take the necessary decisions.

However, Richard said Cyprus complies with the economic and other preconditions required for EU accession.

The French minister also said that his country will support and complement the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

On his part, Eliades said that if there is no solution to the Cyprus problem, due to the Turkish intransigence, Cyprus will continue to reinforce its defences.

Eliades further said that the continued violations of Cyprus' sovereign air space and the Nicosia Flight and Information Region (FIR) by Turkey, and the presence of some 35.000 Turkish occupation troops is an incessant threat to the Cyprus Republic.

The Defence Minister pointed out that if there is no Cyprus settlement because of the Turkish intransigence, the door to Europe should not close for the island because this will victimise it for a second time.

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

Eliades assured that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will attend with good will forthcoming UN-sponsored face-to-face talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, scheduled to take place near New York between July 9- 13.

Minister of Communications and Work, Leontios Ierodiakonou, is also in Paris for the Aeronautical and Space exhibition.

CNA EC/AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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