Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Reply to talks still pending

[02] Negotiations open windows of hope, says Spokesman

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Greco-Cypriot defence pact remains intact

[05] South African MPs arrive for official visit

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Reply to talks still pending

"The delay does not mean there will be a refusal", Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said here today, and added that it is granted that the President's reply will be "positive".

However, he pointed out that the answer has not yet been sent in writing.

Christofides dismissed press suggestions that President Clerides has requested clarifications from Annan.

Pressed by journalists to explain why the President is delaying his answer to Annan, Christofides said that, taking into consideration the time of the direct talks, "we are within the right time limits" to respond.

Face-to-face talks, between the President and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, have been set for 9-13 July, near New York.

CNA RG/MM/1997

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1555:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Negotiations open windows of hope, says Spokesman

"We are not being dragged into negotiations," Christofides said, adding that "we are going to these negotiations willingly because their overall backdrop opens windows of hope."

He said "we are going to the negotiations with determination and conviction. The declared support of the political leadership strengthens our negotiating stance."

Christofides noted the Greek Cypriot side has taken initiatives to focus international attention on the Cyprus problem and has been responsible for spurring on developments on the issue.

"We have contributed significantly to the creation of unprecedented intense and determined international attention," he added.

The Government Spokesman pointed out that the government does not subscribe to the position that the manifested international attention "is of a devious nature".

"There are no secret agreements, there are no secret or other commitments and total transparency characterises President Glafcos Clerides' policy," Christofides said.

Speaking to journalists, Christofides said the President is satisfied with the results of yesterday's National Council meeting "so much with tactical issues, as with substantive issues."

The National Council, the President's top advisory body, met yesterday in a bid to forge a common strategy among the island's political leadership on the direct negotiations.

Direct negotiations between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have been scheduled between July 9 and 13 near New York.

The talks, under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, aim at hammering out a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

The Council decided that political party leaders would accompany the President to New York to offer their advice and assessments on unfolding developments during the negotiations.

The Government Spokesman stressed that the lack of progress on the Cyprus issue is "the exclusive creation of Turkish intransigence".

He added that if this were the reason for rebuffing the UN Secretary- General's invitation to the talks, then "we would have been led with mathematical precision to a permanent deadlock in the Cyprus issue which would serve Turkish interests and Turkey's evident expansionist, partitionist and divisive aims".

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1530:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.42 (+0.86)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.43 (+0.54)
Approved Investment Companies          66.96 (+0.84)
Insurance Companies                    61.14 (+1.04)
Industrial Companies                   80.45 (-0.31)
Tourist Industries                     64.86 (+1.55)
Commercial Companies                   50.88 (-0.25)
Other Companies                        64.67 (+8.31)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1156239.225

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1735:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Greco-Cypriot defence pact remains intact

"The pact is the achievement of the Greek and Cypriot governments and is safeguarded fervently. It plays a significant role in the fulfillment of our policies and we will protect it," the Spokesman said in response to press reports in Greece that the Cypriot government's unilateral decision to waive overflights by Greek military aircraft detracts from the substance of the pact.

The pact, agreed in November 1993 between President Glafcos Clerides and the late Greek Premier Andreas Papandreou, provides Cyprus with sea, air and land cover from the Greek military in the event of a fresh offensive against the island.

Turkish military aircraft have repeatedly violated Cypriot airspace and Nicosia FIR during the past few weeks, flouting calls to respect international law and order and avoid any action that may upset the good climate ahead of next month's UN-sponsored direct negotiations.

Responding to the observation that despite the Cypriot waiver on overflights and American assurances that Turkey would do the same, Christofides said the decision "is not a moratorium on flights, but a unilateral and conscious decision which we have taken".

The Spokesman reiterated the government's firm position that it considers Turkish violations of Cypriot airspace illegal and a violation of international law, which governs the sovereign rights of states.

"We consider (the Turkish violations) as part of the continuing crime of the continuing invasion and occupation of part of Cyprus and we consistently denounce them to the United Nations and other international bodies," Christofides said.

Turkey invaded the island in 1974 and continues to occupy 37 percent of the island's territory.

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1910:CYPPRESS:05

[05] South African MPs arrive for official visit

"We are not here to teach you how to resolve your problem, but if we can be of any assistance, just to share a little bit of some of those experiences that we have had," said Belelani Ngcuka, Vice Chairman of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa.

The three-member, multi-party delegation arrived here today for a six- day official visit at the invitation of the House of Representatives.

Referring to how South Africa overcame an onerous history of racial division and conflict through political negotiations, the MPs said they are prepared to share the experience of bringing a peaceful resolution to their country's problem.

"I think it is appropriate for us to share those experiences and how we have managed to overcome our own problems," former Constitutional Developments Minister, Roelf Meyer, said. "We have succeeded in bringing about a new South Africa in such a way that we can share it with other nations of the world."

"If we can do it in South Africa, then surely it can be done elsewhere as well," he added.

South African MP of Greek Cypriot descent, Takis Christodoulou, noted how South Africa's past of "two societies very far apart from each other" was ultimately bridged through peaceful negotiations.

"With consultation and discussion, we brought South Africa through the transition and actually bestowed and created the miracle in South Africa, which no one ever gave any hope that it would happen," he said.

Christodoulou also said that as representative of the largest Greek Cypriot community on the continent, he would convey in his meetings on the island "certain measures and concerns" regarding the Greek Cypriot diaspora in South Africa.

"What we would like to do is actually expand our relationship with the Cypriot government and the Cypriots in South Africa, which I think is very, very important," Christodoulou added.

The delegation will be received tomorrow separately by President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides, and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

They will also meet Thursday with House President, Spyros Kyprianou.

The deputies leave on Sunday. CNA MAN/RG/MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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