Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-07-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Spokesman on US efforts on Cyprus

[03] New Italian Ambassador says division cannot continue

[04] Spokesman on Chirac and Jospin comments

[05] EU replies to Turkey's demands

[06] Government rejects proposal for bicommunal police

[07] WEU chief leaves "fully informed"

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.12 (+0.45)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.93 (+0.60)
Approved Investment Companies          64.21 (+1.57)
Insurance Companies                    57.52 (+0.44)
Industrial Companies                   77.12 (+0.43)
Tourist Industries                     63.49 (+0.43)
Commercial Companies                   47.28 (-1.93)
Other Companies                        60.97 (+0.05)

Trading Volume                         CYP 682308.590

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman on US efforts on Cyprus

"We accept and follow what was said in private talks between President Glafcos Clerides and US Presidential Emissary Richard Holbrooke," Christofides said.

The Spokesman's comments come in response to a flurry of press reports on US policy on Cyprus' European Union accession and efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

Holbrooke said earlier this week these two issues "cannot be separated" and pointed out it would be a "great mistake" for the EU not to take into account the negotiations between the two communities.

President Clerides, the Spokesman added, believes Holbrooke does not advocate a link between membership talks and peace negotiations.

"There is no double talk or any purpose in mind on the part of the US. We are pleased that American involvement in Cyprus will be dynamic and decisive," Christofides told the press, noting he would comment no further on the content of Clerides-Holbrooke discussions, in New York last week.

These lengthy discussions, he added, covered "substantive issues and the President is pleased with his meetings."

Replying to questions, Christofides implied that the US and the Cyprus government appear to share the view that the EU accession could act as a catalyst towards a fair settlement of the Cyprus question.

CNA KK/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1625 CYPPRESS:03

[03] New Italian Ambassador says division cannot continue

He made the statement during a formal ceremony here, Friday, presenting his credentials to President Clerides, replacing Ambassador Graziella Simbolotti.

Stressing the excellent relations between the two countries, Bascone expressed the hope he will contribute in "giving impulse to these relations and maintaining this high level of mutual understanding".

Referring to the island's division, since the 1974 Turkish invasion, Bascone said Italy "cannot be reconciled with the present unnatural situation, with barbed wire separating two parts of the island and its capital city".

He expressed the conviction that President Clerides' "statesmanship and vision" will guide Cyprus to a "long-awaited breakthrough towards a comprehensive settlement".

Bascone expressed the hope the historical opportunity "which is being provided by the strong commitment of the international community and of the UN Secretary-General in particular, to promote a negotiated solution and the indispensable solution of all parties concerned" will be seized.

Such an achievement, Bascone said, "would not only bring benefits to the population of Cyprus and to the stability in the Eastern Mediterranean" but it would greatly facilitate the successful conclusion of accession negotiations with the European Union, (EU).

Furthermore, he said Italy is "deeply committed to supporting every effort at overcoming this drastic and human division by working out viable forms of coexistence within a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

Receiving the credentials, President Clerides referred to the "excellent relations" between the two countries based on deeply rooted historical and cultural links.

Clerides said the "prospect of Cyprus' accession to the EU presents us with new opportunities for enhancing our bilateral cooperation in all fields of activity".

Thanking Italy for its "invaluable assistance" in efforts to re-unite Cyprus under a just, viable and lasting settlement, Clerides expressed the hope the new efforts of the international community to reach a solution will "finally yield results and Turkey will show the necessary spirit, understanding and goodwill in this direction".

CNA EC/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Spokesman on Chirac and Jospin comments

Commenting on a statement by French President Jacques Chirac that a settlement must precede EU accession, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said "it would be contradictory and an appeasement of the culprit if Cyprus' European objective (to join the Union) were dependent on a solution of the Cyprus issue."

Chirac said in Brussels on Thursday his government is well aware of the Commission's opinion (avis) on the Cypriot application but expressed the view that membership presupposes a solution of the problem on the island, divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied part of Cyprus.

"The first part of Chirac's comment adopts the Commission's position and the second part introduces the view that a solution could be possible before Cyprus becomes a member of the Union," Christofides added.

The position that a settlement, prior to accession, is a desired development is logical, he noted.

The Spokesman noted the "traditionally excellent ties Cyprus maintains with France" and pointed out that France stood by Cyprus "in difficult times, especially in defence matters."

Christofides also welcomed comments by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin that France is ready to be more actively engaged in Cyprus and its efforts to become a full EU member.

Jospin told Socialist party leader Vassos Lyssarides at a meeting in Paris on Thursday the question of Cyprus' accession is a purely European matter and does not concern countries outside the Union.

"This statement sends some pretty clear messages to the right direction, " the Spokesman told the press.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:05

[05] EU replies to Turkey's demands

EU sources told CNA this view is outlined in a reply letter Luxembourg's presidency sent to Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on behalf of the 15 EU member-states, as agreed at Thursday's meeting of their permanent ambassadors.

In a letter to all 15 countries, save Greece, Cem had expressed disappointment over the Commission's decision to start membership talks with Cyprus and described the Republic's application for accession illegal.

The same sources said the EU letter calls on Turkey to contribute towards a Cyprus settlement and conveys, in an indirect manner, the message that should Turkey show a constructive stand on Cyprus, its relations with the Union would benefit.

The letter also refers to a request by Turkey's Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz to have his country included in the group of six candidate countries, set to open accession negotiations with the EU sometime next year.

Luxembourg's reply to the Turkish officials attempts to appease their reaction to a decision earlier this week on the commencement of membership talks with Cyprus and notes the final decision on Turkey's application for accession will be taken by the EU Council.

Diplomatic sources here have said the best Turkey should hope for is to be included in the European Conference of candidate countries but not in the pre-accession process.

Cem will be in Brussels on Tuesday to participate in an extraordinary meeting of the Western European Union.

CNA NB/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Government rejects proposal for bicommunal police

The government has also called on Denktash and Turkey to abandon their attempts to seek recognition of the breakaway state, set up in Turkish occupied Cyprus.

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides outlined this position at his daily press briefing in response to Denktash's statement on Thursday on his return from New York about the establishment of a joint police force to monitor the 180-kilometre long buffer zone.

"Efforts to solve the Cyprus problem would move on better if Denktash gives up his policy to seek through everything recognition of his self- styled regime," Christofides said.

The international community, he added, has made it crystal clear that it would not recognise the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime whereas Denktash insists the world community should adopt his stance.

UN Security Council resolution 541 (1983) considers the unilateral declaration of independence by the Turkish Cypriots as "legally invalid" and calls on "all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus."

"We have before us a specific course of action, defined by the two High Level Agreements signed by the two communities on the island, which provide for a federal republic of Cyprus," Christofides said.

The Greek Cypriot side, he added, will adhere to this course of action.

Denktash's proposal comes only a few days ahead of the 23rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation of part of Cyprus.

To mark the occasion, six Turkish navy vessels arrived in the Turkish occupied port of Kyrenia, a move the Cyprus government has denounced.

Christofides said the government will make representations to the UN about the Turkish warships illegally entering the territory of the Republic and added "Turkey has shown its real face and recent statements by Turkish officials indicate that the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus did not aim at protecting the Turkish Cypriots, as claimed, but at securing, for their own purposes, part of the island under their control."

The government has repeatedly condemned unlawful visits to Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas by either Turkish officials or members of the armed forces. Turkey has failed to comply with repeated calls not to violate the Republic's territory, air space or territorial waters.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950 CYPPRESS:07

[07] WEU chief leaves "fully informed"

Speaking to CNA before his departure at the end of a two-day official visit to the island, Cutileiro said he is now "very fully informed about the recent talks on Cyprus question."

During his visit, he said, he talked about the WEU, the way it works and its aims. "We have a dialogue with Cyprus, and when it becomes a member of the EU, Cyprus will most probably become an observer at the WEU," Cutileiro said.

He also said he expects Cyprus to be one of the countries to be included in the next phase of EU enlargement.

Cutileiro refrained from saying whether the protracted Cyprus question will be settled before the country joins the EU.

"The WEU fully supports UN efforts and we hope there will be a good outcome as soon as possible," he added.

Meanwhile, during a lecture last night on the "WEU after Amsterdam and Madrid", Cutileiro said the dialogue between Cyprus and the WEU "is proceeding satisfactorily, and is evolving in line with the development of links between Cyprus and the EU."

He expressed "WEU support for the UN, particularly in view of the direct talks currently taking place under its aegis."

Cutileiro also stressed the importance of ensuring that the WEU is ready to undertake and carry out military operations which may be decided by the Council.

He said that "whatever differences of view exist among the WEU member states, on one point there is consensus: Europeans cannot remain forever dependent on the US lead for any and all military operations".

Nor "is it wise to rely solely on coalitions of the willing outside a stable institutional framework," he added.

On his part, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, expressed the hope that "Cyprus will conclude the accession negotiations successfully and be part of the next enlargement of the Union."

However, he stressed that the government's priority is to "see a resolution of our own political problem, the reunification of our country and the reconciliation of all Cypriots if possible before accession to the Union".

Furthermore, he said the government "attaches great importance on this very first visit of the S.G. of the WEU to Cyprus, precisely because of the significance" which it attributes to its relations with the WEU.

During his stay, Cutileiro held meetings with President Clerides and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

CNA MAN/EC/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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