Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-08-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides briefs party leaders

[02] Cyprus' imports-exports decrease

[03] Cyprus peace talks continue

1330 CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides briefs party leaders

Montreux, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said here today the second round of the UN-sponsored direct talks might end either on Friday night or Saturday morning.

The President made the statement after briefing Greek Cypriot political leaders on the two documents submitted by the UN during this round of talks, which concern the substance of the Cyprus question and the procedure to be followed.

Asked by journalists after the 40-minute briefing how things are going at the talks, President Clerides replied "we shall know when we finish."

The President refused to answer a question if there are any developments but when asked when the talks will be completed he replied "possibly on Friday night or Saturday morning."

A press conference is scheduled at midday on Saturday by the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor for the Cyprus problem, Diego Cordovez, who chairs the talks.

Present at the meeting were also Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides and the President's two advisors at the talks, Attorney-General Alecos Markides and Undersecretary to the President Pantelis Kouros.

Greece's envoy at the talks Alexandros Sandis and its Ambassador to Cyprus Kyriakos Rodousakis also attended the meeting.

After this meeting, President Clerides headed to Glion-sur-Montreux for a meeting with British special envoy on Cyprus, Sir David Hannay.

After the meeting, the President was expected to attend today's session of the face-to-face talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Today's session is overshadowed by yesterday's leakage to the media of the UN proposals.

The proposals, according to press reports, concern a draft joint statement by the leaders of the two communities and an annex about a proposed constitution.

Among the provisions of the documents is that the two leaders, in a joint statement, agree to open-ended negotiations for a solution, based on Security Council resolutions and high level agreements.

The two sides should submit documents on all aspects of the Cyprus problem until the end of year and that the direct talks should resume next March, after the presidential elections in Cyprus, scheduled for February 1998.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MM/EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1410:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus' imports-exports decrease

According to the Department of Statistics and Research, in the same period total exports decreased by 6,8 per cent to 250,7 million pounds, compared to 269 million pounds in the same period in 1996.

As a result, the island's trade deficit in the same period fell to 514, 4 million pounds, compared to 532,4 million pounds in the first five months of 1996. (One Cyprus pound is equal to 1,82 US dollars).

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus peace talks continue

The face-to-face negotiations between the two community leaders aimed at resolving the protracted Cyprus question, will continue this afternoon in the presence of their advisors.

Meanwhile, the "outer circle" made up of foreign government representatives who are in Montreux following the course of the talks, have been holding meetings with the two sides.

Earlier today President Clerides discussed latest developments in the UN effort with Britain's special envoy for the Cyprus problem, Sir David Hannay, and Canada's representative, Michael Bell.

The second round of UN-sponsored direct talks are expected to end either Friday or Saturday.

The first round of talks, which lasted four days, was held in Troutbeck, near New York, last month.

CNA MM/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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