Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] British bases apologise for mistaken reference to occupied areas

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Ankara has no say in Cyprus' defences, says Spokesman

[04] Diaspora leader wants to forge global strategy for Hellenism

1525:CYPPRESS:01

[01] British bases apologise for mistaken reference to occupied areas

In a written statement, British Bases authorities note that the Commander of British Forces in Cyprus, Air Vice-Marshal Peter Millar, has not issued any orders that change procedures for members of British Forces Cyprus to visit the occupied areas.

The mistaken reference was made in orders issued to British Bases personnel on procedures for visiting the occupied areas.

The statement said an order was issued by a subordinate unit of British Forces Cyprus which outlined "updated local procedures for such visits using unacceptable terminology".

"This was a mistake which was much regretted. The unit's order has been corrected," the statement added.

The statement also stresses that it is the "clear policy of the British government" that it does not recognise the self-styled puppet regime unilaterally declared in 1983 by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, which is recognised by no country except Turkey.

"This policy is followed by the authorities of the Sovereign Base Administration and British Forces Cyprus, there have been no policy changes regarding the issue," the statement said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the island. Turkey continues to occupy 37 percent of the island's territory with a 35, 000-strong troop presence.

Britain retained two Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) on Cyprus, Dhekelia SBA on the southeastern coast and Akrotiri SBA on the southwestern coast, after the island's independence in 1960.

The mistaken reference touched off a storm of protest in the local media, prompting Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides to state today that the Republic of Cyprus will make all the appropriate representations to the British government over the matter.

CNA MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.88 (+0.95)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.13 (+0.72)
Approved Investment Companies          65.32 (+0.72)
Insurance Companies                    56.73 (-0.16)
Industrial Companies                   78.06 (+3.57)
Tourist Industries                     66.11 (+0.20)
Commercial Companies                   47.46 (-0.08)
Other Companies                        61.13 (+0.99)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1078282.070

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Ankara has no say in Cyprus' defences, says Spokesman

"Turkey is the last country in the world that is allowed to have a say in the military defence of Cyprus, a victim of the 1974 Turkish invasion," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said, commenting on Ankara's threats as well as its efforts to ban the sale of arms to Cyprus.

However, he pointed out the government does not intend to keep on replying to statements by Turkish officials regarding its decision to buy the Russian-made anti-missile system S-300 and noted its preconditions to stop the delivery are well known.

The government has often expressed willingness not to deploy the S-300 if progress for a settlement to the Cyprus problem is achieved and if President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for demilitarisation of the island is accepted.

The Spokesman also stressed that "it is not correct to speak about war or the possibility of a hot incident" in Cyprus as "at present there are only Turkish threats."

At the same time he stressed that "the issue is serious" and is being examined by the government.

Since the government signed the purchase of the S-300, in January this year, both Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash began threatening with war if the surface-to-air missiles are deployed here.

According to reports in the Turkish press, last week Ankara searched an Egyptian ship in the Bosphorus Strait for components of the S-300 destined for Cyprus.

However, according to Reuters, today Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters the Egyptian ship "was found to be carrying a lot of missile and launch parts but the consignment documents showed that it was an Egyptian order."

Ecevit also said officials in Cairo had confirmed the components were bound for Egypt.

CNA KN/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Diaspora leader wants to forge global strategy for Hellenism

Nicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- No one can accuse diaspora leader Andrew Athens of lacking a grand vision. The Council of Overseas Hellenes (SAE) President says he is determined to forge a global political strategy to win the support of foreign governments for the cause of worldwide Hellenism.

"To me, this first priority was to establish a global political strategy. I tried to identify those individuals who have a relationship with members of parliament or members of government who could influence the foreign policy of that particular country," Athens told CNA in exclusive statements.

Just 18 months since his election as SAE President, Athens said his travels to dozens of countries have already started to pay large dividends. Athens says he has identified overseas Hellenes in 88 countries whom he his in constant touch with.

"To me, that was the number-one priority. Why? Because if we're not going to help Greece, Cyprus or the Patriarchate now, what good is it going to do if you have conflict or a war?" the SAE President said.

But Athens is not adverse to a more direct approach. He said he has made contacts with high-level politicians who are philhellenes in the US, Australia, Canada the United Kingdom, Germany and the European Union.

Noting these countries where a strong pro-Hellenic lobby has been cultivated and lobbying efforts by the Hellenic diaspora have bore fruit, Athens says that he will not rest on his laurels and will continue his efforts to broaden that base of support.

"Wherever I go, I try to find the President or the Prime Minister who is a philhellene who understands and if he doesn't understand, we must make him understand and finally get him on board to help us in the UN and with making direct contact with the US President," Athens stressed.

However, Athens is on a mission to prove that concern over issues affecting Hellenism at large is not the preserve of world powers with vested interests in the fortunes of either Greece or Cyprus.

He said he wants meet with Nelson Mandela to convince the South African President to demonstrate his personal concern over the fate of divided Cyprus.

"I want to visit with Mandela. I want Mandela to write to Clinton. He's a very strong person, he can have an influence. Clinton has been telling us that the US has been the only one concerned with Cyprus. I want to prove to him that that's not the case. There are many other countries that are concerned about Cyprus," Athens said.

But Athens' role as SAE President is a multifaceted one with a very practical edge. He said his efforts have also focused on the plight of hundreds of thousands of Hellenes in the former Soviet republics, and has discovered that the main problem faced by Hellenes there is health care.

"We're going to establish eleven medical clinics in Georgia and these, very strategically located, will provide basic health care for all the Hellenes in the whole country of Georgia," Athens stresses.

Job creation and trade is another thrust of Athens' efforts to help Hellenes in the former Soviet republics. He said that the US has in place there a micro-enterprise program through which individuals are given a grant upwards of 10,000 US dollars to start their own small business.

In terms of trade, Athens notes that he is trying to get trade organisations to send a representative with him on his travels in order to spur on trade opportunities between the Diaspora and Greece.

"Wherever I go, they will come to me about trade opportunities, first with Greece and then, maybe, with Hellenes in other parts of the world," he said.

Another initiative launched by Athens is the "Adopt-A-Church programme" whereby churches serving Hellenes in the former Soviet Republics are identified and their individual needs assessed.

"We will then have a church in America or other places 'adopt' that church and provide them with all of their needs, and of course, they will go beyond that," he said.

Athens is unabashedly proud of the SAE's accomplishments so far. Established in December, 1995 in Thessaloniki, Greece, the SAE aims to unite Hellenes worldwide to promote their interests where they live and the interests of their homeland.

"It's working, it's working I tell you, it's working and I'm proud to say to you we have come of age," Athens said emphatically. "The SAE is truly a valuable asset to Hellenism and combined with the Greek and Cypriot governments, I consider it the greatest thing that's happened to us in recent history."

CNA MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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