Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-09-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus hails Olympics choice

[02] Kasoulides continues tour of Baltic countries

[03] Spanish Senate President leaves

1230:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus hails Olympics choice

President Glafcos Clerides described Friday's IOC decision to award Athens the 2004 Olympics as the "right one."

Greece, he added, is the birthplace of the Olympic Games and stressed that it should have been given a priority.

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides hailed the decision and said the award of the games to Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics, is a "great honour" for Hellenism all over the world.

Christofides said "in 1896, humanity re-baptised by the Olympic spirit entered the 20th century and now is re-baptised in the font of ancient Olympia to enter the 21st century and the third millenium."

House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou, sent congratulatory telegrams to the Greek President, the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Athens and the chief of the campaign for Greece's candidacy, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

Kyprianou expressed the satisfaction of Greek Cypriot deputies for the IOC decision, noting it gives hopes and expectations that the pure Olympic spirit will be re-baptised, despite contemporary practices tending to falsify it.

Cyprus Olympic Committee President, Kikis Lazarides, described the decision as "historic" and noted that far from any sentimentality the choice of the Greek capital was the "best".

Hundreds of well-wishers gathered last night in the capital's Eleftheria Square to express their joy and satisfaction with Athens' victory over four other cities for this sporting honour.

Right after IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch announced the name of Athens as the city to host the summer 2004 Olympic Games fireworks lit up the sky over Nicosia and car horns blared, while people flocked to the streets braking into loud cheers.

The front pages of the Greek Cypriot press were today dedicated to Athens' victory, while congratulatory announcements have been issued by all political parties and other organisations.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1315:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Kasoulides continues tour of Baltic countries

The Cypriot Foreign Minister signed Friday a bilateral agreement with his Latvian counterpart, Valdis Birkavs, on economic, scientific, technical and industrial cooperation.

He was received by Latvia's Prime Minister Guntars Krasts and had a long meeting with his Latvian counterpart.

The two Ministers' talks focused on the issue of future European Union (EU) enlargement, the efforts for a peaceful Cyprus solution and bilateral relations.

Kasoulides and Birkavs agreed the two countries help each other in their bid to become full members of the EU, an official announcement issued here said.

The Cypriot Minister also met with officials of the Latvian parliament, including the President of Cyprus-Latvia friendship group, Deputy Prime Minister Ziedonis Cevers.

Kasoulides winds up today his visit to Latvia and leaves for Lithuania.

The Foreign Minister left last Sunday for a tour of six European countries, namely Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Luxembourg and Italy.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1335:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Spanish Senate President leaves

Valverde, who visited Cyprus at the invitation of House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou, had pledged Spain's support to the island's entry into the European Union (EU).

After being received Thursday by President Glafcos Clerides, the Spanish official expressed hope that EU-Cyprus accession talks would begin in 1998, irrespective of any other factor.

During his stay in Cyprus, Valverde had separate meetings with the House President and Acting Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, Christodoulos Christodoulou.

He also met with the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Mayors of Larnaca and Famagusta, as well as the deputy mayor of Nicosia.

CNA AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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