Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] IPU committee welcomes Cyprus peace efforts

[03] Foreign Minister says all issues open in security dialogue

[04] Non-Aligned Ministers adopt Cyprus proposal

[05] National Council meeting adjourned till next week

[06] Bicommonual fair

[07] European Parliament denounces Turkish war threats

[08] EU Presidency welcomes discussion on security issues

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    78.39 (+0.01)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.45 (+0.10)
Approved Investment Companies          64.82 (+0.42)
Insurance Companies                    56.10 (+0.18)
Industrial Companies                   77.24 (-0.94)
Tourist Industries                     66.23 (+0.53)
Commercial Companies                   47.45 (+0.49)
Other Companies                        60.18 (-0.23)

Trading Volume                         CYP 556873.982

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] IPU committee welcomes Cyprus peace efforts

In a recently released report, the Committee considers the two rounds of direct talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, held over July and August in Troutbeck, New York, and Glion-sur-Montreux, Switzerland, as "a very positive move."

It also welcomed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's "renewed and successful initiatives" and encourages him "in his sustained efforts regarding the Cyprus issue."

The Committee reiterated its call to the European Union (EU) to co- operate closely with Annan and to invite all Parliaments from EU member- states and the European Parliament "to do their utmost to encourage, facilitate and support such co-operation."

It further welcomed the holding of meetings in Cyprus between President Clerides and Denktash regarding humanitarian issues.

It encouraged them to "strengthen their constructive dialogue in that respect as one of the most effective ways of generating the confidence essential to progress."

The Committee also urged the two sides to make progress on relaxing restrictions on crossing the buffer zone, inter-communal contacts and joint activities at the social level.

It encouraged political parties on the island to pursue holding joint meetings at regular intervals and support the efforts of President Clerides and Denktash in their search for a negotiated settlement.

The IPU Committee also welcomed recent progress made with regard to contacts at the level of civil society and encourages the chambers of commerce, professional organisations and trade unions in any initiatives aimed at easing UN-led solution efforts.

However, the Committee expressed its "serious concern at the renewed escalation of tension" and to "sound the alarm in the face of the serious security threats, for both Cyprus and the region, entailed in the current volatile situation."

It exhorted both President Clerides and Denktash, as well as other interested parties, "to exert all of their wisdom in order to prevent the population on the island, who are living under permanent tension, from being exposed to further tragic events."

The Committee expressed its hope that the February 1998 Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus "will serve as an opportunity for identifying constructive proposals for the settlement of the Cyprus issue."

The IPU Committee noted that every effort should be made to secure the progressive demilitarisation of the island.

It repeated its call on Turkey to abide by UN and IPU resolutions demanding the withdrawal of its troops from occupied Cyprus and to refrain from upgrading its military presence there.

It also urged the Cyprus government "to reverse its decision" to purchase and deploy within a few months the Russian-made S-300 anti- aircraft missiles and "refrain from any further acquisition of armaments in order to ease the way to a politically negotiated settlement."

The Committee again encouraged the development of military dialogue between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces under the auspices of the commander of the United Nations Forces in Cyprus.

Finally, it repeated that "the only framework for the settlement of the Cyprus issue is the one defined by the United Nations."

CNA MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Foreign Minister says all issues open in security dialogue

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's position on the matter was absolutely clear.

"Security issues will be discussed. Everything is open for discussion, without conditions and without an agenda," Kasoulides said.

Albright announced Monday during a brief stop-over at Larnaca International Airport that President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash agreed to discuss issues concerning security on the island.

The Foreign Minister added that President Clerides' proposal for the island's demilitarisation can also be discussed.

Kasoulides attributed public positions regarding the content of the security discussions to tactical maneuvering.

"Don't put so much faith in statements. Certain issues discussed publicly have their own way of being handled, while issues discussed at the negotiating table have a different way of being handled," he said.

Asked about the military dialogue, the Foreign Minister said that politicians will discuss political issues and military people will discuss military issues.

An ongoing UN-mediated military dialogue between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces aims at reducing tensions along the cease- fire line.

CNA KK/MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Non-Aligned Ministers adopt Cyprus proposal

Cyprus Ambassador to Mexico Alexandros Vikis stressed to the ministers in a conference earlier this month the destruction of cultural inheritance suffered by developing countries, particularly in occupied areas.

He also noted the need for specific and coordinated measures aiming to block the illegal export and sale of antiquities and for their return to the country of origin.

In an Action Plan on Cultural Cooperation adopted in Colombia on September 5, the culture ministers expressed concern over the illegal export and sale of antiquities and other cultural artefacts.

The also called on all governments to work together and exchange information by passing relevant legislation and taking common measures within the framework of international fora like the UN.

Referring to artefacts of archaeological value exported illegally, the culture ministers agreed undertake efforts for their return to the country of origin.

Since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory, dozens of churches in the occupied areas have been looted of priceless Byzantine frescoes and other religious artefacts. Many have been sold on the international black market.

The Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus has been waging a world-wide legal campaign for their return.

CNA MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:05

[05] National Council meeting adjourned till next week

President Glafcos Clerides' top advisory body on the Cyprus problem decided to reconvene next Wednesday.

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said discussion focused on the period following the second round of talks last month between President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in Switzerland.

Those UN-sponsored negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Christofides added future strategy was discussed and political party leaders expounded their views.

Leaders from ruling Democratic Rally Party (DISY), Democratic Party (DIKO), left-wing party AKEL, socialist party EDEK, Liberal Party, United Democrats Party and New Horizons Party took part in the meeting.

CNA MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Bicommonual fair

According to a UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) press release, during the fair groups and organisations involved in bicommunal activities will display their projects and ideas, provide information and be available to share experiences.

The fair will take place at the Ledra Palace Hotel, situated in the UN- controlled area in Nicosia, where music and dance groups from both communities will perform.

The diplomatic missions sponsoring the event are: Australia, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, Switzerland, the UK, the US and the delegation of the European Commission.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:07

[07] European Parliament denounces Turkish war threats

Representatives from all European Parliament political groups also criticised the Turkish Cypriot leader's stance at UN-sponsored peace talks last month in Switzerland aimed at resolving the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Rauf Denktash set as a precondition to progress in the talks the freezing of accession negotiations between Cyprus and the European Union.

In the resolution, the European Parliament notes the public statement by the Security Council President in which he identified the Council's concern and disappointment that further substantive progress was impeded by the Turkish Cypriots' attempt to bring preconditions to the table.

It welcomes statements last month by the European Commissioner and the European Council President about the lack of progress on the Cyprus issue.

The Parliament denounces the joint declaration and the implementing measures signed by Turkey and the illegal regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus as "illegal, provocative and not conducive to creating the right negotiating climate for the talks".

The declaration threatens to annex the Turkish-occupied part of the island to Turkey.

The European Parliament reminds the Turkish government that "constructive relations between Turkey and the EU depend partly on the Turkish government's policy on Cyprus".

The European Parliament says it is "appalled" at all statements by Denktash that there will be war in Cyprus if its application to join the EU is successful and demands their total withdrawal.

It welcomes the outcome of the meetings between President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash in Nicosia on humanitarian issues and in particular measures concerning investigations into the fate of the missing people of Cyprus.

The European Parliament welcomes the recent announcement that Clerides and Denktash will meet to discuss security issues and urges both sides "to exercise the utmost restraint with regard to military deployment."

It recognises that there is Turkish Cypriot opposition to Denktash and appeals to the Cyprus government and the Turkish Cypriot community to continue to look for peaceful ways of resolving the Cyprus problem in accordance with UN resolutions.

The Euro-Parliament calls on the EU and all EU member states to "maintain firm pressure" on Turkey to contribute positively to a just solution of the Cyprus problem and to "ensure that they facilitate" the start of accession talks with Cyprus by the beginning of 1998.

It also notes the role that the US can play in contributing to a just Cyprus solution.

CNA NB/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1220:CYPPRESS:08

[08] EU Presidency welcomes discussion on security issues

An announcement issued by Luxembourg's Foreign Ministry expressed the EU member states' satisfaction with US efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

It also expressed the hope this agreement would reduce tensions on the island, bolster trust between the two sides and create a positive climate so that UN-led peace talks could begin again.

The announcement was issued after a meeting between EU officials and US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Miller.

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced Monday during a brief stop-over on the island an agreement between the President of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader to discuss security issues.

Miller met here later today with EU External Relations Commissioner Hans Van Den Broek.

After the meeting, the US official described the agreement for security talks as "hopeful".

He also described the problem as complex and for this reason, high expectations should not be created among the public.

Miller pledged his country would make every effort to resolve the long- standing Cyprus problem and added that Albright understood the problem very well and would work to resolve it.

CNA NB/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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