Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] UNFICYP marks UN day

[03] Visitors number increases

[04] Clerides welcomes Commonwealth envoy appointment

[05] CoE concerned with demographic change

[06] CHOGM to examine contribution for Cyprus settlement

[07] Regional workshop on radiation protection

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                   77.86 (-0.22)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.48 (-0.35)
Approved Investment Companies          64.34 (-0.26)
Insurance Companies                    56.60 (+0.55)
Industrial Companies                   76.97 (-0.31)
Tourist Industries                     65.81 (-0.32)
Commercial Companies                   46.95 (-0.99)
Other Companies                        61.16 (+1.38)

Trading Volume                         CYP 517153.944

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1545:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UNFICYP marks UN day

The event, a family day, will include music and dance, helicopter and vehicle display, games for the children and national delicacies from UNFICYP.

The UN celebrates its day on October 24.

UNFICYP spokesman said the bicommunal open house will give Greek and Turkish Cypriots of all ages a chance to meet and reach out to the other community in a true spirit of the UN.

The UN is actively promoting bicommunal contact as part of its mandate "to return to normal conditions" and there are as many as 30 meetings per week in which educators, lawyers doctors, journalists and other professionals participate.

UNFICYP holds large scale bicommunal events, including concerts, fairs or receptions three or four times a year.

Contact between the two communities has been very limited since they were forcibly divided after 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern part.

In the past few years, contact between Greek and Turkish Cypriots has been more regular but often prevented from the Turkish Cypriot regime.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Visitors number increases

The number of people who visited Cyprus last August including excursionists reached 390.945, representing an increase of 12,2 per cent compared to that of August 1996, the report said, noting 62,5 per cent of them arrived from European Union (EU) countries.

During same period 293.887 tourists arrived in the island, compared to 275.535 in July 1997, the report added.

Referring to the tourists' country of usual residence, the report said 37,7 per cent of them arrived from the UK, 15,7 per cent from Russia, 9,8 per cent from Germany and 4,1 per cent from Sweden.

Last August 80,172 Cypriots travelled abroad, compared to 49.301 in August 1996. Greece was their favourite destination with 45,7 per cent, followed by the UK with 9,5 per cent and Israel with 4,6 per cent, according to the report.

CNA GG/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Clerides welcomes Commonwealth envoy appointment

Edinburgh, Oct 23 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides described as a "useful development" the announcement Thursday of a former Indian Foreign Minister to the post of Commonwealth envoy for Cyprus.

Arriving today in Edinburgh for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the President noted that the Commonwealth will now be able to closely monitor developments in Cyprus.

The President praised the countries which supported the appointment of Kris Srinivasan, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs, noting these included many Moslem countries.

President Clerides told the press the Commonwealth has played an interesting role in the Cyprus problem.

"Our aim here is to further promote our views regarding a Cyprus settlement," he said.

The President and his entourage, including Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides and Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides, arrived in Edinburgh from London to take part in the summit which starts tomorrow and ends on Monday, October 27.

On Saturday, President Clerides will have a meeting with Malaysian Premier, Mahathir Mohammad, while Kasoulides will meet his British counterpart, Robin Cook.

CNA MCH/EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:05

[05] CoE concerned with demographic change

In a meeting in Strasbourg, Wednesday, the Committee adopted a Parliamentary Assembly recommendation on the "Demographic structures of the Cypriot communities" with which it backs the promotion of trust between the island's two communities.

The recommendation notes that the Committee of Ministers "is aware that an artificial change in the demographic structure of the island, with a political objective, could only delay the prospects for an equitable solution of the present deadlock."

It describes the situation on the island as "increasingly anachronistic in an era characterised by the breaking down of barriers and the search for greater unity in Europe."

The recommendation is based on a report on the demographic change in the northern part of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since it invaded the island in 1974, prepared by Spanish senator Alfons Cuco in 1992.

In its recommendation the Parliamentary Assembly says that from 1975 onwards Turkish nationals arrived in the occupied areas, with Turkish Cypriot encouragement, where they settled on a long-term basis.

It adds that for the period 1974-1990 there was an increase of 48,35 percent in the population in the occupied areas which "must be due to a substantial influx of migrants."

It is estimated that more than 70.000 Turkish nationals have settled in the occupied areas.

The recommendation says the Committee of Ministers would be willing to examine the Assembly's proposal to organise a population census covering the whole island.

It also welcomes efforts by the Council of Europe to bring together Greek and Turkish Cypriot youth, noting this promotes respect for human rights, tolerance and understanding.

It recognises that the initiative for a Cyprus settlement must continue to lie with the UN Secretary-General and pays tribute to the fact that the Committee of Ministers will continue to follow the situation.

Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, Thalia Petrides, said the influx of Turkish nationals to the occupied areas not only changes the island's demographic structure but also prevents Turkish Cypriots from expressing their political will.

Commenting on the decision, she noted that Turkish Cypriots are forced to immigrate because of the situation in the occupied areas and that they have now become a minority compared to the number of Turkish settlers.

CNA MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:06

[06] CHOGM to examine contribution for Cyprus settlement

Edinburgh, Oct 23 (CNA) -- The Cyprus question will be discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM), during which member-states will examine their contribution towards a solution.

Speaking at a press conference here today the Commonwealth Secretary- General announced the appointment of Krishnan Srinivasan, as Special Representative for Cyprus.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku said he decided the appointment "in consultation with the UN Secretary-General". He described the Indian former diplomat as a person with "extensive international experience and of admirable qualities and qualifications."

Srinivasan, Commonwealth Secretariat Deputy Secretary-General in charge of political affairs, has also served as India's Foreign Secretary.

"I expect that at this meeting they (member-states) will want to review developments (in Cyprus) and ways in which the Commonwealth can continue to be of help in the search for a solution," Anyaoku said.

He pointed out that the Commonwealth Heads of Government "have traditionally discussed Cyprus" and reminded of the Action Group on Cyprus, which is a standing committee of foreign ministers that convenes when it considers it useful.

Anyaoku also said "the Commonwealth is committed to supporting the efforts by the UN Secretary-General... to convene peace talks on Cyprus."

The Commonwealth Secretary-General described this year's meeting as "one of the largest ever", noting that 43 out of the 51 member-states are represented by their heads of government while the rest at a ministerial level.

For the first time Queen Elizabeth II, Commonwealth Head, will attend and address tomorrow's opening session.

There are four issues on the meetings agenda, while the special theme will be "Trade, Investment, Development. The Road to Commonwealth Prosperity".

"This is the first time the Commonwealth will be focusing on an economic subject as a special theme," Anyaoku told the press and stressed "the Commonwealth needs business and business needs the Commonwealth."

The political subjects to be discussed include the report by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to Heads of Government, with recommendations on Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Apart from the Cyprus problem, other issues such as the question of land-mines, terrorism and the International Criminal Court will also be discussed.

Anyaoku said another item on the agenda is small states, because "more than half Commonwealth members are small states" therefore "a great deal of importance" is attached to the issue.

The fourth item on the agenda is Commonwealth functional cooperation, which embraces the various programmes run by the Secretariat.

The issue of new members will also be discussed in Edinburgh, as Yemen, Rwanda and the Palestinian National Authorities have applied for membership.

"As far as the Palestine National Authority is concerned it has not yet become a full state... That possibility will materialise one way or another hopefully by 1999, so the application will remain on the table until them," Anyaoku said.

The Nigerian issue is concentrating most press interest even though Anyaoku said the question of the country's expulsion "is not on the table".

On the same issue, the British press highlights statements by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook that if a Nigerian delegation turned up for the summit "they would be put straight back on the plane home".

British newspapers report that Nigerian officials are determined to have a say over possible further sanctions against the country and may arrive in Scotland today.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1955:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Regional workshop on radiation protection

The workshop, to be organised October 27-31 by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) in cooperation with the Cyprus Planning Bureau, will examine legislative issues, radiation protection models and safety from radiation sources.

It is expected to contribute to Cyprus' efforts in preparing its legislation on relevant issues.

During their stay here IAEA experts will meet officials from Cypriot ministries to offer advice.

The workshop will be held within the framework of the regional IAEA plan entitled "Upgrading Radiation and Waste Safety Infrastructure".

CNA MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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