Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] President's message on UN day

[03] FM meets Commonwealth Cyprus envoy

[04] Commonwealth summit opens

[05] Cyprus features in Commonwealth report

[06] Clerides to inform CHOGM on Cyprus

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                   76.47 (-0.30)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.21 (-0.49)
Approved Investment Companies          63.04 (+0.99)
Insurance Companies                    56.31 (-0.05)
Industrial Companies                   74.49 (-0.05)
Tourist Industries                     64.47 (-0.46)
Commercial Companies                   46.40 (-0.38)
Other Companies                        59.71 (+0.52)

Trading Volume                         CYP 634424.038

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ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President's message on UN day

In his message to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the UN, the President assured Annan of his "constant support and earnest dedication to the efforts for the fulfillment of the UN principles, ideals and objectives."

"We wish to reassure you of our full support to your efforts and those of the international community and of our commitment to continue working with you, in a constructive spirit with a view to achieving, a just solution to our problem, based on the relevant resolutions of the UN and the principles enshrined in the Charter", said President Clerides.

"Such a solution to this long - standing problem will also reinforce the peace-making role of the United Nations", he added.

President Clerides expressed the hope that, as the UN enters in a new year which will be crucial for the continuation of its important mission, "we will witness further substantial progress towards the prevalence of justice, peace and stability on the basis of the universal principles, freedoms and ideals to which we are all committed.

CNA RM/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:03

[03] FM meets Commonwealth Cyprus envoy

Edinburgh, Oct 24 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides met here Friday with newly appointed Commonwealth envoy for Cyprus, deputy Commonwealth Secretary-General for political affairs, Krishnan Srinivasan.

The Minister described the meeting as a courtesy call.

Srinivasan's appointment was announced Thursday by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku. The appointment came on the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which opened today in this Scottish city.

The Foreign Minister also met his counterparts from New Zealand, Belize and the Bahamas. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to meet his Canadian counterpart and later in the afternoon British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook.

Earlier Friday, Kasoulides referred to Cyprus' accession course to the European Union (EU) during a session of the Small States' Foreign Ministers Committee.

The British Foreign Secretary repeated Britain's support for Cyprus' accession to the EU.

Meanwhile, Kasoulides said Cypriot officials attending the meeting are making efforts to include the latest developments on the Cyprus problem in the Commonwealth's final communique.

The format of the communique has been altered and all issues will be briefly mentioned.

"The greatest difficulty is that due to the change of the communique's format, the final text must be brief and comprehensive of all the aspects of the Cyprus question," he said.

"Therefore our effort is not to alter the context of the Auckland communique", he said.

At the 1995 CHOGM meeting, the heads of government urged the UN Security Council to take resolute action and the necessary measures for the speedy implementation of all UN resolutions on Cyprus.

They also expressed support for the demilitarisation of Cyprus, the speedy withdrawal of all Turkish forces and settlers from Cyprus, the accounting of all missing, and disappointment over the continued lack of progress in achieving a solution due to the lack of political will on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Kasoulides said this CHOGM's communique should outline the negative stance the Turkish side adopted at the UN sponsored direct talks in Troutbeck and Montreux as well as Turkey's threats to integrate the island's Turkish occupied areas with Turkey.

CNA MCH/EC/MM/1997

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1945:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Commonwealth summit opens

In a speech at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Blair told the heads of government and ministers taking part in the summit that the Commonwealth can provide a "strong moral compass".

He told delegates "the Commonwealth is needed more today than any time in its history" because it provides stability in a more dangerous world order.

"And in a world where North and South are often in conflict, the Commonwealth can provide a forum of co-operation and joint endeavour", he said.

However, the Premier, whose country is hosting the conference, stressed the relationship between the developed and developing world should be a partnership.

"We need each other. The richer Commonwealth countries must help the poorer, not least to reduce their debt burden", he stressed.

Blair expressed the hope they will agree "an economic declaration setting our agreed economic rights and objectives".

Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, backed this point, noting that the world cannot continue into the new millennium "part affluent and part poor, especially if the poor grow even poorer".

Anyaoku referred to the economic issues which will be the special theme of the meeting and expressed the hope that discussions will "lead to an expansion of intra-Commonwealth trade and investment".

Anyaoku also spoke about the challenges the Commonwealth faces, and how it can help its members and the wider world to confront them on the eve of the new millenium.

He cited "racial, ethnic, cultural and religious intolerance and the sense of otherness" as a challenge.

Another challenge, he said, is "that of instituting democracy and good governance in many countries of the world".

This meeting should "re-dedicate itself to the highest principles of internationalism", he concluded.

Speaking on behalf of participating heads of government, Indian Prime Minister, Shri Indra Kumar Gujral said at the close of the century, the Commonwealth is entering a third phase, with a task to "forge a shared vision for the new millennium".

He said the Commonwealth "can and must be made an instrument of cooperation that has direct relevance for vital issues of economic growth of developing member countries."

The Commonwealth should also be "an effective interlocutor between the North and the South" and strive for "greater democracy and equity in global economic decision making." It should also ensure that "all its members share the benefits of technology."

Addressing the opening of CHOGM for the first time in its history, Queen Elizabeth II said Britain "does have a deep and special commitment to the Commonwealth".

She welcomed Fiji's return to the Commonwealth, bringing the number of its members to 54. The Queen noted the Commonwealth "is one of the largest and most respected organisations of peoples in the world".

The Queen stressed that for all the diversity of its members, the "Commonwealth can act globally, transcending natural boundaries" and addressing political, economic, social and environmental problems.

Finally, she called on members to look upon the summit as a "celebration" of what the Commonwealth has become and what it can offer to the future and the wider world.

The speeches were followed by a cultural programme including folklore dances from Commonwealth member states.

Deliberations began with a session of the Executive committee.

The Queen tonight will host a reception for the heads of government.

Participants will retreat at St. Andrews on Sunday for informal discussions and to "renew ties of friendship", according to the British premier.

The summit will end on Monday with the approval of the final communique.

Cyprus is represented by the President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides, who is accompanied by his Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

CNA MCH/EC/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus features in Commonwealth report

Edinburgh, Oct 24 (CNA) -- A Commonwealth report on "A future for Small States overcoming vulnerability" was officially launched, here today, making special reference to Cyprus.

In assessing the threats various small states face, the report says the Turkish occupation and the de facto division of Cyprus is "seemingly intractable as ever and the cause of Commonwealth and international concern".

Noting that "in geopolitical terms there are, in Commonwealth small states, very few cases where ethnic violence can possibly lead directly to interstate conflict", the report again points out to the case of Cyprus as "the obvious exception".

Cyprus is mentioned again as one of the examples of small states that have made signal contributions to world order in advancing the adoption of the notion of peremptory norms of international law in the Law of Treaties.

The report stresses the Commonwealth's continuous support to UN efforts towards a peaceful resolution to the Cyprus problem.

Special reference is also made to the Commonwealth Action Group on Cyprus, set up at the 1975 CHGOM, which "continues to monitor development and facilitate the UN Secretary-General's efforts and to support the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus".

Speaking at a press conference earlier today, where he officially launched the report, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, said it is "a comprehensive analysis of small states' vulnerability in political, social, economic and environmental aspects".

"The report seeks to outline inherent disabilities of small states", he added.

The Commonwealth Advisory Group responsible for the report, notes in its letter of presentation that:

"Small states need not necessarily be seen as a burden on the international community but rather as a source of enrichment" and express the hope to "inspire the global community to give the concerns of these countries the attention they deserve in major international fora".

"It is our belief that the Commonwealth is well-placed to take the leading role in bringing this about", the group concludes.

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2005:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Clerides to inform CHOGM on Cyprus

Edinburgh, Oct 24 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will raise the latest developments in Cyprus, including the security issue, during Saturday's session of the Executive Committee during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (GHOGM).

Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, told reporters the President will be invited Saturday by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to brief delegates about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the UN- sponsored direct talks.

He said the President will refer to the Turkish position during the Troutbeck and Montreux talks, and will also refer to the security issue, the missing persons issue and the start of the island's negotiations for accession to the European Union.

Tomorrow Clerides is scheduled to see the Malaysian premier.

CNA MCH/EC/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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