Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Commonwealth heads to hold unofficial meetings

[02] Commonwealth suggestions on displaced persons and refugees

[03] Greek and Turkish Cypriot plan for business cooperation

[04] Commonwealth stresses need for globalisation of economy

1145:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Commonwealth heads to hold unofficial meetings

Edinburgh, Oct 26 (CNA) -- Commonwealth heads of government will hold unofficial talks today at Saint Andrews where they will spend the second to last day of the Summit.

During their meetings Commonwealth leaders always spend time together at a retreat, so they have the chance for informal discussions on bilateral issues.

Meanwhile, speaking during the afternoon session Saturday, President Clerides briefed his counterparts on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, told reporters that there was no negative reaction to the President's intervention.

He added that some participants, including the Premiers of Canada and Malta, Jean Chretien and Alfred Sant, stressed the need for an early solution to the Cyprus question.

President Clerides attended a dinner hosted by British Premier Tony Blair, on Saturday evening.

CNA MCH/MA/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] Commonwealth suggestions on displaced persons and refugees By Maria Chrysanthou

Stressing that this is the first time the Commonwealth "has taken up such critical issues", the Report points out it is estimated that member countries "currently host some 3,1 million of the world's 13,2 million refugees and several million internally displaced persons".

The Commonwealth Intergovernmental Group on Refugees and Displaced Persons, consisting of 16 countries, was set up by Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku at the Auckland Meeting in November 1995 and was chaired by Cyprus Ambassador, Michalis Sherifis.

Its report aims at serving the common interest of the international community.

Cyprus suffered a massive displacement of its population as a consequence of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 percent of its territory.

Some 200.000 Greek Cypriots were forced to flee their homes and are still deprived of their fundamental human right to return.

The Group's mandate did not anticipate a direct Commonwealth role in dealing with the problem, but pointed out that efforts should be supportive of, and complementary to, the work of UN agencies and other international organisations.

The Report reaffirms Commonwealth commitment to the Harare Declaration and support to the UN High Commission for Refugees.

It also urges Chief Anyaoku to continue his good offices role and facilitate the resolution of conflicts, especially where the potential to create mass refugee flows or significant internal displacement of populations exists.

It suggests that procedures should be established "for the determination of refugee status, under separate comprehensive legislation or as part of existing immigration law regimes."

The report points out that provisions should be made for persons "experiencing persecution through sexual violence or other forms of gender- related persecution".

Recommendations are also made concerning countries that have to deal with mass influxes and movement of displaced persons.

In a note to Chief Anyaoku, Sherifis expresses the Group's hope that its observations and recommendations will assist the Heads of Government in their consideration of the complex issues involved and the search for durable solutions to alleviate the burdens of the affected countries.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1245:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Greek and Turkish Cypriot plan for business cooperation

The proposals were drawn up by Greek Cypriot businessman and former MP, Dinos Lordos, and were presented at a meeting of industrialists from the two communities, Greece and Turkey, in Athens.

Lordos told the Cyprus Mail that the proposals are designed to address the general need for understanding and confidence between the two sides and are in line with the 1979 high level agreements between the two sides.

The agreements provide for the establishment of a bicommunal, bizonal federation in Cyprus.

The proposals will be presented at a business seminar in Brussels early November, organised by the American President's Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke.

They aim for free and unhindered communication which would be followed by a series of joint activities and programmes.

Lordos said the Turkish Cypriots that participated in the three-day Athens meeting, dedicated to Cyprus on its last day on Friday, had agreed with the proposal.

He pointed out "this speaks volumes" and added it was agreed there would be further meetings to examine each proposal.

One of Lordos' suggestions is a joint mobile telephone system, which would facilitate communication, as well as a courier service to deliver documents.

He also recommends the simplification of the identification process to cross the border in Cyprus.

The former centre-right party MP also suggests the establishment of a joint chamber of commerce and business council, a property evaluation board, a business fund, a cultural society, a language school and bi-communal media.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot businesspeople agreed progress on these issues should be parallel with progress on the Cyprus problem.

CNA MA/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Commonwealth stresses need for globalisation of economy By Maria Chrysanthou

In the Declaration, concluded yesterday by the heads of government meeting here, member states agree to enhance their role in building consensus on global economic issues and on an equitable structuring of international economic relations.

Pointing out that "world peace, security and social stability cannot be achieved in conditions of deep poverty and growing inequality," the Declaration stresses that "world economy should be geared towards promoting universal growth and prosperity for all."

It also calls for "effective participation by all countries in economic decision-making in key international fora" and for international regimes affecting economic relations among nations to provide benefits for all.

The Declaration welcomes progress in dismantling trade barriers and establishing a rule-based international trading system, but points out that the benefits of the expansion of world trade are still unevenly shared.

Towards this end, Commonwealth leaders decided the establishment of a Trade and Investment Access Facility "to assist developing countries with the process of adjusting to, and taking advantage of the opportunities of globalisation".

They also request the Secretariat to report to them, before the 1999 Commonwealth summit, on the scope and possible systems and mechanisms for improving trade among members.

Concerning investment the leaders decided to endorse recommendations of a working group on the role of national and international policies in promoting private capital flows.

They also call for the rapid finalisation of a Commonwealth Code of Good Practice for national policies that attract and sustain private capital flows and encourage "small partnerships" involving the private and public sectors.

Expressing concern over the extreme poverty in many countries, Commonwealth leaders welcome the Ministerial Group Report on Small States and in particular encourage international financial institutions to review their graduation policies and address the concerns of small states.

The Declaration also expresses concern over environmental issues and points to the importance of a successful outcome at the Kyoto Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change. CNA MCH/MA

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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