Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] EU British presidency welcomes Clerides' proposal

[03] Cook expects positive reply from Denktash

1550:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    85.34 ( 0,13)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  97,16 (-0.27)
Approved Investment Companies          64,92 (-0.41)
Insurance Companies                    62,25 (-0,32)
Industrial Companies                   81,61 ( 1,69)
Tourist Industries                     75,55 ( 1,37)
Commercial Companies                   47,71 ( 1,30)
Other Companies                        74,12 ( 0,71)

Trading Voulume                        1400034.118

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1910:CYPPRESS:02

[02] EU British presidency welcomes Clerides' proposal

The spokesman of the Foreign Office told CNA today "we welcome the proposal put forward by President Clerides regarding the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the delegation which will negotiate the accession."

Describing Clerides' proposal as a "positive offer", the spokesman said Britain attaches "special importance to the specific proposal which says that Turkish Cypriots will nominate representatives as full members of the delegation."

He noted that the first thing the EU Council President will do now is to submit the proposal at the Foreign Ministers meeting in Edinburgh and "then if there is an agreement there, they will hand it to the Turkish Cypriots."

Commenting on this morning's meeting between Clerides and Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, the spokesman said they discussed all issues concerning the Cyprus problem.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of today's European Conference, called by the current EU British presidency.

They also discussed the forthcoming visit to the island of the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, the prospects for the talks and the recent negative stand taken by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The British side repeated its view that the S-300 Russian-made anti- aircraft missile system should not be deployed on the island, the Spokesman added.

CNA KT/EC/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100 CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cook expects positive reply from Denktash

At the same time, it invited Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to give a positive reply to the proposal, noting this would benefit mostly Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon at the end of the European Conference, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was asked to comment on President Glafcos Clerides' proposal regarding the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the accession negotiations.

Cook said "I very much congratulate (Clerides) him in making this offer."

"We welcome the step and we are conveying this offer to the Turkish community of Cyprus," he added.

Cook, stressed that the EU presidency would "very much prefer to see a mixed delegation, negotiating on behalf of both communities."

Noting that the presidency wants "both communities to have the advantage of benefitting from membership," Cook stressed that the Turkish Cypriot community "will actually benefit more because the standard of living is so much poorer," in the occupied areas of the island.

He expressed the hope that President Clerides' proposal "will be met with a positive response" on the part of Denktash and said the presidency "will be watching it closely."

Asked about the absence of Turkey from the European Conference, both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cook said that the door is open and it is up to Turkey to decide whether it will participate.

To a question concerning France's proposal that the accession talks should start but freeze, if no agreement is reached regarding the participation of the Turkish Cypriots, President of the European Commission Jacques Santer categorically stressed that the EU will follow the line of the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council.

CNA KT/EC/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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