Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Denktash reiterates demand for recognition

[02] Turkish planes violate Nicosia FIR and Cyprus airspace

[03] Cypriot scientist develops method to cure genetic diseases

[04] New York Times echoes US protests on S-300

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Justice Ministry efforts to combat money laundering

[07] Government firm on positions for peace talks

1455:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Denktash reiterates demand for recognition

In an interview with the local English-speaking daily "Cyprus Mail", published today, Denktash also says Cyprus is heading towards partition and tries to put the blame for the Cyprus peace talks deadlock on the Greek Cypriot side.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said time was going "in the wrong direction" towards "complete separation."

"The Greek Cypriots should really make up their minds. Do they want a settlement or do they want the complete division of Cyprus," he asked.

At the same time, however, Denktash reiterated that he would participate in peace negotiations only if his illegal regime, in the areas occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion, is recongised.

"This has been our policy from the beginning. All we said is recognise and acknowledge that Greek Cypriots are not the government of Turkish Cypriots, that Turkish Cypriots have their own administration, their own government and their own states and the talks shall be between these two," he claimed.

The illegal "state", unilaterally established in November 1983, is recognised only by Turkey and UN resolutions call on member states not to facilitate the secessionist entity in any way.

The internationally recognised government of the Cyprus Republic has repeatedly said it is willing to participate in talks, based on UN resolutions and on a bicommunal basis. It will in no way recognise the occupation regime.

So far UN-led talks between the two sides have been carried out by President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash, in their capacity as leaders of their respective communities.

Denktash called on the UN Security Council to "acknowledge" the existence of his illegal entity.

Without this acknowledgment the Turkish Cypriot side will not return to the table, he threatened, adding that acknowledgment and recognition were the same.

Denktash also said that if the Greek Cypriots do not accept this then "I don't think there is any chance of a settlement of the Cyprus problem."

The occupation regime leader said he favours a four-party conference for a settlement in Cyprus, that would include the two Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, Greece and Turkey.

He said all these parties should "have to agree on a solution" and claimed that "the Greek Cypriot game is to cut off Turkey to deprive us of that parity."

Referring to a visit here on Friday by US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke, the Turkish Cypriot leader said he will bring some ideas.

He added he will give Holbrooke his own "ideas" and "papers" but refrained from elaborating.

The US envoy, appointed last year, is expected to look into ways of breaking current deadlock and draw the two communities back to the negotiating table.

Asked about the restrictions he imposed since last December on bicommunal activities, in retaliation to a European Union (EU) decision to open accession talks with the Cyprus Republic last March, Denktash said:

"The moment they (Greek Cypriots) concede that we exist as a separate political unit these restrictions can be removed."

CNA MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Turkish planes violate Nicosia FIR and Cyprus airspace

National Guard sources told CNA two Turkish F16 military aircraft entered the Nicosia FIR for about 30 minutes, in violation of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), regulations.

According to the same sources a few hours later two Turkish reconnaissance RF4 aircraft violated Cyprus' airspace and flew from the west to the east of the island's Turkish-occupied area for about 25 minutes.

The government had earlier protested to ICAO, because Turkey had not complied with international regulations. Turkish authorities had informed the occupation regime about these illegal flights.

The illegal flights were part of two Turkish military exercises code- named "Taurus 1/98" and "Determination 1/98" that got underway yesterday.

The occupation army in Cyprus is participating in the Turkish navy and airforce exercises, between April 28-30.

The exercises are taking place in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion, and Eastern Mediterranean international waters and airspace.

Turkish navy vessels are expected to illegally dock at the northern occupied port of Kyrenia, according to Turkish Cypriot press reports.

CNA MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1545:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriot scientist develops method to cure genetic diseases

Leonidas Phylactou, is leading an Oxford University research team investigating ways to cure genetic diseases.

The current study utilises the natural abilities of a genetic molecule called ribozyme, to repair the genetic defect that gives rise to myotonic dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy is a common neuromuscular genetic disease, for which there is still no treatment.

The defect of myotonic dyctrophy, located in a gene, is also present in the RNA form, which is another genetic molecule which contains genetic information transcribed from the gene that is then used to make all our proteins.

A ribozyme, designed and constructed in Dr. Phylactou's laboratory, was able to recognise and repair the defective RNA molecule involved in myotonic dystrophy.

More specifically the ribozyme can cut out the defective genetic information located in the RNA and replace it with the normal. In this way, the problematic RNA that gives rise to the disease can be converted back to normal.

Dr. Phylactou told CNA it is still early days before the "drug" can be used in patients with myotonic dystrophy.

However, the potential of this method is tremendous since it interferes directly with the genetic problem and repairs by "molecular surgery".

Moreover, the above system can be widely applied to many other diseases of genetic origin.

The findings of his current research were published in the leading scientific journal "Natural Genetics", on April 1.

Phylactou left Cyprus in 1989 for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Britain and the US and has been working at Oxford University since 1995.

CNA KT/MCH/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1725:CYPPRESS:04

[04] New York Times echoes US protests on S-300

American officials, the newspaper notes, believe the sale to be "needlessly provocative" despite indications from Cypriot officials that the purchase could be deferred or frozen if serious talks get underway for a settlement in Cyprus.

"The US has repeatedly sought to block the sale of the S-300," the newspaper discloses.

The article refers to a press conference held in Moscow yesterday by head of Rosvooruzheniye arms company, Yevgeny Ananyev, who said that Russia was determined to ship the weapons.

Ananyev said the S-300 system will be delivered on schedule, according to the contract. It would be shipped late in July and would arrive in Cyprus by mid August.

The New York Times dispatch from its Moscow correspondent makes no mention of President Glafcos Clerides' repeated offer to cancel the missile deal if Turkey agrees to his far-reaching dimilitarisation proposal that has been on the table for years.

The article also fails to take into account the role that Cyprus' legitimate security concerns have played in last January's decision to buy the surface-to-air missile system, a purely defensive weapon.

Some 35-thousand Turkish troops and array of armaments have been stationed in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since it invaded the island in 1974, rendering it one of the most militarised areas of the world.

Nor does the article mention repeated Turkish aircraft fighter violations of Cyprus' air-space and the Nicosia Flight Information Region, also a factor in the S-300 decision.

Instead, the newspaper says that the "dominant view among American officials is that the sale is part of a disturbing pattern in which Moscow uses exports to prop up its ailing military industry with little regard for the foreign policy consequences."

It supports that Russia "clearly hopes that publicity will stimulate interest among other customers."

The newspaper also says that some American specialists believe Russia's motive is to extend its influence to the Mediterranean and to cause problems for NATO by encouraging strains between Greece and Turkey.

Russia has repeatedly said it supports negotiations to settle the protracted Cyprus question and has recently undertaken an effort to achieve stronger UN Security Council support to the talks.

Two rounds of fruitless peace talks between the island's two communities took place in summer 1997, but the Turkish side has since said it would not participate in negotiations unless the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas is recognised.

The illegal entity, unilaterally declared in 1983 is recognised only by Turkey.

The New York Times dispatch says American officials insist that the deployment of the S-300 "would undermine the security of Cyprus."

It adds: "They say the weapon is effective enough to worry the Turks, but not effective enough to prevent a Turkish invasion."

The newspaper quotes an American official, which it does not name, as saying that, "we do not think buying the system makes a great deal of sense."

It also says that "Turkey is clearly anxious about the deal. Not only has Turkey threatened retaliation, it has also stopped foreign ships from the Black Sea, Russian and Ukraine ports and inspected them to make sure they were not carrying the missiles."

CNA JD/MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    94,26 ( 0,38)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                 110.08 ( 0,66)
Approved Investment Companies          67,80 (-0,66)
Insurance Companies                    67,16 (-1,03)
Industrial Companies                   82,03 (-0,93)
Tourist Industries                     75,15 (-0,28)
Commercial Companies                   58,12 ( 3,53)
Other Companies                        79,75 ( 0,77)

Trading Volume                         3.828.467

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Justice Ministry efforts to combat money laundering

According to an official announcement issued today, the Council of Europe (CoE) committee is visiting Cyprus to evaluate measures taken by the government to combat money laundering.

When it concludes its meetings here, with representatives of both the private and public sectors, the committee will submit a report.

Meanwhile, the Financial Action Task Force, that monitors efforts to combat money laundering, has decided to remove Cyprus from its list of high risk countries.

The decision was announced earlier this week by Finance Minister, Christodoulos Christodoulou, after a meeting with the members of the CoE special committee.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1935:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Government firm on positions for peace talks

Stylianides said the government remains firm in its positions on the resumption of bicommunal talks for a settlement in Cyprus and is in expectation of a visit here by US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke.

Holbrooke is coming to Cyprus on Friday and will remain here until Monday. He will then leave on business and is expected to return May 8.

The Spokesman refrained from replying to questions on the Turkish side's position on the peace talks, noting that at many instances they are "contradicting".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash repeated in an interview today that he will not participate in negotiations unless his illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus is recognised.

Only two days ago the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced this is not a precondition.

Denktash demanded a change in the bicommunal basis on which the UN-led peace talks are carried out, by which he and President Glafcos Clerides participated as leaders of their respective communities.

The Cyprus government is willing to continue negotiations on this basis and does not accept any change that would lead to a direct or indirect recognition of the illegal regime in the areas occupied by Turkey since 1974.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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