Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] ICFTU promotes bicommunal contacts

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Six left-wing parties urge for Cyprus demilitarisation

[04] Austrian Federal Council President arrives

[05] Cyprus and Israel to boost relations in education

[06] "Along the route of the Phoenicians" exhibition to open

[07] Cyprus well prepared for EU screening

[08] Dire consequences from proposed Turkish nuclear reactor

[09] House President meets Austrian counterpart

[10] Three gypsies missing, possibly apprehended by Turks

[01] ICFTU promotes bicommunal contacts

"We will be hoping to see whether it is possible to have joint meetings that would be acknowledged by both sides to be able to take place," Jordan said today, after calling on President Glafcos Clerides.

Earlier Jordan met with Greek Cypriot SEK trade union, affiliated to the Confederation, and is scheduled this afternoon to cross into the Turkish-occupied part of the island to meet with the Turkish Cypriot trade union TURK-SEN, also affiliated to ICFTU.

"I have come here to visit them and talk about economic developments here, but particularly to look at the problems caused by the unnatural and unacceptable division of this island," he said.

Jordan added he will examine how the division "is keeping people, families, the people of Cyprus apart, (people) who want to work together, want to lead a normal life and to increase their joint prosperity."

Pointing out that the ICFTU has played a part in the past in trying to bring about contacts, he reassured it would continue that role.

"The discussions I have had with my colleagues in SEK and the President were about trying to achieve that end," he added.

Asked if he is bringing any specific ideas, Jordan said "we know that there are no grand solutions that the trade unions can come forward with, because that is the role of the politicians."

However, he stressed that if the politicians do not break the deadlock "then we have to work where we work best and that is amongst working people."

"We have an affiliate on the other side of the divide (TURK-SEN) and we know that they and the people they represent want to come together with the people and the trade unions on this side," the ICFTU General Secretary added.

He said that at his meeting with TURK-SEN officials this afternoon he would suggest "small but significant moves towards trying to bring about contacts" among ordinary working people and away from public view.

Jordan said the possibility of holding joint meetings will be explored, adding "we are going to talk to the leaders of TURK-SEN about small, unpublicised activities that would bring people together."

He expressed the view that "in the world of politics every occasion is used to promote division and not make harmony, whereas trade unions are not interested in the publicity, we just want the contacts."

In a bid to keep the two communities apart, the regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 has forbidden Turkish Cypriot participation in most bicommunal events since December last year.

CNA RG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    88,36 (-1,61)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                 103,55 (-1,32)
Approved Investment Companies          64,13 (-2,27)
Insurance Companies                    64,48 (-1,99)
Industrial Companies                   77,03 (-1,18)
Tourist Industries                     68,60 (-2,63)
Commercial Companies                   50,86 (-3,45)
Other Companies                        73,67 (-2,86)

Trading Voulume                       2.165.480.54

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Six left-wing parties urge for Cyprus demilitarisation

In a joint communique issued after a two-day meeting, May 8-9, in Constantinople, Turkey, the six parties also called on the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to collectively act towards this direction.

The Constantinople meeting was attended by delegates of Greek Cypriot left-wing AKEL party, the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party and the "New Cyprus" party, the Greek Communist Party and the Left Coalition of Greece, and the Turkish party of Freedom and Solidarity (ODP).

The parties welcomed every mediation effort aiming to achieve a just and viable solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem, in compliance with UN resolutions, and rejected any effort by the great powers not aimed to this direction.

The continuation of the prolonged Cyprus problem, the lack of communication between the two communities and the absence of a substantial dialogue and progress in peace talks consolidate the current status quo on the island, which in no way can be the solution to the problem, the communique said.

It also called on all interested parties to agree on measures that will lead to the gradual reduction of troops and armament on the island, having as a final objective its complete demiltarisation.

The six leftist parties noted that a Cyprus solution should adequately secure the island's independence, unity and territorial integrity, in a bicommunal, bizonal federation that would not allow any kind of union, division or secession.

The communique said a viable solution should be based on the political equality and economic balance between the two communities, securing human rights and freedom of all Cypriots, irrespective of their ethnic origin.

The six left-wing parties have decided to continue their meetings in a bid to contribute towards achieving a just and viable Cyprus solution.

AKEL was represented at the Constantinople meeting by Andros Kyprianou, a member of the party's political bureau, responsible for international relations.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MK/AP/MA/1998

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1755:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Austrian Federal Council President arrives

Speaking on his arrival here for a three-day visit, Bieringer pointed out that Austria participates in the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and said he will visit his country's contingent tomorrow.

Referring to his visit, at the invitation of the Cyprus House of Representatives, he said he has come "to see the situation here," in view of Austria's European Union six-month rotating presidency, beginning July 1.

Immediately after his arrival Bieringer was scheduled to call on House President Spyros Kyprianou.

During his stay here, the Austrian official will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and will meet the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Nicosia mayor, Lellos Demetriades.

CNA MAN/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus and Israel to boost relations in education

According to an Israeli embassy press release, Peled is in Cyprus to participate in the meeting of the Council of Europe Ministers Responsible for Sports, taking place in Nicosia between May 14 and 16.

Peled expressed the wish that the Cypriot minister "would continue to strengthen the good relations enjoyed between the two countries and that both sides would strive to implement the Education and Culture Agreement signed in 1994."

Peled would like to see enhanced co-operation in all fields of education, such as exchange of students, teachers and headmasters, the press release said, adding that he also suggested an exchange of high school sports activities, such as matches or joint training sessions.

Kappas accepted an invitation from the Israeli Deputy Minister to visit Israel.

Peled also met with the House of Representatives Education Committee and Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades who escorted him to the old part of the capital and the demarcation line, dividing Cyprus since Turkish troops invaded in 1974.

CNA MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:06

[06] "Along the route of the Phoenicians" exhibition to open

The opening of the exhibition entitled "Along the route of the Phoenicians", on May 15, will mark the beginning of the Italian Cultural Month, which includes music events, theatre, lectures and a jewelry exhibition.

It will be on show at the Cyprus Museum, in Nicosia, and is organised by Cyprus' Antiquities Department, along with Italy's local authorities union.

"Cyprus was the Phoenicians first stop during their advance to the west, " Antiquities Department Director Sophocles Hadjisavvas told a press conference today, adding it "stresses the island's role and the Phoenicians' presence in the eastern Mediterranean."

Hadjisavvas stressed the need for more in depth study of this period of the island's history.

Italian ambassador to Nicosia, Francesco Bascone, said the exhibition "provides a vivid picture of the multicultural character of Phoenician civilisation, of the coexistence of Semitic, Egyptian, Greek features in the objects of everyday life, religion and art, be it through imports or through a blend of cultural influences."

He said it was "first shown in Lebanon, where the adventure of the Phoenicians began, it has come to Cyprus, the first stop in their advance into the Mediterranean area, and will then proceed to Malta, Tunis (modern Carthage) and Italy.

The month-long events, taking place in all towns, are organised by the Italian Embassy in Nicosia, in cooperation with Societa' Dante Alighieri and the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture.

CNA NG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus well prepared for EU screening

A member of the European Union (EU) negotiating team taking part in the screening in the telecommunications and research, and technology fields told CNA that "the Cypriots give the impression that they are very well prepared for the screening procedure."

The EU official, who asked for anonymity, added that compared to the other five states that began accession negotiations "Cyprus has an obvious lead".

The screening in the telecommunications field took place on May 5 and in the research and technology field the following day.

The EU team carrying out the screening procedures in these fields will prepare two reports on their results until the end of May. The reports will then be forwarded to the Council of Ministers.

The same procedure will be carried out in all 31 fields included in the aquis communautaire.

EU officials here express certainty that most of the screening procedure with Cyprus would be concluded end of June, apart from certain fields such as the free transport of goods, which is expected to end until September.

The two sides will meet tomorrow to deal with cultural and audio-visual issues. On May 14, they will deal with training matters, on May 19 with industrial policy and on May 25 with medium-size businesses.

Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia are the five countries that opened accession talks with the EU on March 31, the same day as Cyprus.

The pace of EU accession talks with all six of the countries included in the first wave on enlargement, depends to a great extent on their speed in adapting to EU law.

CNA NB/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1945:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Dire consequences from proposed Turkish nuclear reactor

Mario Damato, Greenpeace Mediterranean Executive Director, told a press conference that "Cyprus will be in the centre of the radioactive energy, in the case of an accident, and maybe it will be affected more than any other area, excluding Turkey which will have grave consequences."

Damato stressed that Cyprus will be affected whatever the direction of the winds, because of its close proximity to Akkuyu, and said Greenpeace is ready to pass on to the government any information it needs on the issue.

"People in Cyprus are just beginning to be informed on the issue of nuclear energy plants," he added.

He said Greenpeace is carrying out a campaign in a bid to convince the Turkish government to change its plans, "but it seems as if it is determined to go ahead," he noted.

"What we are hoping for is that, by the public becoming aware, they could put more pressure on the (Turkish) government to abandon its plans," Damato said.

However, he added that "with Turkey's kind of democracy this is rather complicated."

Damato pointed out that an environmental study has not been carried out as it would have then been made known that Akkuyu is a highly seismic area.

Two companies, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and German Siemens are the two main bidders for the construction of the nuclear reactor in Akkuyu.

Damato said international pressure "will be exerted on the companies that will be finally negotiating the deal," as well as on the countries where the companies are based.

Yesterday Greenpeace released a computer modeling study on the effects of the proposed Turkish nuclear reactor, noting it would be catastrophic for Turkey, Cyprus and the entire Middle East.

According to the international environmental organisation, Turkey plans to build 10 nuclear reactors by the year 2020.

The proposed site for the plan is located between the popular tourist resort of Antalya and Mersina and is a centre for agricultrue and fishing.

It is situated on the southern coast of Turkey and it is only 125 kilometres from the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia.

CNA DP/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:09

[09] House President meets Austrian counterpart

The two men also discussed ways of developing further relations between the parliaments of the two countries.

Bieringer arrived here earlier today for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Cyprus House of Representatives.

"I have no doubt that Austria will do whatever it can to help efforts to settle the Cyprus question as well as Cyprus' accession to the European Union," Kyprianou said, pointing out that Austria will take over the Union's six-month rotating presidency on July 1.

He added that "Austria has always shown understanding in every development in the Cyprus problem" and described bilateral relations as "very friendly".

The House President also expressed gratitude for Austria's participation in the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), stressing that "this underlines its genuine interest in Cyprus and its future."

On his part, Bieringer said UN resolutions on Cyprus should be implemented and reassured he will put forward this position at all decision- making bodies of his country.

"Austria is a friend of Cyprus and one must show solidarity to friends, " he added, welcoming the House President's proposal for closer ties between the two parliaments.

Tomorrow the Austrian official will visit his country's contingent serving in UNFICYP and on Thursday he will be received by President Glafcos Clerides.

CNA KN/MA/AP/1998

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2015:CYPPRESS:10

[10] Three gypsies missing, possibly apprehended by Turks

The three men are gypsies and they have been living in the southwestern coastal town of Limassol.

According to a police announcement, the three men are Christos Demetriou, 35, George Charalambous, 35, and George, who's surname is believed to be Alexiou, 26.

UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) spokesman, Waldemar Rokoszewski, told CNA that "regretfully" UNFICYP has not yet been informed of the identity of the three men apprehended late Monday by the Turkish occupation troops.

"We are investigating the issue in cooperation with both sides and we believe we will be able to release them very soon, but I have no further information," he said.

The three men were illegally apprehended in the Strovilia area, within the buffer zone on the island's eastern part.

UNFICYP patrols the 180-kilometre long demarcation line, dividing Cyprus since Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974 and occupied 37 percent of its territory.

CNA AA/MA/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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