Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-05-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Fisheries Department: Cyprus sea waters not contaminated

[03] Clinton, Blair back comprehensive approach on Cyprus

[04] Cypriot Minister addresses WTO meeting

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    87,95 (-1,27)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                 102,82 (-1,36)
Approved Investment Companies          62,10 (-2,53)
Insurance Companies                    64,39 (-0,57)
Industrial Companies                   77,84 (-1,57)
Tourist Industries                     68,33 (-0,47)
Commercial Companies                   51,11 (-2,03)
Other Companies                        73,38 (-0,04)

Trading Volume                         610.847.05

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Fisheries Department: Cyprus sea waters not contaminated

International environmentalist organisation "Greenpeace" accused the Israeli authorities of allowing the dumping of coal ash, contaminated by toxic heavy metals, in the Mediterranean to continue.

Pointing out that the UN declared 1998 as the "International Year of the Oceans", because of their major role in ecological balance and economic development, Greenpeace calls on the Israeli government to ban all sea dumping.

It also calls for the ratification of the 1995 Barcelona Convention protocol on dumping and sign the 1992 London Dumping Convention, banning sea dumping globally.

"There is no indication of contamination of the sea surrounding Cyprus, " Fisheries Department official Loizos Loizides told CNA, explaining that the flow of sea currents make it impossible.

According to a Fisheries Department announcement, systematic tests for checking the quality of sea water show no problems in the sea around Cyprus.

Meanwhile a Spokesman for the Israeli embassy in Nicosia told CNA the embassy has "no official information" and is checking press reports.

"We are checking it with our Ministry of Environment in Israel," he said.

Greenpeace Mediterranean Office claims that the Israeli Ministry of Environment committee for special permits gave on May 11 the go-ahead to "Israel Electricity Company" (IEC) for dumping an additional 15.000 tons of coal ash until next June.

It added that the same committee "gave the US-owned fertilizer company Haifa Chemicals a permit to dump 60.000 tons of toxic sludge in the Mediterranean until next October."

Executive Director of Greenpeace Mediterranean Office, Mario Damato accused the IEC of "wasting too much energy in trying to greenwash its polluted image instead of seriously solving the pollution it is causing."

He also warns that "producing energy with fossil fuels like coal, not only pollutes the air but also generates greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide that lead to dramatic climate changes."

According to Greenpeace, Israeli Environment Minister, Rafael Eitan, promised last July that all sea dumping would stop by the end of 1997.

"Israel is now the only country in the world which is still systematically dumping industrial waste and we demand that this is stopped immediately," Ofer ben-Dov, Greenpeace Mediterranean campaigner in Israel told CNA.

He also pointed out that, by not ratifying the London and Barcelona Conventions, "the Israeli government is showing disregard for the environmental and neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean."

CNA DM/MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[03] Clinton, Blair back comprehensive approach on Cyprus

Britain, as the current president of the European Union (EU), also backed the idea that Turkey should be given "a very clear signal" about the EU's "true intentions" and expressed "deep concern" about the situation in Cyprus.

"I do not think we can solve one problem in isolation from the other. I think we must move forward on all these problems, Cyprus, the Aegean, jurisdiction on disputes and the role of Turkey on Europe's future," President Bill Clinton told a press conference here today.

Asked if EU-Turkey ties were discussed at today's talks between the EU and the US, Clinton reiterated his administration's position that "there ought to be efforts for Turkey to move closer to the EU."

"The US believes that there should be an honorable settlement to the Cyprus impasse," President Clinton said.

He noted that it is "very important" to keep Turkey and Greece as "genuine allies" and available to spend their time, energy and resources "promoting peace and development for their own people and being enormous stabilising forces in their respective regions of Europe."

"Together we have to proceed on many paths at once and I think that all Turks and Greeks have to take difficult decisions, which I believe the EU and I know the US will strongly support," President Clinton added.

He underlined the need to "move forward for all these" (Cyprus, Aegean, Turkey's role in Europe, jurisdiction on disputes) and called on Greece and Turkey to "figure whether they are interested in a comprehensive solution."

"I know the rest of us do," he told the press, noting this need becomes apparent from the daily events.

On his part, British Premier Tony Blair said he "agreed entirely" with Clinton's remarks and emphasised the EU's desire for "a good and close relationship with Turkey."

"We have a deep concern over what is happening in Cyprus and we believe it is essential to make progress in this area," Blair said.

Acknowledging the difficulties Turkey says it has with a recent EU decision, Blair pointed out that "we should and will redouble our efforts to give a very clear signal to Turkey about our proper and true intentions and also to do what we can to bring hope in the conflict in Cyprus."

The EU decided in December last year to open accession negotiations with Cyprus, but left Turkey outside the list of candidate countries, scheduled to start membership talks, until it puts its house in order as far as human rights are concerned, its relations with Greece, progress towards a negotiated settlement in Cyprus and improvement of the situation of the Kurds in Turkey. CNA KT/GG/MM/AP/1998

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[04] Cypriot Minister addresses WTO meeting

Addressing the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today in Geneva, Rolandis outlined Cyprus' efforts to harmonise its legislation with the acquis communautaire.

"We view our perspective membership of the EU as a means to greater integration in the global economy," Rolandis said.

Cyprus, he remarked, as a trading nation stands for trade liberalisation and is committed to an open economy system by unilaterally implementing a policy of import liberalisation, abolishing non-tariff barriers and reducing tariff duties even beyond our undertakings and obligations.

"We recognise that trade liberalisation is an essential feature of our efforts to promote sustainable growth, increase living standards and provide employment for our people," the Minister said.

He called for assistance to the developing and the least developed countries and economies in transition, but also noted that small countries, like Cyprus, should not be overlooked.

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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