Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-06-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Airways poised to strike

[02] Improved Turkish-EU ties to help Cyprus, says Britain

1100:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Airways poised to strike

Cyprus Airways spokesman Tasos Angelis told CNA today that fresh attempts will be made today to try and avert the strike.

"We are prepared to discuss the demands with regard to the overall policy to make the company more competitive and take into account the company's financial situation," he said.

He also noted that labour costs have gone up by 40 per cent in the past five years and said Cyprus Airways staff have already got a 7.25 per cent pay increase.

They also have submitted a two per cent pay rise as part of negotiations for the renewal of their collective agreement, he added.

Wednesday's appeal by Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis to call off the strike went unheeded. He warned that air-transport, tourism and ultimately Cyprus would lose out, if the strike goes ahead.

The carrier's largest union, CYNIKA, says it is entitled to claim a 4.5 per cent rise in pay and benefits but management says that this should be discussed as part and parcel of the general negotiations to help the national carrier meet increasing competition.

The strike, if it goes ahead, will affect some 5,000 travellers and 32 incoming and outgoing flights, most of which are to Athens and other European destinations, Angelis told CNA.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Improved Turkish-EU ties to help Cyprus, says Britain

He also said that irrespective of Turkey's reaction to the conclusions EU heads of state reach in Cardiff, the Cyprus question will have to be tackled afterwards.

Madden clarified that his government's reservations about the arrival of anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus relate to the possibility of increased tension and diverting attention from the peace effort and not to the powerful radar system the missiles have.

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, the High Commissioner described the forthcoming EU summit in Cardiff as "an important milestone on a number of things" and said this offers the opportunity to the 15 heads of state to "discuss the relationship with Turkey."

He expressed hope that "if the relationship between the EU and Turkey is put on a marginally better footing, that should be helpful for our efforts in Cyprus."

Madden refrained from outlining the expectations from Cardiff with regard to Turkey but noted that the period after the summit would be a "very good occasion to see what the possibilities are on Cyprus."

"We will have to think about Cyprus in any case whatever the outcome of Cardiff is, whatever the Turkish reaction is because speaking of Cyprus the goal remains to work towards a political settlement," he pointed out.

He said "we must continue that work, we are not going to give up on that work."

Replying to questions, Madden indicated that the issue of the Russian missiles Cyprus has purchased featured in his discussions with the President as well.

Madden dismissed press suggestions that Britain objects to the arrival of the missiles because the powerful radar system which accompanies the surface-to-air missiles would be able to track down aircraft flying in and out of the two British bases the UK has retained since it granted Cyprus its independence.

"That is a misconception. We fear that the arrival of the system on the island would lead not to greater security but to greater tension and secondly we thought it diverted attention from what we saw is the main goal, which is progress towards a political settlement," Madden explained.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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