Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - Cyprus problem

[02] NAM - Foreign Ministers

[03] Denktash - Proposal - Confederation

[04] Irish Labour Party leader - Meetings

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Greece - Denktash

0850:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - Cyprus problem

Durban, Aug 31 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides underlined that no Greek Cypriot politician would ever accept a solution to the Cyprus problem that would not safeguard the Republic's unity.

Speaking Sunday evening to over three thousand Cypriots and Greeks living in Durban, South Africa, who attended a dinner in his honour, the President announced a government decision to open a Cyprus embassy in Pretoria.

Clerides is in Durban to participate in the 12th Non-Aligned Summit. He said the situation in Cyprus today is difficult due to the Turkish side's intransigence in efforts to settle the Cyprus question.

"The Turkish side has created an unacceptable situation demanding a separate state in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus," the President explained.

He said "no Cypriot politician would accept such a solution to the Cyprus problem," adding that "Cyprus is a single country and undivided".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refuses to participate in peace talks unless the illegal regime in the areas of the Republic occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognised and Cyprus withdraws its application to join the European Union.

Clerides made special reference to the joint defence pact agreed between the governments of Cyprus and Greece in 1993 and said "today we have the means to protect the free areas of Cyprus".

The pact foresees the air, sea and land coverage of Cyprus by Greece in the case of a new Turkish offensive.

The President announced that the Cyprus Republic intends to open an embassy in Pretoria and said the government takes into consideration the problems faced by Cypriots living in South Africa, especially the problem of security.

He pointed out that for the first time his government appointed a Presidential Commissioner for Overseas Cypriots, who deals with their problems.

Speaking at the dinner, Greek ambassador to South Africa, Ioannis Theophanopoulos, said Greeks and Cypriots living in the country need the support of their respective governments.

President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Africa, Nicos Kritikos, handed President Clerides and Theophanopoulos a petition regarding crime in the country, noting this is one of the most serious problems people living there face on a daily basis.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0920:CYPPRESS:02

[02] NAM - Foreign Ministers

Durban, Aug 31 (CNA) -- Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states will be meeting here today to discuss the draft of the final communique of the 12th Summit.

The Summit officially begins on Wednesday. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will attend the opening ceremony.

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, were holding meetings on the sidelines of the Summit, to promote efforts for a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

The NAM Summit is discussing the possibility of asking the UN to include one of its member-states in the Security Council permanent members, as the Movement is the largest group in the UN.

At the same time, representatives of countries aspiring to be candidates for the 10 non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, including Greece, are also in Durban in a bid to promote their candidatures.

CNA MCH/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Denktash - Proposal - Confederation

Denktash demands that the Greek Cypriot side accepts the basis of his proposal before negotiations for a settlement in Cyprus can begin.

The proposal was made public at a press conference in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, given on the occasion of the illegal one-day visit to the self- styled Turkish Cypriot regime of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

The proposal comes months after Denktash has steadfastly refused to return to the negotiating table unless his unacceptable demands for recognition of his illegal regime and the withdrawal of the application by the government of the Republic of Cyprus for European Union membership are met.

The proposal was made ostensibly as "a final effort to achieve a mutually acceptable lasting solution in Cyprus," and calls for the establishment of "the Cyprus Confederation" based on five arrangements.

Denktash, whose proposal is contrary to UN resolutions calling for the establishment of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single international personality and citizenship, wants both his regime and what he calls "the Greek Cypriot Administration" to have "special relationship" with Turkey and Greece respectively.

The "Cyprus Confederation", the proposal says, will be established between the Turkish Cypriot regime and the government-controlled areas of the Republic and will retain the 1960 system of guarantees from Greece, Turkey and Britain.

"The Cyprus Confederation may, if parties jointly agree, pursue a policy of accession to the EU. Until Turkey's full membership to the EU, a special arrangement will provide Turkey with the full rights and obligations of an EU member with regard to the Cyprus Confederation," the proposal says.

Denktash's proposal points out that the aim of the negotiations will be "a partnership settlement which will be a confederated structure composed of two peoples and of two states of the island."

This, the proposal claims, will be supported by symmetrical agreements with the two respective Motherlands and Guarantor States."

"All rights and powers which are not referred to the confederal entity will reside with the two confederated states. Any agreement to be reached as a result of the negotiations will be submitted for approval in separate referenda," the proposal says.

Furthermore, it calls on the parties to enter negotiations to "acknowledge that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides are two sovereign and equal states, each with its own functioning democratic institutions and jurisdiction, reflecting the political equality and will of their respective peoples."

Denktash's proposal also wants the negotiating parties to acknowledge "that the authorities of one party do not represent the other."

The Turkish Cypriot leader expresses the view that "only this structure will provide for the security of both sides and will safeguard their identity and well being."

Concluding, the one-page document says "if the Greek Cypriots agree to this final basis, we are ready to begin negotiations to establish the Cyprus Confederation."

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

CNA AA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Irish Labour Party leader - Meetings

Leader of the Irish Labour Party, Ruairi Quinn, also offered his country's support and assistance to efforts to settle the Cyprus problem.

Quinn began a two-day visit here today, with meetings with Acting President, House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou, Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou and socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides.

"As a former Minister of Finance I am completely aware of the very strong economic performance that Cyprus has maintained in recent years and the fact that while other countries didn't meet the criteria of the Maastricht treaty, Cyprus clearly did so," he said.

The Irish politician added that "Cyprus has got to be seen in a totally different context to the five other applicant states for membership."

"Unlike the other five central and eastern European states Cyprus is not going through an economic transition. Cyprus has a very strong economy, " he added.

Quinn said "we would like to see Cyprus become a full member of the European Union, sooner rather than later".

He pointed out that both Ireland and Cyprus are non-aligned neutral states which "is a value system that I believe has to be brought into the political culture of the EU."

Quinn underlined the fact that he comes from a country that has experienced communal division and said that in his talks here he indicated that US support was essential for the peace Agreement reached in April between Belfast, Dublin and London.

"We will be of any assistance we can to help the people of Cyprus to arrive at a solution which meets the needs that they want for themselves," he reassured.

After his meeting with the Defence Minister, Quinn said that "from our experience the best form of defence is dialogue and the best form of ultimate defence is for a mutual support, understanding of everybody's positions and that removes tension."

However, he said he recognises "the sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus to organise its own defence, indeed in the context of the situation in which they find themselves."

On his part, the Acting President pointed out that "Ireland has always supported Cyprus, not only on the Cyprus question but also regarding its EU accession course."

He described the meeting as "very useful" and said "we look forward to even closer cooperation in our EU course and all other fields."

Socialist Party leader, on who's invitation Quinn is visiting Cyprus, said they exchanged views on the Cyprus problem and the Irish experience.

"We agreed that the Cyprus problem is not a bicommunal difference and that efforts should be made towards Turkey to force it to allow a just and viable settlement," Lyssarides said. He added that they also agreed "Cyprus' EU accession course is an important dimension to the problem".

The Defence Minister, who belongs to the Socialist Party, said he briefed the Irish political leader on Turkey's refusal to cooperate for a Cyprus settlement and they discussed Cyprus' EU prospect.

"I informed him on our defence policy and the fact that we are interested in promoting conditions of peace and stability in our region and are organising our defence in a way that it poses a threat only to those who have designs against the Cyprus Republic's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Omirou added.

Later today Quinn will visit the cease-fire line dividing the island since Turkish troops invaded in 1974.

Tomorrow, he will meet acting Foreign Minister, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou.

CNA RG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          88.94 (-0.39)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,813,990

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   852,384     103.78 (-0.87)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    75,437      59.60 (-1.19)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    88,780      60.05 (-0.86)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP   220,012      87.71 ( 2.51)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    22,432      72.26 ( 0.68)
   Trading Companies       CYP    31,246      43.39 (-1.09)
   Other Companies         CYP   399,122      76.68 (-0.34)

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Greece - Denktash

Greece was critical of the world community, which should undertake initiative to end the Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern part.

"The position outlined by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots proves that Turkey's policy is totally in contrast to what is expected of them by the international community," Demetris Reppas, Greek Government Spokesman, was quoted as saying by the Athens News Agency.

He said the proposal, which calls on the Greek Cypriots to accept its provisions before peace talks can begin, "reaffirms the provocative and aggressive attitude our neighbouring country (Turkey) has adopted."

Reppas also pointed out that the proposal, presented to the press in Turkish-occupied Nicosia by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, proves that the policy the governments of Greece and Cyprus follow is right.

The Greek spokesman urged the international community to undertake an initiative to secure those conditions that would help settle the Cyprus question.

He charged that the world community is not doing anything to end Turkey's illegal occupation in Cyprus and that Denktash, whom nobody recognises internationally, is claiming rights which do not belong to him.

The proposal stresses that confederation is the "only structure" that would safeguard the security, identity and well being of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

It also points out that "if the Greek Cypriots agree to this final basis, we are ready to begin negotiations to establish the Cyprus Confederation."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its occupation troops from this east Mediterranean island.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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