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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-09-15Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1430:CYPPRESS:01[01] President Clerides - US ambassadorNicosia, Sep 15 (CNA) -- The US is working towards the resumption of peace talks to set up a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus, as stipulated in UN resolutions, US ambassador in Nicosia Kenneth Brill said today.However, he stopped short from criticising a proposal by the Turkish side for the establishment of a confederation of two states in Cyprus, already rejected by the Greek Cypriot side. Brill called on President Glafcos Clerides in view of the President's upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly and in the light of his visit to South Africa, where he participated in the Non-Aligned Movement summit. Asked what issues the US officials involved in the Cyprus problem are working on, the ambassador said they are "trying to get the parties back on the negotiations... on the basis we all understand." He clarified this is "the UN Security Council resolutions, bizonal, bicommunal federation." To a question if he rejects a proposal by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a confederation, the US ambassador replied "we study this proposal, we look for ways to open doors, not ways to slam doors." "I think it is important that we have political proposals not military proposals, it is important to get the focus on the Cyprus issue at political issues, on the core issues and not at things that distract, so that to the extent that people on either side making those kinds of proposals that is useful," he added. Brill refrained from characterising any side's proposal, noting "we are trying to promote a serious political and diplomatic process." He also said he expects President Clerides will have some meetings next week when he will be in New York for the UN General Assembly but they have not yet been arranged. Brill also confirmed that Richard Holbrooke is still the US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus. CNA MM/MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1435:CYPPRESS:02[02] SPORT: Commonwealth Games - CyprusNicosia, Sep 15 (CNA) -- Two athletes made history for Cyprus when they won the men's skeet shooting title in the Commonwealth Games in Langkawi, Malaysia.Costas Stratis and Antonis Nicolaides won their gold medals when they scored 188, beating England's Drew Harvey and Andrew Austin by one point. It is the third gold medal in Cyprus' history in the Commonwealth Games. CNA EC/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1600:CYPPRESS:03[03] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Sep 15 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE General Index 87.87 ( 0.13) Traded Value CYP 1,346,126 Sectural Indices Banks CYP 555,953 103.21 (-0.05) Approved Investment Companies CYP 39,188 58.56 ( 0.83) Insurance Companies CYP 88,333 59.82 ( 1.86) Manufacturing Companies CYP 248,416 83.63 ( 0.24) Tourism Companies CYP 98,916 71.35 (-1.14) Trading Companies CYP 69,255 41.41 ( 1.40) Other Companies CYP 92,555 76.24 (-0.37)The third column presents the percentage variation of the indices as compared to the last meeting. CNA MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1610:CYPPRESS:04[04] Cyprus - Greece - Cultural Cooperation AgreementNicosia, Sep 15 (CNA) -- The Cultural Ministers of Cyprus and Greece, Lycourgos Kapas and Evangleos Venizelos, today signed a Cultural Cooperation Programme for the years 1998-2000The agreement provides for upgraded Greek participation in the annual Cyprus festival "Ta Kypria", now underway, the furthering of cooperation in theatre, music, cinema and archaeology, as well as exchanges and cooperation in the international art and music fields. It also provides for Cyprus' participation in the Cultural Olympiad to take place in Greece from the year 2000 to 2004. "As we believe closer cultural cooperation is our national duty, the two ministries have developed close ties aiming at safeguarding the historical identity of the Greek nation," Kappas told a press conference. He added that meetings between delegations of the two ministries will be held every six months and there will be a constant exchange of information and views. Venizelos underlined the importance of cultural cooperation between the two countries and pointed out that never before had it been set out in such a formal way as in the agreement signed today. He said the agreement had a "practical basis". Replying to questions, Venizelos expressed disappointment with the European Union's stance towards the destruction of the cultural heritage in the areas of the Republic occupied by Turkey since 1974. He said the EU should show more sensitivity as it believes in the common European cultural heritage and noted that UNESCO and the Council of Europe show more interest in the situation. It is estimated that over 500 churches in the Turkish occupied areas have been looted, destructed or used for other purposes, while archaeological sites are not given the necessary attention for their protection. CNA MA/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1710:CYPPRESS:05[05] President Clerides - Kyprianou - Greek MinistersNicosia, Sep 15 (CNA) -- Greek Cultural Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis today called on President Glafcos Clerides and House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou with whom they discussed the protracted Cyprus problem and other issues.Speaking after the meeting with the President, Venizelos called on the international community "to realise that the problem in Cyprus is a problem of security and not a problem of military threat." His statement was an indirect reference to the Cyprus government decision to purchase Russian-made surface-to-air missiles, which prompted strong disagreement from foreign government's. The Greek Minister also stressed that "the basis for a settlement should be the establishment of a federation, according to UN Security Council and General Assembly decisions." Last month Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash proposed the establishment of a confederation of two states in Cyprus, rejected by the government of Cyprus and most UN Security Council permanent members. House President Spyros Kyprianou told reporters after his meeting with the Greek officials that for the time being there are no positive prospects for a Cyprus settlement. The two Greek ministers will be returning to Athens later today. CNA MA/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1740:CYPPRESS:06[06] House President - British MPsNicosia, Sep 15 (CNA) -- Three British MPs and members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, visiting Cyprus to discuss the Republic's European Union (EU) accession course, today called on House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou.Kyprianou said MPs Sir Peter Emery, Ernie Ross and Eric Illsley posed a number of questions with emphasis on how the government of Cyprus is planning on tackling Turkish Cypriot participation in accession talks with the EU. He reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side has rejected a proposal from President Glafcos Clerides to nominate representatives in the official team carrying out the negotiations since March of this year. Kyprianou pointed out that EU countries had described the President's proposal as "generous". "I told them that the Greek Cypriot side is working towards unification whereas the Turkish Cypriot side towards the division of the island," he added. Head of the British delegation, Sir Emery, told reporters that they are here to investigate and record the two sides' views on Cyprus' accession course. CNA MA/MCH/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |