Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-09-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Spokesman - Clerides - Clinton

[02] Clerides - Political leaders

[03] Clerides - Russian FM - EU

[04] Spokesman - Reaction - Denktash

[05] Clerides - UN - contacts

[06] EU - General Assembly - Cyprus

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

0940:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Spokesman - Clerides - Clinton

New York, Sep 23 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides briefed US President Bill Clinton on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

The discussion took place during a lunch Monday hosted by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for the heads of state and governments attending the 53rd session of the General Assembly.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides told reporters Tuesday that Clinton had asked the President to brief him on the latest developments in the Cyprus question.

"The Cyprus President updated President Clinton on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the American President assured he would seriously consider what was said," Stylianides said.

Describing the meeting as "useful", the Spokesman said President Clerides asked Bill Clinton "to exert pressure on Turkey so that we could reach an overall settlement on the Cyprus question, based on UN resolutions."

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[02] Clerides - Political leaders

New York, Sep 23 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides yesterday briefed political party leaders or representatives accompanying him to New York on his meetings with foreign government envoys involved in efforts to settle the Cyprus question.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the President informed them on his meetings with US Presidential Emissary, Richard Holbrooke and Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov.

He announced that President Clerides will meet Holbrooke again on Thursday morning, after the American official's meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Gem on the same day over a working breakfast".

The Spokesman also said that Clerides and political leaders "exchanged views" on the meetings held in New York, regarding a possible debate on the Cyprus question at the UN General Assembly.

However, he stressed they reconfirmed that a final decision will be taken after an assessment of the situation by the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question, when the President and political leaders return to Cyprus.

Accompanying the president AKEL General Secretary, Demetris Christofias, Democratic Rally leader, Nicos Anastasiades, Democratic Party General Secretary, Stathis Kittis and United Democrats Vice President, Michalis Papapetrou.

CNA MA/EC/1998

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[03] Clerides - Russian FM - EU

New York, Sep 23 (CNA) -- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov reconfirmed his country's support to UN resolutions on Cyprus as well as negotiations to reach a bicommunal, bizonal federation, during a meeting yesterday with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

President Clerides and Ivanov met on the sidelines of the 53rd UN General Assembly in New York and discussed latest developments in the Cyprus problem, in the presence of Russian Foreign Ministry Cyprus Envoy, Vladimir Tchizov, and other officials.

"Russia's support to UN resolutions and the two high level agreements as well as its support to the present basis of the negotiations for a bizonal, bicommunal federation were reconfirmed", Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides told reporters during a briefing here.

The high level agreements reached between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in 1977 and 1979 stipulate for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Last month Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash put forward a proposal for a "confederation of two states" in Cyprus, already rejected by the government, the UN chief and the permanent members of the Security Council.

Replying to questions Stylianides said the possibility of asking for a debate of the Cyprus problem at the UN Security Council was discussed at the Clerides - Ivanov meeting but refrained from disclosing Russia's position.

Asked if military or economic issues were discussed at the meeting, Stylianides underlined that "only political issues relating to the Cyprus problem were discussed".

Meanwhile, the Cyprus government appeared satisfied with the way the European Union (EU) presented its positions on the Cyprus problem during a speech yesterday at the General Assembly by Austrian Foreign Affairs Minister, Wolfgang Schussel, whose country chairs the EU presidency this term, and a memorandum presented at the Assembly.

Stylianides pointed out both the EU President's address and the memorandum "referred to a bizonal, bicommunal federation as the aim and the basis of negotiations for a Cyprus settlement".

He expressed satisfaction over Schussel's reference for the demilitirisation and the withdrawal of all non Cypriot forces from the island, included in the memorandum.

Stylianides pointed out this is also the position outlined in the last UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus".

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[04] Spokesman - Reaction - Denktash

New York, Sep 23 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government has outrightly rejected a proposal from the Turkish side for the establishment of a commission to examine property rights in Cyprus stressing that it is not in line with UN resolutions, European Union decisions and international law.

The government believes the proposal put forward Tuesday by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is part of his efforts to achieve recognition of his illegal regime unilaterally declared in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974.

"There is no Security Council resolution or decision by the Human Rights Court which refers to exchange of property, as the Turkish side proposes", Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said in a written statement issued yesterday in New York.

He added that the Turkish side "has always tried to achieve recognition of its illegal secessionist entity and ethnic cleansing, created by the Turkish invasion".

"This is rejected by Security Council resolutions which call for the return of refugees as well as the last important European Court of Human Rights decision in the case of Titina Loizidou which underlined the refugees' right to return and enjoy their property", Stylianides said.

Earlier this year the European Court ordered Turkey to compensate Loizidou, a refugee from Kyrenia, for denying her access to enjoy her property in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

"Once again Denktash is out of the spirit of international law, Security Council resolutions and decisions by international bodies such as the European Court", Stylianides concludes.

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[05] Clerides - UN - contacts

New York, Sep 23 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides will today host a lunch for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Under- Secretary General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast.

It is expected that the discussion will focus on latest developments in the Cyprus problem, in view of Denktash's unacceptable proposal for a "confederation of two sides" on the island.

The UN efforts to overcome the present impasse in the Cyprus peace process are also expected to be raised.

Earlier today, the President will meet representatives of the American Jewish Committee.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

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1320:CYPPRESS:06

[06] EU - General Assembly - Cyprus

New York, Sep 23 (CNA) -- "The EU stresses once again that the current status quo in Cyprus is not acceptable", Austrian Foreign Minister and European Union Council President Wolfgang Schussel told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Addressing the 53rd session, Schussel reaffirmed the EU's strong support to UN efforts for a negotiated and lasting settlement in Cyprus "which will respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the country in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions with the goal of a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

In a memorandum circulated concurrently that formed an integral part of Schussel's speech, the EU underlines that it "remains fully committed to a peaceful political settlement of the Cyprus question, on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions in order to overcome the division of the island".

"The EU's objective is a bicommunal, bizonal federation comprising two political equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions", it adds.

It reiterates support to the UN Secretary - General and his advisor's efforts and expresses the hope "that the UN talks will be resumed soon".

The EU reminds of the Luxembourg European Council position that Cyprus' accession should "benefit all communities and help to bring about civil peace and reconciliation".

At the same time it points out it had welcomed the Cyprus government's offer to include Turkish Cypriots in the team negotiating the accession, noting that the government "has given assurances that the offer remains on the table and the door continues to be open for the Turkish Cypriot community".

"Presidency and Commission will continue their efforts to convince the Turkish Cypriot community of the benefits of EU membership in economic and political terms," it adds.

The Cyprus government had put forward its offer before EU accession talks opened last March, but was immediately turned down by the Turkish Cypriot side.

The EU notes its concern over "the excessive level of armaments on Cyprus which contributes to raise tension in the whole region".

"It will therefore spare no effort to urge both sides to commit themselves to a reduction in defence spending and in the number of foreign troops in Cyprus to help restore confidence between the parties and as a fist step towards the removal of non-Cypriot forces", it adds.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

The island applied for EU membership in 1990.

CNA MA/EC/1998

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1600:CYPPRESS:06

[07] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          86.83 ( 0.03)

   Traded Value            CYP 883,464

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP    624,027    102.34 (-0.02)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP     19,725     59.19 (-0.12)
   Insurance Companies     CYP     73,185     58.30 ( 0.07)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP     42,915     81.50 ( 0.18)
   Tourism Companies       CYP     14,002     70.26 ( 0.56)
   Trading Companies       CYP     37,644     39.90 (-0.03)
   Other Companies         CYP     48,411     76.38 (-0.20)

CNA MCH/1998

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