Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-10-16

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Hercus - Vassiliou

[02] UN - Spokesman - Lyssarides

[03] Cyprus - ICC

[04] University - New rector

[05] National Guard - Military Exercise

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Hercus - Vassiliou

Both Vassiliou and Hercus described the meeting as "very useful", but refrained from revealing its content, abiding by the UN Secretary General's wish for confidentiality in the shuttle talks between the two sides, initiated today by Hercus.

Earlier Hercus met President Glafcos Clerides and will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on Wednesday.

According to a UN press release issued last month, the meetings aim to "develop a process for on-island contacts with both parties, with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement."

After the meeting Hercus said she particularly wanted to meet Vassiliou "as a former President who had vast experience in the field that I am interested in today."

Vassiliou described the meeting as "very useful" and "interesting". "We had the opportunity to discuss various aspects of the Cyprus problem, historical and today's reality," he added.

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN - Spokesman - Lyssarides

On his part, Socialist party leader Vasos Lyssarides warned that if the Turkish side does not engage in a substantive dialogue based on UN resolutions, the new UN effort cannot bear fruit.

"As soon as the new UN initiative was announced (September 30), the government stressed it is ready to participate and is open to shuttle diplomacy," Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said.

After meeting President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York last month, the UN announced that Kofi Annan's Deputy Special Representative in Cyprus Ann Hercus "will develop a process for on- island contacts with both parties, with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement."

Stylianides said the government is "open" to this procedure but reiterated that "we expect some clarifications on the security issues to be discussed."

The Socialist Party leader said the new process "is still at an investigatory stage and the agenda has not been set out yet."

Lyssarides added that both the substance of the Cyprus problem as well as security issues should be discussed.

"If the other side is not willing to embark on a substantive dialogue on the principles on which Dame Hercus should base her initiative, which are the UN principles and Security Council resolutions, then I am afraid the Turkish side will dynamatise the new effort before it even begins," he said.

Lyssarides also said that a debate on the Cyprus issue at the UN General Assembly "will not undermine the initiative undertaken by Hercus."

The National Council, top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue comprising all political party leaders, is now discussing the possibility of asking for a debate.

CNA GG/MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - ICC

The Charter was signed Thursday by Cyprus's Ambassador to Italy, Myrna Kleopa.

The Court will be set up once 60 countries ratify its Charter. So far 57 have signed up to the Charter.

The ICC will have jurisdiction to try individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

War crimes include the transfer of people from Turkey to the areas of Cyprus it occupies since its troops invaded in 1974 and the expulsion of people from the Turkish occupied part of the island.

CNA EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640:CYPPRESS:04

[04] University - New rector

Papamichael, who was the vice-rector and lectures in mathematics, got 63 votes and Spanos, an economics professor, 35.

The University of Cyprus started operating in 1992, after a unanimous decision by the House of Representatives.

CNA RG/MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:05

[05] National Guard - Military Exercise

Brigadier Panayiotis Tatsiopoulos of the National Guard's General Command presented the scenario of "Nikiforos '98" at a press conference here today, giving details about the participating units.

Noting that the aim of the six-day exercise is to assess the competence of the armed forces, he said T80 and BMB3 tanks will participate.

Under an imaginary scenario, National Guard positions will come under fire from enemy lines.

Greek Navy units as well as Greek warplanes are expected to participate in "Nikiforos '98" (victory-bearer), he said, noting that a search and rescue operation may take place some 30 nautical miles off the island's western coast, weather permitting.

Parachutists may also take part in the army manoeuvres, he added. Brigadier Tastiopoulos said the main exercise will take place in the south-eastern district of Larnaca with the use of live ammunition.

"Nikiforos '98" will be concluded with a parade of the participating units in Larnaca.

He said a large number of reservists will participate in the exercise, adding that participating Greek warplanes may land at the "Andreas Papandreou" air base near the south-western town of Paphos.

The governments of Greece and Cyprus agreed upon a joint defence pact in November 1993, providing for Greek air, sea and land cover in case of a fresh Turkish offensive against Cyprus.

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

CNA RM/GG/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          85.57 ( 0.53)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,133,814

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   482,601      99.13 ( 0.07)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP   100,231      58.59 (-0.36)
   Insurance Companies     CYP   129,220      57.99 (-0.17)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP   200,485      85.61 ( 2.75)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    36,140      69.05 ( 0.48)
   Trading Companies       CYP    41,480      38.63 ( 2.06)
   Other Companies         CYP    71,287      80.28 ( 1.90)

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article