Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-11-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkish military exercises - Violations

[02] Australia - Canada - Nuclear reactors - Turkey

[03] Turkish manoeuvres - Violations

[04] US arms - Turkish occupation army - Investigation

[05] Auditor General appointed

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

0920:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkish military exercises - Violations

At 1130 local time (0930 GMT) two reconnaissance RF4, entered Cyprus' air space through Turkish-occupied Morphou, in the north-west, flew over Kyrenia and left via the Karpass peninsula, in the eastern coast, half an hour later.

They were followed by another two RF4 at 1230 hours which entered through Turkish-occupied Kyrenia and left through the Karpass peninsula.

According to the same sources, at around 1400 hours, two Turkish Phantoms violated the Nicosia FIR launching mock attacks.

The Cyprus National Guard is closely monitoring two Turkish naval and air military exercises code-named "Determination", that got underway Monday, and "Taurus", beginning today.

Both exercises will be covering the areas of Cyprus' northern part occupied by Turkey since its troops invaded the island in 1974.

According to reports in the Turkish press, within the framework of "Taurus" exercise, the Turkish Armed Forces will try to destroy mock ground targets of the S300 surface-to-air missile system expected to be deployed here by the Cyprus government in a bid to boost its air defence.

Live ammunition will be used during the exercises, while more violations of the Cyprus air space are expected.

Turkish military vessels are also expected to illegally dock at the Turkish-occupied Kyrenia harbour.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1130:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Australia - Canada - Nuclear reactors - Turkey

In a letter to Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, Rann made reference to the close bonds between Australia and Canada and pointed out that "under normal circumstances, we would not comment or offer advice on matters concerning Canada's foreign or trade policy".

He said that Turkey continues to violate United Nations resolutions on Cyprus and that "according to the UN, the European Union, the Commonwealth and International Courts", Turkey continues "to violate human rights, in breach of clearly established international law in respect to its actions and policy regarding Cyprus".

Rann pointed out that "Turkey has also been criticised by the United States, the EU and the UN for deliberately frustrating efforts to secure a just constitutional settlement to the ongoing Cyprus problem".

He furthermore stressed that "in recent months, Turkey has threatened to annex occupied northern Cyprus, in statements designed to impede progress made by UN, UK and US mediators" and that "with Turkey's continued violations of international law, concerns have been expressed that Turkey will have access to Canadian nuclear technology".

"Given Turkey's track record, is Canada convinced Turkey will comply with international laws and regulations covering the non-military use of nuclear technology?" Rann wondered.

He also said he was campaigning to have the issue of Cyprus "placed high on the agenda at next year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in South Africa" and that he had "urged the establishment of an Eminent Persons Commission comprising former Commonwealth Prime Ministers and Heads of Government, to help give a momentum to breaking the current impasse over Cyprus".

Rann expressed hope that "Canada will support this move at the CHOGM meeting" and strongly urged Chretien and his government "to postpone the proposed sale of nuclear technology to Turkey, pending the outcome of the CHOGM meeting next year".

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and since then occupied the northern part of the island.

It plans to construct a nuclear energy plant in Akkuyu, south Turkey, which is reported to be an area prone to earthquakes, thus causing concern internationally, especially in neighbouring Cyprus.

Greenpeace and other international environmental organisations have reacted strongly to the proposed nuclear station in this area.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Turkish manoeuvres - Violations

According to Turkish Cypriot sources, two frigates and two submarines, docked at Kyrenia port early in the morning. Three cruisers were unchored beyond the harbour wall.

The flotilla takes part in two combined naval and air military exercises code-named "Determination", which started yesterday, and "Toros", which starts tomorrow.

Yesterday Turkish jets violated in three instances Cyprus' airspace and Nicosia Flight Information region (FIR).

CNA GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:04

[04] US arms - Turkish occupation army - Investigation

Washington has launched an investigation into the arms Turkey illegally maintains in the northern part of Cyprus, under its occupation since 1974, to establish whether Ankara is violating a relevant US law approved by the Congress in 1988.

According to local press reports, confirmed by Cyprus' Defence Ministry sources, a total of 231 US-made M48A5T2 tanks were transferred to the Turkish-occupied areas since 1994, while 135 M48A5T1 and nine M48A32C had been transferred before 1990.

A total of 163 armoured personnel carriers M113 were transferred in the period 1995 - 1997. Another 92 carriers M113 were imported before 1990.

In the same period (1995 - 1997) the Turkish army sent 208 armoured combat vehicles (a co-production of Turkish NUROL and American FMC).

In the years between 1990 - 1998, Turkey sent to the occupied areas 90 US-made 155mm self-propel (sp) towed guns (M114A1, M52T1, M44T1, M110A2).

In 1994 a total of 36 TOW anti-tank missiles while in 1995 four mortars equipped with special radars were transferred to the Turkish-occupied areas.

Before 1990, the occupation troops were equipped with 280 mortars of different mm, and a total of 176 106 mm sp towed artillery.

The occupation troops are also equipped with other weapons, explosives and G3A3 and G3A4 rifles of US origin.

Investigations are also under way for the importation of additional 34 M48A5T1 tanks, 30 armoured combat vehicles and eight sp towed guns.

Defence analyst Aristos Aristotelous told CNA that more than 95 per cent of the weapons used by the Turkish occupation army are of US origin.

He added "to this force one must consider the various helicopters stationed at various airfields in the occupied areas as well as the fighters and warships allocated to the Cyprus front for preserving the occupation of the island by Turkey."

Aristotelous expressed the view that "there is no need for someone to carry out a thorough investigation to establish whether the occupation army uses US-made weapons. It is enough for someone to watch the military parades in the occupied areas."

It is recalled that US embassy officials watched the military parade on July 20, 1998, marking the 24th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus' northern third.

In 1975, a few months after the Turkish invasion, the US administration imposed an arms embargo against Turkey for using American weapons to launch its invasion against the defenceless island. Three years later (in 1978) the embargo was lifted.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Auditor General appointed

She takes over on December 1, from Spyros Christou, who retires. "We have signed a declaration at the recent Commonwealth summit to appoint a high percentage of women at decision-making centres by the year 2005," the President said at the ceremony for her appointment at the Presidential Palace.

The decision, he explained, was taken not because they are women but "because they are women who have the qualifications and can do the job."

The appointment of Ms Yiorkadji was made along these lines, he added. "I am sure she will prove to be worthy of this appointment," he remarked.

Clerides said he has already asked parliamentary approval to appoint a woman Ombudsman.

"I believe we should also have more women permanent secretaries at the various ministries. We have capable women to carry out the task," the President said.

Yiorkadji pledged to do her utmost to carry out her duties and added she considers her appointment "an honour and a big responsibility."

CNA MA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          89.32 (-0.27)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,594,696

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   488,895     102.83 (-0.29)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    41,252      59.76 ( 0.44)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   398,725      66.45 (-1.50)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   100,611      88.22 (-0.09)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   296,779      69.32 ( 1.39)
      Trading Companies       CYP    44,127      41.80 (-0.90)
      Other Companies         CYP    77,887      83.10 (-0.16)

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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