Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-11-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] ERNK - End of hunger strike

[03] Cyprus - Cuba - Air transport - Agreement

[04] Clerides - Simitis

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          90.39 ( 0.74)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,810,838

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   596,799     103.92 ( 0.35)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   146,557      59.71 ( 0.25)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   180,851      65.83 (-0.27)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   312,437      91.76 ( 3.38)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   134,936      69.09 ( 0.71)
      Trading Companies       CYP   119,178      42.97 ( 1.11)
      Other Companies         CYP   224,616      85.52 ( 1.62)

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:02

[02] ERNK - End of hunger strike

Nucan Derya claimed the assassinations were carried out by Turkish intelligence because the two MPs had close relations with Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Speaking at a press conference, to mark the end of a hunger strike by Kurds in support of their leader's request for political asylum in Italy, Derya criticised the Greek government for "their attitude towards Ocalan".

She said Ocalan would have gone to Greece instead of Italy, but the Greek authorities refused him entry.

"The Greek parliament has twice invited the President (Ocalan) and we expected the Greek authorities to respect their Parliament more," the Kurdish spokeswoman said.

Referring to the end of the hunger strike which started on November 14 in downtown Nicosia, she said "more than 145 Kurdish women, men and elderly people participated".

She pointed out that all similar hunger strikes held in many different countries all over the world will end today "because up to now we have had no negative response from Europe in general and from Italy in particular".

Concluding Derya thanked the people of Cyprus "for their great interest in the Kurdish cause" and said a petition with signatures of support for asylum to Ocalan will be handed to the Italian Embassy in Nicosia on Monday.

CNA MCH/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1645:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - Cuba - Air transport - Agreement

The agreement was initialled in Nicosia by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Vassos Pirgos and the First Deputy President of the Cuban Civil Aviation Authority Heriberto Prieto.

Also present was the Ambassador of Cuba to Cyprus Manuel Pardinas. Under the agreement, air companies appointed by either country will be authorised to introduce flights connecting Cyprus and Cuba with full rights on the transport of passengers, cargo and post.

After signing the agreement, Pirgos said it "sets the framework for air connection between Cyprus and Cuba" adding the agreement creates "new prospects for cooperation between the two countries".

On his part Prieto stressed the agreement will contribute to developing air transport between the two countries, noting it will also upgrade their tourist and economic relations.

Earlier today Prieto had a meeting with Minister of Communications and Works Leontios Ierodiakonou.

During the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, they discussed issues relating to communications and transport.

CNA GG/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Clerides - Simitis

Speaking after more than two hours of talks, Greek Premier Costas Simitis indicated clearly that the Cypriot government would decide the fate of the missiles in consultation with Greece.

President Glafcos Clerides stressed that Cyprus is ready to defend itself if Turkey realises its threats against the country.

Both leaders underlined that arms purchases are not "an end in itself", pointing out that they fully back a peaceful resolution of the protracted Cyprus question.

Asked if Cyprus and Greece will decided jointly about deploying the missiles on Greek soil, Simitis said "the Republic of Cyprus will decide and it is reasonable that these decisions are taken with prior consultation with Greece, to the extent that they relate to Greece and Greece is involved in them."

"We have said that neither Greece nor Cyprus has any interest in creating tension. Turkey does," the Premier said, noting that any defensive measures taken are solely for Cyprus' defence.

Simitis reiterated his government's commitment to a joint defence dogma with Cyprus and said the missiles are part of the effort Cyprus is making for its defence.

"We do not buy arms for the sake of arms but we want them to promote a settlement through peaceful and democratic means on the basis of UN decisions," he added.

The Premier recalled President Clerides' proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus, which aims at reducing tension, as he said.

"We have agreed that we must continue all these efforts and we must continue them in such a way that we get results, which will consolidate peace in the region," he said.

President Clerides endorsed all of Simitis' views and added "our effort has always been and is the peaceful resolution of the Cyprus question."

"If Turkey realises any threats (against us), let there be no doubt that we are ready and we shall defend ourselves," the President stressed.

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

Replying to other questions, Simitis called for patience to see how the UN talks progress and reiterated his government's wish for regional peace.

"Cyprus is working systematically to achieve a reduction in tension and everybody else must respond to this desire and this effort, this is our message," he added.

On Cyprus' EU course, Simitis welcomed the start of substantive membership negotiations as a positive move but acknowledged that there are some problems.

He said both Greece and Cyprus have answers to anybody who may have some reservations about Cyprus' European accession course.

Attending the Athens Greco-Cypriot summit were the two countries' Foreign and Defence Ministers, and other high-ranking officials.

President Clerides returns to Cyprus Sunday evening.

CNA KI/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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