Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-01-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] House President - Iran

[03] New Ministers - Swearing in

[04] Spokesman - Missiles

[05] Defence - Education - Ministers

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          90.69 ( 0.07)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,673,798

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   997,820     106.91 ( 0.30)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    68,246      57.83 ( 0.09)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   177,076      65.15 ( 0.96)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    84,437      85.96 (-0.39)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    88,021      68.74 (-1.42)
      Trading Companies       CYP    88,166      39.96 (-0.87)
      Other Companies         CYP    64,977      81.30 (-0.81)

CNA MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:02

[02] House President - Iran

Bahman Agharazi, Iran's new Ambassador in Cyprus, handed over the invitation to Kyprianou, at a meeting here today, during which they exchanged ideas on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two parliaments.

CNA MEM/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:03

[03] New Ministers - Swearing in

They are Education and Culture Minister Ouranios Ioannides, first vice president of the ruling Democratic Rally party and Defence Minister Yiannakis Chysostomis, member of the Supreme Court.

They replace Yiannakis Omirou, in the Defence ministry, and Lykourgos Kappas, in the Education ministry, who resigned yesterday following the President's decision not to deploy anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus.

More later

CNA AA/MM/GG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Spokesman - Missiles

He also dismissed press suggestions that a joint defence pact Cyprus has agreed on with Greece is null and void.

"When the decision was taken, we took into account Cyprus' accession course to the European Union, Athens' goal to join the European Monetary Union and to avoid isolation of Hellenism from the international community, " Stylianides told his daily press briefing.

President Glafcos Clerides announced on December 29 that the Russian surface-to-air missile system S300, ordered in 1997 for Cyprus' air defences, will not be deployed in Cyprus.

"We believe that a strong European Greece is a precondition to help Cyprus on vital issues that concern us," Stylianides said.

Asked if the decision was taken without any pressure on Athens and Nicosia, the Spokesman replied "if anyone claims that in today's global environment, he takes decisions without taking into account the world events, he must be naive and dangerous for political life."

Commenting on the joint defence pact, he said the pact still stands and efforts to upgrade it will continue.

"What we have to bear in mind as an important consideration is that Hellenism has the political will to defend Cypriot Hellenism," he added.

The decision not to deploy the missiles has come under strong criticism both in Cyprus and in Greece and forced two ministers of the Socialist EDEK party to resign.

In the aftermath of the decision, socialist EDEK party leader, Vasos Lyssarides, called for an end to public statements about defence matters, increased effort to boost the joint defence pact and a plan to promote Cyprus' European course.

On his part, Nicos Anastasiades, leader of the ruling rightwing Democratic Rally party (DISY), said the decision about the missiles cannot be reversed.

"As things stand at present, it would be a second deceit, worse than the first, if we were to give the impression that such a possibility exists, " he said today.

He also cautioned about a repetition of mistakes which resulted in new assessments which led to disappointment and bitterness.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MA/MK/RM/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Defence - Education - Ministers

On his part, President Glafcos Clerides asked them to exercise their duties with meritocracy.

Ouranios Ioannides, first vice president of the ruling Democratic Party (DISY), was sworn in as Education and Culture Minister and Yiannakis Chrysostomis, former judge of the Supreme Court, takes over the Defence ministry.

Both thanked President Clerides for the honour he has bestowed on them and said they would serve their respective ministries as well as they could.

Speaking to the press, Ioannides said he would retain his post at DISY, noting the President did not object to this.

The new minister, who assumes his duties officially on Thursday morning (tomorrow is a public holiday), said education is a matter for the parents, the children and the educationalists, not the politicians.

He also pointed out that education in Cyprus takes on a specific meaning in that it takes into account the continuing Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus.

Chrysostomis said he would work for the benefit of the people of Cyprus.

The two ministers were appointed today after yesterday's resignation of two cabinet members following President Clerides' decision not to deploy the Russian anti-aircraft missile system S300 in Cyprus.

CNA AA/MM/GG/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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