Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-02-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] President Clerides - Christofias - Ghandi

[03] Kasoulides - Brussels - Athens

[04] President - Multi-national force

[05] Defence Budget - House debate

[06] Cyprus - Norway - New ambassador

[07] Hercus - UN peace-keeping

1730:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         106.10  (-0.32)

      Traded Value            CYP 6,726,800

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 2,346,495     124.27 (-0.11)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   455,380      69.76 ( 0.35)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   647,639      79.77 (-0.24)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   465,015      98.26 (-0.82)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   544,001      81.41 (-1.77)
      Trading Companies       CYP   699,128      51.41 ( 0.90)
      Other Companies         CYP   474,007      88.37 (-1.52)

CNA MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Christofias - Ghandi

After signing a book which opened at the Indian High Commission in Nicosia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary since Ghandi's death, President Clerides said the Indian leader managed to free his people from colonial rule through the use of passive disobedience.

Signing the book, left-wing AKEL party Secretary General Dimitris Christofias wrote that Ghandi "was a great man of vision and a philosopher and at the same time a fighter for freedom, democracy, human rights and social justice."

He added that Ghandi's philosophy was decisive not only for his people's struggle for independence but also for the international anti- colonial movement.

CNA FZ/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kasoulides - Brussels - Athens

Speaking at Larnaca airport on his return from the Greek capital, Kasoulides said "I would like to believe and I have reason to believe, that EU membership talks will carry on as planned" on the next eight chapters in addition to the two chapters that have not yet been concluded.

Describing his meeting with EU Commissioner for External Relations Hans Van den Broek as "very good and productive", Kasoulides fully backed statements by the Commissioner that Turkey should refrain from any kind of action that would slow down Cyprus' accession process.

He also said the Commission and the Council would do everything to maintain the pace of good progress so far achieved in the negotiations with Cyprus.

"We discussed about the accession process and developments in the Cyprus problem in relation to this process," he said.

Referring to his talks in Athens, Kasoulides said he had a "warm exchange of views with Mr. Pangalos on recent developments in Cyprus and the handling of the problem as well as the EU process."

He said discussions from now on will focus on how to proceed and how to make the most of the present possibilities for the benefit of the Cyprus issue and the accession process.

Asked to outline the result of his Athens talks, Kasoulides said "I believe we have laid down some short term objectives on the tactics we will apply in relation to the Cyprus question and we have also exchanged views on the accession process."

CNA MAN/MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1805:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President - Multi-national force

"I would like to see an international force with a mandate from the Security Council, which will decide on its composition," the President said today, replying to press questions on the matter.

The President pointed out that he would accept either the deployment of a NATO force or a force whose composition will be determined by the UN Council.

Speaking on the same issue, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides referred to the President's proposal for a multinational force, made up of different countries, including NATO members.

On his part, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the government is open to discussion but insists that its role and composition should be approved by the Security Council.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Defence Budget - House debate

The Committee did not enter into a discussion of the provisions included in the budget.

In his speech before the Committee, the Defence minister outlined in general terms the objectives of this year's budget.

Speaking after the meeting, he said the debate had begun but refused to disclose anything about the estimated cost of the defence budget or the proposed purchase of new weapons.

"We are not in the habit of discussing such matters in public," the minister said.

The debate continues next week.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1955:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus - Norway - New ambassador

At a private hearing after receiving the credentials of the new Cyprus ambassador to Norway, Leonidas Pantelides, the Norwegian King asked several questions about the Cyprus question and said he follows developments on the island.

Pantelides, who is based in Stockholm, briefly presented the Cyprus problem and also referred to the Republic's bid to join the European Union and how this can act as a catalyst for a settlement.

He said a settlement to the Cyprus question and the reunification of the island are an urgent and high priority for the government and the people of the island.

CNA MK/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Hercus - UN peace-keeping

She also said peace-keeping can help solidify ceasefires, restore confidence and thus create time and space for peacemakers to negotiate a settlement of a conflict.

Speaking today at a meeting of the Nicosia Rotary Club, Dame Ann outlined the main factors which make a peace-keeping mission successful, pointing out that a clearly defined and practical mandate is necessary, so is the genuine and lasting consent of opposing authorities as well as their understanding and acceptance of what the peace-keeping operation is there to do.

Respect for the principles of neutrality and impartiality, political support from the UN Security Council and member states with a special interest in an area are also important elements, she remarked.

Addressing herself to those who advocate more UN intervention by force, she quoted the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle giving them her full backing that "it is more difficult to organise peace than to win a war."

Hercus was, as always, extremely careful not to reveal anything about the content of the shuttle talks she has been engaged in with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, saying confidentiality was of primary importance to her task.

"Many many people, including reporters, say to me keep up the confidentiality," she said.

Dame Ann has been shuttling between President Glafcos Clerides and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Rauf Denktash in Turkish occupied Cyprus in a bid to resume intercommunal talks and reduce tension.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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