Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Britain - Cyprus

[02] US Capitol - Cyprus rally

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1240:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Britain - Cyprus

He called on the two sides on the island to seize the opportunity to end the division of the island.

In a reply to a letter by Councillor Liz Mammatt, Conservative Group leader of Barnet Council, which was addressed to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Standbrook said Britain shares "your frustration at the continuing division of the island and the associated problems... that have persisted for so long."

He assured that "the government is taking a lead in encouraging efforts towards a solution" and referred to the statement of December 23, 1998, where the Prime Minister "committed us to a major, sustained effort later this year towards securing a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement in Cyprus."

Standbrook said Britain is "working closely with the UN and international partners to encourage both sides in Cyprus to engage in a talks process later this year under the auspices of the UN."

He stressed that "it is important that this talks process should be open-ended and without preconditions."

"The opportunity is there for both sides to reach a settlement which would end the division and address important questions such as the presence of foreign troops in Cyprus," Standbrook said.

He reiterated the British government's position that "a settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation is the best way forward", stressing that the terms of any settlement "would need to be agreed by both communities."

Referring to the island's European Union (EU) accession course, Standbrook said "although not a precondition for accession to the EU, a settlement would also make Cyprus' path to accession much smoother."

On the missing persons issue, Standbrook said Britain agrees this "problem should be resolved as soon as possible to bring to an end the suffering of all those in Cyprus who have lost family members".

He referred to the work which has started at one grave site to identify the remains of some of those "who died in intercommunal conflict".

In her letter to Blair, Mammatt referred to the visit to Cyprus of five Conservative Councillors from the London Borough of Barnet, namely Katia David-Harmanda, Lynne Hillan, John Marshall, Andreas Tambourides and herself in May.

She said the councillors were distressed by the deep suffering of the relatives of the missing persons, the loss of their homes, the lack of access to the whole of the island, and the barbaric anachronism of "an ethnically-divided island in a multi-cultural world."

She called on Britain, as a guarantor power of the Republic of Cyprus, to "seize the political initiative now to enforce Security Council resolution 1218 immediately, to ensure the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, ensure that Cyprus is admitted to the EU, without the precondition... and to oversee the demilitirisation and publication of the fate of the missing person."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third. More than 1600 persons were listed as missing.

CNA EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US Capitol - Cyprus rally

The rally is co-sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and aims at drawing attention to the continuing tragic division and occupation of Cyprus, 10 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, "in defiance of repeated calls by the US and the international community for a withdrawal."

The rally "will call upon the US administration to launch a new initiative to bring the Cyprus problem to a just and speedy conclusion," a statement by AHI said.

Human rights organisations, church groups, community members and all believers in the American values of human rights and liberty "will form a human chain around the US Capitol," AHI said.

At the same time members of the Senate and House of Representatives will be invited to deliver speeches of support for Cyprus.

Participants will also proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and a vigil will be maintained in Lafayette Park in front of the White House.

CNA EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         162.80 ( 1.80)

      Traded Value            CYP  15,603,052

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 2,900,264     209.47 ( 0.81)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   333,690      85.07 ( 4.95)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   479,620      85.94 ( 1.62)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   850,995     101.33 ( 5.38)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   717,347     126.18 ( 1.21)
      Trading Companies       CYP 4,010,992      99.31 (13.16)
      Other Companies         CYP 1,715,621     126.38 ( 1.96)

CNA MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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