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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-06-29Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1450:CYPPRESS:01[01] Kurds - Demonstration - CyprusNicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) -- "After Ocalan there is no life", said here Tuesday Kurds, who pelted the US embassy during a demonstration as they learned that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was sentenced to hang.More than 100 Kurdish demonstrators, including women and children, holding pictures of Ocalan and flags of the National Liberation Front of Kurdistan, marched from Eleftheria Square, in central Nicosia, to the US embassy awaiting the verdict against their leader. On hearing that the PKK leader was sentenced to death, the demonstrators were flooded with anger which intensified as the US embassy refused to accept a letter which they had addressed to US President Bill Clinton. Chanting slogans such as "American terrorists", "Turks fascists" and "Turkish troops out of Cyprus and Kurdistan", the Kurds pelted the US embassy. The embassy's gates were locked and its security personnel disappeared behind doors. Cyprus Police intervened and minor clashes occurred with demonstrators as they tried to restore order. The pelting stopped only when members of the MMAD Anti-Terrorist Squad stepped in and Police asked demonstrators to remove the children from the area. With tears in their eyes the Kurds ended their demonstration and left the embassy area. Their letter to Clinton was left pinned on the barbed wire outside the embassy. A young Kurd, who refused to give his real name but asked to be called "Marios", said "after Ocalan there is no life". He criticised western powers for not taking any action against Turkey and said "Turks are inhuman, and so are Americans." Sixteen-year-old Aouaz Taout said she hoped the European Union would be able to do something to save Ocalan. "We want a power behind us, such as Europe, to say one or two words for our rights" and wondered why they have not acted so far. She said the decision makes Kurds more determined to fight for their rights. A spokesman for the Committee for Solidarity with Kurdistan, Lambros Kallenos, said that he anticipates the Kurdish people to react strongly to the decision of the Turkish court. "Sooner or later, the Turkish regime will have to understand that it must start a political dialogue with the Kurdish people and the best one to represent Kurds is Ocalan," he added. He called on western powers to appreciate that sooner or later there will have to be some political settlement. In their letter to Bill Clinton the "Kurdish community of Cyprus" called on the US President to "put pressure on the Turkish authorities" to respond positively to the proposal of Ocalan to open the road for dialogue and to solve the problem in a political manner. They said they "demand a solution based on a democratic government" and called on the Turkish authorities to seize "this great opportunity for solving the greatest problem they have every faced." By executing Ocalan "Turkey will commit the same crimes it has committed in the past", adding that in such a case, "our nation will have to resist and protect their national rights and identity" not only in Turkey but in every part of the world where Kurds live, the letter concluded. CNA EC/GP/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1535:CYPPRESS:02[02] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Jun 29 CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:
CSE General Index 163.28 ( 0.29)
Traded Value CYP 13,942,449
Sectural Indices
Banks CYP 2,596,660 211.29 ( 0.87)
Approved Investment
Companies CYP 618,834 87.56 ( 2.93)
Insurance Companies CYP 390,657 86.32 ( 0.44)
Manufacturing Companies CYP 741,611 100.75 (-0.57)
Tourism Companies CYP 432,115 125.07 (-0.88)
Trading Companies CYP 3,338,053 93.74 (-5.61)
Other Companies CYP 1,538,777 124.32 (-1.63)
The third column presents the percentage variation of the indices as
compared to the last meeting.
CNA MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1610:CYPPRESS:03[03] Indonesia - Ambassador - CredentialsNicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides has said he is encouraged by the undiminished interest the international community is showing in a Cyprus solution and stressed he remains committed to a peaceful reunification of the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded 25 years ago.Indonesian Ambassador, Zarkowi Soejoeti, who presented his credentials here today, expressed hope that the President's efforts would yield results. President Clerides and the Ambassador also backed enhanced bilateral ties and increased bonds of friendship and cooperation in as many fields as possible. Receiving the letters of credence, President Clerides said "we are ready to respond in a positive manner to any initiative which aims at the resumption of the negotiating process with a view to bringing about eventually a just, viable and lasting solution to the problem of Cyprus." Reiterating his commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus question, he said UN attempts so far to settle the problem have failed due to the continuing intransigence and lack of political will of the Turkish side. Ambassador Zarkowi said Indonesia will pay great attention to efforts for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus issue through dialogue and negotiations accepted by the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. Referring to the reforms his government has introduced lately, he said "a better Indonesia will be a better friend for Cyprus to work hand in hand for the betterment of our countries and people." CNA MM/MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1610:CYPPRESS:04[04] Credentials - Ambassador of the Republic of KoreaNicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) -- The Republics of Cyprus and Korea today expressed the hope to further expand bilateral economic and trade relations.Presenting his credentials to President Glafcos Clerides, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Korean Republic, Chang- il Park said that despite their geographic distance the two countries "are fully committed to the task of economic development". The new Ambassador said "it is gratifying to note that the mutual cooperation between our two countries has greatly increased since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Two way trade is large and shows satisfactory signs of sustained growth to our mutual benefit," he added, expressing the hope that "it will be possible to expand further the economic and trade ties between our two countries." Accepting the credentials President Clerides said the Republics of Cyprus and Korea "share democratic values and their deep belief in human rights and the principles of a smoothly functioning market economy." He also reiterated the government's "will and determination to strengthen even further the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and the Republic of Korea, especially in the economic and trade field to the mutual benefit of the peoples of our two countries." Referring to developments in the Cyprus problem, Clerides said Nicosia welcomes the latest initiative by the international community and "we are ready to respond in a positive way at the appropriate moment." He also stressed the commitment of the government "to a peaceful solution to the problem of Cyprus within the framework of the UN Secretary General's mission of good offices, on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions on Cyprus and the two high level agreements of 1997 and 1979". UN resolutions and the high level agreements reached between the two sides in Cyprus stipulate for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation on the island. CNA MCH/MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1710:CYPPRESS:05[05] Rantzau - Arrival - StatementsLarnaca, Jun 29 (CNA) -- The seven most industrialised countries plus Russia (G8) think this is the time for active efforts towards a solution to the Cyprus problem, German envoy for Cyprus, who also represents the German presidency of the European Union, Detlev Graf Zu Rantzau said today.Speaking on arrival at Larnaca Airport, the German official said he "will be very interested to find out what the reaction of the people of the island is towards this initiative." The G8 "are taking an enormous interest in finding a solution to the problem" and "think that the time has come for an active effort to be made again towards a solution". Replying to a comment by a journalist that the basis for talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides should be the relevant UN resolutions, Rantzau said "you would want to go to the text of the statement to find out what is the basis of the efforts of the G8." Rantzau refrained from commenting on the text of the G8 statement on Cyprus, while asked about his government's position he replied it "is very clearly stated in this text." The G8 have called on the UN Secretary General to invite the two sides to negotiations to discuss all issues, without preconditions and with full consideration of the UN Security Council resolutions and relative treaties. The German envoy will meet during his five-day visit with President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. CNA MAN/MCH/MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1830:CYPPRESS:06[06] Drugs - Police - StatementsNicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) -- The Police is carrying out investigations both in Cyprus and abroad in relation to the discovery of 33 kilos of hashish oil, estimated at two million Cyprus pounds (four million US dollars) on the street market.Two men, 58-year-old Stelios Katti and 35-year old Elias Abraham Akanian, a Lebanese Armenian who is a Cyprus resident, have been arrested in relation to the case. Akanian has been remanded in custody for eight days, while Katti is expected to appear before a British Bases court tomorrow. Speaking at a press conference today, Commander of the anti-drug squad Tasos Panayiotou said the hashish oil was not destined for the Cyprus market but most probably for markets abroad. The drugs were discovered last night in Katti's warehouse on the Ormidia-Xylofagou road, in the south-east of the island, in a combined operation by Cyprus police and authorities of the British Bases in Dhekelia. Police Spokesman Glafcos Xenos said the whole operation was a great success for the Cyprus Police and a contribution to the international effort to combat drugs. Britain retains two military bases in Cyprus since it granted the island independence from colonial rule in 1960. CNA MK/MCH/MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1830:CYPPRESS:07[07] Vassiliou - ResignationNicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) -- United Democrats President George Vassiliou today announced his decision to resign as member of the House of Representatives so he can focus on his duties as chief negotiator in Cyprus' accession talks with the European Union (EU).The party first Vice-President and runner up in the 1996 parliamentary elections George Christofides will be sworn in as MP on Thursday. Vassiliou, a former President of the Republic, said he handed his resignation to House President Spyros Kyprianou in writing earlier today. The United Democrats have two seats in the 56-member House of Representatives. Announcing his decision, Vassiliou said his preoccupation with Cyprus' accession course does not allow him to properly carry out his duties as MP. He explained that he did not resign earlier so that he could contribute towards creating conditions in Parliament that would help the accession course run smoothly. In his letter to the House President, Vassiliou points out that "the Parliament's stance towards the EU and the accession talks is a decisive factor." Cyprus opened accession talks with the EU in March 1998 and substantive negotiations got underway in November. "I assure the House of Representatives that I will always be at its disposal and I will cooperate closely with the parliamentary committee in charge of accession," Vassiliou adds in his letter. CNA AA/MA/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2022:CYPPRESS:08[08] Political parties - Ocalan - Death sentenceNicosia, Jun 29 (CNA) -- Cypriot political parties denounced today the death sentence handed down on Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan and called on the international community to exert its influence so that it is nor carried out.Ruling right-wing Democratic Rally (DISI) says "such methods create deadlocks and do not help towards a lasting solution of pending political problems" and calls upon the international community "to intervene to stop a criminal action." Leading opposition left-wing AKEL describes Ocalan's trial a "fiasco", pointing out that the court decision shows that Turkey still lags behind in democracy and human rights issues. It adds that "all those claiming to care about human rights and democracy should exert their influence on Ankara" to change its decision. Socialist EDEK says the decision to hand down the death sentence on Ocalan "shows once more the real character of the Turkish state which systematically and repeatedly violates human rights" and calls on the international community to intervene. The United Democrats point out that the Turkish court decision runs contrary to the principles of the European Union which Ankara wishes to join and stress that the international community should "exert its influence on Turkey in order to avert a great injustice". Opposition to the Turkish court decision has also been expressed by the Ecologist - Environmentalist movement. CNA MCH/MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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