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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-07-26Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1550:CYPPRESS:01[01] Government Spokesman - HannayNicosia, Jul 26 (CNA) -- Government Spokesman Costas Serezis recalled today the government position for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation on the island, in reply to statements by British envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay in support of a loose federation.According to Turkish Cypriot weekly newspaper "Londra Toplum Postasi" published in London, Hannay had said "a federal state with a weak central government and strong wings will be the solution". Hannay, who was speaking at a luncheon meeting last week, organised by the Coordinating Committee for Turkish Cypriots, also said it was very important "that the political equality of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots at all levels is achieved". Invited to comment on Hannay's statements, Serezis said "our position is also in favour of a federal solution" noting that regarding "internal issues the two communities should enjoy the highest possible level of autonomy." However he stressed that the federal government should have the necessary power to guarantee the unity of the state". Serezis further said President Glafcos Clerides will handle these issues if and when negotiations on Cyprus commence. The UN Secretary-General is expected to invite the two sides in Cyprus for unconditional talks on all issues in the autumn of 1999. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory. CNA MA/MCH/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1850:CYPPRESS:02[02] Greek Cypriots - UNFICYP - Canadian ConsulateNicosia, Jul 26 (CNA) -- A Greek Cypriot abducted last week by the Turkish occupation forces will appear before an illegal military "court" in the occupied north of the island next month.A second Greek Cypriot, who was abducted on Sunday was remanded in "custody" today for three days by an illegal court. Speaking to CNA, UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP) Spokeswoman, Sarah Russell, said Rogiros Georgiou, 48, a Canadian citizen of Greek Cypriot origin was brought before the illegal court yesterday which renewed his remand "order" for eight days. She said Georgiou, abducted on Wednesday, will appear in a so called military "court" on August 3 because the Turkish occupation regime is "charging him with trespass in a military area". Russell added that the Cyprus Police have been informed about these latest developments. As far as Spyros Koushioumis, 22, from Dhali village who was abducted by Turkish soldiers yesterday, Russell said he appeared before an illegal court today "and we understand, although I do not have this for sure, that he will be 'remanded' for three days". She also expressed the hope that UNFICYP will be able to see Koushioumis tomorrow. Canadian Honourary Consul, Eleni Chrysostomidou, told CNA that the Canadian High Commission in Damascus has been informed of Georgiou's abduction. "They have reassured us they will try their best and I think they intended a meeting with (Turkish Cypriot leader) Rauf Denktash in order to draw his attention to the fact Georgiou is a Canadian citizen," Chrysostomidou added. Turkish troops illegally occupy 37 per cent of the Cyprus Republic's territory since they invaded the island in the summer of 1974. The illegal regime unilaterally declared in the northern Turkish occupied part of the island is recognised only by Turkey. CNA MCH/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1855:CYPPRESS:03[03] Cyprus - Foreign trade statisticsNicosia, Jul 26 (CNA) -- Total imports and exports in Cyprus dropped during the period January-April 1999, compared to the same period in 1998.According to the Department of Statistics and Research, data from the Foreign trade statistics showed that total imports fell to 600,1 million pounds (1 CY pound = 1.8 US dollars approx.) during the January-April 1999 period, compared with 630,3m pounds over the same period last year. Total exports dropped to 153,6m in relation to 197,5m in January-April 1998, while the trade deficit accounted for 446,5m pounds compared to 432, 8m during the same period in 1998. The European Union countries supplied Cyprus with goods valued at 335, 5m pounds or 55,9 per cent during January-April 1999, while during the same period, the EU countries absorbed 54,2 per cent or 36,2m pounds of Cyprus' domestic exports, followed by the Arab countries with 23,6 per cent or 15, 8m pounds. CNA RG/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1910:CYPPRESS:04[04] Tourism - StatisticsNicosia, Jul 26 (CNA) -- The arrival of tourists in the free areas of Cyprus have reached 276.879 in June 1999 compared to 248.426 in the corresponding month of 1998, recording an increase of 11,5 per cent, according to the Department of Statistics and Research.In addition the number of arrivals covering all categories of travellers (including excursionists) reached 329.620 in June 1999 marking an increase of 8,8 per cent. The main countries of tourist arrivals are the United Kingdom with 51, 8%, Sweden with 6,7%, Germany with 5,9%, Russia with 5,0%, Switzerland 3,4%, Norway with 2,8% and Greece with 2,7%. The Department of Statistics and Research notes that 78,5% of tourist arrivals came from European Union countries. CNA RM/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2010:CYPPRESS:05[05] CSE - Closed for two daysNicosia, Jul 26 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) suspended transactions for two days here Monday to clear the backlog created by the recent huge trading volumes.CSE chairman, Dinos Papadopoulos told CNA that the bourse will open on Wednesday as scheduled. He further said brokers were invited to the CSE today to sort out the paperwork created by the increased transactions. Brokers also worked over the weekend in an effort to cope with the massive amount of administrative work. The stock market soared 173 per cent from the start of the year. From a daily turnover of some 4.5 million pounds (One Cyprus pound equals to 1.8 US dollars approx.) turnover last week exceeded 32 million pounds daily, with the all share index closing at 248.09 or 10.86 per cent on Friday while the traded value reached 39,364,388 Cyprus pounds. CNA EC/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2015:CYPPRESS:06[06] Kyprianou - AthensNicosia, Jul 26 (CNA) -- The Cyprus problem, the island's accession course to the European Union and Greco-Turkish relations were examined today in Athens during meetings which the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou had with the Greek President and his Greek counterpart.Kyprianou also had a long telephone conversation with Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is in Corfu presiding over a meeting of the Papandreou Foundation. Later today Kyprianou will meet with Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis and tomorrow he will meet Greek political party leaders. Kyprianou, who is in Athens after an official visit to Italy, briefed his Greek counterpart Apostolos Kaklamanis on his visit and meetings there and on Cyprus' course for EU membership. Kaklamanis stressed the importance of the close ties which the Greek and Cyprus parliaments have formed with the Italian Parliament in efforts to promote a Cyprus settlement, the Athens News Agency said. He also expressed dissatisfaction with recent Turkish provocations, at a time when Greece and Turkey have embarked on a dialogue on uncontroversial issues, in a bid to find some common ground to ease tension between them. The Cyprus problem and Greco-Turkish relations were also the centre of discussions between Kyprianou and Greek President George Stephanopoulos. CNA MCH/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY2045:CYPPRESS:07[07] Miller - Kranidiotis - CyprusAthens, Jul 26 (CNA) -- Outgoing US Coordinator on Cyprus, Thomas Miller discussed the Cyprus problem and the possible resumption of peace talks during a meeting with Greek Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis in Athens.Miller, who was appointed US Ambassador to Bosnia Herzegovina, reportedly said that Washington is trying to persuade the Turkish side to come forward to the negotiations, expected to be held in autumn 1999, adding that this is one of the last opportunities for a resumption of the dialogue. According to sources, Miller assured Kranidiotis that the US believe the Turkish side should accept the condition set out by the Group of Eight that talks on Cyprus should start without any preconditions, noting that Washington will not accept the Turkish demands for a confederal solution. Meanwhile, Thomas Weston who is taking over from Miller, will visit Athens and Nicosia in mid-August, while British Special Representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay is expected in Athens between 30-31 August. During a working lunch with Miller, Kranidiotis stressed the need for the US to exert effective pressure on Ankara if the dialogue is to start without any preconditions. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has set as a precondition a solution based on a confederation of "two states", an idea fully backed by Ankara. A confederal solution has already been rejected by the UN, the Cyprus government and all key players in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem because it is contrary to UN resolutions stipulating for a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Meanwhile, Kranidiotis in statements to CNA on Monday reiterated that any action against Cyprus by Turkey is considered casus belli for Greece. Kranidiotis assured that the joint defence pact between the governments of Greece and Cyprus is still valid. Cyprus has been divided by Turkey since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory. CNA KI/EC/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |