Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-02-16

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Monday, 16/02/98

CONTENTS

• [01] Glafcos Clerides re-elected president of Cyprus
• [02] EU presidency congratulates Clerides
• [03] Greek Premier congratulates Clerides
• [04] US State Department Spokesman on Cyprus
• [05] Consumer Price Index for January 1998

[01] Glafcos Clerides re-elected president of Cyprus

Clerides was backed by the right wing Democratic Rally, the party he founded in 1976 and by four of the five presidential candidates, who ran in the first round of elections on 8.2.98.

The fifth candidate, EDEK leader Vassos Lyssarides, who garnered more than ten pen cent in the first round of the elections called on his supporters to vote at will.

Iacovou was backed by the left-wing AKEL party and the centre-right Democratic Party (DIKO).

The official announcement for the winner of the elections was made late last night by Chief Returning Officer Thanos Michael at the indoor stadium "Eleftheria" in Nicosia.

Addressing thousands of supporters who gathered at the stadium to proclaim him president, Mr Clerides thanked the people of Cyprus for the confidence entrusted in him and all those who voted for him.

President Clerides called for unity and stressed that there are no winners and losers.

He said that he will proceed with forming a national unity government inviting all parties to participate. We need this unity, he said, in our struggle to save Cyprus, to get rid of the occupation troops and reunify the island.

Mr Clerides also stressed that Cyprus will continue its course towards a united Europe in close cooperation with the Greek government.

Mr Clerides will be sworn in on February 28 in a ceremony in the House of Representatives.

[02] EU presidency congratulates Clerides

In an EU presidency statement issued last night Mr Cook said he was delighted to congratulate Mr Clerides on his re-election. He added: "with the re-election of Glafcos Clerides, I look forward to seeing a fresh impetus in Cyprus to help us work together to create the peace, prosperity and security which the island of Cyprus and the region so richly deserve".

The Foreign Secretary noted that "now we need to get down to work" and said that Britain will be talking soon to the new Cypriot government "to set out our approach to the important events facing us in the weeks to come".

"We want to see a UN-led search for a settlement in Cyprus start again soon, and we want to get the EU accession process off to the best possible start on 31 March", the EU presidency statement added.

[03] Greek Premier congratulates Clerides

Mr Simitis had a telephone conversation with Clerides last night during which he expressed his hope that the close cooperation between the two governments on the Cyprus issue will continue.

[04] US State Department Spokesman on Cyprus

Replying to a question in relation to Secretary Albright's reference in her congressional testimony that the US Government was pressing Turkey for help on Cyprus, Mr Rubin said: "I suspect what the Secretary was intending to signal there, is that we expect settlement negotiations, under UN auspices, to resume following the Cyprus presidential election. We have had discussions with the UN about the timing of travel by UN and US representatives to Cyprus. And over the last several weeks, we have continued our efforts to promote an atmosphere conducive to successful talks".

Moreover, the US State Department Spokesman said that Ambassador Holbrooke has stayed in touch with leaders in the region by telephone and that Special Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller travelled to Greece and Turkey in mid-January for discussions with Greek and Turkish officials. He also discussed the Cyprus question with EU officials in Brussels.

In short, Mr Rubin added, the end of the election period will mark a time when efforts to try to promote a peaceful resolution of this dispute will begin again. And the United States will want to work both with Cyprus and all the parties, including those that may have influence.

[05] Consumer Price Index for January 1998

The average rate of increase of the Index for the last twelve months (i.e. February 1997-January 1998) compared to the preceding twelve months (i.e. February 1996 - January 1997) was 3,55%.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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