Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-09-19

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

CONTENTS

[01] Communities must solve their problems, say British MPs

[02] More Italian tourists to visit Cyprus by Myria Antoniadou

[03] President Clerides to meet UN Secretary-General

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] UN welcomes Clerides' statement

[06] Euro Parliament slams Turkey

[07] Cyprus: Not a Greco-Turkish dispute

[08] State budgets in Parliament

[09] Euro Parliament calls for Cyprus demilitarisation

[10] Cyprus hails Euro Parliament resolution

1155:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Communities must solve their problems, say British MPs

They also consider that the US, aided by Britain and other European countries, are ready to help an American push for progress.

The Cyprus government, on the other hand, regrets that the MPs may have got the impression that Turkey should not be involved in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem and that the solution to the Cyprus question must come from the two communities.

Lord Bethel, heading a three-member delegation of the ''Friends of Cyprus'' Group, UK, said here today after a meeting with Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides ''the US government will take this matter (pushing the Cyprus peace process forward) seriously on board after elections, and perhaps at the beginning of 1997 there will be movement.''

''I hope there will an initiative by US, helped by Britain and other European Union countries, which will give a dynamic to the negotiations for Cyprus' entry into the European Union,'' Lord Bethel said.

In his remarks about possible US moves on Cyprus, the Foreign Minister said ''the government believes the US will be more involved in efforts to facilitate a settlement in Cyprus early next year, once the next US President takes over.''

Labour MP Robin Corbett told the press that ''the main responsibility for making progress towards a solution, of course, lies with the two communities on the island.''

Outsiders, he said, can ''try and assist, encourage and facilitate but they cannot be a substitute for sensible, well prepared talks.''

He also stressed the need for both communities to engage in talks on substantive issues which would hold ''good promise of success before they start.''

Commenting on Turkey's role in such talks, Corbett said Turkey ''is involved and it can help or hinder as Greece can help or hinder.''

Assessing Corbett's views, Michaelides said ''if the visit of the MPs to Cyprus has led them to believe that the two communities must find a solution to the Cyprus problem, then I regret to have to say that this is neither a correct nor an objective approach.''

Turkey, the Minister explained, has obstructed a Cyprus settlement for a long time and occupied part of the Republic.

''The truth of the matter is that those interested in Cyprus have acknowledged that Turkey has caused the current division and occupation of Cyprus and it must understand that this situation cannot continue,'' Michaelides explained.

He also said discussions focused on last month's brutal murder of two Greek Cypriot unarmed demonstrators by Turkish extremists during protests in the UN buffer zone and the need to speed up efforts for a settlement.

''We also dealt with our application for EU accession and I underlined the need to use the time until the start of accession negotiations towards a settlement,'' he said.

The response of the delegation was ''very positive'' towards these views, he added.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1220:CYPPRESS:02

[02] More Italian tourists to visit Cyprus

Nicosia, Sep 19 (CNA) -- Prospects for a further increase in the number of Italians visiting Cyprus are good and interest in this east Mediterranean island resort has been growing steadily since 1992, Cyprus Airways Sales Manager in Italy, Luciano Neri, told CNA.

However, Neri said Cyprus has to invest in promoting its tourist product in Italy and noted Italian tour operators would appreciate a change of attitude by the service sector, which is geared to serve other markets.

In an interview with CNA, Neri said there has been ''a steady growth in the number of Italian visitors to Cyprus since 1992 when the Cyprus Airways Rome office was set up and scheduled flights were introduced''.

''We have not yet reached numbers generated by other markets, because it is a gradual growth and competition is very strong'' he added.

Neri stressed that ''investments in terms of promotional advertising are required'' and ''institutions should devote more effort'' as Cyprus faces strong competition from all Mediterranean countries as well as more remote tourist destinations in the Caribbean and the Far East.

However, he noted cheaper destinations ''have some shortcomings'' mainly in the services field and added there is an increasing awareness amongst Italians that Cyprus is affordable and easy to reach destination.

Neri said the company is stepping up efforts to attract tourists from northern Italy, with charter flights from Milan. ''By the end of 1996 we will have operated approximately 45 flights in cooperation with leading tour operators from Italy'', he added.

''The potential is here because Italy is the fourth largest market for air travelling in Europe'', Neri noted, describing Italians as individual travellers with many similarities to Cypriots.

''Till now we rely on word say. People who visit Cyprus generally come back with very favourable comments'', he added.

Neri remarked that Cypriot hotel owners are beginning to see the merits of the Italian market, but pointed out that ''some hotels have structured their service in accordance with the needs of other markets''.

He said this situation is ''changing'' and stressed that if efforts to cater for Italians are made ''this will be very welcome by tour operators and will trigger more interest''.

Neri believes a code sharing agreement signed between Cyprus Airways and Alitalia, in Rome, last week, ''will definitely help'' boost tourism, as it provides for consistent flights and secures Alitalia's long term interest.

He said both parties consider the agreement, effective from the end of October for the winter season, as an initial step towards broad cooperation.

''Rome is one of the most important air traffic crossroads between Africa and Southern Europe and this integration of our flights with the Alitalia network will certainly benefit arrivals in Cyprus'', Neri added.

He also pointed out that cargo transport is growing as Italy is a strong exporter to Cyprus.

According to Cyprus Tourism Organisation figures, over 2 million tourists visited Cyprus in 1995, the majority from European countries such as the UK, Germany and Switzerland.

About 18.000 Italians visited the island in 1993, 24.000 in 1994 and 21.000 in 1995.

It is estimated about 22.000 Italians will have visited Cyprus by the end of this year.

CNA MA/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1455:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President Clerides to meet UN Secretary-General

President Clerides, accompanied by Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Cassoulides, flies to New York on Sunday, September 22. He will return on September 30.

The Cypriot President will address the 51st UN General Assembly.

Cassoulides said President Clerides will also meet the representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council and give a lecture on the Cyprus problem.

President Clerides will attend the annual gathering of the Cyprus Federation of America and give interviews to major US media.

The Spokesman said Foreign Minister Michaelides will have a series of meetings with counterparts, who will attend the General Assembly.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    83.35 (-0.24)
Sectural Indices
Banks                                  89.72 (-0.18)
Approved Investment Companies          76.22 (-0.29)
Insurance Companies                    62.75 (-0.60)
Industrial Companies                   83.64 (+0.37)
Tourist Industries                     75.70 (-1.88)
Commercial Companies                   67.22 (-0.36)
Other Companies                        83.09 (+0.27)
Trading Volume                         CYP 323325.580

The difference in brackets represents the percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) of the index from the previous stock exchange meeting.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:05

[05] UN welcomes Clerides' statement

''We appreciate the statement by the President of the Republic, which no doubt contributed further to calming the situation down,'' UNFICYP Spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski told CNA.

On September 13, President Clerides issued a statement appealing to both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to ''do all they can to defuse the situation for the sake of peace''.

He reiterated adherence to peaceful means to reach a Cyprus settlement.

In a second statement yesterday, President Clerides revealed that the government had information about possible Turkish military actions but he assured the Cypriot people that the dangers had receded.

At the same time, he urged for an end to unfounded rumours, creating the wrong impression that the Cypriot people were easily seized by panic.

Rokoszewski denied any UN involvement in the rumours about any Turkish military moves.

He said ''information can not be attributed to UN, as UNFICYP repeatedly stated that the forces vigilant monitoring of the respective cease-fire line did not substantiate the said rumours.''

Information referred ''about possible Turkish move in the villages of Athienou, Troulli and Liopetri and that allegedly there has been movement of Turkish forces.''

Some 1.200 UN peacekeepers monitor the cease-fire agreement and controls a 180-kilometre buffer zone along the island.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Euro Parliament slams Turkey

Out of 362 Euro MPs present at today's Euro Parliament plenary, 319 voted for the resolution, 23 stood against and 20 abstained.

The resolution expresses discontent about recent developments in Turkey, including its provocative behaviour concerning human rights violations in the country, Cyprus and against the Kurds in Turkey.

It calls on the EU Commission to ''block immediately all the foreseen credit of the European programme MEDA for funding projects in Turkey'' except those concerning the promotion of democracy and human rights.

It declares that ''human rights violations which continue to be perpetrated in Turkey contradict the spirit and letter of the EU-Turkey customs union agreement.''

According to the resolution, the Parliament decides to ''start the process of registering in the reserve the credits relating to the financial agreement between EU and Turkey.''

It also ''strongly condemns the murders of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou by Turkish soldiers and Turkish paramilitary and demands the arrest and the condemnation of those who participated in the murders.''

Greek Cypriot demonstrators Isaac, 24, and Solomou, 26, were brutally murdered by Turkish troops and extremists during last month's demonstrations against the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern third.

The European Parliament resolution calls on Turkey to implement UN resolutions on Cyprus and demands the withdrawal of ''military occupation forces'' from Cyprus.

It also ''considers the start of accession negotiations between Cyprus and the EU, six months after the Intergovernmental Conference, now more necessary than ever.''

CNA NB/AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus: Not a Greco-Turkish dispute

Michaelides was commenting on his Turkish counterpart Tansu Ciller's appeal to Greece for talks with Turkey on the Cyprus problem.

Ciller warned there might be a second Irish problem, if Greece continues its ''negative'' stance in holding talks with Turkey on Cyprus.

The Turkish Foreign Minister had a meeting yesterday in Ankara with UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus Han Sung Joo.

After the meeting, Ciller accused the Greek Cypriot side for ''aggressiveness'', claiming that the Turkish side had always the political will for negotiations.

''Most probably, Mrs. Ciller understands that past delaying tactics are no longer valid and that there will be more substantial involvement of the Europeans and the United States,'' Michaelides remarked.

The Foreign Minister repeated that the Cyprus problem should be solved in accordance with numerous United Nations resolutions.

It would be different, he added, if Ciller wanted to have talks with the Greek government in the capacity of the two countries as guarantors of Cyprus' independence under the 1960 treaties.

Michaelides stressed that any attempt to turn the Cyprus problem into a Greco-Turkish issue would not be accepted by Greece.

''The Cyprus issue is an international problem,'' the Cypriot Minister indicated.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2010:CYPPRESS:08

[08] State budgets in Parliament

The Minister handed over copies of the budgets to House President Spyros Kyprianou, during a meeting today in the Parliament.

Kyprianou said the new House proceedings start on October 3 and the three state budgets will be the first issue on the agenda of the House Finance Committee.

The three budgets provide for total expenditure amounting to 1.476,3 million Cyprus pounds and for revenue amounting to 1.087,5 million pounds (One Cyprus pound is approximately two US dollars).

Expenditure increased by 9,5 per cent compared with the 1996 budgets while revenue increased by 8,5 per cent.

The ordinary budget provides for 1.160,7 m. pounds in expenditure and 1.066,2 m. pounds revenue.

The development budget provides for 232,8 m. pounds expenses while the relief fund provides for 82,8 m. pounds expenses and 21,3 m. pounds revenue.

There is a deficit of 388,8 m. pounds in the three budgets compared with 341,7 m. pounds in 1996, an increase of 47,1 m. pounds.

Based on current data the public deficit for 1996 will be around 2,9 per cent while for 1997 is expected to be around 4 per cent.

Unemployment in Cyprus is around 3 per cent of the economic active population, which is compared favourably with unemployment figures in other European countries.

The three budgets do not provide for revenue from new taxes, adding that despite increased spending the 1997 budgets meet all European Union indicators as defined by the Maastricht Treaty.

Development funds will be channelled to the road network, airport expansion, water and rural development projects, education and construction of public buildings.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Euro Parliament calls for Cyprus demilitarisation

A joint resolution, adopted today by all political groups in the Euro Parliament, notes that the Parliament was ''deeply shocked by the slayings that took place in August during a peaceful demonstration for the reunification of the island where two Greek Cypriots were killed by the Security Forces of the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.''

Greek Cypriot demonstrators Tasos Isaac, 24, and Solomos Solomou, 26, were brutally murdered by Turkish troops and extremists during last month's demonstrations in protest against the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern third.

The resolution condemns the transfer of Turkish extremist group ''Grey Wolves'' members to the occupied part, in order to confront with unarmed demonstrators, noting that this practice endangers Cyprus' peace and security.

The European Parliament resolution calls on Turkey to cooperate in recognising, arrest and taking into court all those who had been involved in the killings and expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims.

The Euro Parliament ''supports the proposal of the Cyprus government for the demilitarisation of the island and asks Turkey to withdraw its occupation forces and abide by the UN resolutions on Cyprus.''

It also ''appeals to the government of Cyprus and to the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community to continue to look for a peaceful and just solution to the Cyprus problem, along the lines of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.''

The European Parliament welcomes the decision of the European Union (EU) Irish presidency to ''maintain a special EU representative for the Cyprus problem.''

It asks the EU Council of Ministers to ''make all efforts so as to coordinate the initiatives of the UN, British and US representatives in a joint and more effective action.''

The resolution invites the representative of EU Council presidency for Cyprus, Kester Heaslip, to ''report also to the Parliament on his visits to the region during the summer.''

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA NB/AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2045:CYPPRESS:09

[10] Cyprus hails Euro Parliament resolution

With an overwhelming majority (319 in favour, 23 against and 30 abstentions) the Euro Parliament demanded a freeze of European Union aid to Turkey worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Parliament called on Turkey to withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus and strongly condemned last month's brutal murders of two unarmed Greek Cypriot youths during anti-occupation demonstrations in the UN-controlled buffer zone, in Dherynia.

''This is a hard blow on the policy followed by Turkey and a strong message to this country if it wants to come closer to Europe,'' Michaelides told the press here tonight.

He said Turkey should understand that it could not have closer relations with Europe if it continues to follow a policy against human rights, it continues its division in Cyprus and oppress the Kurdish population.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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