Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek fighters in Cyprus military exercises

[02] More Greek fighters in Cypriot manoeuvres

[03] President Clerides meets US Ambassador

[04] Turkish fighters interfere

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Finance Minister returns from IMF meeting

1100:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Greek fighters in Cyprus military exercises

During their short presence in the annual National Guard manoeuvres, the four Greek jets took part in mock attacks. They did not use live ammunition.

They arrived from their base in Greece on the precise time, defined by the military experts, at 0927 local time (0627 GMT) and were involved in dives against pre-determined sea targets.

The four military aircraft remained over the Maroni exercise scene, in Larnaca District, for about seven minutes and then returned to their base overflying the western coastal town of Paphos.

This phase of ''Nikiforos '96'' was unfolded before the watchful eye of the island's political and military leadership, led by President Glafcos Clerides and Minister of Defence Costas Eliades.

Three Greek navy warships also took part in the exercise which involved recapture of territory lost to the imaginary enemy, by artillery, armoured and infantry units. For the first time, Russian-made armoured vehicles BMP-3 participated in the exercise.

The National Guard acquired recently Russian-made T80-U tanks, which were shown in the Independence Day military parade on October 1, in Nicosia.

This year's manoeuvres have been planned to coincide with other military exercises in Greece, code-named ''Toxotis.''

Around noon today, a major phase of the exercise will take place in the Kotsiatis area, some 20 kilometres south of the capital Nicosia.

It will involve artillery, armoured and infantry units that will recapture significant strategical points, according to the scenario.

Taking part in the six-day ''Nikiforos '96'', which started on Friday, are 8.500 reservists.

The exercise will end on Wednesday with a military parade. President Clerides will take the salute.

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

Greece has warned Turkey with war in case Turkish troops advance towards the government-controlled southern part of this East Mediterranean strategic island.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1315:CYPPRESS:02

[02] More Greek fighters in Cypriot manoeuvres

Four fighters F-16 dropped bombs used for training and opened fire at pre-determined targets in Kotsiatis area, some 20 kilometres south of Nicosia. A National Guard helicopter launched anti-tank missiles.

Among the officials who watched this part of the military manoeuvres were Defence Minister Costas Eliades, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides and other officials.

President Glafcos Clerides clarified today that no pressure was exerted on the Cyprus government in order to cancel the participation of Greek military jets in the ''Nikiforos '96''.

Clerides watched this morning four Greek air force military jets, two bombers LTV Corsair II A-73 and two fighters F-16, taking part in mock attacks during the manoeuvres.

The Cypriot President made clear that Greek air force military planes will be flying to Cyprus ''whenever this is necessary''.

He clarified that no pressure at all was exerted so far on his government to cancel participation of Greek war-planes in ''Nikiforos '96'' and stressed that even if there would be pressure the Greek Cypriot side would reject it.

President Clerides congratulated the National Guard leadership and the 8.500 reservists taking part in this ''well organised in all aspects'', as he described this six-day exercise.

The President stressed that participation of Greek military forces in the exercise sends the ''clear message'' that the joint defence pact, agreed upon by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in November 1993, is ''here to stay and proceeds as planned'', securing the future of Cypriot Hellenism.

Defence Minister Costas Eliades expressed full satisfaction with the participation of Greece's air-force in the Cypriot manoeuvres.

He said the exercise proceeds as planned with full success, stressing that Cyprus has now a force to prevent any advance of the Turkish occupation troops.

The exercise will end on Wednesday with a military parade the salute of which will be taken by President Clerides.

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

Greece has repeatedly warned Turkey with war, in case Turkish troops advance towards the government-controlled southern part of this East Mediterranean island of strategic importance.

CNA AP/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President Clerides meets US Ambassador

The US diplomat told the press after the Presidential Palace meeting that he talked with Clerides about the Cyprus President's recent trip to New York, and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' visit to Cyprus.

Brill said President Clerides had ''good meetings in New York with some of our key people and we look forward to continuing to work closer together.''

Asked whether the US was dealing more with the issue of security and Britain with the constitutional aspect of the Cyprus problem, the US Ambassador said ''all of us, who are trying to work with the parties to try to bring a Cyprus settlement, are paying attention to all the issues.''

He added ''I don't think there is a so-called division of labour. We pay attention to all key issues. Security is clearly a key issue. Our interest is catholic.''

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Turkish fighters interfere

He said Turkish planes interfered during the manoeuvres, ''as it often happens on these occasions,'' Cassoulides told the press during the National Guard annual military exercises, code-named ''Nikiforos '96''.

The Spokesman neither confirmed nor denied reports in an Athens paper that aircraft were involved in air battles on Sunday when Greece's armed forces started their military manoeuvres, ''Toxotis.''

''Different information about this is at hand,'' he said.

Invited to say whether pressure was exerted on the government to either cancel or modify the manoeuvres, Cassoulides said any pressure that might have been exerted ''does not indicate how and who should conduct the manoeuvres.''

''One must not be suspicious of US or other foreign intervention on this matter,'' he added.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    82.52 (+0.79)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.88 (+1.44)
Approved Investment Companies          72.84 (-0.83)
Insurance Companies                    61.55 (+0.08)
Industrial Companies                   79.40 (-0.92)
Tourist Industries                     76.69 (+1.82)
Commercial Companies                   66.66 (-1.11)
Other Companies                        80.38 (+0.89)

Trading Volume                         CYP 548138.209

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1850:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Finance Minister returns from IMF meeting

The Minister, who represented Cyprus in the annual IMF and World Bank for Reconstruction and Development meeting in Washington, reviewed with various officials local projects, funded by the Bank, and ways to boost technical assistance to rectify structural problems the local economy is facing.

The IMF conference dealt with the state of the world economy and in particular tackled foreign debt relief effort to developing countries and combatting illegal economic activity and corruption in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Minister, who attended also a meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers in Bermuda, announced a ten per cent increase of Cyprus' contribution to the Fund of Technical Cooperation for 1996/97, and outlined the methods Cyprus applies to combat money laundering.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Christodoulou had a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku and other Finance Ministers.

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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