Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Lord Finsberg dies

[02] Greek warplanes, parachutists in Cypriot exercise

[03] Cyprus defences will continue to be bolstered

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1120:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Lord Finsberg dies

The British Lord was actively involved in efforts for a settlement of the protracted Cyprus question.

Lord Finsberg had recently prepared a preliminary report for Cyprus, which received strong criticism from the Greek Cypriot side, mainly because he supported that both communities on the island ''defy the UN quite blatantly'' and that all persons listed as missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island are dead.

In his preliminary report Lord Finsberg also noted that ''logic'' does not play much part in the politics of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in Cyprus and called on them to display ''sanity'' if the Cyprus question is to be settled.

The Greek Cypriot side had also expressed disatisfaction with a report prepared by the late Lord in December 1994.

Lord Finsberg, who was rapporteur of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, was expected to visit Cyprus later this month.

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

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek warplanes, parachutists in Cypriot exercise

This is the third time that Greek air force jets participate in these annual manoeuvres, taking place in the government-controlled southern part of this East Mediterranean island.

For the first, Greek parachutists were dropped from a C-130 aircraft in the area of today's exercise, near the village of Kalo Chorio, southeast of the capital Nicosia.

Also taking part for the first time were Russian tanks T80-U, recently acquired by the National Guard, the Republic's army.

President Glafcos Clerides flanked by Archbishop Chrysostomos, Defence Minister Costas Eliades, other ministers, National Guard Commander, Lieutenant-General Nicolaos Vorvolakos, Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Alexandros Sandis, MP's and other officials watched the exercise.

Two F-16 fighters and two bombers CORSAIR A-7 used live ammunition during the exercise. The warplanes launched rockets at ground targets.

Artillery, armoured and infantry units took over from the Greek fighters to continue the exercise, which involved recapture of territory lost to the imaginary enemy.

Greek navy vessels have come to Cyprus, taking part in the National Guard manoeuvres, which coincided with the Greek armed forces' exercise code-named ''Toxotis''.

Both military exercises take place within the framework of the joint defence pact agreed upon by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in November 1993, in order to face Turkish expansionist designs against the two countries.

Greece has warned Turkey with war in case its troops, which have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, advance towards the Republic's free areas.

''Nikiforos '96'' ends tomorrow with a parade. President Clerides will take the salute.

CNA GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus defences will continue to be bolstered

President Glafcos Clerides, who watched today's second phase of the annual military exercise code-named ''Nikiforos '96'', said ''the manoeuvres have shown that the National Guard is a force to be reckoned with, and it will continue to be strengthened until the Turkish occupation troops leave Cyprus.''

The President noted that the joint Greco-Cypriot defence pact, which provides Cyprus with air, sea and land cover from Greece, will carry on as planned, unless the occupation forces withdraw from the island.

National Guard Commander, Lieutenant-General Nicolaos Vorvolakos, said ''Nikiforos '96'' has proved that the joint defence pact is a ''reality'' which will be concluded.

''The manoeuvres have inspired confidence in the 8.500 reservists who are ready to fight for this land, if need be, and they will not be alone,'' Vorvolakos said.

He said the Greek armed forces ''will be back if and when needed.''

Greek air force fighters, bombers and carriers as well as five navy warships took part in ''Nikiforos '96'' which coincided with the Greek armed forces' exercise code-named ''Toxotis''.

The Greek aircraft have already returned to base in Greece, but the navy vessels are docked in Limassol and Larnaca ports.

House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou expressed his gratitude to the Greek government for its contribution to the exercise, which ends tomorrow with a parade of participating troops. President Clerides will take the salute.

Ruling Democratic Rally party President Yiannakis Matsis expressed satisfaction with Greek participation in the manoeuvres and said Hellenism believes firmly that Cyprus must be reunited.

Socialist party (EDEK) leader Vasos Lyssarides said that despite pressure exerted on Greece not to participate, the joint exercises have sent the message that Cyprus and Greece will protect Cypriot Hellenism.

CNA AP/MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    83.73 (+1.47)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.30 (+1.58)
Approved Investment Companies          75.03 (+3.01)
Insurance Companies                    62.28 (+1.19)
Industrial Companies                   81.05 (+2.08)
Tourist Industries                     76.98 (+0.38)
Commercial Companies                   68.12 (+2.19)
Other Companies                        79.63 (-0.93)

Trading Volume                         CYP 682807.443

CNA MM/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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