Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-01-16

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Glafcos Clerides left for Athens

[03] Clerides arrives in Athens

[04] Tarasov: Turkish threats are unacceptable

1630:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    79.86 (-0.47)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.69 (+0.04)
Approved Investment Companies          71.92 (-0.55)
Insurance Companies                    56.57 (+0.16)
Industrial Companies                   79.25 (-1.27)
Tourist Industries                     69.13 (-1.13)
Commercial Companies                   58.55 (-3.24)
Other Companies                        63.34 (-2.09)

Trading Volume                         CYP 507375.047

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1905:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Glafcos Clerides left for Athens

During the meetings, which will also be attended by the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the two countries, the Cyprus problem as well as the joint defence pact, agreed upon by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in November 1993, will be discussed.

Replying to questions, shortly before his departure from Larnaca airport, President Clerides said ''the 16-month period between the purchase and the installation of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles gives ample time to the US to launch their initiative'' to assist efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

Concerning the US-proposed moratorium on overflights of Greek and Turkish military aircraft in Cyprus, President Clerides said the issue will also be discussed during his meetings in Athens.

He clarified that overflights of Greek aircraft are part of the defence agreement concluded between Cyprus and Greece and therefore a decision on the moratorium should be ''a decision of both governments.''

''During a period of political detente, as for example when negotiations are in progress, we could refrain from scheduling overflights'', President Clerides said.

Commenting on the process of the ongoing military dialogue, between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation forces, under UN auspices, President Clerides reaffirmed the government's readiness to discuss all issues proposed by UN Security Council resolution 1092 (1996).

These include the adoption of a code of conduct, based on the concept of minimal force and proportional response, to prohibit loaded weapons along the ceasefire lines and to extend the 1989 unmanning agreement to other areas where the two sides remain in close proximity to each other.

He pointed out, however, that the government will not discuss unmanning prior to agreement over the adoption of a code of conduct, UN supervision of military posts to ensure against loaded weapons, and respect of status of the UN buffer zone.

President Clerides will return to Cyprus on Saturday, January 18, and will call a meeting of the National Council, the country's top advisory body, next Tuesday, to brief it on proceedings in Athens.

CNA TA/MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides arrives in Athens

Speaking on his arrival in Athens, late this afternoon, President Clerides said the missiles will be installed as stated in the agreement signed with Russia.

Asked about information that there is a plan for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, which provides for the consolidation of the Turkish occupation troops in Cyprus, President Clerides dismissed such information as ''fantasies''. ''There is no way'', he stressed, ''that we would recognise the occupation troops''.

Answering another question, President Clerides said the issue of the moratorium on warplane overflights was put forward, but not by the Greek Cypriot side.

President Clerides flew this afternoon to Athens to meet with Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, with whom he will discuss future handling of the Cyprus problem.

According to his agenda, President Clerides will meet Friday morning with Greek President, Costis Stephanopoulos, and in the evening with Simitis. On Saturday, the only meeting scheduled so far is with President of the party 'New Democracy', Miltiades Evert.

According to President Clerides, other issues to be discussed concern the joint defence dogma between Greece and Cyprus, the progress made in this sector, as well as current matters.

Clerides was received at the airport in Athens by Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, George Paschalides. Also present were Greek Ambassador to Cyprus, Alexandros Sandes, and Cypriot Ambassador to Greece, Charalambos Christophorou.

CNA MA/RG/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2035:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Tarasov: Turkish threats are unacceptable

In a statement, Thursday to CNA and the Russian news agency ''Novosti', Tarasov reaffirmed Russia's commitment to deliver the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles within the time limit agreed recently with the government of Cyprus.

The Russian official also commented on threats expressed by Turkish politicians against Cyprus during the last couple of days, as well as a statement by US State Department official Carey Cavanaugh concerning the purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missiles S-300 by Cyprus.

Tarasov stressed there will be no change of the agreement and called on Turkey to adopt President Glafcos Clerides' proposal for a total demilitarisation of the island, if it is really interested for peace in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

''The implementation of this proposal could solve once and for all problems in Cyprus,'' he said.

Commenting on US opposition to the installation of the S-300 on the island, Tarasov said the real reason behind it is concern over Moscow's gradual consolidation in international arms trade.

CNA AP/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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