Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-01-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkish warships leave occupied port

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Parties reaffirm positions

[04] UN top envoy to discuss substance of Cyprus issue

[05] More protests against British troop training

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkish warships leave occupied port

Frigate ''Fatih'' and assault boats ''Gurbet'' and ''Dogan'' sailed to Famagusta port last Saturday in a show of support for the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, in occupied Cyprus.

The move was seen by many political observers as a provocative action by Ankara in an attempt to heighten tension on the island.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, a number of self-styled officials of the illegal regime, unilaterally established in the northern part of the island and recognised only by Ankara, and a crowd of people gathered at the port to ''bit farewell'' to the Turkish warships.

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.33 (-0.87)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.70 (-0.49)
Approved Investment Companies          63.95 (-5.44)
Insurance Companies                    63.50 (-2.55)
Industrial Companies                   72.95 (-0.79)
Tourist Industries                     65.56 (-0.27)
Commercial Companies                   49.73 (-4.80)
Other Companies                        60.04 (+1.87)

Trading Volume                         CYP 953425.560

CNA MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Parties reaffirm positions

Speaking after the Council meeting, Government Spokesman, Yiannakis Cassoulides, said there was a ''wide exchange of views on the Cyprus problem which will prove useful to President Clerides.''

''No decisions were taken at today's meeting. This was not the purpose of the meeting,'' Cassoulides told the press.

The Council, the top advisory body on the handling of the Cyprus problem, were also briefed on President Clerides' recent meeting in Athens with Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, as well as his meetings with foreign officials visiting Cyprus.

In their statements, party leaders and representatives reaffirmed their positions on the Cyprus problem and called for more regular meetings of the Council.

Ruling right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) deputy leader, Nicos Anastasiades said ''President Clerides will take into account the views expressed'' and added ''it was decided that the government and the House should coordinate their moves further to inform foreigners about the government's positions on the Cyprus question.

On his part, left wing AKEL Secretary General, Demetris Christofias called for measures to reduce tension on the island and did not rule out the idea of a moratorium on overflights by Greek and Turkish military aircraft over Cyprus.

The main opposition leader said he believed President Clerides will accept to return to the negotiating table without any preconditions.

Democratic Party (DIKO) leader Spyros Kyprianou said the Council reaffirmed that any initiatives on Cyprus are welcomed but they should be in line with UN resolutions on Cyprus.

Kyprianou did not agree with Christofias' assessment that the President will concede to talks before reaching some common ground with the Turkish Cypriot side on the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus question.

Socialist EDEK party leader Vassos Lyssarides called for a new approach to the Cyprus question and backed the idea of an international conference, particularly in view of increased Russian involvement in the Cyprus problem.

George Vassiliou, leader of the United Democrats, expressed disagreement with the current government policy, which, he said, ''tends to underestimate the negative repercussions from the heightened tension on the island.''

This climate, he added, creates problems in the peace effort, in Cyprus' accession prospects for full membership of the European Union and serves Turkish interests.

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2010:CYPPRESS:04

[04] UN top envoy to discuss substance of Cyprus issue

Speaking on arrival here today, Han said he brought ''messages to the leaders'' but did not appear very hopeful that he would get President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to meet during the present visit.

''We think that there is a window of opportunity this year, hopefully during the first half of this year, and I will try to find areas of agreement between the two communities,'' he told the press.

He said he would try to move the situation to a point where the Secretary General can invite the leaders to discuss the matter face to face in direct talks.

Asked if the UN chief intends to invite the two leaders, Han said he did not expect such a meeting ''to materialise during my stay at this time'' and announced he would return to the island sometime in the future, depending on the outcome of his contacts in the coming week.

Invited to outline the methods he will apply to find a common basis for negotiations, Han said ''I would like to get into the substance of the issues which have been the concern of both communities as well as of the international community.''

He also disclosed that he has ''some new ideas'' and noted that previous ideas would be floated as well.

Replying to questions, Han underlined the ''central role'' the UN should play in efforts to settle the Cyprus question and said that governments involved in the Cyprus peace effort recognise this role and the need to cooperate with the UN.

He welcomed the increased interest by various countries and said he is personally in close contact with them.

Commenting on the government decision to buy Russian anti-aircraft missiles, Han said this has made the process ''even more difficult'' but did not think this is ''a decisive impediment'' to the peace process.

On the ongoing UN-sponsored military dialogue, Han expressed regret at the lack of progress to agree on a package of UN measures to reduce tension along the cease-fire line.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:05

[05] More protests against British troop training

Britain, which maintains two sovereign military bases on the island, carries out troop training in specific locations, as provided by the 1960 Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

''The Committee against British Policy and the Bases in Cyprus'' announced here today that three excursions will take place tomorrow in Akamas area to study nature.

The excursions include nature trails, visits to old churches, photographing nature and training of racing motorcyclists.

The committee called on the local police to assist participants and ''protect them from armed terrorists such as British colonialists.''

Similar protests are expected to take place on Friday when the exercises come to an end.

Meanwhile environmental movements have criticised the government for failing to declare Akamas a national park and condemned government policy to suppress citizens who are sensitive to environmental issues.

''We believe that declaring Akamas peninsula a National park would provide the government with the necessary means to end the exercises'', it said.

Earlier this week, environmentalists led by a local deputy protested against the British military exercises in Akamas.

Protests began on Sunday in an effort to stop a week of exercises, which, according to the Bases, went ahead as scheduled.

CNA EC/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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