Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides leaves Athens for India

[02] Court remands Russian for murder

[03] Cyprus moves high on the agenda

1345:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides leaves Athens for India

In India, the Cypriot President will meet with his counterpart Shanker Dayal Sharma, the Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and other officials.

President Clerides is expected to exchange views with Indian officials on international issues, including the protracted Cyprus problem.

At the same time, the two countries will sign a number of agreements on maritime, culture and other issues.

Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides and Director of the Protocol Division Pambos Ioannides are accompanying the President.

The Cypriot President will visit New Delhi and Bombay, before returning to the island next Sunday, February 16.

CNA AP/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Court remands Russian for murder

According to the Limassol Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer Andreas Foutros, Vassili Akaev, 30, in a statement confesses to the stabbing of Sergei Malekov, 29, a businessman, during a violent struggle at a house in Yermasogia area, belonging to Sergei Akaranov.

Akaev told police that after an argument with the victim, Malekov pulled out a knife. The suspect hit Malekov over the head with a bottle.

In the ensuing struggle, Akaev grabbed the knife from Malekov and stabbed him in the chest.

Following a search at the scene of the crime, police uncovered jewellery, 700 Cyprus pounds (1.400 US dollars) and a stack of phone-cards valued at 300 CYP (600 US Dollars).

Akaranov, who was arrested and released for the first time after the killing, was re-arrested on Friday night after the discovery of the valuables and cash.

Police are still looking for Akaranov's wife, and another Russian, missing since Thursday.

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus moves high on the agenda

According to the Cyprus radio, the meeting will examine ways to promote the US initiative on Cyprus.

It will be attended by Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum, US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Beattie, and Director of the Office of Southern European Affairs at the State Department Carey Cavanaugh, it added.

In another development, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Han Sung Joo, went to Athens today, from Turkey, for contacts with the Greek government on the Cyprus problem.

In statements after his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller yesterday, Han said the two sides views are still apart.

Meanwhile, the UN chief, Kofi Annan, in a letter to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, said an overall solution to the Cyprus problem can only be achieved through mutual concessions, within the framework of negotiations between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

In the letter, published today in the Greek daily ''To Vima'', Annan supports that the elements required to draft a settlement are already on the table.

These are the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979 providing for a bicommunal, bizonal federation, the UN Security Council decisions, the Ghali Set of Ideas and other ideas, which have been examined over the past years.

Annan also clearly outlines the procedure for the negotiations, which he believes will start in the coming months.

He also expresses an intention to decide on the next steps, as negotiations progress and after he is fully briefed by his envoys.

For this reason, he is asking Greece and Turkey to offer their full support, emphasising the urgency for a Cyprus settlement.

According to press reports, similar letters were sent to President Glafcos Clerides, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.

In view of Han's meetings in Athens, President Clerides held a meeting yesterday with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis. The two men exchanged views on the latest initiatives for a Cyprus solution.

According to an official announcement, Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides subsequently discussed with Kranidiotis Han's recent visit to the island.

Special emphasis was given to matters related to Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU), in view of the forthcoming Cyprus - EU Association Council meeting, scheduled to take place at the end of February.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Greek Cypriot daily ''O Agon'', Britain's High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden, explained that the initiative on Cyprus, currently underway, is the UN efforts and of all those who are involved to make the procedure work.

He also said the key issue is a careful preparation of a meeting between the leaders of the two sides, to obtain positive results.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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