Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] International football tournament in Cyprus

[02] Cyprus vessel hit by mistake, no arms located

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Bicommunal art exhibition

[05] Acting President remarks on UN Chief's letter

[06] Indian President hosts banquet for Clerides

[07] President visits Greek school in New Delhi

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] International football tournament in Cyprus

The national squads of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia will make their way to Cyprus this weekend to compete in the tournament organized by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA).

"We are at a time when our national squad needs the support of all of us and this tournament gives us the opportunity to psychologically help our team to find its good self," said CFA Vice-President, Kostakis Kotsokoumnis.

Koutsokoumnis said the teams are on relatively equal footing, with the exception of Poland, and good results are expected from the Cypriot nationals.

Ostensibly, it is also an opportunity for the new head coach of the team, Stavros Papadopoulos, to acclimatise himself to the team, in light of the upcoming world cup qualifying game with Russia.

"The tournament is perfect for me to experiment with team's composition, so I can put the best squad forward for the upcoming match with Russia," Papadopoulos said.

In the first two matches Friday, Cyprus takes on Latvia in Paralimni and Poland tackles Lithuania in Ayia Napa.

Saturday, Cyprus battles with Poland in Ayia Napa, while Latvia and Lithuania go head-to-head in Dherynia.

Two days later, Poland meets Latvia in Dherynia and Cyprus challenges Lithuania in Paralimni.

All games are slated for a 1515 start local time (1315 GMT).

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus vessel hit by mistake, no arms located

"We have requested a detailed report on the incident from the ship owners of the "Caribbean Queen" and we have also applied to our Consul in Sri Lanka to look into the matter," Council Director, Sergios Serghiou, told CNA today.

He also said that no arms were found on the vessel after an extensive search.

The Cyprus-registered freighter, owned by the Cuban company "Poseidon" with a Cuban crew, was attacked by the Sri Lankan air force as she sailed from Calcuta to the capital, Colombo.

"As far as we know, the ship was hit by mistake by helicopters of the Sri Lankan air force, in their attempt to seize the vessel, as they had information that she was carrying arms and ammunition," Serghiou said.

Foreign press reports have said Tamil Tigers guerillas were on board the vessel and were trying to escape using a small boat, which was hit by fire.

There are no injuries of any reports from the incident, Serghiou added. The vessel sustained serious damage and she is expected to remain in the port of Trincomalee for repairs.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.46 (-0.33)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.07 (+0.16)
Approved Investment Companies          66.89 (-1.28)
Insurance Companies                    54.49 (-1.84)
Industrial Companies                   73.83 (-1.57)
Tourist Industries                     64.20 (-0.91)
Commercial Companies                   52.83 (-2.60)
Other Companies                        59.48 (+2.27)

Trading Volume                         CYP 613453.715

CNA MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Bicommunal art exhibition

The exhibition, organised by the Peace Centre, the Bicommunal Citizens' Group and the Bicommunal Educators' Group, will open on Thursday at the cultural centre of Nicosia Municipality, Famagusta Gate.

UN top envoy in Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, will inaugurate the exhibition which will remain open until February 20.

In a message on the occasion of the exhibition, Turkish Cypriot artists said they are participating in it "to show with our paintings our feeling of brotherhood and of peace to the Greek Cypriot population, with whom we have been living in the same country for centuries."

"We want a Cyprus embraced with peace and freed from all feeling of bitterness," the message said, and added "happiness shared equally will bring about the happiness of future generations.''

In their message, Greek Cypriot artists welcome their Turkish Cypriot colleagues and thank them for their willing participation "in this common effort for the presentation of this exhibition."

"Art and civilisation unites people and for our divided country, this effort is of a particular importance," the message read, and expressed hope that the exhibition "will be the beginning of more future events of the same character."

The works on display are the product of a workshop, organised by Greek and Turkish Cypriot artists who have participated in bicommunal programmes.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1815:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Acting President remarks on UN Chief's letter

Speaking at a press conference here Monday, Kyprianou expressed a number of "serious observations" on Annan's letter to President Glafcos Clerides.

The UN Chief has also sent a letter to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the Greek and Turkish premiers.

Kyprianou noted the UN chief's letter presents Turkey as a country which can facilitate a solution to the Cyprus problem, whereas, in fact, "Turkey is the problem."

In the letter, Annan says he will seek the "active support" of Turkey and Greece and notes that without this support ''our efforts will not succeed."

Commenting on the letter, Kyprianou said Annan calls for "mutual concessions in comprehensive negotiations" but he also points out that UN resolutions have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers from Cyprus and the restoration of human rights.

"The truth is there will never be a sensible solution to the Cyprus problem, unless Turkey is obliged to abandon its expansionist policy," Kyprianou said.

The House President was also critical of the reference by Annan to "the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus" and although recognising this capacity in President Clerides, Kyprianou stressed "if talks resume, Clerides will be the representative of the Greek Cypriot community, but he does not cease to be the President of the Republic."

This, Kyprianou underlined, should be noted by the UN Secretary- General. He did not think Annan had any bad intentions.

"I would like to hope this does not reflect his views and that in the future we will see a more positive stance," the Acting President said.

Annan calls on the President and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to ''be more positive in your public statements and in your attitude to contacts with the other community."

He also advocates ''mutual concessions in comprehensive negotiations between the leaders of the two communities which should continue as long as is necessary to reach agreement.''

Expressing "grave concern" about the "precarious status quo" on the island, Annan says he will follow efforts towards direct negotiations "personally".

Annan also tells President Clerides and Dentkash they have "a heavy responsibility to fulfil the aspirations of all Cypriots to a life of peace and prosperity in their country."

CNA AP/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Indian President hosts banquet for Clerides

New Delhi Feb 10 (CNA) -- "Traditional bonds and contacts between Cyprus and India have provided a solid foundation upon which to build and strengthen the extremely friendly and close political ties which exist between the two countries," Indian President Shanker Dayal Sharma said here at a banquet in honour of President Glafcos Clerides and Cyprus' first lady, Lila Irene Clerides.

In his toast the Indian President said "we have both known what it is to struggle for freedom and we have both defended our sovereignty and democracy against difficult odds."

He also made a special reference to the close relations between the late President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III and the late Indian Premier Jawaharlal Nehru and to Cyprus-Indian cooperation at the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth.

''We believe it is possible to find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue which represents the aspirations of all the Cypriot people within an overall framework of a single sovereign and international personality for Cyprus," the Indian President said.

Expressing confidence that bilateral relations will be enhanced further, President Sharma referred to bilateral agreements signed so far and others due to be signed in the near future.

President Sharma noted that India's economic reform and restructuring programme had opened up ''immense opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment partnerships and joint ventures between business communities in Cyprus and India."

He said he was confident that the businessmen, accompanying President Clerides, will have "productive and fruitful exchanges with their Indian counterparts."

President Sharma expressed support for Cyprus' process for accession to the European Union and described the EU as "India's leading economic partner", noting at the same time that his country has "a natural interest in seeing the EU remain open and outward-looking."

In his toast, President Clerides expressed "deep appreciation for India's steadfast solidarity with our struggle for freedom and justice" and made special reference to the "initiators and the architects of Indo- Cypriot friendship, the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Archbishop Makarios III, both of whom eminent personalities of international stature and founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement."

The President reaffirmed his government's commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem, the reunification of Cyprus and the safeguarding of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its citizens.

"Turkey's continuing intransigence and negative stance has resulted in the non-implementation of a plethora of mandatory UN resolutions on the question of Cyprus," the President said.

Clerides said that Cyprus continues to face "the abhorrent consequences of the forcible division imposed by the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of 37 per cent of our territory."

Turning to bilateral ties, the President noted that "increasing contacts and exchanges at various levels have succeeded in bridging the geographical distance separating our countries."

Cyprus, he added, attaches the "utmost importance in maintaining and further strengthening its close friendship and cooperation with India."

The banquet was attended by Indian political and economic personalities and members of the government and opposition.

CNA MCH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2045:CYPPRESS:07

[07] President visits Greek school in New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 10 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides visited Monday the Greek school run by the Republic's High Commission in the Indian capital.

More than 30 Indian nationals of different ages, mostly students, are taking Greek language and literature lessons, and many have expressed their sincere appreciation for Greek culture.

Some of the students are priests and told CNA they find the knowledge of the Greek language "extremely useful." The rest are studying in local universities or work for the Cyprus High Commission or the Greek Embassy.

"I admire the Greek language, especially the poetry of Kavafis, Seferis and Montis (famous Greek and Cypriot poets)", one of the students said.

He said he also knew of Cyprus Education and Culture Minister, Claire Angelidou's poetry.

Some of the students were aware of the situation in Cyprus, the 1974 Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of the island's northern third, and wished that a peaceful solution can be reached.

President Clerides, accompanied by Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, were welcomed by Cyprus High Commissioner, Stavros Epaminondas and the Greek ambassador.

CNA MCH/AP/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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