Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-04-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Real crowned Eurocup champion

[02] Lazarides, Doctor of Social Sciences

[03] Euro-Med Conference continues in Malta

[04] Cyprus fifth in world merchant shipping

[05] Britain satisfied with President's statement on Bases

[06] EU applications considered separately, says Cassoulides

[07] Michaelides meets Polish Parliament Speaker

[08] UN envoy leaves Cyprus

1140:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Real crowned Eurocup champion

Nicosia, Apr 16 (CNA) -- Nicosia's Eleftheria Stadium turned into the Land of the Giants last night, as mighty Real Madrid breezed to an easy 78 - 64 win over Italy's Riello Verona in the European Cup basketball final.

Verona just could not deliver the goods against the Spanish powerhouse, which seemed to be in a class of its own last night, in front of an appreciative, but quiet Cypriot crowd, who were left thoroughly weary by the bland spectacle.

The game lacked the intensity a top European sports event, as it was evident from the opening jump ball, Real would have an easy go of it with an outclassed Verona side.

Things began ominously for Verona as Real Madrid went on a nine-point unanswered scoring streak led by the game's Most Valuable Player, Alberto Ros Herreros, who sank a three-pointer on Real's very first offensive drive.

Verona could not find its scoring touch in the first few minutes of the match as they repeatedly failed to convert from field goal range. Their touted three-point shooting ability evaporated in front of Real's vice-grip defence, forcing the Italians to play inside with some limited success.

A hapless Verona side could not hold back the Spanish tide of pinpoint outside shooting by Juan Antonio Forcada Orenga and physical play under the boards by John Arlauckas. The deadly combination forced the Italians to adopt a hurry-up offence, but that resulted in sloppy play and several key turn-overs.

Real dictated the pace to their opponents and relinquished the lead only once briefly in the first half.

Not even Verona's 50 or so vocal supporters could spur their side on to break Real's domination. When the Italians would score a basket, the Spaniards would pull the rug from under their demoralised opponents with a lightning-fast response.

Real carried a 36 - 30 lead into the second half and that was the closest Verona would ever get to the Spanish side till the final buzzer. The Spaniards kept their opponents at arms length by maintaining a comfortable double-figure lead throughout most of the second half.

Verona's only stand-outs, forward Randolph Keys and guard David Lorendo, scored 12 and 13 points for their club respectively.

Even Real's victory celebrations at the end of the game seemed sedate as their win was pretty much a foregone conclusion. It was evident the Spanish side took full advantage of Verona's glaring inexperience at this level of play.

Cyprus Basketball Federation President, Christos Klirides, presented Real Madrid with the European Cup in the ceremony after the match.

"We played a defensive game in the first half and we tried to stay close. But we didn't score the three-pointers like we're used to," Verona coach, Andrea Mazzon told reporters after the match. "Our shooting from the outside is key for us and we didn't do that," he said.

Verona's normal three-point output is usually 42 per cent, Mazzon said, but last night they were held to a meagre 15 per cent.

When you miss the first few shots, you loose your confidence. It's not easy for us the first time in a final," Mazzon added.

Real coach, Zelimir Obradovic said his team "played its cards right" during the match and was satisfied with his club's performance.

"It's true it's difficult to play with intensity when you're 7 points ahead. I just told my players to play like we practice and we will win," Obradovic said.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1145:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Lazarides, Doctor of Social Sciences

According to the University's decision, which was unanimous, the degree has been conferred to Lazarides as a result of his outstanding economic, social and cultural activity.

The congregation ceremony will be held at Southampton University, in April 1998.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Euro-Med Conference continues in Malta

Valletta, Apr 16 (CNA) -- Work on strengthening ties between European Union member-states and Mediterranean countries continued today at the second Euro - Mediterranean Foreign Ministers' Conference in Valletta, Malta.

The three issues up for discussion today will be political, economic and socio-cultural policy. The discussions are expected to last about an hour each and will be held before all participating delegates.

Cyprus Foreign Minister, Yiannakis Cassoulides, will talk about the economic angle of Euro - Mediterranean cooperation and will elaborate on the need for a free trade zone to strengthen the region's economic integration.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Cypriot Minister will meet Greek Acting Foreign Minister, Yiorgos Papandreou, as well as French Foreign Minister, Herve de Charette.

Cassoulides departs for Cyprus later today, while on Friday, he will travel to Athens for discussions on the Cyprus problem with his Greek counterpart, Theodoros Pangalos.

The Turkish delegation at the conference is considered to be downgraded, and according to diplomatic sources, Turkish Foreign Minister, Tansu Ciller's absence from the conference is thought to be an indirect message of Turkey's dissatisfaction with the freezing of European Union funds to that country.

There seem to be sharp differences between countries at the conference, as some feel Euro - Mediterranean cooperation should begin on an economic and socio-cultural level and later rise to a political level, while others express the opposite opinion.

Regarding the final communique of the conference, no agreement among delegates was reached until late last night as several Arab countries insisted that Israel's stance against the Palestinians be condemned, something which raised Israel's ire. CNA MA/MCH/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus fifth in world merchant shipping

Petropoulos said, of these 2.733 vessels under the Cypriot flag, which include yachts, 1.653 are over one thousand gross tonnage, while "Cypriot- owned vessels represent around 20 per cent of the total."

"Direct revenues, such as taxes, resulting from Cyprus-flagged vessels, reach 5 million Cyprus pounds per annum (one Cyprus pound is 2 US dollars) while indirect revenues (shipping companies' payrolls, premise-rents, telecommunications expenses etc) reach around 45 million pounds", Petropoulos noted.

According to Petropoulos, Cyprus ranked 32nd in early '80s, whereas it ranked 4th until losing this position recently to the Bahamas.

Following this development, "the Cyprus government has decided to implement a number of measures, aiming at reinforcing the island's shipping infrastructure," he added.

Referring to the vessels' average age, Petropoulos pointed out that "according to Lloyds, for Cyprus it is 16 years, while 17 for Panama, 15 for the Bahamas and 24 for Greece," adding that "vessels under Cyprus flag are well new and safe."

As for the number of Cypriot people working on board Cyprus-flagged vessels, Petropoulos said "it's around 400."

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Britain satisfied with President's statement on Bases

"I obviously noted the statement which the President made yesterday. It was obviously a very good statement because it was a very clear statement about the position of the Bases and the status of the Bases," said British High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden.

President Clerides yesterday issued a statement in which he unreservedly condemned the incidents caused "in an irresponsible manner" within the British Bases area. The President added he considers such action contrary to "national interests" and noted they cause problems in relations with Britain at a crucial time.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting this morning with President Clerides, Madden said clashes between Greek Cypriot civilians and SBA police at Episkopi Base Monday, had nothing to do with prohibiting the right of free movement or human rights.

"Sorry, I didn't see that those issues arise... It is obviously very important that the law is observed and the Bases and we, the High Commission, and the Republic of Cyprus remain in very close touch about these matters," Madden said.

Demonstrators rushed the Episkopi Base police station Monday in a bid to free 39-year-old, Angelos Panaretos, being held there on charges of assaulting a senior SBA police officer and for disregarding a court order to stop building a leisure complex on land presently tied up in legal wranglings.

The High Commissioner said the law operating on the Bases "is very close to that of the Republic of Cyprus," and that "there is close cooperation" between SBA authorities and the Cyprus government on construction zones.

Clashes between SBA police and protestors broke out and some people were arrested during the melee.

Madden, however, would not add anything to an SBA statement denying allegations those arrested where ill-treated by SBA police.

"Allegations have been made but they have been firmly denied by the Bases, so I have nothing to add on that," he said.

Regarding his meeting with President Clerides, Madden said continued and full British support for UN efforts to solve the Cyprus problem "is a given" but he needs "to keep in close touch with the President".

The High Commissioner also reaffirmed that Sir David Hannay continues his role as British Special Representative for Cyprus, but that he has no knowledge if Sir David will visit Cyprus any time soon.

CNA RG/MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[06] EU applications considered separately, says Cassoulides

Valletta, Apr 16 (CNA) -- European Union membership applications are examined separately and on their own merits, Cyprus Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides has stated.

Speaking to Cypriot and foreign journalists after the conclusion of yesterday's session of the second Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers, being held in Malta, Cassoulides expressed respect for Malta's decision to freeze its EU membership application.

"We hope that we will be able, to fulfill what has always been described as a necessity, that EU enlargement takes place not only in Central and Eastern Europe or towards the north but towards the south and the Mediterranean, where Cyprus is", the Minister pointed out.

Replying to a comment that there are attempts to connect Cyprus' application to those of Central and Eastern European countries, Cassoulides said this does not bother Cyprus.

He described Cyprus' participation to the Malta Conference as "important", because, as he said, it will give it a chance to prove repeated declarations concerning its ambition to become a bridge between Europe and Middle East, when it joins the EU.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Cassoulides had meetings with his counterparts of Sweden and Luxembourg, with whom he discussed issues relating to Cyprus' EU application, and developments in the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on a suggestion by British Euro-MP Pauline Green that Malta could be a good place for a meeting of the representatives of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, Cassoulides said dialogue with Turkey was always desirable as the Cyprus problem is one of Turkish invasion and occupation.

Cassoulides stressed that there can be no peace and stability in Europe without peace and stability in the Mediterranean.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MA/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1330:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Michaelides meets Polish Parliament Speaker

The two men discussed developments in the Cyprus problem and bilateral issues.

Speaking to CNA after the meeting, Michaelides said the Polish delegation, headed by Zych, showed special interest in the issue of persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the gross violations of human rights in Cyprus by Turkey and particularly those of the enclaved Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island.

The two sides agreed to strengthen further relations between the two countries in all fields.

Zych said the Polish delegation had the chance for an in-depth briefing on the Cyprus problem and stressed that a Cyprus settlement should be based on UN resolutions and the fundamental principles of freedom, justice and independence.

The Polish official referred to the common goal of Cyprus and Poland, which is the accession to the European Union.

The Polish parliamentary delegation leaves this afternoon.

CNA RM/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1350:CYPPRESS:08

[08] UN envoy leaves Cyprus

During his stay, he had separate meetings with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The former South Korean Foreign Minister announced during a press conference his decision to resign from the post of the UN Special Representative for Cyprus.

Speaking in Larnaca, where he visited the Byzantine Church of St Lazarus, he said he will visit New York, in the near future, to meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council before he completely ends his assignment.

"I feel privileged to have been associated with Cyprus", he said, describing his work as "difficult" but "challenging".

"I see there is a good possibility of direct talks between leaders of the two communities and I hope that they will come to good results", he added.

CNA TA/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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