Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Invitation to talks on agenda

[02] AHEPA leader unsure a Cyprus solution will emerge soon

[03] Cancellation of manoeuvres welcomed

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] International Fair opens next week

[06] President doing fine, says Spokesman

[07] Momentum of efforts influences Turkish Cypriot

[08] Queen Elizabeth's reference to Cyprus

[09] Erbakan not interested in a Cyprus settlement

[10] Final decision on talks end of May

[11] Imminent talks, words to be put to test, says British envoy

1525:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Invitation to talks on agenda

"Everything will depend on tomorrow's meeting between the President and Sir Kieran (who arrives on the island later today)," he added, in response to earlier comments by Annan's resident representative Gustave Feissel that the invitations are likely to reach their destination around the end of May.

"Feissel, who met the President this morning, briefed him on the content of his discussions in New York and they talked about the details of Sir Kieran's visit to Cyprus," Christofides told his briefing.

The President will receive Sir Kieran tomorrow at noon.

Asked if the government would rather have the Clerides-Denktash meeting in Cyprus or abroad, the Spokesman said there was no information about the matter at present and added "this will also be on the agenda of tomorrow's meeting and of other meetings."

"A new round of talks will take place and we shall have more on this tomorrow," Christofides, said.

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1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] AHEPA leader unsure a Cyprus solution will emerge soon

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, Makris also pointed to a "strong, pro-Turkish slant" in the US State Department impeding US efforts to influence Turkey out of its intransigent stance on the Cyprus problem.

"We've been told so many times and our expectations have been raised so many times, I think it would be foolish for me to say 'yes' that something will be happening - I can't give you that hope," Makris said in statements upon his arrival this morning to Larnaca International Airport.

Makris is heading a 13-member AHEPA delegation to Cyprus on a three-day visit, during which it will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and meet with government officials for briefings on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

The AHEPA Supreme President admitted his association's failure to affect a more even-handed approach by the US State Department on the Cyprus problem, but was adamant AHEPA will continue its efforts.

"There has been a strong, pro-Turkish slant in (the State Department's) policy over the last 15 to 20 years. We, as Greek Americans, have tried to change that policy and to make it more even-handed. We've been, for the most part unsuccessful affecting great change in this policy. That doesn't mean we won't continue to try. We will," Makris said.

He also cast doubt on the extent the White House is trying to nudge Turkey out of its stalling tactics on efforts to arrive at a solution on the divided island.

"The White House has always been sympathetic to Greek Americans and Cypriot Americans. The question is whether the White House is exercising as much influence as it can on the State Department and the Defence Department, " the AHEPA leader said.

Makris regretted saying that he does not feel "there's any great change in the Turkish position regarding the situation in Cyprus".

Prior to its arrival in Cyprus, the AHEPA delegation visited Greece and Turkey where they had, what Makris called "significant meetings" with the American Ambassadors to both countries, as well as Turkish Foreign Affairs Under-Secretary, Onur Oymen.

"We've heard some thoughts that there is a renewed interest in both the Greek and Turkish governments trying to resolve some of the issues dividing them, which obviously includes the situation in Cyprus," Makris noted.

The AHEPA delegation also met with Orthodox Patriarch, his All-Holiness Bartholomew in Constantinople.

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1605:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cancellation of manoeuvres welcomed

"This is the right decision if one takes into account the climate which we would like to create and similar gestures made by other parties," the Spokesman said.

Reports about plans for joint exercises appeared recently in the local and regional press. The announcement about the cancellation was made by the Turkish Prime Minister, Necmetin Ermbakan.

The government of Cyprus unilaterally announced last month its intention not to invite Greek military aircraft to overfly Cyprus while the UN is conducting proximity talks with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

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1610:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.84 (-1.48)

Highest: 82.46 (2/1/97)
Lowest : 73.90 (30/1/97)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  84.43 (-1.63)
Approved Investment Companies          65.41 (-1.92)
Insurance Companies                    59.34 (+1.18)
Industrial Companies                   80.77 (-2.38)
Tourist Industries                     60.98 (-1.52)
Commercial Companies                   50.69 (-1.07)
Other Companies                        55.37 (-1.69)

Trading Volume                         CYP 907507.795

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1630:CYPPRESS:05

[05] International Fair opens next week

Speaking at a press conference here today, Ioannou said 40 countries will exhibit their produce at the Fair, 17 of which are participating with their own state pavilions.

These countries are, Belarus, Britain, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Syria and the USA.

The European Union is participating in the Fair with its own pavilion. "EU participation is of particular importance, in view of our bid to join the Union," Ioannou noted.

Exhibitors this year number 1.540, of whom 453 participate with their own pavilions. In total, an area of 39.445 square metres will be taken up for the Fair, most of which by Cypriot exhibitors.

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1730:CYPPRESS:06

[06] President doing fine, says Spokesman

"The President underwent some medical tests, as a precaution, which proved, among other things, that he is in good spirits," Christofides told his briefing, twenty-four hours after President Clerides left hospital where he had a coronary angiography.

Christofides said there was no need for further medical tests.

Asked if yesterday's events may affect the President in his decision to seek re-election, the Spokesman reiterated that it is up to the President to take a decision on the matter.

The Spokesman said the President received many "get-well" messages, including three from the President, Premier and Foreign Minister of Greece and one from Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

President Clerides resumed his duties normally today.

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1755:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Momentum of efforts influences Turkish Cypriot by Maria Myles

"He is conscious that he is involved in a process that has a momentum" the same sources, who requested anonymity, noted.

They said his primary concerns relate to the issues of sovereignty, guarantees and accession of Cyprus to the European Union.

Accession talks between the EU and Cyprus are due to start early next year and participation of Turkish Cypriots in this process is a thorny issue among interested parties, namely some EU members, the government of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot side.

"It would be helpful to look at the Cypriot delegation (which will negotiate with the EU) in the light of substantive negotiations," the sources said, and noted that ways to involve the Turkish Cypriots would have to be examined.

"The EU does not want parallel negotiations (with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides)," the sources added, noting that there are thoughts about inviting Turkish Cypriots to attend the membership talks as observers, but not negotiators.

The government of Cyprus has often said it would welcome Turkish Cypriots in the official delegation of the Republic which will negotiate Cyprus' entry into the Union.

The diplomatic sources have also indicated that the outcome of the ongoing UN-led effort, expected to lead to direct talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Denktash, would be taken into account when it comes to pressing on with Cyprus' accession course.

The UN proximity talks, they pointed out, have produced one thing, and that is "more clarity about the views of the two sides."

Referring to US role in EU affairs, they said this is at time "helpful" and at times rather "obstructive", noting the US encourages the EU to "take Turkey into its bosom."

On Turkey's relations with the Union, they said the EU is working hard to persuade Turkey to improve its human rights record and added there have been some signs towards that direction.

Turkey is also encouraged to nominate its own people to a team of experts which will discuss with Greek experts issues concerning Turkey's disputes with Greece.

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1900:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Queen Elizabeth's reference to Cyprus

"My government will work for a settlement in Cyprus," she told the House of Commons here today.

This is the first time in six years the Queen has referred to Cyprus in her speech to Parliament. She visited the island in October 1993 when Cyprus hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

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1920:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Erbakan not interested in a Cyprus settlement

Speaking after a meeting with US Ambassador in Nicosia, Kenneth Brill, which he described as "very informative", Makris said, his impression from a recent visit to Ankara was that "the feeling is that certainly Erbakan is not interested in a resolution of the Cyprus problem."

"The question is how interested the military is in resolving this problem," he added.

He noted "some improvement" in Greco-Turkish relations in terms of contacts "at levels other than political", which, as he pointed out, reflects a desire among people for more movement towards a resolution of the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on his meeting with Brill, Makris said the US Ambassador, "stressed the fact that the US government is trying to build a base of consensus in Turkey for possible movement on the Cyprus problem."

The AHEPA Supreme President, pointed out, however that he "could not report anything of a more optimistic nature. My personal feeling", he added, "is that it is going to take quite a bit of time to develop a consensus in Turkey that would permit a resolution of the Cyprus problem."

Reaffirming AHEPA's determination to continue informing US government on "what they ought to be doing, applying more pressure, subtle or otherwise on Turkey", Makris stressed that no more pressure should be exercised on the Cyprus government which has made "enough of an effort" towards a resolution of the Cyprus problem.

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1940:CYPPRESS:10

[10] Final decision on talks end of May

He also said the decision will be taken towards the end of May and added he arrived here with "some questions and some ideas" to work with during his meetings with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Speaking on arrival in Cyprus for a three-day visit, Sir Kieran said "my visit is in the context of the UN Secretary-General's good offices" and noted the UN has been engaged in the process of intensive dialogue with the objective of resuming the intercommunal talks at the level of head of respective communities.

"The Secretary-General will take a final decision on this after I get back and report to him, but I believe that the expectation, subject to that decision, is that the talks should resume by the middle of the year," he said.

Replying to questions, he said talks are unlikely to take place during next month's UN conference on the environment because Annan would be too preoccupied with conference proceedings and senior statesmen in New York.

"He wants to start the talks and chair them at the beginning and be available during them," he added.

Asked if he brought anything with him, he replied "I would be very unwise to come here without having some ideas and some questions in my head."

Sir Kieran refrained from giving further details, at this stage, either about his mission or the content of his meetings and simply added "I am looking forward to seeing them (Clerides and Denktash)."

He said he would be ready to talk to the Greek and Turkish Cypriot press after his talks on the island.

Sir Kieran served with the British High Commission in Cyprus between 1969-71.

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2035:CYPPRESS:11

[11] Imminent talks, words to be put to test, says British envoy

"We are all conscious, as are the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, that we are now close to the moment to which all the statements of recent times will have to be put to the test at the negotiating table," Sir David said here today after a working lunch with Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis.

"I think," he went on to say, "there is a very broad welcome for that and certainly the British and Greek governments are supporting that and we hope there will be a successful outcome."

In his remarks to the press, he said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will decide whether to invite Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to direct negotiations.

Referring to his meeting, Sir David said it was part of the ongoing consultations he has been having since his appointment as Cyprus envoy, in April last year, with interested governments in the Cyprus question, including Greece.

He said his London talks are the continuation of earlier discussions he has had with Kranidiotis in the past and they are "in the framework of the imminence of direct negotiations."

Kranidiotis said he believes the new British government will play "a more decisive role in the Cyprus problem", an assessment, he noted, based on assurances he received during his contacts in the British capital.

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