Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] UN concert proves coexistence desirable

[03] Concert a great success despite opposition, says UN

[04] Presidential orders kept riots at bay

[05] Britain seeks return of fugitive T/Cy

[06] US trade pavilion in Cyprus larger than ever

[07] US praises UN-sponsored concert

[08] Council of Europe aims at full representation of Cyprus

[09] Visitors to shop duty free goods on arrival

[10] Demonstrators remanded in custody

1630:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.20 (-0.57)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.06 (-0.61)
Approved Investment Companies          65.21 (-0.34)
Insurance Companies                    59.33 (-0.47)
Industrial Companies                   80.75 (-0.25)
Tourist Industries                     61.45 (-0.21)
Commercial Companies                   50.63 (-0.84)
Other Companies                        55.02 (-1.66)

Trading Volume                         CYP 524614.170

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[02] UN concert proves coexistence desirable

It also believes that more such bi-communal events should be organised by the UN, as they contribute towards creating trust between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said today the concert given by Greek singer, Sakis Rouvas, and his Turkish colleague, Burak Kout, "gave the message that young Greek and Turkish Cypriots wish to live together".

He pointed out that the UN-sponsored pop concert went ahead despite criticism and in spite of Turkey's efforts to convince young Turkish Cypriots that Greek Cypriots "want to kill them".

"This policy followed by Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, throughout the years, is reflected in their text-books, poetry and proverbs," Christofides said.

He stressed that "we need more such events or other meetings of this kind to build on the future" and said the UN organised the concert "within the framework of their mission".

The Spokesman said it was especially important that the Turkish Cypriots themselves stopped a member of the extreme nationalist Turkish organisation "Gray Wolves" from creating an incident.

During the concert, held in a very moving atmosphere, one person formed the sign of the Gray Wolves using his fingers, but was overcome by Turkish Cypriots, who helped the UN remove him from the football field, in the buffer zone, where the event took place.

Commenting on an anti-occupation demonstration that took place at the same time as the UN concert in Nicosia's central square, he said the demonstrators wanted to send a message against the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of part of Cyprus.

"We welcome this message as well," Christofides added, noting that one event does not undermine the other and that both messages exist in Cyprus.

"The events had a completely different objective, but the message from each event was clear," he noted.

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[03] Concert a great success despite opposition, says UN

"Those who stimulated an artificial atmosphere of fear and anxiety were proven wrong by the young people at the concert," Rokoszewski told CNA.

Around 3000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots attended the concert organised by the UN in Cyprus as a way to bring the two communities together. Greek pop star, Sakis Rouvas, and Turkish singer, Burak Kut, performed at the concert which took place in the buffer zone next to the Ledra palace checkpoint.

"The UN actively supports such activities. The UN is grateful to the two singers who showed great courage in the face of media reporting and even threatening incidents," Rokoszewski said.

Opposition to the concert was sharp on both sides of the divided island. Turkish Cypriot extremists stoned Kut's bus as it was making its way to the concert grounds, while on the Greek Cypriot side, dozens of youths went on a rampage in downtown Nicosia damaging parked cars and store window fronts and burning plastic rubbish bins.

About 3000 Greek Cypriots also attended an anti-occupation rally in opposition to the concert.

The UNFICYP spokesman snubbed the counter-demonstrations, saying that the young people attending the concert "sent a clear message of reconciliation and togetherness throughout the island and the world" and support for UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan's efforts towards an overall solution to the Cyprus problem.

"This stands in sharp contrast to the negative demonstrations that took place on both sides against the concert that were incited through the creation of an artificial atmosphere of fear and hopelessness," Rokoszewski said.

He added the demonstrations "underscore the need for all Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to redouble their effort and to stand up and be counted in favour of an overall settlement to the Cyprus problem".

The concert took place under draconian security measures. Cyprus police cordoned off all roads leading to the concert area and concert goers were subjected to two ID checks and were frisked prior to entering the concert grounds.

Rokoszewski commended both the Cyprus police and Turkish Cypriot security authorities for "handling the situation with skill and determination".

The UNFICYP spokesman said that efforts to bring the two communities together cannot wait until a settlement is found in Cyprus and that both communities "must make clear their desire to meet and do things together".

He also recalled that political party leaders from both sides expressed earlier their full support for bicommunal activities and added that leaders and other dignitaries who attended the concert "were deeply moved by the atmosphere of joy and reconciliation".

"The concert proves that Cypriots from both sides want to get together and can do so peacefully whenever given the opportunity," Rokoszewski said.

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[04] Presidential orders kept riots at bay

An official announcement read today by Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, expresses the government's satisfaction with the police force for "suppressing every effort which was contrary to this aim".

Police "prevented unwanted and worse developments, which would have obvious adverse repercussions on the Cyprus problem," the statement said.

Riots broke out in downtown Nicosia between protestors and anti-riot police units when demonstrators were prevented from getting anywhere near the venue of the UN concert. Stones were thrown, fires lit in plastic dustbins and shop windows smashed.

"The President issued strict instructions to ensure the two events ran peacefully," the statement added.

Noting that "the two peaceful events had completely different objectives", the announcement describes riots by "irresponsible people and troublemakers" as a "regretful exception".

It adds that "through unacceptable means" this group of people tried to prevent citizens of the Republic from taking part in a peaceful event to express their wish for peaceful coexistence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

More than one hundred people, mainly youngsters, left the concert in central Nicosia and headed for the football pitch in the UN controlled buffer zone where the UN concert by Greek singer, Sakis Rouvas, and his Turkish colleague, Burak Kut, was taking place.

The police and special squad used all necessary means, including barbed wire, tear gas and arrests, to disperse the crowd, which threw stones and set fire to rubbish bins.

Christofides pointed out that if the rioters managed to break through the police blocks and reach the football field there would have been dire consequences to efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

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[05] Britain seeks return of fugitive T/Cy

In a statement to CNA, the Foreign Office has confirmed reports that the British government has called on the Turkish authorities to arrest Nadir, wanted to face fraud charges in the UK.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) told CNA it "is actively seeking the return of Asil Nadir to the UK".

In the event of his return, it said, "they intend to proceed with theft charges against him".

According to a report in today's "Times" newspaper, Asil Nadir arrived yesterday in Constantinople from Cyprus' Turkish occupied areas.

Nadir jumped bail and fled Britain in 1993 to the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus to avoid a trial in British courts for fraud after the collapse of his London-based fruit-to-electronics company Polly Peck.

The government has been prevented from exercising its jurisdiction in the Turkish occupied part of the island, under the control of Turkish troops since they invaded in 1974.

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[06] US trade pavilion in Cyprus larger than ever

A total of 34 US firms, including 14 first-time exhibitors, will be displaying their wares at this year's American pavilion, which is 50 per cent larger than last year.

"This reflects our growing presence in the market and ever expanding trade relationship we have with Cyprus," US Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, told the press today in a pre-opening tour of the his country's pavilion.

Brill noted that US exports to Cyprus have increased ten-fold over the last decade, from 67 million US dollars in 1987 to 669.6 million in 1996.

"About three quarters of this latter amount was re-exported, a sure sign of the important regional role Cyprus plays for US products," Brill added.

The American Ambassador said also the US share of Cyprus's imports reached an all-time high of 17.8 per cent, "making us, for the second year running, the number one exporter to Cyprus".

Brill gave credit to "the energetic group of Cypriots" who represent US products for their contribution to his country's success on the island.

"The American embassy makes every effort to support these business people and to publicise Cyprus's potential as a hub to the new and emerging markets in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union," he said.

The US ambassador also referred to the newly-launched Cyprus-American Business Association (CYABA). Formed last March, CYABA falls under the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and aims to promote, expand and encourage economic and trade relations between Cyprus and the US.

Brill expressed his country's satisfaction with the implementation of Cyprus' new copyright law which led the US Trade Representative not to include Cyprus in its "Watch List" in the past three years.

The "Watch List" is used by the US government as a means of monitoring progress in certain countries' commitments to protect intellectual property rights.

The ambassador also referred to an issue of concern to the US government, namely the sales of pirated computer software and some videos in Cyprus.

"We will continue to urge the Cyprus government and the police to take all necessary steps to prosecute those who continue to violate the law and we, and the US Trade Representative's office, will continue to monitor this situation closely," Brill said.

Another issue the US ambassador mentioned was money laundering, something which the Cyprus government has made great strides recently in stamping out.

"We applaud the introduction in 1996 of legislation enabling Cyprus to meet its obligations under the European Convention against money laundering and the formation of an inter-departmental team dedicated to combat money laundering," he said.

Brill added the US government has "placed its resources at the disposal of the Cyprus government in an effort to increase bilateral cooperation against money laundering".

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[07] US praises UN-sponsored concert

Brill described yesterday's UN sponsored concert by Greek and Turkish pop stars, Sakis Rouvas and Burak Kut, "a tribute" to the people who went to it, the people who were willing to perform at it and the good work of UNFICYP (United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus).

"The image of several thousand young and middle aged people getting together, enjoying something together, and mingling, is a very good image, which would give the leaders on both sides encouragement to press forward towards a settlement, so that we can do this on a more regular routine basis", the ambassador told the press during a tour of the US pavilion at the State Fair grounds.

Asked when the American team on Cyprus will be formed, Brill said it was "hard to say", adding that the White House is making decisions, and looking at the various positions.

Brill said he was sure that when Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides meets with his American counterpart, Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, in Washington next month "they will be talking about American policy and Cyprus policy and how to move ahead and what we can do to promote positive and constructive change and to support the Secretary- General's efforts to bring about direct talks".

Asked if he expects some US involvement when direct talks between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash begin, Brill referred journalists to the "strong US support for the UN effort".

He expressed the view that this "is the proper way to go". Brill said the US will "continue to support them strongly as they go into the next stage, whatever that is, whenever that is. I think you can count on strong American support for that."

"We will be doing what is appropriate to help the process along," he added.

The UN is currently holding proximity talks between Clerides and Denktash and aims to bring them together in June for the first direct meeting between the two men in years.

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[08] Council of Europe aims at full representation of Cyprus

Speaking on arrival here today, Barsony said that in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Assembly earlier this year, it should be the "real responsibility" of the Assembly to create a full representation of both communities in Cyprus.

"I am very keen to talk not only to the elected representatives of the Cyprus Parliament, but to the representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community as well," the Hungarian Deputy added.

Barsony noted it is "very important for the Republic" that full representation of both communities be achieved before accession talks with the EU begin in December or early next January.

Welcoming Barsony on behalf of the Cyprus House of Representatives, MP Alexis Galanos said that the Hungarian Deputy will be received by President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides, House President, Spyros Kyprianou, Foreign Minister, Ioanis Kasoulides and party leaders from both communities.

Galanos added the issue of persons listed as missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island will be among the main issues taken up by Barsony during his stay here.

"The Cyprus problem is a mainstay for the political committee as well as one of the issues concerning the Council of Europe," Galanos added.

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[09] Visitors to shop duty free goods on arrival

Cyprus' first arrivals duty free shop was inaugurated Tuesday by Finance Minister, Christodoulos Christodoulou, who stressed "this is the first of several projects aimed at setting up modern duty free shops at the Larnaca and Paphos Airports".

He noted the total cost of these projects, expected to be completed by the end of this year, add up to about one million pounds (around two million US dollars).

Christodoulou said work to extend the departures duty free lounge at Larnaca Airport as well as the establishment of an athletics and travel shop are underway and added the Paphos Airport duty free shop will also be upgraded.

The duty free shops in Cyprus are run by a company set up by the national carrier "Cyprus Airways", and the government as well as the private sector are represented in its governing body.

The Minister expressed the government's full support to efforts by the company to offer more facilities at the departure and arrival lounges in Cyprus' two airports, noting it is important to upgrade the tourist product.

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[10] Demonstrators remanded in custody

The suspects were charged with rioting, causing malicious damage and grievous bodily harm and assaulting policemen.

The Court heard that 39 policemen and 15 civilians were injured during the clashes, and 16 shop windows and 12 private and police cars were damaged.

Eight-day remand orders were issued against 17 suspects and a two day order against one suspect.

Young Greek Cypriots went on the rampage last night after a concert in central Nicosia, organised to counter-balance a UN-sponsored concert aimed to promote reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Police charged against demonstrators trying to get to the location of the UN concert and rioting, not seen for years, was witnessed in central Nicosia.

CNA KN/MA/MM/1997

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