Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Rapporteur to propose CoE action on enclaved people

[02] Government calls for restraint in mass rallies

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] MPs urged to contribute to solution

[05] Government to enter direct talks in all seriousness

[06] Ready for talks despite absence of shift by Turkish side

[07] Cyprus International State Fair opens

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Rapporteur to propose CoE action on enclaved people

Barsony, who is the President of the Political Committee of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, was speaking to the press here Wednesday, after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides.

He said he will visit the Karpass area, the island's eastern tip, on Friday.

According to the Hungarian MP, President Clerides pledged full support to his mission regarding the enclaved people.

Asked about his actual mission in the occupied peninsula, Barsony said after his visit to the Karpass area, he will brief the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly.

"I shall inform the Committee and probably later on there will be a full report and some proposals how we can, at least, create better conditions for the people living around, because Turkey is a member of the CoE as well," he added.

The CoE rapporteur indicated that "Turkey should accept those resolutions and recommendations made by the Parliamentary Assembly and by the Committee of Ministers."

On arrival yesterday, Barsony said he has a "special mandate" to prepare a report on the situation in Cyprus for the Political Committee of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, by January next year.

There are still some 500 Greek Cypriots enclaved in the Turkish- occupied Karpass peninsula, out of some 10.000 who used to live there after 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied 37 per cent of it's territory.

Some 200.000 Greek Cypriots (one third of the island's population) have been forcibly uprooted from their homes by the Turkish invasion troops.

A total of 20.000 people used to live as enclaved in the areas occupied by Turkish troops, after the end of hostilities in 1974.

But their number diminished to about 500 due to unbearable conditions and oppressive measures taken by the occupation regime, in violation of the Third Vienna agreement signed by the two sides in 1975.

CNA AP/GP/1997

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1540:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government calls for restraint in mass rallies

The government has also blamed the Federation for Monday's riots in protest of a UN-sponsored concert aimed to reconcile the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, which they said did not convey the right messages against the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus.

"The government disagrees with the CMF organising mass gatherings because the Federation is not in a position to control individuals participating in such mass rallies," Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said here today.

The Minister said "in the summer months, we need to focus our efforts on a peaceful and political resolution of the Cyprus problem and it would not be wise to organise events which risk getting out of control and giving the wrong messages."

Anti-occupation rallies could be postponed until a later date, he added, and also warned that should the Federation go ahead with planned protest rallies the police will receive strict orders to enforce law and order.

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides spoke to the press in the same wavelength, warning that "activities or other events which would create tension in the summer must not take place."

It would not be "wise to repeat" events such as those organised by the CMF or other groups which were out of the control of the organisers, he added.

He also hinted that "anti-occupation guidelines on proper behaviour" may be introduced to curtail any unruly behaviour.

The Foreign Minister said the Federation's president, George Hadjicostas, was warned after he stated that the Federation is planning to organise an event this summer to mark the brutal murders of two Greek Cypriots last year, by Turkish extremists, during a CMF anti-occupation rally in Dherynia.

Hadjicostas has said the Federation is considering organising a chain of motorcycles along the 180 kilometre demarcation line.

The government, Kasoulides added, "disagrees with a mass protest rally organised by CMF."

Asked if he blamed the Federation for Monday's riots in central Nicosia, Kasoulides replied "yes, because motorcyclists were among the rioters on Monday night and the Federation was not in a position to control them."

On Monday, more than 100 people went on a rampage in central Nicosia, assaulting police, setting fire to dustbins, throwing stones and breaking shop windows, as they clashed with a strong police force trying to keep them away from the site of the UN concert.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1545:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.28 (+0.10)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.30 (+0.28)
Approved Investment Companies          65.61 (+0.61)
Insurance Companies                    59.43 (+0.17)
Industrial Companies                   80.61 (-0.17)
Tourist Industries                     61.23 (-0.36)
Commercial Companies                   50.29 (-0.67)
Other Companies                        54.57 (-0.82)

Trading Volume                         CYP 545082.735

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:04

[04] MPs urged to contribute to solution

"Convincing the people to say 'yes' at the time is not simply a question of the president or the government," Barsony said. "This is the responsibility of the political parties and the parliamentarians and this is the way in which we can convince the parliamentarians and those who are representing the (Turkish Cypriot) community," he said after an hour-long meeting here today with Foreign Minister, Ioanis Kasoulides.

Barsony clarified that equal representation of both communities in the Assembly "would and should be a part of the final settlement of the problem", and said this cannot be achieved as a separate measure.

He urged both Greek Cypriot parliamentarians and Turkish Cypriot representatives not to be complacent in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

"They have to contribute something and not just sitting behind the doors and waiting when the leaders of the two communities have a certain agreement or not," Barsony said.

The Hungarian Deputy said he will visit the Turkish-occupied Karpass peninsula, in the northeastern part of the island, to ascertain the difficulties faced by Greek Cypriot and Maronite enclaved persons living there under the constant threat of persecution by Turkish occupation troops.

"We have Turkey (which) is a member of the Council of Europe, so whether they like it or not, if the Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers makes some decision in that field, they have to accept it," he said.

Barsony argued for a push in efforts to find an overall settlement in Cyprus now, and said "even though there are some pessimistic views around the country, I share the views of some government officials that this is the time to step forward because all the international circumstances are probably more favourable now than they were some years ago."

Barsony said a decision by the European Court of Human Rights that Turkey is responsible for continuing violation of human rights in Turkish- occupied Cyprus could be interpreted on the other side that compensation Turkey is called to pay to a Greek Cypriot refugee refers to loss of territory.

The Court ruling in December 1996 found Turkey guilty of Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights which safeguards the right of individuals to peaceful enjoyment of their property.

CNA MH/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1705:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Government to enter direct talks in all seriousness

"Our message is that, within the UN framework and taking into consideration reaffirmations of interested parties for assistance, we will go to direct talks and cooperate fully with the UN Secretary General for a solution to the Cyprus problem," the Spokesman said.

The UN has been carrying out proximity talks with the Greek and Turkish sides in Cyprus, aimed at preparing the ground for direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, end of June beginning of July.

It seems, the Spokesman said, there will be three rounds of direct talks, the first of which will last between 7 to 10 days.

He noted, however, that the government has not yet had an official confirmation by the UN.

Christofides also said that President Clerides will decide whether he will attend the UN Conference on the Environment, to take place in New York during the second half of June, within the next few days.

CNA RG/MCH/MA/1997

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2010:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Ready for talks despite absence of shift by Turkish side

The President has also underlined he would insist on discussions of the basic aspects of the Cyprus problem, with security matters as a top priority.

"We have indicated to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the Turkish side has given no sign of any intention to shift from its well-known positions on the basic aspects of the Cyprus problem and that he would, therefore, have to consider seriously the consequences of a new failure," the President said today in his remarks at the opening of the 22nd International State Fair.

He said "our side will not refuse to attend" direct talks, if Annan decides to call the talks, and added "we shall attend, once more, with goodwill as we are keen to reach a settlement the soonest possible."

Referring to the content of the talks, Clerides underlined "we shall insist that the talks should concentrate on discussion of the basic aspects of the Cyprus problem", identified as matters relating to sovereignty, security, territorial adjustments, the constitution and guarantees of a future federal state of Cyprus.

"We shall also continue to maintain our position against holding protracted talks if there is no progress first on the basic aspects, the most important of which is the question of our future security," he said.

UN efforts in the recent past have focused on preparing the ground for direct talks and Annan said earlier this week he hopes to have the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus "for face-to-face discussion in New York next month".

On Cyprus' European Union (EU) orientation, President Clerides expressed hope that EU accession "will be to the benefit of all its inhabitants as this is expected to act as a catalyst in achieving a just, viable and workable solution to the Cyprus problem and ensure progress and prosperity for all."

Cyprus is engaged in a structured dialogue with the EU and is scheduled to start membership talks with the Union early next year with a view to becoming a member.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:15

[07] Cyprus International State Fair opens

This was stressed, here, this evening, by President Glafcos Clerides, in his address at the opening of the 22nd Cyprus International Fair.

Noting the island's "strategic location at the crossroads of three continents", President Clerides said the government's ambition is "to promote Cyprus even further as a transit centre and base for carrying out other economic activities."

He pointed out that Cyprus' excellent relations with the Middle East, the Balkans and Eastern Europe, its European course and its excellent infrastructure in human and material resources are assets that make it "a singular base for economic and business activity."

Making special reference to Cyprus' prospect of accession to the EU, President Clerides, stressed it "will create significant advantages for the economies of our friendly neigbouring countries."

Pointing out that the accession prospect "offers opportunities, but at the same time creates challenges", the President said "the Cyprus economy is basically healthy."

He added, however, that it "will soon have to go through adjustment, modernisation and restructuring in important sectors" and called for "caution and self-restraint."

President Clerides also referred to the government policy for liberalisation of foreign investments and gradual liberalisation in the movement of capital and modernisation of the financial system.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Kyriakos Christofi said the Fair "reflects and projects not only the achievements of manufacture and the economic activity and development of the island in general, but in particular the Cypriot businessman's industrial and commercial dynamism."

He pointed out that in 1996 Cyprus' total transactions reached approximately 2,5 billion Cyprus pounds (one Cyprus pound is about 2 US dollars). "There was an increase of 12,5 percent, in comparison with 1995, due to a rise of both total imports and exports", he said.

In 1996 "total imports reached 1,86 billion Cyprus pounds, showing an 11,2 percent increase compared with 1995, whereas total exports were about 650 million Cyprus pounds an increase of 16,8 per cent", Christofi explained.

He also said that re-exports showed a rapid increase, reaching 420 million Cyprus pounds, but exports of local products remained on 1996 levels.

In his address, Chairman of State Fairs Authority, Demetris Ioannou, said 1.600 local and 40 foreign companies are participating in this year's International State Fair.

Seventeen foreign countries, Greece, Britain, France, Germany, US, Japan, Spain, Israel, Egypt, Bulgaria, Italy, Belarus, Poland, Rumania, Slovakia, Syria and the Czech Republic are officially represented.

The EU also takes part with its own pavilion, where information concerning special EU programmes in specific economic fields will be available.

Slovakian Economy Minister, Karol Cesnek, Greek Deputy Minister of Development of Trade Affairs, Michael Chrysoides and Romanian, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Mihal Berinde, were present at the Fair opening.

The International Trade Fair will remain open until June 1, 1997.

CNA MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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