Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] CNA participates in world press meetings

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Former President addresses Interaction Council

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] CNA participates in world press meetings

More than 800 press decision-makers representing leading newspapers and other mass media organisations in some 60 countries attended the joint opening ceremony of the two meetings, organised by the World Association of Newspapers (FIEJ).

The FIEJ Board meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, last February, accepted CNA as an Associate Member.

CNA is represented in the Amsterdam meetings by its Director Andreas Christofides, former Minister of Education and Government Spokesman.

The Agency has its own stand at the Info Services Expo '97 organised in the Rai Centre, Amsterdam, between 2-4 June, in conjunction with the two major events for the press industry.

Cyprus' Ambassador to the Hague Alecos Zenonos visited today the CNA exhibition stand. He described CNA's presence as "impressive".

Scores of delegates participating in the two events visit the CNA stand, where they get information about the Cyprus News Agency and its services, as well as general information about Cyprus in various fields through special publications and a video.

Queen Beatrix I of The Netherlands attended the joint opening ceremony of the two events. Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok addressed the participants.

FIEJ President Jayme Sirotsky spoke about the freedom of the press and referred to the countries where this freedom is grossly violated. On top of those countries, he placed Turkey.

International human rights organisations have repeatedly reported scores of cases of journalists working in Turkey, either Turks or of Kurdish origin, who were assassinated, persecuted, imprisoned and tortured.

Before the opening ceremony, Russian General Alexandre Lebed, former Special Advisor on National Security and now leader of the People's Republic and Party in Russia, addressed the participants saying that he did not disagree with NATO's expansion to the east but expressed reservations about the quick expansion towards countries such as The Ukraine.

He suggested self-restraint otherwise there would be conflicts, he warned.

At the same time, General Lebed stressed that Russia was strong enough and it would become even stronger with its cooperation with China.

The Russian politician said his country wanted cooperation with the west, based on equality, and expressed the hope that the 21st century would be a century of cooperation and friendship. CNA/AC/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    74.76 (-0.16)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.08 (-0.31)
Approved Investment Companies          62.78 (+0.64)
Insurance Companies                    58.09 (+0.29)
Industrial Companies                   79.10 (-0.45)
Tourist Industries                     62.43 (+0.18)
Commercial Companies                   50.42 (+1.14)
Other Companies                        55.37 (-0.25)

Trading Volume                         CYP 581781.197

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Former President addresses Interaction Council

Addressing a meeting of the "Interaction Council" here today, Vassiliou referred in particular to the Cyprus question and said it would be better if the powerful nations around the globe showed more understanding and exercised less authority in efforts to settle problems small states are facing.

He warned against the imposition of unjust solutions on small countries, like Cyprus, as they would not be viable.

Vassiliou, who arrived here from New York, also pointed out that creating stability rather than instability in a region would serve the interests of the big powers.

He said the continuing Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus should be dealt with in the same way as the Arab-Israeli conflict, in order to help establish regional peace and stability.

Following Vassiliou's remarks, the Council intends to submit suggestions to governments and international organisations.

During tomorrow's session, media representatives and Council members will debate the way the mass media present news items and the policy adopted on various international problems.

Council delegates attending the Amsterdam meeting, that ends Wednesday, will be received by Queen Beatrice of Belgium and Premier of the Netherlands, Wim Kok.

World political figures, including former Spanish PM Philipe Gonzales and former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, are members of the Interaction Council.

Vassiliou was invited to join the Council four years ago.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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