Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Cyprus will supply the US with information on Turkish violations

[03] Government expects to be informed on flight path

[04] AIDS specialist rejects claims woman passed on virus

[05] Cyprus and British Foreign Ministers meet

[06] Hannay says, new elements in efforts for a solution

[07] Holbrooke officially appointed US Presidential Emissary

1545:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    74.75 (+0.08)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.46 (+0.16)
Approved Investment Companies          64.31 (+2.10)
Insurance Companies                    58.60 (+1.19)
Industrial Companies                   77.03 (-0.40)
Tourist Industries                     61.51 (-1.76)
Commercial Companies                   50.54 (-0.53)
Other Companies                        54.93 (-0.13)

Trading Volume                         CYP 497440.202

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1605:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus will supply the US with information on Turkish violations

"This data proves we are correct beyond any reasonable doubt and we expect it will be studied and the necessary measures taken," he added, commenting on statements made yesterday by State Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns.

Burns had said the Cyprus government told the US embassy in Nicosia of the violation, but Turkey had denied the charges. He noted the US has no "independent information that would corroborate the story of either government."

Replying to questions, the Spokesman said the data "that will show in all detail the flight and course followed", will be conveyed to the US through the diplomatic channel.

Three Turkish F4 fighters violated the Republic's air space yesterday but no information was made available.

Christofides reminded that Turkish military planes often violate Cyprus' air space and the government has regularly made representations to the UN and friendly countries.

Asked if he agrees with Burns' view that the US cannot corroborate the claims, the Spokesman said that "if the US wants to it could", but noted the American official could not have had the necessary information when he was asked.

To a question if the government believes the US will also hold equal distances during face-to-face negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Christofides described US statements on the incident as one- off.

"The Americans are keeping equal distances in this specific case," he said, adding "we expect their contribution to and presence in the negotiations to be dynamic, as they themselves have stated."

The negotiations are expected to take place somewhere near New York beginning of July.

Christofides also stressed one cannot come to conclusions on relations between Cyprus and the US because of the American stance on this one incident.

CNA MM/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government expects to be informed on flight path

Commenting on press reports that Israeli military planes have violated Cyprus' air space, Christofides stressed that "the government of Israel had asked and was granted permission for flights of three planes on June 3,4 and 5."

The Spokesman also said that yesterday an Israeli plane had asked for permission to fly over Cyprus and the pilot then asked for permission for a squadron of military aircraft following the same path.

International safety regulations were fully complied with, even though permission for the flight path of the accompanying squadron was sought and given at the eleventh hour, he added.

"We ask for compliance with international regulations," Christofides said, and stressed that the flight path should be made known beforehand.

He also pointed out that the flight path of military aircraft can be announced when the planes are coming close to the Nicosia Flight Information Region (FIR), "as stipulated in the agreement we have with Israel".

CNA MM/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:04

[04] AIDS specialist rejects claims woman passed on virus

Defence lawyer for fisherman Pavlos Georgiou, 40, had told the court earlier in the trial that Jeanette Pink had infected a new lover with HIV.

His claims were rejected by Greek Cypriot Doctor Evis Pagdadis who said "a new patient came to our clinic and claimed he caught the virus in Cyprus and the most probable source was Pink."

Pagdadis said the British divorcee had categorically denied the claim, and that "tests from the USA proved the virus strains were different".

Pink, from Basildon in Essex accused Georgiou of not telling her he was HIV positive when they formed a relationship in 1994.

She supports she did not find out the truth until after Georgiou's wife, Martha, died from an AIDS-related illness, nine months after her relationship began.

Georgiou claims Pink knew he was HIV positive before they started having intercourse and suggested she may have contracted the disease before he slept with her.

The fisherman, who had an affair with Pink from 1994 until early in 1996 when she returned to England to be hospitalised with pneumonia, faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail and a fine for about two thousand Cyprus pounds (about four thousand US dollars).

The trial was adjourned until Friday.

CNA TA/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus and British Foreign Ministers meet

Kasoulides had a 30-minute long meeting with Cook in London, where he stopped on his way to Washington for a meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, on June 6.

In statements to the press, the Foreign Minister said he expressed the government's satisfaction with the new Labour government position on Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

During a visit to Cyprus, last January, Cook had said "Labour firmly supports the case for the admission of Cyprus to full membership of the EU and rejects the right of any third country to exercise a veto".

He had also said a Labour government would "place the Cyprus problem on the agenda of Europe Common Foreign and Security Policy", during Britains EU presidency, in the first half of 1998.

Replying to a question, Kasoulides said there is a good chance that direct negotiations, to be held somewhere near New York beginning of July, will be successful.

If Denktash participates in the same goodwill and constructive spirit as President Clerides, then they can be a success, he said.

Before leaving for the American capital, the Foreign Minister had a working lunch with Sir David Hannay, Britain's special envoy on the Cyprus issue, who is coming to Cyprus on Sunday for meetings with President Clerides and Denktash, in view of the direct negotiations.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary also met today with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, with whom he also discussed the protracted Cyprus problem.

CNA TZ/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Hannay says, new elements in efforts for a solution

He also stressed this is a very important period for Cyprus as there is an opportunity for a solution.

Speaking to the press today, after a working lunch with Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, in London, Sir David said Britain is "among other countries which are making a concerted effort to help the UN work with the leaders of the two communities to get a comprehensive solution."

The British envoy rejected the view that "the previous efforts which have not succeeded have left a legacy of cynicism and doubt about the possibility of getting a solution".

"I think that's a bit overdone myself, there are new elements," he said, pointing to "the prospect of accession to the European Union and the increased importance attached by a whole range of countries around the world to help the UN in a solution."

Sir David said, he believes "this is a very important moment for all Cypriots" and expressed the hope "the leaders of the two communities in particular and those who support them politically will put to the best possible use".

"I believe that there is a seriously useful opportunity here, one which both communities are being offered, if they approach these talks in the right spirit, in a spirit of give and take", he added.

The former British diplomat also noted the UN should "find the ingenuity" to draw a solution out of the material which is already on the table, and said that in such a case he believes "a comprehensive solution is obtainable".

The British envoy said he was encouraged by the fact that the UN has put in a lot of hard work for a solution over the last year, along with foreign governments, and said "I think the time is now very close when we should put these issues to the test, at the negotiating table".

UN-led direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are expected to begin early July, somewhere near New York.

Asked about the purpose of his upcoming visit to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, Sir David said that in view of the negotiations and he will be expressing the British government's support to the process and will also talk about some of the main elements that will be discussed.

Stressing that the UN is the mediator for a solution in Cyprus, the British former diplomat said "we and others will do our best to help" and "we will perhaps offer suggestions".

However, he noted the "solution will be sought from the negotiations between the two leaders of the communities, it shouldn't be imposed from the outside."

Sir David will be arriving in Cyprus Sunday for meetings with President Clerides, Denktash and other officials.

CNA TZ/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2155:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Holbrooke officially appointed US Presidential Emissary

He clarified that Holbrooke will work on the Cyprus issue for one week a month, and announced the State Department will also appoint a Special Coordinator for Cyprus, to replace James Williams.

Burns said Holbrooke's appointment proves the importance the US and President Clinton place on a solution to the Cyprus question and noted that "the US is a strong supporter of UN efforts and will compliment them."

He described the appointment "as a rebirth and renewal of American policy on Cyprus" and stressed "we appointed the most brilliant, toughest and capable negotiator".

Asked about the strategy the Presidential Emissary will follow, he said Holbrooke will consult with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the governments in the region (Cyprus, Greece and Turkey).

Burns also revealed that the US had consulted with the governments in the region before appointing Holbrooke and said "they are pleased".

The State Department official also urged "the parties in Cyprus to redouble efforts for a settlement", to compromise and work together for a solution.

Replying to questions about the upcoming direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, Burns said the US are hopeful, but noted they do not expect immediate results as the Cyprus problem is "terribly complex and difficult."

Asked if the US supports the direct talks, scheduled to take place somewhere near New York beginning of July, Burns said "if the parties want of course we support the direct talks".

Burns pointed out that Holbrooke will not be present at the direct negotiations, but will be meeting President Clerides and Denktash during their stay in the US.

To a question if a Dayton type of process will be used to reach a solution in Cyprus, he said "all problems are different" and noted "it remains to be seen what kind of negotiations fit to the Cyprus issue".

Burns also said that he had a telephone conversation with Holbrooke today, and the US former Under Secretary assured him he will have nothing to do with business in the region while he is serving as Presidential Emissary.

CNA DA/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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