Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Blue Flags for Cyprus' beaches

[02] Convergence of views on issues, not content

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Bicommunal football games put on ice

[05] Hannay - Denktash meeting cancelled

[06] Holbrooke says Cyprus - Bosnia problems structurally the same

1440:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Blue Flags for Cyprus' beaches

Nicosia, Jun 9 (CNA) -- Tourists visiting Cyprus this year will not lack a choice of a place to swim that satisfies European standards, as 13 beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, a sign of clean and safe areas for bathers.

Another five beaches in Cyprus have been awarded pilot flags, not because they are lacking in cleanliness or facilities, but because not enough chemical analyses of the water were carried out throughout the year.

"This is the fist year Cyprus has been granted full Blue Flags, as last year we only had eleven pilot flags," Cyprus Marine Environmental Protection Association (CYMEPA) president Michael Ierides told CNA.

Pilot flags are given when the number of chemical analyses carried out are not satisfying and as Cyprus only began participating in this institution two years ago local authorities are not yet familiar with the regulations.

Ierides said 23 applications had been submitted to CYMEPA, the National Operator for the Blue Flags, but three were rejected by the eight-member National Jury, made up of representatives of the Health Ministry, Environment Department, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, the Local Authorities and the Consumers' Association.

He explained these three beaches were not given the Blue Flag because their facilities were not yet completed.

Ierides added that after examining the shortlist proposed by the National Jury, the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEE) Executive Board, rejected another two because of bad water chemical analysis results.

The CYMPEA president noted non-governmental organisations from 18 countries participate in the FEE network and said 1809 beaches were awarded the Blue Flag, this year.

The European Commission Environment Directorate General also participates in the FEE Executive Board.

The FEE has 26 criteria that have to be met to award a beach with the Blue Flag, divided into three categories, namely the quality of the water and the beach, its management, security and environmental education.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1505:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Convergence of views on issues, not content

The Spokesman's comments come after increasing speculation on statements by Britain's special representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, first about existence of common ground on the views of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides and then about convergence of views on certain aspects of the problem.

"There is convergence of views about the list of the fundamental issue of the Cyprus question, but there is no convergence on the content of these issues," Christofides explained.

Clarifying this position, he said both sides see the security issue and political equality as fundamental but there is no convergence of views as on how this security is to be safeguarded or what political equality means.

"The government believes we must have progress on both the list of these fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem as well as their content," he said, noting that the government wants to see "practical approaches and solutions which comply with international law and order and serve Cyprus and its people."

"There is no issue on which there is convergence on both the issue itself and its contents," Christofides said.

Replying to questions, he said "no secret deals were struck" and acknowledged that it appears there is an initial agenda for next month's talks, which should push things forward towards substantial progress.

On today's meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and Sir David, Christofides said the British envoy did not present "any specific ideas but discussed how progress can best be achieved."

The Spokesman reiterated the government's position that it would rather discuss security concerns first but would not set this as a precondition to further discussion on other matters.

Outlining the purpose of Sir David's visit to the island, he said it is indicative of "Britain's serious efforts through its representative to push for a solution of the Cyprus problem and serve its own interests."

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1510:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.31 (+0.12)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  83.77 (-0.12)
Approved Investment Companies          64.86 (+1.04)
Insurance Companies                    58.30 (+0.15)
Industrial Companies                   79.94 (+0.85)
Tourist Industries                     61.80 (+0.44)
Commercial Companies                   50.71 (+0.32)
Other Companies                        55.37 (+0.27)

Trading Volume                         CYP 422132.528

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Bicommunal football games put on ice (CORRECTED STORY)

The CFA decided to postpone the friendlies scheduled for this Thursday and next Thursday after examining a letter by the self-styled "Cyprus Turkish Football Association" to Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) General Secretary, Joseph Blatter.

"In light of the contents of the said letter in which there seem to be serious differences on several issues, the Executive Committee decided to notify FIFA of the postponement of the matches for a later date," the CFA said today in a press release.

In a letter dated June 3, the Turkish Cypriots complained to Blatter that the CFA referred to the northern occupied village of Lapithos.

"The unconstructive approach by the Cyprus FA is also evident in their reference in the first paragraph of their letter of June 2, 1997, to the "occupied" village of Lapithos. I need hardly stress that there are no "occupied" towns or villages in Northern Cyprus. We regard such references as highly provocative and politically motivated," the Turkish Cypriot letter read.

Approximately 37 percent of Cyprus' territory is occupied by Turkish troops since their invasion of the island in 1974.

Following a FIFA initiative to bring both communities together through sport, Greek and Turkish Cypriot soccer clubs agreed earlier this year to hold two friendlies, one in the free government-controlled areas and the return leg in the occupied areas.

Greek and Turkish football teams have not played each other since 1955 when the Turkish Cypriots unilaterally decided to pull out of the CFA.

The planned football friendlies were seen as a way of ending 42 years of sporting isolation between the two communities.

However, concerns were raised within the CFA that the Turkish Cypriots would use the matches to gain recognition from FIFA to play teams from other countries.

The CFA agreed to the FIFA initiative after it received assurances it is the only recognised football body representing Cyprus in all competitions.

The breakaway Turkish Cypriot "federation" is recognised only by Turkey.

CNA MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Hannay - Denktash meeting cancelled

The meeting was scheduled to take place in the Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia this afternoon.

"We see no reason for the cancellation of the meeting," the sources told CNA, adding that tomorrow's dinner with Denktash at the Turkish- occupied areas "is still on."

According to CNA sources, Denktash demanded that Sir David also met with the so-called president of parliament of the illegal entity, unilaterally established in the northern Turkish-occupied part of the island and recognised only by Turkey.

Denktash claimed this was necessary in order to show respect to the principle of political equality of the two communities.

Commenting on Sir David's meeting with President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, the British diplomatic sources said "today's call was no change of practice."

Sir David, they said, met with the House President on two previous occasions when he visited the island.

The British Representative was received earlier today by President Glafcos Clerides and later on he had separate meetings with Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, and House President, Spyros Kyprianou.

He will meet with President Clerides again tomorrow, on board the latter's yacht "Kate II".

Hannay leaves for Athens on Wednesday and he will then visit Ankara.

CNA MM/MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2125:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Holbrooke says Cyprus - Bosnia problems structurally the same

"Structurally, the problems are quite similar between Cyprus and Bosnia, but there is one huge difference and that is the last time serious fighting took place in Cyprus was 23 years ago and both sides have kind of hardened into this divided island which, in the long run, will be explosive, but right now is not, " Holbrooke said today in an interview with BBC's World Service. Holbrooke stressed that Cyprus' application for accession to the European Union (EU) is "a huge part of the equation" and "the biggest new factor" in efforts to find a solution to the island's long-standing problem, but avoided speculating on exactly how EU membership will affect a solution.

"The EU is going to make membership a critical variable in the negotiations as a lever towards a federation of the two communities," Holbrooke said.

"That's the EU's decision, but I think it's of great importance to the Cyprus people and by that I mean both communities," he added.

The US presidential emissary also avoided getting into details regarding a Cyprus solution, but noted the US will support the upcoming direct negotiations between President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash under the auspices of UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan.

"I'm not going to go into the region until after (the direct negotiations) and we're going to support Kofi Annan's efforts," he said.

Holbrooke pointed out that the greatest hurdle he faces in his efforts to aid in finding a solution is the political situation in both communities in Cyprus as well as in Greece and Turkey.

"I think that the political situation, particularly in Turkey, makes it rather difficult right now and I would not raise anyone's expectations. This is going to be a tough haul. It's not going to be a short, intense negotiation like Dayton was," Holbrooke said.

Describing the division of Cyprus as "unnatural" and that it cannot last forever, the US official said the inherent instability of the status quo on the island could very well explode into conflict that could draw in other countries from the region, including those in southeastern Europe.

"Now, it's possible that Cyprus could go on like this forever. But, it's also possible it'll explode one of these days in a gigantic tragedy which will also embrace other countries in the region," Holbrooke said. "Any one of a number of situations could explode and create a great problem down there."

CNA MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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