Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Talks agenda to be set at initial meeting

[03] Situation in Cyprus explosive

[04] President safeguards interests of all Cypriots

[05] Foreign Minister visits Japan

[06] Solution will ease EU entry, Britain says

1620:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.15 (+0.07)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.02 (+0.09)
Approved Investment Companies          65.92 (-0.39)
Insurance Companies                    59.30 (+1.82)
Industrial Companies                   79.82 (-1.11)
Tourist Industries                     62.31 (-0.05)
Commercial Companies                   50.69 (+0.22)
Other Companies                        54.95 (+0.02)

Trading Volume                         CYP 483804.284

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Talks agenda to be set at initial meeting

Christofides told his press briefing the agenda is not included in the invitation for talks, handed to President Clerides and Denktash yesterday, therefore "one would say that it will be discussed at the first meeting".

Noting that the invitation refers to more meetings between the leaders of the two communities this summer, the Spokesman said this "shows the (UN) resolve, insistence and disposition to conduct serious and intensive negotiations".

Asked to comment on possible failure to reach an agreement at the talks, Christofides said "the UN Secretary-General will decide what should be done, if he finds himself before such an eventuality".

The Spokesman said the names of the two advisers who will accompany the President to New York will be made public at a later stage.

He also announced that the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem, will convene on June 23 in view of the negotiations, to be held somewhere near New York, July 9 - 13.

Christofides said Council members (parliamentary party leaders) have copies of Kofi Annan's invitation and will put forward their thoughts and suggestions on the agenda of the talks at their forthcoming meeting.

He added decisions will also be taken at the National Council meeting.

CNA MCH/MA/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Situation in Cyprus explosive

"This is a right logic. Whereas for the past 23 years, nobody was concerned about the situation in Cyprus, now the UN consider Cyprus an arsenal of weapons, incompatible with the size of the island," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said here today, commenting on statements Holbrooke made to CNN Wednesday, in his first television interview since his appointment as US envoy for Cyprus.

"There is peace, but there is also great risk of an explosion. Holbrooke underlines US concerns about such an eventuality because the US has vital interests in this region and two allies and friends (Greece and Turkey), who should not enter into conflict," Christofides added.

Holbrooke had told CNN "US interest is to prevent that eruption" and contribute to a solution in Cyprus which will be a "major plus for stability across southeastern Europe."

The US, Christofides noted, wish to serve their own vital interests and this, he added, "leads to serving our own interest, if it leads to a resolution of the Cyprus question."

He pointed out that the US has given assurances it will back UN efforts in its bid to reach an overall settlement in Cyprus.

Commenting on Holbrooke's assertion that the US will not impose a solution on the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus, he said "this does not weaken the dynamic presence the US has pledged to have because the superpower has both a way to convince as well as the means to prevail."

CNA MCH/MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President safeguards interests of all Cypriots

"The President focuses his efforts to serve the interests of the people of Cyprus as a whole," Christofides added.

His comments come in reply to criticism by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, who called on the President to recognise his self-styled regime in the Turkish-occupied part of the island, before he goes to New York for face-to-face negotiations, on July 9.

Denktash told the illegal Turkish Cypriot "Bayrak" network the talks can only succeed if the two communities go to the negotiating table on an equal footing, which he defined as recognition of his illegal regime.

Only Turkey recognises the puppet regime and the UN itself has called on all states "not to recognise" the self-styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

"President Clerides is working very hard for a just and viable solution in Cyprus which would secure the prosperity of all the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Armenians, Latins and Maronites," the Spokesman added.

He also pointed out that Denktash should be accountable to the Turkish Cypriots for the reduction by half of their numbers in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

Thousands of Turkish Cypriots have been forced to seek a better future abroad because of the dire economic situation they have to deal with as the puppet regime relies primarily on Turkey.

CNA MCH/MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1855:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Foreign Minister visits Japan

Kasoulides was received today by Crown Prince Naruhito and had separate meetings with the chairman and the members of the Cyprus-Japan parliamentary friendship group, whom he briefed on the latest developments in efforts to settle the Cyprus question.

The Minister, heading a Cypriot delegation to Tokyo, discussed with officials of the Japanese Overseas Trade Organisation ways to boost existing trade and economic ties between Cyprus and Japan.

On Saturday, Kasoulides leaves for Moscow on an official visit.

He returns home on Tuesday.

CNA MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2015:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Solution will ease EU entry, Britain says

Addressing the foreign diplomatic corps on Wednesday, Cook said Cyprus has "a good case for EU membership" which should not be "conditional on the resolution of the division of the island," effected since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its northern territory in 1974.

"It is though undoubtedly true that if that division were ended, it would greatly help to ease the negotiations of entry into the EU," Cook told diplomats at their annual gathering.

The prospect of EU membership, he pointed out, "makes the search for a solution to the division of Cyprus more urgent and necessary than ever before."

Reiterating his country's support of the UN efforts to reach a negotiated settlement in Cyprus, Cook said Britain "looks forward to the start of direct talks in the next month and we will urge all parties to come to the negotiations in a constructive and positive frame of mind."

"If the common will is there, a solution can be found," the Foreign Secretary added.

CNA KT/MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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