Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-06-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus to boost relations with Japan

[02] Legal battle for Cyprus Halloumi

[03] Solidarity from US relatives of missing persons

[04] Cyprus: Second among developing countries in human development

[05] Green considers Holbrooke appointment a commitment

1000:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus to boost relations with Japan

Kasoulides, who is on an official visit to Japan, briefed Ikeda on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

According to an official press release issued here, Ikeda expressed his country's interest in finding a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem.

The two Ministers also exchanged views on ways and means to strengthen cooperation between Cyprus and Japan in the fields of economy and trade.

Emphasis was given on attracting Japanese tourists and business-persons to Cyprus and promoting Cyprus' exports to this far east country.

The Cypriot Minister leaves tomorrow for Moscow for talks with Russian officials. He returns home on Tuesday.

CNA RG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1020:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Legal battle for Cyprus Halloumi

New York, Jun 13 (CNA) -- The legal battle which Cyprus has been waging in the United States Trademark courts over the valuable commercial rights to the "Halloumi" trademark, was taken to the shores of Cyprus last week, where key witnesses gave lengthy depositions.

Denis Droushotis, Commercial Counsellor of Cyprus in New York, and the American Attorney Costa Kensington, whose law firm Kensington & Ressler has been representing Cyprus in the Halloumi case in the US, travelled to Nicosia to conduct the trial testimony of five key witnesses, including experts from Egypt, Greece and Cyprus.

Their testimony, was conducted under the supervision of a former Cypriot judge, Sotos Demetriou, now a practising barrister. Kensington stated that judge Demetriou was chosen to assure that the proceedings were conducted in accordance with the judicial requirements of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in the US.

The witnesses included Maria Kyriacou, Registrar of Companies and Official Receiver, and Frosso Hadjilouca, Food Scientist, Department of Cyprus Standards and Quality Control, both of whom are with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Two other important witnesses were leading academics, Emmanouel Anifantakis, Professor of Dairy Science, Agricultural University of Athens, and M.H. Abd El-Salam, Head of Department of Food Tech. and Dairying, National Research Center, Cairo.

The fifth witness was Yiannos Pittas, Director and Principal at Pittas Industries, a leading producer of Halloumi cheese in Cyprus.

At issue in the case is an attempt by Denmark to reverse the decision issued in 1990 by the US Patent and Trademark Office, approving the application of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, granting trademark status for Halloumi.

The US officially recognised Halloumi cheese as a distinctive product indigenous to Cyprus, thereby granting Cyprus exclusive rights to the "Halloumi" tradename in the US.

Denmark has petitioned the US trademark authorities to nullify the Cyprus trademark, claiming that Halloumi was a generic name for a cheese widely produced in many countries outside Cyprus, and that Halloumi cheese did not originate in Cyprus.

Cyprus and its representatives have been able to assemble a substantial number of official records and a number of experts who have testified just the opposite.

"We are fortunate to have been able to bring to our side witnesses with impeccable credentials and expertise which support the position of Cyprus. The Danish side has been unable to assemble either documents or experts of equivalent standing," noted Droushiotis.

American witnesses, including importer-distributors of Halloumi, specialty cheese retailers, and marketing people will testify in coming weeks, Kensington said.

The case is now entering its final phase. "We expect to submit trial briefs at the end of the summer, and hope to have a ruling from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board before the end of the year. I'm optimistic of a positive decision," Kensington pointed out.

"I couldn't have asked for greater cooperation than we received from the public and private sector in Cyprus. I especially appreciated the help from Minister Kyriakos Christofi and His Ministry," he noted.

Over the course of the legal case, Cyprus has retained its exclusive Halloumi mark, and through its Trade Centre in New York continues to market and promote the cheese both in the US and Canada.

US annual imports have steadily increased, growing by 75 per cent over the past three years, reaching 900.000 US dollars in 1996. In Canada, Halloumi imports are experiencing encouraging growth.

CNA JD/GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Solidarity from US relatives of missing persons

In a letter addressed to the President of the Pancyprian Committee of Relatives of Undeclared Prisoners and Missing Persons, Nicos Theodosiou, the League refers to the pressure it endured "to abandon our quest and accept presumptions of death on all our missing loved ones".

The League stresses that "we did not give up, despite the presumptions of death", because "presumption does not answer questions; facts do".

It urges the Pancyprian Committee to "maintain credibility by sticking with the facts, a position which defies dismissal" and assures that "thousands of families here in America, as well as Russia, Kuwait, the Balkans and other places around the world are with you in spirit. They, too, are working to obtain answers".

"Your continued quest", it adds, "will not be easy, but will be worthwhile and can be successful if you are determined".

The letter dated June 3 was signed by Ann Mills Griffiths, Executive Director of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.

Soon after the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of Cyprus territory, a total of 1619 people were listed as missing persons.

Till today, the Turkish side has not accepted a UN investigation into the whereabouts of those missing.

CNA RG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus: Second among developing countries in human development

Ranking first in the developing countries is Hong Kong. Barbados comes third and Singapore fourth.

According to the Reuter news agency, the figures used are from 1994 and include life expectancy, education and per capita income, according to real gross domestic product for industrial and developing countries.

As for industrial nations, Canada ranks first, followed by France, Norway, the United States and other 19 states. Greece appears in the 20th place.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Green considers Holbrooke appointment a commitment

"I am fascinated by the appointment and specifically about the announcement now," the Euro-MP said in an interview with London Greek Radio today.

She added that when she recently spoke to the Americans "they were saying they will support the UN and the EU initiative, but they were not looking then to place one of their big hitters into a prominent position on Cyprus."

Noting there were some problems with the solution Holbrooke struck in Bosnia, Green expressed hope "he has a bit more time to spend looking at the history of Cyprus, understanding the problem" so that the solution will be "appropriate".

Asked to comment on UN-led direct negotiations between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, scheduled for June 9 - 13 somewhere near New York, Green pointed out they need to show vision, goodwill and a "spirit of finding an answer", if a solution is to be found.

Noting "this is a crucial moment for Cyprus" she said "we are all here willing those talks to go well".

Green also said everyone is aware of the difficulties in reaching a settlement in Cyprus, and added "I think it is incumbent on all of us now to keep quiet and anything we do say has got to be encouraging and supportive of those talks".

Reiterating her "deep commitment" to see Cyprus join the European Union, the Labour Euro-MP said she "looks forward to a British Labour government now being able to open negotiations with Cyprus, at the beginning of next year, when they are in the presidency".

On March 6 1995 the EU decided membership negotiations with Cyprus will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

Cyprus' EU prospect is considered as one of the important new elements in efforts to solve the 22 year-old Cyprus question.

CNA RG/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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