Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-08-01

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] National Council meets

[02] Cyprus 4th in curbing maternity mortality

[03] Parties hopeful for progress on missing

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1055:CYPPRESS:01

[01] National Council meets

The members of the National Council are also expected to discuss an agreement reached yesterday in Nicosia during a meeting between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, on a number of measures expected to contribute towards the solution of the missing persons humanitarian issue.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Government Spokesman Manolis Chrisatofides and the President's two advisors to the talks on the Cyprus issue, Attorney General, Alecos Markides, and Under-Secretary to the President Pantelis Kouros, are also attending the meeting.

For the second time, leader of the Liberal party Nicos Rolandis, and New Horizon movement Vice-President Christos Clerides, which are not represented in the 56-seat House of Representatives, are attending a National Council meeting.

Last week the party leaders discussed a revised document presented to President Clerides and Denktash by Special Advisor to the UN Secretary- General, Diego Cordovez, during the first round of Cyprus peace talks, that took place in Troutbeck, New York, from July 9 to 12.

The revised document outlines the guidelines for a negotiation process that would lead to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question.

During today's meeting the party leaders are expected to express their views on the positions the Greek Cypriot side should put forward at the second round of direct talks, expected to take place near Geneva, Switzerland, from August 11 to 16.

CNA AP/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus 4th in curbing maternity mortality

The report released recently, includes an 189-state league, according to each country's maternity mortality rate, which shows the number of maternal deaths per 100 thousand live births.

The maternity mortality rate ranges worldwide from zero to 1.800.

African states have the highest and therefore worst rates, while Europe presents the lowest average rate.

Of the 189 states, only three, namely Luxembourg, Iceland and Malta, present a zero rate, while Cyprus ranks fourth with 5.

These are followed by Canada, Norway and Switzerland with 6, and Israel, Sweden and Spain with 7.

Sierra Leone's rate is 1.800, the worst worldwide, followed by Afganistan with 1.700, and Guinea, Somalia and Bhutan with 1.600.

The highest rates in Europe are held by Romania with 130, Russia with 75, and Albania with 65.

The USA shows a rate of 12, Japan 18, Greece 10 and Turkey 180.

Another basic social indicator is the primary school enrollment rate, which is defined as the number of children enrolled in primary schools, as a percentage of the number of children that should normally been enrolled, given their age.

The primary school enrollment rate varies from 17 to 100.

Of the list's 189 states, only 17 present a 100 rate. This 17-state group includes Austria, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, while Jamaica, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Cuba represent the less developed countries.

Cyprus' rate is 96, Greece's is 91, and Turkey's is 73.

Of the four major continents, Africa again presents the worst average rate, while Europe the best.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Parties hopeful for progress on missing

However, they stressed that the measures agreed at a meeting here Thursday can only be implemented if the Turkish Cypriot side abandons the negative positions it has maintained so far.

Clerides and Denktash agreed to "provide each other immediately and simultaneously all information already at their disposal on the local of graves of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot missing persons."

They also agreed to designate a person to prepare the necessary arrangements leading to the return of the remains of those missing.

Ruling right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) party leader, Nicos Anastasiades, welcomed "every step taken aiming to elucidate the fate of the missing" and called on all parties not to be negative "as this is the first time in 23 years that Denktash is expressing will to help solve this issue."

Anastasiades noted his reservations because of Denktash's previous negative stance but stressed that people "should hope the road will open" and said the positive climate the government is trying to maintain should be retained.

Noting that party leaders have not yet been fully briefed on the agreement, main opposition left-wing AKEL party General Secretary, Demetris Christofias, confined himself to expressing the wish that "the road to establish the fate of the missing will open."

On his part, coalition centre-right Democratic Party (DIKO) President, Spyros Kyprianou, pointed out that the issue of the missing "is not only the opening of graves, but there are many other issues that have to be clarified."

Socialist EDEK party leader, Vasos Lyssarides, expressed the view that the agreement "is not complete" and said "unless investigations are extended to Turkey and the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) is appointed, we will not have the expected results."

The CMP was set up in 1981 and consists of a Greek Cypriot representative, a Turkish Cypriot representative and a third member, appointed by UN Secretary-General. The UN representative, Paul Wurth, of the International Red Cross Society, had retired more than a year ago and has not been replaced since.

In yesterday's agreement President Clerides and Denktash called on the UN Secretary-General to appoint a third member.

United Democrats First Vice-President, Michalis Papapetrou, described the agreement as "very important" but noted it has to be implemented by Denktash and the Turkish side.

"If Denktash really means business and is willing to allow its implementation, I will be very pleased, as this is a very important development," he said.

Liberal party leader, Nicos Rolandis, noted "if everything agreed is to be implemented, it will be a good start."

Rolandis said "there are a lot of important details that have to be dealt with in a proper way", noting he wouldn't know to what extent these will satisfy the demands of the relatives of missing persons.

Finally, Vice-President of the New Horizons movement, Christos Clerides, who was for the first time to attend a National Council meeting, expressed reservations as to Turkish co-operation on this humanitarian issue.

He noted it's a "little early" to comment on the agreement and said "unfortunately, Turkish treacherous policy has proved to be unreliable, as in most cases, agreements signed by the Turkish side are not fulfilled."

CNA MA/AP/MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1525:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    74.90 (+0.29)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  84.00 (+0.23)
Approved Investment Companies          63.66 (+0.95)
Insurance Companies                    56.45 (+0.14)
Industrial Companies                   76.65 (+0.59)
Tourist Industries                     64.12 (-0.33)
Commercial Companies                   46.32 (+0.56)
Other Companies                        59.64 (+0.71)

Trading Volume                         CYP 549307.846

CNA MM/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article