Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-08-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Spokesman on direct talks

[03] Preparations for Cyprus peace talks underway

[04] Greek Cypriot positions on UN paper prepared

[05] Yilmaz's claim not convincing says, Christofides

[06] Christofides says exchange of properties not accepted

1535:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.29 (+0.27)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  84.46 (+0.28)
Approved Investment Companies          64.14 (+0.34)
Insurance Companies                    57.05 (+0.35)
Industrial Companies                   75.90 (-0.07)
Tourist Industries                     63.93 (-0.05)
Commercial Companies                   46.48 (+0.50)
Other Companies                        60.06 (+0.81)

Trading Volume                         CYP 377844.802

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1645:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman on direct talks

This was stated here today by Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides who stressed that "we consider this round of talks of the utmost importance for a Cyprus settlement and an opportunity for an overall discussion on the Cyprus problem."

Christofides pointed out that "our wish and objective is to continue these talks which we believe offer a unique opportunity to break the deadlock and make progress towards a solution."

Referring to possible outcomes of the second round of talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, scheduled to take place in Glion Switzerland, August 11 to 16, Christofides said the two sides could reach a joint agreement giving the guidelines on how to proceed, or failing that, an effort must be made to continue the negotiating process.

He added that it is expected that everybody involved in this process will seek ways to bridge the gap between the two sides.

The government, he said, agrees with a UN suggestion that both sides submit a draft constitution by the end of the year but would also like to see the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides submitting documents on all aspects of the Cyprus problem which need to be clarified.

CNA MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Preparations for Cyprus peace talks underway

UN spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski told CNA today President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will continue their talks that began in Troutbeck, near New York, last July, in a hotel in Glion.

UN top envoy for Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, leaves Sunday for Geneva to attend the talks, scheduled for August 11-16.

Foreign envoys will also be in Glion, to assist the UN if and when the need arises and for meetings with both the leaders of the two communities and the Secretary-General's special advisor on the Cyprus problem, Diego Cordovez, who will chair the negotiations. They were also present in the direct negotiations held in Troutbeck, July 9-12.

Britain will be represented by its High Commissioner in Nicosia, David Madden, who is in currently in London, and the government's special envoy for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay.

The US is sending its Ambassador to Cyprus, Kenneth Brill, to the talks.

"Ambassador Brill will be present in town, and available to talk to people, but the talks are held under the UN auspices and the US is not participating," a spokesman for the American embassy here told CNA today.

The Russian Federation will be represented by Vladimir Tchizhov, head of the Third Directorate for European Affairs at the Russian Foreign Ministry, and the country's special envoy for the Cyprus problem.

The European Union will be represented by its head of delegation here, ambassador Gilles Anouil, for the Commission, whereas the rotating EU presidency will send its Cyprus envoy, Irish ambassador Kester Heaslip.

Meanwhile, the Swiss government is bracing itself to welcome the talks and will undertake logistical problems, including security and traffic arrangements and hotel costs in Glion.

CNA MM/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Greek Cypriot positions on UN paper prepared

This was confirmed here, today, by President Clerides, who said that the document prepared by Markides will be submitted at the second round of direct Cyprus peace talks scheduled to take place in Switzerland, August 11 to 16.

The document, President Clerides said, contains the Greek Cypriot sides positions regarding the Cordovez paper, handed to the two sides during the first round of direct negotiations that took place in the US, July 9-12.

Replying to questions, President Clerides said there is no prospect for a third round of talks at the moment.

Commenting on recent threats made by Denktash that he will not attend the second round of direct talks, President Clerides noted this is not the first time the Turkish Cypriot leader makes such threats.

He had threatened not to go to the talks if Cyprus' application for accession to the European Union (EU) was not frozen, but he will attended, Clerides added.

Both Denktash and Ankara had reacted strongly to a recent EU reconfirmation that accession talks will begin with the Republic of Cyprus next year.

President Clerides is in Paphos for a short vacation before he leaves for the second round of Cyprus peace talks.

He will come to Nicosia on Thursday to chair a meeting of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus problem made up of party leaders, in view of the negotiations.

CNA MK/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1755:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Yilmaz's claim not convincing says, Christofides

In an interview with "Newsweek" magazine, Yilmaz said the Cyprus problem is a matter of "national security" for Turkey because of the Cyprus government decision to purchase the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile system.

"The S-300 missiles can be effective against attacks by Turkish F16 aircraft," Christofides said, noting that if Ankara does not plan such attacks against Cyprus then it has nothing to worry about.

The Spokesman also pointed out that if Ankara is worried about the level of armaments on the island, it should then agree to President Clerides' proposal for the demilitarisation of the island.

Some 35.000 Turkish troops are stationed in the northern part of the island, occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion of the island.

CNA KN/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1815:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Christofides says exchange of properties not accepted

Rejecting claims by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, that the exchange of properties has been accepted by the Greek Cypriot side, Christofides pointed out that "individual human rights have to be respected."

Denktash's claims, Christofides added, are not in line with the high level agreements reached between the two sides in 1977 and 1979, by which a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation will be set up in Cyprus.

"We have not agreed that a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation will not allow the presence or possession of property by either community in the area to be administered by the other community", Christofides pointed out.

CNA KN/MCH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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