Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-08-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Security Council disappointed over result of peace talks

[02] Greek diaspora leaders denounce negative Turkish stance

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1140:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Security Council disappointed over result of peace talks

"There was a sense of disappointment that it hadn't been possible in the event to make more progress at Glion," Security Council President Sir John Weston said Wednesday after an hour-long briefing of the Security Council by Diego Cordovez, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus.

"There was a sense that commendation was due to President Clerides for the flexibility and cooperation that he had showed at this round of talks," Sir John added.

But the Security Council President was clear as to which side bore the brunt of responsibility for the lack of progress in the second round of UN- sponsored direct talks, that took place in Glion-sur-Montreux, Switzerland, from August 11 to 16.

"I need also to reflect to you that there was some concern and disappointment that further substantive progress at this time was impeded by the attempt to bring preconditions to the table by the other party and here, of course, I mean the Turkish Cypriots," he said.

Direct talks earlier this month between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash ended in deadlock after Denktash rejected the non-papers presented by Cordovez and threatened to stop further rounds of talks if the European Union (EU) begins accession talks with Cyprus early 1998.

An earlier four-day round of face-to-face talks last July in Troutbeck, New York, also ended without substantial progress being made.

Sir John took pains to absolve Cordovez of any responsibility for the lack of progress at the talks the Special Adviser had chaired.

The Security Council President noted it was "clear in our own mind that in no way does the fault lie at the feet of the Secretary-General's Special Adviser."

He said Cordovez "deserved our congratulations for the tremendous effort and energy and ingenuity he has put in that process which, of course, is a continuing process to which both parties remain committed."

Sir John added the Security Council "strongly continues to endorse and support" the future of the Secretary-General's good offices mission in Cyprus "in which Cordovez plays an absolutely central part."

Calling the present status quo on the island "unacceptable", the Security Council President pointed out that some progress had been registered during the two rounds of talks "particularly on a practical level affecting humanitarian issues on the island."

President Clerides and Denktash agreed to hold meetings in Nicosia to deal with humanitarian issues such as the issue of both Greek and Turkish Cypriot persons missing.

President Clerides and Denktash have already met twice in Cyprus to discuss the issue of the missing and other humanitarian issues, while further meetings are planned.

Noting it is now time to do the "hard work" that will make it possible to resume the negotiation process, Sir John said the talks will restart "as soon as the situation is ripe," probably after the presidential elections are held on the island, in February of next year.

He said Security Council members "warmly supported" Cordovez's intention to visit Cyprus later this year.

Moreover, the Security Council President urged both sides to tone down rhetoric or actions that would harm the peace process in any way.

"In the meantime it seemed to us it was very important that nobody say or do things which were going to raise the level of tension further on the island or diminish the chances of making progress toward a peace settlement, " Sir John said.

Veteran diplomats observed that Sir John's unusually blunt and unambiguous words revealed a decided shift of attitude, on the part of the Security Council, in favour of the Greek Cypriot side and an understanding of the problems it faces in its negotiations with Denktash.

At the same time, there is growing impatience, these sources believe, with the intransigence of the Turkish Cypriot side and its tactics of introducing issues at the talks outside their intended scope.

Cyprus Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Alecos Shambos and Cyprus Ambassador to the UN Nicos Agathocleous have been energetically meeting here with UN Secretariat and Security Council members over the past two days expounding the Cypriot government's position.

In fact, all 15 Security Council members were contacted individually, a marathon effort that sources claim has paid handsome dividends.

CNA JD/MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1155:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek diaspora leaders denounce negative Turkish stance

"We believe, and we think that enlightened people of Turkish background also believe, that taking steps toward the EU offers a strong prospect of ongoing prosperity and peace for our people," a statement from the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes said.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in direct talks last week with President Glafcos Clerides in Glion, Switzerland, flatly rejected the start of EU - Cyprus accession talks.

"It is unfortunate that Rauf Denktash attempted to stop the accession to the EU of and Greek and Turkish Cypriots, calling the recent EU decision about the accession schedule a 'bomb' to the peace process," the statement said.

"It may be a 'bomb' to the privileges Denktash has personally received for 23 years, but for the Turkish Cypriots and Turkish people accession for Cyprus will be a 'balm' meaning anything healing or sooth," it added.

EU accession for Cyprus, the statement added "will bring long overdue economic prosperity to Turkish Cypriots and guarantee security for everyone on the island. Further, it will move Turkey a step closer to EU involvement."

The statement notes that prior to prospects for Cyprus' EU accession, large numbers of Turkish Cypriots have seen no economic or other reason to stay in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus and Turkey did not have the prospect of having Turkish Cypriots within the EU advocating Turkish accession to the EU.

Tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots have emigrated from the occupied areas since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of 37 per cent of the island's territory, due to the oppressive and impoverished conditions they live under.

Average per capita income in the occupied areas is well below that enjoyed in the free government-controlled areas of the Republic.

"We know Greek Cypriots who, following re-unification of the island and accession to the EU, will employ thousands of Turkish Cypriots and will also become business partners with Turkish Cypriots," the statement said.

Greek leaders who signed the statement include Andrew A. Athens, President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and National Chairman of the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC) and Philip Christopher, President of the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) and the Pancyprian Association of America.

Also signing the statement were Andrew E. Manatos, President of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes and Panicos Papanicolaou, Supreme President of the Cyprus Federation of America.

CNA MH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    75.84 (+0.03)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  85.33 (+0.08)
Approved Investment Companies          64.00 (-0.76)
Insurance Companies                    57.77 (+1.14)
Industrial Companies                   75.15 (-0.81)
Tourist Industries                     64.86 (-0.06)
Commercial Companies                   46.89 (+0.02)
Other Companies                        59.93 (+0.12)

Trading Volume                         CYP 209285.310

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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