Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-08-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Diaspora determined to maintain heritage and continue struggle

[03] Ierodiakonou leaves for Greece

[04] Government Spokesman calls on Turkish Cypriots to cooperate

[05] Foreign Minister to visit European countries

[06] Excavations completed at chalcolithic cemetery

[07] New Panamanian Ambassador presents his credentials

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.28 (+0.85)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.52 (+1.00)
Approved Investment Companies          65.26 (+0.40)
Insurance Companies                    56.87 (+0.05)
Industrial Companies                   75.78 (+0.46)
Tourist Industries                     65.80 (-0.06)
Commercial Companies                   47.68 (+0.87)
Other Companies                        61.39 (+2.45)

Trading Volume                         CYP 2696411.390

CNA MCH/1997

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1640:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Diaspora determined to maintain heritage and continue struggle

International Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) President Haris Sophoclides and International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) President Philip Christopher expressed their organisations' determination to take the necessary steps so that third and fourth generation overseas Cypriots will be drawn even closer to Cyprus and its problem.

Sophoclides and Christopher spoke at a press conference today on the occasion of the conclusion yesterday of the 10th World Conference of Overseas Cypriots.

The two diaspora leaders said that with their high level of education and their energy and dynamism, overseas Cypriot youth have a great deal to offer to the Cyprus issue.

However, Sophoclides admitted that up to now, proper attention to youth involvement in diaspora affairs had not been paid, but added that now "we are on the right road".

Regarding the Cyprus problem, Christopher said he expects the next few months to be decisive, given that the US initiative on Cyprus will begin soon.

The PSEKA President added that Cypriot-Americans will continue to exert pressure on the US government so as not to forget its promises on the Cyprus problem, while in Europe, pressure will be focused on promoting Cyprus' course towards accession to the European Union.

On his part, Sophoclides said the Cypriot diaspora in Britain have expected and continue to expect some change to the British government's position on the Cyprus problem after the Labour Party's victory in the elections last May since Party leaders were very approachable because they were the opposition.

"This way, we had the chance to make acquaintances easier," Sophoclides said, but stressed that "political issues like the Cyprus problem are not resolved by friendships".

The POMAK President put the number of Cypriots living in Britain to 250, 000, a number which, Sophoclides said, allows them to exert some level of influence on the country's political parties.

He added that Australians of Greek descent comprise one-fifth of that country's total population.

Christopher said the Conference was upgraded and that this is proven by the presence of seven US Congressmen at the Conference, who, Christopher noted, "did not agree to the terms set by (Turkish Cypriot leader) Rauf Denktash and did not go to the occupied areas".

Sophoclides and Christopher were received earlier in the day by President Glafcos Clerides who briefed the diaspora leaders on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem.

The POMAK President said that views were exchanged with the President on the Cyprus problem and pointed out the willingness of the diaspora organisations for close cooperation with the Cyprus government on the Cyprus issue was reaffirmed.

Christopher said that a diaspora delegation will meet with US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, whose knowledge, abilities and powers the PSEKA President said he trusts fully.

Sophoclides was elected on Wednesday POMAK President after incumbent George Christofides withdrew his candidacy.

The new POMAK Council consists of Andreas Yiasoumis as Vice-President of the British federation, Kerri Kyriakoudis for Australia, Panicos Papanicolaou for the US, Costas Attaliotis for Canada, Andreas Procopiou for Greece, Evagoras Mavrommatis for Europe, Philipos Philipou for South Africa and Constantinos Tsouroulis for the rest of Africa.

Elections on Thursday to determine the new vice-presidents of PSEKA were cancelled because no challenge was issued against any candidacy.

PSEKA vice-presidents are Kyriakos Tsioupras for Britain, Spyros Constantinou for Australia, Savvas Tsivikos for the US, Costas Attaliotis for Canada, Andreas Kyriakides for Greece, Evagoras Mavrommatis for Europe and Stavros Nicolaou for South Africa.

CNA GG/MH/MCH/1997

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1730:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Ierodiakonou leaves for Greece

The Meeting, on "Democracy and Progress: The Role of Europe in Global Economy", is organized by the Metsovio National Polytechnic.

Ierodiakonou will have official meetings with Transport and Communications Minister of Greece Charalambos Kastanides, as well as with Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Konstantinos Laliotis.

CNA KN/MCH/1997

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[04] Government Spokesman calls on Turkish Cypriots to cooperate

Christofides made the statement today given the crucial developments expected within the next few months on the Cyprus problem and to answer the Turkish side's threats of war in the event that accession negotiations between Cyprus and the European Union begin and Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles are installed on the island.

"Crucial developments on the Cyprus problem are expected and we call on the Turkish Cypriot community to cooperate for a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem which will guarantee lasting peace and prosperity for all the people of Cyprus," Christofides said.

"The international community has chosen a peaceful process for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The Republic of Cyprus maintains unwavering faith in the UN and in peace," he added.

At the same time, the Government Spokesman reiterated that "the Greek Cypriot community is taking part in the peaceful process for a solution in good faith and in a spirit of cooperation and dismisses threats and casts aside provocations by Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash".

"The Cyprus problem is not served by excessive statements. It is served by dialogue and reason. We set dialogue, reason and consensus and the justice of our struggle against threats and provocations," he added.

Asked if there is a possibility that the Turkish side is planning an incident in order to block either the arrival of the missiles to the island or the start of EU-Cyprus accession negotiations, he said "the issue of world peace is at the core and constitutes the UN's main goal".

"The Security Council has the paramount obligation and responsibility to maintain the peace all over the world", Christofides said.

Asked whether the government has made representations to the UN for the Turkish threats, Christofides said that "if there are threats, this is an issue that the UN and all those interested (in a Cyprus) solution will examine".

Noting that there are now "announcements and statements" from the Turkish side, the Government Spokesman stressed that "independent of their character, we have the obligation to monitor them, analyze them and to take the necessary measures and the correct positions".

"We are not talking about hot incidents, we don't foresee trouble as things stand and with the facts up until now," Christofides said, adding the government has not given the impression that it is concerned over a crisis in December.

However, he avoided revealing government assessments of the Turkish threats.

"We don't believe that those threats will be carried out because war and crises never solve problems and we believe that discretion and reason will prevail on the other side as well," he noted, adding that there are powers interested in peace.

He also referred to statements by US Presidential Emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke who said Rauf Denktash did not mean he will declare war.

Christofides added that Holbrooke "never sent the message that Cyprus' course to EU accession contains dangers of war".

"On the contrary," he said. "(Holbrooke) believes that Turkey's and Cyprus' European course is one which serves peace."

The Government Spokesman said the government understands that the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, will visit the island within the year, either in October or November.

CNA MA/MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1850:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Foreign Minister to visit European countries

The Foreign Minister's tour will begin with an official visit to Estonia which is, along with Cyprus, part of the first group of countries with which the European Union has recommended that accession talks begin in the first six months of 1998.

Meetings with his counterparts and other high-ranking officials will also take place in Latvia and Lithuania.

In Germany, he will meet with Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel on September 3, who will host a dinner in Kasoulides' honour.

Kasoulides will also meet in Germany with former ministers, journalists, parliamentarians and others.

The Foreign Minister will travel on September 9 to Luxembourg, which currently presides over the EU, where he will meet his counterpart Jacques Poos.

Kasoulides will then pay a working visit to Italy on September 10 and 11, where he will be received by Prime Minister Romano Prodi and meet with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini.

CNA MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1905:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Excavations completed at chalcolithic cemetery

Despite the fact that the majority of the tombs at this prehistoric Cypriot cemetery had been looted in the past, the excavations brought to light extraordinary movable finds which shed light on certain aspects of prehistoric Cyprus, particularly religious rituals.

The most important finds are two cruciform picrolite idols, a unique clay idol of a pregnant woman, a unique askos with conical projections all over the body in the form of a bunch of grapes and various other vessels decorated with red geometric motifs on a white background.

Both the cruciform idols and the terra-cotta idol of the pregnant woman may represent the divinity of fertility, which is known to have been worshiped in Cyprus in the Neolithic period.

These finds of major importance date between 3500 and 3000 B.C.

The excavations were conducted under the direction of ex-Director of the Department of Antiquities Dr. Demos Christou and under the supervision of the archaeologist Evi Baxevani and a team of students from the Universities of Athens and Edinburgh, assisted by Antiquities Department technician, Onesiforos Loukaides.

CNA MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:07

[07] New Panamanian Ambassador presents his credentials

Conveying to the President a message of peace and co-operation, Constantino noted that he will do his best "to further the friendly relations which happily exist between our two nations, to develop and strengthen our mutual ties, and to help, if possible, to bring a peaceful solution to the problems which trouble Cyprus today".

Highlighting the Panamanian government's decision to upgrade its relations with Cyprus by establishing formal diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, President Clerides noted that this will further consolidate and promote bilateral relations in all fields.

The President stressed that Cyprus continues to suffer the occupation of 37 per cent of its territory by Turkish forces, and that despite UN efforts and the government's goodwill, "it has not yet been possible to move forward due essentially to lack of political will on the part of the Turkish side".

"We remain firmly committed to the aim of a just, viable and functional solution based on a federal state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, which would guarantee the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic, free from occupation forces and settlers," the President said.

CNA MH/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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