Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-08

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Government protests against Bosporus Straits incident

[03] Government rejects exchange of property or population

[04] Spokesman on possibility of regional conflict

[05] Nicosia, Moscow mayors sign cooperation protocol

[06] President sends confidential letter to Greek leader

[07] Top UN envoy to resume meetings with two leaders

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    78.22 (+0.01)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.96 (+0.28)
Approved Investment Companies          65.26 (+0.28)
Insurance Companies                    56.69 (+1.18)
Industrial Companies                   77.67 (-1.56)
Tourist Industries                     66.19 (-0.26)
Commercial Companies                   47.15 (-1.05)
Other Companies                        60.11 (-0.43)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1085277.076

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government protests against Bosporus Straits incident

"We shall make representations after we hear the legal opinion of international consultants and act accordingly," Christofides said.

"At this stage, we are not in a position to give any further details about future moves," he explained.

The protest is to be made following last week's incident when Turkish authorities stopped and searched a Cyprus flagged vessel, "Diamond H", as it arrived to transit the Bosporus.

The vessel was bound from the Ukraine to Alexandria, Egypt, with a cargo of steel products.

Turkish authorities are believed to have been looking for components of Russian-made surface-to-air missiles Cyprus has bought. The search delayed the transit for several hours.

"The Montreux Treaty, which governs navigation in the Straits, incorporates provisions for the rights of the contracting parties," Christofides said.

Article Two of the Treaty stipulates "in time of peace, merchant vessels shall enjoy complete freedom of transit and navigation of the Straits, by day and by night, under any flag and with any kind of cargo, without any formalities."

Before taking any action, the Spokesman said, the government will consult all competent authorities involved in shipping.

Senior Surveyor of the Cyprus Merchant Shipping Council, Andreas Constantinou, told Lloyd's List he believed the Turks were Trying everything possible to undermine the Montreux Treaty which quite explicitly would preclude such action.

Constantinou considers the recent interference with ships in transit is linked closely with the dispute on the international status of the Straits.

CNA RG/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1720:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government rejects exchange of property or population

The government has also rejected suggestions that it has accepted the exchange of population, with Greek Cypriots living in the southern part of the island and Turkish Cypriots in the northern Turkish occupied areas.

"The two high level agreements (signed between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in 1977 and 1979) provide for the establishment of a federal, bicommunal, bizonal democracy, where human rights will be fully respected," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said here today.

One of these fundamental human rights, he explained, is the right to property and free movement.

Christofides' comments come following claims by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that the two sides have agreed to the exchange of population and property.

Turkey and Denktash, he explained, have always argued that an exchange of population has already taken place which must be followed by an exchange of property.

"President Glafcos Clerides, as a negotiator, refuted such claims and stressed that the Greek Cypriot side had never accepted either the exchange of population or property," Christofides added.

The Greek Cypriot side, party to the UN-sponsored talks, "has never accepted there has been an exchange of population and that there can be an exchange of property," the Spokesman said.

Replying to questions, Christofides defended government policy to grant title deeds to Greek Cypriot refugees, now living in housing estates in the government controlled part of Cyprus.

Once these refugees return to their homes, he explained, they would retain ownership of the property they were granted.

CNA RG/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Spokesman on possibility of regional conflict

He also said the government does not consider it likely that there will be hot incidents either.

Commenting on Turkish threats about pre-emptive strikes against Cyprus if Russian missiles are deployed on the island and US considerations about the likelihood of war in the region Christofides said "a superpower, with world interests, can prevent conflicts and secure international peace, in cooperation with the UN, and study the situation as well as difference between states."

The Spokesman reiterated his government's firm position that there will be no need to deploy the S-300 surface-to-air missiles if Cyprus is demilitarised or if there is sufficient progress to warrant its annulment.

"Neither side (Cyprus or Russia) will insist on implementing the contract, if there is prior agreement for the demilitarisation of Cyprus or if there is such progress towards a settlement which would justify non- implementation of the said contract," Christofides told the press.

He explained "that one cannot a priori define the progress needed to warrant non-implementation of the contract.

"The President of the Republic and the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question, are the competent authorities to decide on the matter," he added.

Cyprus and Russia signed early this year a multi-million dollar deal for the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 missiles, a move which sparked immense international reaction.

Turkey, which has repeated threatened to hit Cyprus, maintains a 35,000 strong heavily armed military presence in the northern part of the island which it occupies since its troops invaded in 1974.

The US and others have made it clear they would rather have the contract revoked.

CNA RG/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700 CYPPRESS:05

[05] Nicosia, Moscow mayors sign cooperation protocol

Demetriades is in Moscow to take part in celebrations commemorating the Russian capital's 850th anniversary.

The protocol foresees, among other points, the development of closer ties of friendship and cooperation, the exchange of expertise on local government, city planning, protection of the environment, transport, health, sport and cultural exchanges.

During today's meeting, Demetriades presented the Moscow Mayor with a series of authentic 19th century etchings depicting scenes of Moscovite life at the turn of the century.

In accepting the 22 etchings, Luzkov expressed his surprise and emotion for such an original and unexpected gift.

Accompanying Demetriades to all his meetings was Cyprus Ambassador to Moscow Platon Kyriakides. CNA MH/MCH /1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1905:CYPPRESS:06

[06] President sends confidential letter to Greek leader

"The content of the letter is strictly confidential and Simitis' reply, if there is one by Monday, will be discussed at a meeting of the National Council, scheduled for September 15," Christofides said.

He also explained that the President has no obligation to inform political parties about his moves.

Christofides welcomed comments by the Greek Premier that he would back any measures the Republic of Cyprus decides to take to defend itself.

Simitis said his government "supports the deployment of the S-300 missiles because Cyprus has the right to defend itself."

His comments came in response to Turkish threats to strike Cyprus if the Russian-made missiles are deployed on the island. Greece has warned that any such move would mean war.

"Simitis' statement is crystal clear," Christofides told his press briefing today.

CNA RG/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2050 CYPPRESS:07

[07] Top UN envoy to resume meetings with two leaders

Speaking on arrival after a three-week holiday break, Feissel said he wanted to "get the feel on the ground" before making any comment on recent developments, which he said he did not really follow during his absence from Cyprus.

Replying to questions, Feissel said he would have a "general discussion" with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and is anxious to "get their views on the situation."

"I expect that these direct talks held in Nicosia in July will continue, and it is my understanding both leaders would like that to happen, so I expect that we will have meetings to make sure that the thing we have agreed on in July will be implemented as planned and to explore other possibilities as well," Feissel said.

The top UN envoy in Cyprus said he would "listen to both leaders" to hear what they want to discuss during the meetings with him on humanitarian issues.

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

Invited to comment on an ongoing dialogue between the National Guard and the Turkish occupation troops to ease tension along the UN-controlled buffer zone, Feissel pointed out he was not up to date with "the latest situation" but noted it was "very important that, wherever it may be at the present time, if we haven't gotten there yet and I assume we have not, we need to push that."

CNA MAN/MM/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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