Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Britain believes Cyprus' EU prospect will facilitate solution

[03] British trade mission to visit Cyprus

[04] Clerides receives C'wealth Association of Veterans SG

[05] Cyprus, Russia on S-300 missiles

[06] Cyprus welcomes Italian assurances

[07] Agriculture Minister inaugurates ostrich farm

[08] Foreign Office's confidence in Sir David Hannay

[09] Cypriot delegation meets British Foreign Secretary

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    78.35 (-0.13)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.41 (+0.03)
Approved Investment Companies          65.36 (+0.02)
Insurance Companies                    56.34 (-0.18)
Industrial Companies                   77.43 (-0.22)
Tourist Industries                     65.70 (-0.30)
Commercial Companies                   46.96 (-1.03)
Other Companies                        59.83 (-1.22)

Trading Volume                         CYP 477036.621

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1510:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Britain believes Cyprus' EU prospect will facilitate solution

This was stated here today by British High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden, following a meeting he had with President Glafcos Clerides, their first since the August Glion talks.

Madden described the hour-long visit as "very pleasant" and said they talked "about what is happening over the next few weeks," in the Cyprus UN- sponsored peace talks.

Asked if he discussed with President Clerides the next meeting between the President and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, he said this is an issue for UN resident representative on Cyprus, Gustave Feissel, to discuss with the two leaders.

To a question whether a Turkish campaign launched recently in Europe aims at harming Cyprus' EU course, the British diplomat said "my understanding of the tour of European capitals by the Turkish Foreign Minister is that obviously the primary focus of that is in fact to talk about Turkish relations with the EU."

He explained that the Turks were disappointed by the European Commission's views, as set out in the Agenda 2000, so they obviously want to discuss with the EU Foreign Ministers how Turkey sees the way forward.

Madden declined to comment on recent public remarks on the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' bid to become an EU member by the Italian and German Foreign Ministers, noting he was not the "appropriate person to comment on those."

"You will have to ask the Italian and German embassies. My impression is that they have given a very clear picture of their views," he added.

Asked if the British government shares those views, the High Commissioner said the view of the British government is that there is an agreement that accession negotiations with Cyprus will start early next year.

"I think we can expect the Luxembourg European Council probably to set the date for the opening of the accession negotiations with those candidate countries that it is agreed that the Luxembourg European Council should start talks with," he said.

Madden noted "we still hope that the prospect of the accession process will be helpful from the point of view of bringing a settlement to the Cyprus question."

On the issue of Turkey's intentions to connect its relations with the EU with the accession of Cyprus, Madden reminded the EU Council decision of March 1995 agreed on two things.

It agreed that accession negotiations with Cyprus will start to a certain timetable and it also agreed on Customs Union between the EU and Turkey, he said.

"So we have two processes which are continuing," the British diplomat said, noting "I see two processes going on simultaneously."

Madden was asked to comment on Turkey's strong reaction to the purchase by Cyprus of Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. He said he was "at something of a loss" to explain why there has been so much intense speculation about a system which is not due to be deployed for a considerable period, mid 1998.

"I can't explain why there is a sudden flurry of speculation and activity," he said.

He referred to the Cyprus government views that acceptance by the Turkish side of complete demilitarisation of the island or a comprehensive solution will be the circumstances to envisage the non-deployment of the S- 300.

The views of the British government on this issue, Madden said, are that "we will be working and continuing to work very hard to make progress towards a settlement, in the hope that this will obviate the need for other measures taking place."

CNA RG/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:03

[03] British trade mission to visit Cyprus

According to a British High Commission press release, the members of the delegation will be available to discuss business opportunities with Cypriot businesspeople, wishing to cooperate with them.

Leader of the mission will be Peter Bishop, Director, International Trade at the LCCI, who will also give a lecture on "How joining the European Union affected UK companies, and what Cypriot companies can do to ease their passage".

The LCCI have been organising a trade mission to Cyprus every year since 1989.

The members of the trade mission collectively represent a wide range of interests which include banking services, merchant exporters, textile manufacturers, bathroom manufacturers, water treatment and desalination products, concrete colouring systems, waste recycling, commercial catering equipment, law services, plastic household, etc.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Clerides receives C'wealth Association of Veterans SG

Speaking after the meeting, Pope said that the Association tries to visit its members once every three years to see how they are getting.

He noted that some of the member organizations, like the one in Cyprus, "receive very good support from their governments".

President of the Cyprus Association of Veterans Andreas Christofis, noted that President Clerides, himself a veteran, "kindly accepted to discuss matters which concern the veterans of Cyprus and also the veterans of the Commonwealth generally".

CNA MK/KN/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1915:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus, Russia on S-300 missiles

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides told his daily press briefing a statement Wednesday on the S-300 by the Russian President's spokesman, Serguei Yastrjembsky is a "right approach and in line with the substance of the Cyprus question."

The Russian official's statement, he added, "introduces the correct approach towards promoting a Cyprus solution."

Yastrjembsky told the press yesterday that "only if Turkish troops were withdrawn from Cyprus there would be no delivery of the S-300 to Cyprus."

Noting that the S-300 is a system of pure defensive character, the Russian presidency's spokesman defended the legitimate right of the government of Cyprus to purchase and deploy the missiles.

Meanwhile, Russian ambassador to Cyprus, Georgi Muratov, categorically stated here today the S-300 would be in Cyprus in a year's time, noting that the only development that could prevent their deployment would be the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

Speaking to the press, Muratov said Turkish threats that the surface-to- air missiles should not be deployed on the island run contrary to every rule of international law.

The Russian ambassador assured that the contract signed early this year between the Cyprus government and the Russian manufacturers of the S-300 system would be fully honoured.

"I was in Moscow and I was assured by all relevant Russian organisations that we proceed normally," he added.

To a question on the search of merchant ships by Turkish authorities passing through the Bosporus straits suspecting for missile components, in an effort to prevent the deployment of the missiles in Cyprus, Muratov stressed that those tactics should be terminated as they violate free navigation.

He said Russia was protesting against the Turkish acts to international fora and called on other countries affected to protest as well.

"We believe that not only Russia and Cyprus should protest about this kind of behaviour. I think these acts should be condemned by all countries interested in the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea," he said.

Muratov revealed that the issue was discussed at a meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA MCH/KN/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus welcomes Italian assurances

Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides told his daily press briefing today the government was "satisfied with developments and the clarifications," by the Italian Foreign Ministry and the office of the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Official announcements by the Italian government following talks yesterday in Rome by Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides with his Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini and Premier Prodi reassured that Italy recognises only President Glafcos Clerides' government as the legal representative of the Republic of Cyprus.

They also expressed full support to the ongoing UN-sponsored peace talks on the Cyprus question and to Cyprus' bid to become an EU member.

Christofides noted that with these statements it was made clear that "Italy recognises only the Cyprus Republic and its legal government."

The Spokesman added "Italy is in line with the European policy, wishes for a Cyprus solution, and supports negotiations leading to Cyprus' entry into the EU to the benefit of all Cypriots."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

The occupation regime unilaterally declared independence in the areas occupied by Turkish troops recognised only by Turkey.

The United Nations branded it "legally invalid" and called on all states not to recognise or assist the secessionist entity.

CNA MCH/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1940:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Agriculture Minister inaugurates ostrich farm

Nicosia, Sep 11 (CNA) -- A new industry is ready to lift off the ground in Cyprus that is sure to ruffle the feathers of the local livestock breeding business.

Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Costas Petrides today inaugurated the first ostrich farm ever to be built in Cyprus, whose owners expect it to be the centre for exporting ostrich and ostrich-related products to Europe and the Mediterranean.

In his inauguration speech, Petrides noted the new farm is the result of initiatives taken by overseas Cypriots, who brought to Cyprus a new product, which is expected to yield great benefits to the island's economy.

Petrides added that the farm was constructed and is operated on a modern basis, using whatever modern means available in the science and technology sectors.

In statements to CNA following a guided trip around the farm, the Agriculture Minister said the facilities are excellent and that the industry must be aided in order to expand.

"We must also give the motivation so that livestock breeding and agriculture are restructured with new products and particularly marketable products such as these," Petrides said.

The farm, whose total cost reached some two million Cyprus pounds (approx. four million US dollars), is touted by its owners and operators, M.E. Ostrich Farms Ltd., to be the biggest of its kind in the whole of Europe.

It is constructed on 230 acres of land located approximately 20 kilometres southwest of the capital Nicosia, near the village of Ayios Ioannis, and houses some 800 ostriches.

Company Directing Counsellor Savvas Hadjiminas stressed in his speech at the inauguration ceremony that the farm, seen as a work of agri-business development, "can be described without exaggeration, as the most important one which has ever been done up to now in the field of livestock breeding for the promotion of Cyprus as a regional centre and for the development of Cypriot exports and trade".

Hadjiminas added that beyond the existing facilities, two more phases are planned to the farm as part of the company's strategic plan, which will include the construction of two more ostrich breeding farms and a modern abattoir, built according to European standards, capable of slaughtering up to 200 birds a day.

The Directing Counsellor however, noted that due to the small size of the domestic market, the company had to focus on exports to the international market with resounding results.

He said the company was awarded in 1994 by the Cyprus government the Cyprus Export Award for New Product and New Industry in Exporting Ostrich Eggs in Europe.

M.E. Ostrich Farms Ltd. is owned by the Englezakis family, Cypriot emigres to South Africa, who owns a chain of ostrich farms in Africa, the US and Europe which are world renowned for the quality of their product.

According to Spyros Englezakis, ostrich breeding has a bright future in Cyprus because they do not require vast expanses of land to breed and the island's climate is ideal.

Englezakis added that according to legend, ostriches once roamed freely around Cyprus during the time Richard the Lionheart was in Cyprus (1191 A.D.) on his way back from the Crusades.

A show farm was developed adjacent to the farm replete with an Exhibition and Conference Centre, and a children's playground.

Ostrich products are currently in so great a demand around the world that all other countries involved in ostrich farming on a small scale, cannot supply the demand.

There is a market for almost every part of the ostrich. The hide is the most valuable part in the present world industry, since it is one of the most beautiful, durable and distinctive skins on the market.

Ostrich meat is low fat, low calorie, low cholesterol and high in protein, making it much sought after by health conscious Europeans. At present, it is rarely found in the US or the Far East, but has considerable market potential in both areas.

Ostriches can live up to 70 years and can reproduce up to their 30th year. Their height reaches to two metres and their weight averages around 120 kilograms.

CNA MH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Foreign Office's confidence in Sir David Hannay

In an interview with the British daily "Independent" Thursday, Denktash also expressed dissatisfaction with the rest of mediators in the Cyprus question, describing them as "ignorant", while calling on the European Union (EU) not to proceed with accession talks with the legal government of Cyprus.

There was an immediate reaction by a Foreign Office spokesman to the Turkish Cypriot leader's statements, who pledged the British government's full support to their envoy on Cyprus.

Referring to Sir David, Denktash told the British daily "I hope Hannay doesn't come back. If he does, I shan't talk to him."

He also said another Briton, Sir John Weston, would not be welcome in the Turkish-occupied north of the island.

According to the newspaper, Sir John, President of the UN Security Council, got on the wrong side of Denktash after last month's UN-led direct talks in Glion, Switzerland.

In a Security Council statement, Sir John had directly indicated Denktash's intransigence towards a Cyprus solution by saying the Turkish Cypriot side was not willing to talk on the substance of the problem, by introducing on the negotiations table irrelevant elements.

Denktash had refused to talk on the substance of the Cyprus problem if the EU does not freeze its decision to start accession talks with the government of Cyprus, early next year.

The Turkish Cypriot leader told the "Independent", if the EU comes to its senses and does not bait us, we can go on talking."

He also fulminated against foreign diplomats' ignorance on the Cyprus question, the paper added.

"I am spending my time explaining this problem to people who know nothing about it," he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, replying to a question on Denktash's statements about Sir David, the official Foreign Office spokesman told CNA this afternoon "the British government has full confidence in Sir David Hannay, who will continue to do his job."

Earlier today, British High Commissioner in Cyprus, David Madden, told the press he hoped that Sir David will be back to Cyprus in October.

CNA KT/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2120:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Cypriot delegation meets British Foreign Secretary

According to a press release issued today by the National Federation of Cypriots in Great Britain, this was stressed by Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, during a 30-minute meeting he had this afternoon with a seven-member delegation of the Federation.

With regard to Turkish threats for "gradual integration" of the Turkish- occupied areas in Cyprus into Turkey, Cook told the Cypriot delegation Britain does not recognise neither the Turkish Cypriot illegal regime nor its "agreements" with foreign countries, the announcement added.

The head of British diplomacy was also quoted as saying that any attempt by Turkey to integrate the occupied areas of the island would face reactions not only from the Cyprus government but from the whole of Europe.

Cook told the delegation that Turkish threats regarding Cyprus' accession course to the EU are unjustified, as the Union is not a military alliance, and reiterated Britain's support to a proposal by President Glafcos Clerides for the complete demilitarisation of Cyprus, the announcement said. CNA/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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