Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-09-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02]Increased interest in 'CyServ '97' exhibition

[03] National Council discussed latest political developments

[04] Holbrooke believes parties more productive

[05] Parties back President in security talks

[06] References to Cyprus in UN General Assembly

[07] US interest in Cyprus settlement

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.73 (-0.17)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  88.46 (-0.02)
Approved Investment Companies          64.62 (+0.44)
Insurance Companies                    56.51 (-0.16)
Industrial Companies                   76.64 (-0.43)
Tourist Industries                     65.64 (-0.26)
Commercial Companies                   46.82 (-0.28)
Other Companies                        60.13 (-1.68)

Trading Volume                         CYP 743391.505

CNA MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1705:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Increased interest in 'CyServ '97' exhibition

The General Manager of the Federation of Employers and Industry (OEB) said today that participants from Eastern Mediterranean countries will be invited to take part next year.

Antonis Petrides said Greek participation "is the first step to promote 'CyServ' internationally and make it an important event in this region."

He welcomed the fact that "one third of the exhibitors are taking part for the first time and there is an increase in interest in the exhibition."

The exhibition will take place October 16 - 19, in Nicosia, with the participation of consultancy and telecommunication companies, advertising agencies, tourism companies, banks and others offering public services.

Petrides said that seminars on issues such as overseas' expansion of the services sector, the role of services in economic development and the future of offshore and nautical activity will take place during the exhibition.

He expressed satisfaction that over five thousand people visited the previous two "CyServ" exhibitions, as it is highly specialised and addresses a specific group of people.

Petrides said OEB has invited businesspeople and journalists from interested countries to come to Cyprus and visit the exhibition.

CNA MK/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:03

[03] National Council discussed latest political developments

In three separate meetings held over the past two weeks President Glafcos Clerides briefed the political leadership on an agreement to talk security issues with the Turkish Cypriot leader.

The first meeting between President Clerides and Rauf Denktash will take place on Friday.

During the National Council (top advisory body to the president on the Cyprus issue) meetings, party leaders outlined their views on the handling of the Cyprus problem after two rounds of direct talks.

President Clerides and Denktash had two rounds of direct talks in July and August aiming at settling the Cyprus question.

The UN-sponsored talks came to a deadlock because of the Turkish side's insistence not to negotiate unless the EU postpones accession talks with Cyprus.

Accession talks are scheduled to begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1840:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Holbrooke believes parties more productive

Richard Holbrooke also welcomed an agreement between the two sides to discuss security issues.

"It is another sign that everyone is trying to find ways to reduce tension, although I won't mislead you, they haven't addressed the issues but the fact that they are talking is procedurally important," he said.

After an hour long meeting with the Cyprus Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, Holbrooke said the US is trying to define the substance of the issues relating to the Cyprus question.

"We are not on the edge of a historic breakthrough. We are not in the middle of a Camp David or a Dayton type negotiation. We're trying to define the issues," he said.

"Everyone is in a more productive mood than they were at the beginning of this year and I include in that the governments of Athens and Ankara, both of which have been trying to make positive statements."

The American official said it is important that President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will be meeting in Nicosia, to discuss security issues.

"That is where they should meet, that is where the problem is," he said.

The first meeting between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus will take place on Friday.

Referring to Cyprus' bid to join the European Union, the American President's Emissary reiterated US support but said it is up to the 15 member states to discuss modalities.

"President Clinton has repeatedly made clear that we believe Cyprus should join the EU, but the details, timing, modalities involves the 15 current EU members and is also affected by other countries that may join," he added.

The US official said the US "will not be in the room during these negotiations, but we will be outside the room cheering Cyprus on."

Holbrooke will also be meeting with President Clerides when he visits New York to address the UN General Assembly and will have a second meeting with Kasoulides.

On his part the Foreign Minister described the meeting as interesting and said they discussed issues of concern to all involved in a settlement in Cyprus.

"How to deal with the Cyprus problem, how to put the EU accession process to the service of efforts to solve the problem," Kasoulides said.

CNA JD/MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Parties back President in security talks

President Glafcos Clerides briefed political party leaders about the talks over three meetings of the National Council, his top advisory body on the Cyprus issue.

They decided that the meetings on security issues, the first will take place Friday, should address fundamental matters.

Leader of right-wing party (DISI), Nicos Anastasiades, said issues such as demilitarisation and future guarantees should be discussed and said the talks cannot continue indefinitely.

On his part left-wing (AKEL) leader, Dimitris Christofias, disagreed with talks on security issues going ahead without being prepared beforehand, so that they stand more chance to succeed.

Leader of centre-right (DIKO) party, Spyros Kyprianou, said the security talks will fail if they do not address all issues, including the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

Socialist party (EDEK) leader, Vasos Lyssarides, refrained from commenting on the talks saying it would be wrong to reveal publicly what President Clerides will put forward.

United Democrats leader, George Vasiliou, said the President must try to bring about progress and supported that the complete demilitarisation of Cyprus cannot be fully addressed in these talks.

President Clerides has put forward a proposal for the complete demilitarisation of Cyprus and is expected to raise the issue in his meetings with Denktash.

Liberal Party leader, Nicos Rolandis, supported intensive negotiations for an overall settlement to the Cyprus problem.

The leader of New Horizons party, Nicos Koutsou, said both the timing of the talks and the fact that there is no agenda is wrong.

The Liberal and New Horizons parties participated in recent National Council meetings for the first time as it is comprised only of Parliamentary party's.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:06

[06] References to Cyprus in UN General Assembly

On his part the Russian Foreign Minister said international efforts are needed to achieve a settlement in Cyprus.

Both foreign ministers referred to the Cyprus question in their addresses to the 52nd session of the UN General Assembly, in New York, yesterday.

Jacques Poos expressed regret that direct talks between the two communities in Cyprus failed to register progress and called on both leaders to resume talks for a settlement in Cyprus.

President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash met in July and August within the framework of UN efforts to settle the Cyprus question.

"We urge them and all parties concerned to work constructively and in good faith to bring about a successful outcome," he added.

Poos also said "we reject any link between these talks and the (EU) accession negotiations with Cyprus."

He said the accession talks "will be initiated in line with the decision taken by the European Council and will contribute in a positive manner towards the search for a political solution."

The Luxembourg Foreign Minister said that the EU recalled that Cypriot membership should benefit both communities to help bring about civil peace and reconciliation.

According to EU decisions accession talks with Cyprus will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

In his address to the General Assembly, Yevgeni Primakov said efforts to settle any problem, including Cyprus and the Middle East, should not be monopolised by one country.

The Russian Foreign Minister added that "effective international cooperation is needed to settle the Cyprus problem."

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2050:CYPPRESS:07

[07] US interest in Cyprus settlement

Madeleine Albright met today in New York with her Cypriot counterpart and discussed efforts for a solution to the Cyrpus problem and the upcoming talks between the two sides on security issues.

According to an official announcement, Ioannis Kasoulides and Albright also disussed a dialogue between the two sides on humanitarian issues, Cyprus' accession to the European Union as well as bilateral cooperation.

The talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, beginning Friday in Nicosia, was announced by the US Secretary of State earlier this month during a stop over in Cyprus.

President Clerdes and Denktash had also met in Nicosia earlier this summer and discussed humanitarian issues.

Officials from both countries were present at the Albright - Kasoulides meeting.

CNA MA/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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