Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-09-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Rally

[02] US administration committed to Cyprus solution

1300:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Rally

A top three placing in Cyprus will secure the Polish ace the European crown.

Holowezye led the 71 crews remaining in the race away from the overnight halt in Nicosia yesterday morning under threatening skies.

He had a 42 second lead over Toni Gardemeister of Finland, who had chased hard on the first Leg in the Team Astra Lancia Delta HF.

A roll on the first stage of the day put the Finn back to 24th Greek champion Leonidas Kirkos joined battle with Russian driver Serguey Baldikov for the second place.

They went through succeeding stags in the Troodos mountains in torrential rain, swapping second and third place by a matter of seconds.

On the seventh stage, Kirkos' Ford escort WRCar developed serious mechanical problems and he withdrew from the contest, leaving Baldikov securely in second place.

Cypriot Andreas Tsouloftas with Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III, who currently heads the Cyprus Championship table was in third place.

Leading the Group N category was Andreas Peratikos of Cyprus in another Mitsubishi. A steady drive on Leg II was rewarded with fourth overall at the end of the day's racing.

Lebanese Jean-Pierre Nasrallah overcame steering problems to finish the day in the fifth position.

Austrian Stefan Reininger needs tree points in the Group N category to win the European Group N title, but his Renault Clio Wiliams is currently in the 20th place overall and the twelfth in the Group, so the third Leg today will be crucial to his hopes.

The remaining 40 cars will cover 500 more Kilometres today before the finish in Nicosia this evening. CNA MCH/ 1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:02

[02] US administration committed to Cyprus solution

On his part US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Cley Constantinou pointed out that Cyprus' accession to the European Union would act as a catalyst for a solution.

Speaking at a function, last night, of Cypriots living in the US, Miller said US efforts will be continuous, pointing out that an unresolved Cyprus problem destabilises relations in the region.

He also said that US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, is committed to work for a solution based on a bi-zonal, bi- communal federation.

Personally I am optimistic that such a solution can be reached, the US official added.

Constantinou, said Cyprus-EU accession talks will start soon and stressed that accession would act as a catalyst for a solution and contribute to the prosperity of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking at the function, Foreign Minister Ionannis Kasoulides described the staus quo as unacceptable and warned that instability in Cyprus could have grave consequences on stability in the region.

The basic issues of the Cyprus problem, such as security, should be settled in a satisfactory manner Kasoulides added.

He also pointed out to the complete demilitarisation of the island and respect for human rights.

On his part Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said Turkey appears ready to negotiate but keeps expressing threats both against Cyprus and Greece.

Finally the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos said the US should see to the implementation of international law and respect of human rights in the case of Cyprus.

CNA MCH/KN/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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