Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-11-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus welcomes Holbrooke's visit

[02] Trade mission to Gulf states

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Charity Radiomarathon aims to hit new record

[05] Holbrooke arrives to Cyprus

[06] US envoy arrives

[07] Clerides meets Holbrooke

[08] President Clerides deliberates with advisors

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus welcomes Holbrooke's visit

Richard Holbrooke, who brokered the Bosnian deal, is coming to Cyprus later today for meetings with the leaders of the two communities, including a joint meeting which will be held tomorrow.

Immediately after his arrival, Holbrooke will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and will then cross into the Turkish-occupied area for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The Cyprus Government Spokesman welcomed Holbrooke's two-day visit, but stressed no statements would be made on the context of the talks.

Manolis Christofides told his daily press briefing "no statements can be made while serious talks are being held" and said journalists would be informed at the end of Holbrooke's meetings.

The US envoy is scheduled to hold a joint press conference for Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists on Tuesday afternoon, at the end of his Nicosia discussions.

Christofides welcomed international interest, especially on behalf of the US, in a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

"It is the first time there is so much international interest, on behalf of the US, the UN, the European Union and many others," he noted.

The Spokesman added "American interest in a settlement is expressed at the highest possible level, from President Clinton to the Secretary of State and other officials."

He expressed hope that Turkish intransigence would be overcome and a settlement to the protracted Cyprus question would be reached.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied 37 percent of its territory.

CNA EC/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Trade mission to Gulf states

After Dubai the delegation will visit Oman and Kuwait for the same purpose.

The delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

CNA GG/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                   75.57 (-0.17)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  86.97 (+0.21)
Approved Investment Companies          60.24 (+0.02)
Insurance Companies                    55.55 (-1.19)
Industrial Companies                   72.09 (-1.48)
Tourist Industries                     63.42 (-1.26)
Commercial Companies                   41.68 (-0.10)
Other Companies                        58.80 (+0.68)

Trading Volume                         CYP 306977.020

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Charity Radiomarathon aims to hit new record

"Radiomarathon '97", organised for the seventh consecutive year to raise funds and increase public awareness on the problems children with special needs face, began this morning at 0600 (0400 GMT) and will finish tomorrow at midnight.

The event is jointly organised by the Cyprus Popular (Laiki) Bank and the Radio Channel 3 of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC).

Local TV and radio stations as well as Greek speaking stations in Greece, Britain, Canada, South Africa and Australia are participating in this year's Radiomarathon.

This year's events include relay competitions, runs, two sports fiestas with the participation of Greek medalists in the Atlanta Olympics, cycling and an arts auction.

The total funds raised in the previous six charity events under the slogan "even the smallest contribution is big" reached more than 5 million Cyprus pounds.

Organisers expect to surpass last year's Radiomarathon record 1,2 million Cyprus pounds.

President Glafcos Clerides described the Radiomarathon as the "top charity institution of Cypriot society" and said the government encourages such events.

He pointed to the social importance of so many people being involved or responding to this event.

President Clerides has donated 3.000 pounds, which is his Christmas bonus salary, and offered a picture of himself which is of sentimental value to be auctioned.

Last Saturday, the President hosted on board his yacht "KAITI II" a group of businessmen for a brief cruise raising more than 20.000 pounds for "Radiomarathon '97".

The Minister of Interior and political party leaders praised the event, describing it as an act that has literally identified itself with Cypriots solidarity, love and caring for people with special needs.

Fifty-two collection stands have been set up around Cyprus and seven piggy-bank vehicles are touring the countryside to collect contributions.

Top Cypriot and Greek athletes and artists, including world famous composer Yiannis Markopoulos, are taking part.

Yiannis Kouros, the Greek super-marathon runner started a run from the birthplace of the Olympic Games, ancient Olympia, Greece, last week and is now running in Cyprus to raise funds.

CNA AP/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2018:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Holbrooke arrives to Cyprus

This is the first time Richard Holbrooke is visiting Cyprus after his appointment by US President, Bill Clinton, earlier this year.

After his arrival Holbrooke will call on President Glafcos Clerides. He will then cross into the Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Tomorrow, Holbrooke will have a joint meeting with the leaders of the two communities at the Ledra Palace hotel, situated in the UN-controlled buffer zone of the capital.

It would be the first face-to-face meeting between President Clerides and Denktash in the presence of the American envoy.

Later the same day he will hold a press conference for Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists, also at the Ledra Palace hotel.

US State Department Spokesman, James Rubins, had stated last week the meeting would be informal and there would be no specific agenda.

President Clerides has said Holbrooke's visit signals the start of a US initiative in Cyprus.

Holbrooke is accompanied by Thomas Miller, the State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus. He is expected to leave the island on Wednesday.

Miller arrived here yesterday and today he had separate meetings with President Clerides and Denktash.

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

CNA MA/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2050:CYPPRESS:06

[06] US envoy arrives

Richard Holbrooke has also reiterated US support for both Cyprus' and Turkey's accession to the European Union and stressed the Cyprus peace process must be non-stop.

The American envoy arrived in Cyprus this evening from Moscow.

After statements at Larnaca International Airport for Greek and Turkish Cypriot journalists as well as foreign correspondents, Holbrooke left for the capital Nicosia to meet President Glafcos Clerides.

After the Presidential meeting, the US envoy will cross into the Turkish-occupied part of Nicosia to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Tomorrow he will hold a joint meeting with the Cyprus President and Denktash.

Holbrooke expressed satisfaction with the fact that the two men agreed to join in a meeting with him and said they both agreed that the content of the meeting will remain confidential.

"I do not expect any breakthroughs while we are here," the American envoy said, noting that the meetings themselves show "that both men are going to continue talking about issues of immense complexity..."

He added the meetings also show "that the US, as President Clinton has said many times, is committed to using whatever influence it has to assist the two communities in reaching a just and honourable settlement..."

Replying to a question Holbrooke said he is "not trying for a big deal on this trip" and stressed that in order for discussions to succeed "they must be confidential".

Holbrooke rejected Greek Cypriot opposition parties' claims that his visit here aims at backing President Clerides' candidature in February's presidential elections.

There is always a pre-election campaign in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey or the US, he noted.

"Peace and diplomatic problems should not be held hostage to every election. I'm not interfering in the domestic politics of Cyprus. The US is not going to do that. I have no interest in doing that," he said.

The American envoy stressed he is visiting the island after five meetings with Denktash in Washington and New York and three telephone calls with President Clerides.

"We concluded that a trip here at this time would be useful," he added.

Holbrooke repeated US support for both Turkey's and Cyprus' accession to the EU.

"Even though we cannot tell the EU who should join, we believe that Turkey should ultimately be a member of the European institution," he said.

Holbrooke added "we are delighted that the EU appears to be ready, based on the recommendation of the Commission, to include Cyprus in the group of countries that will begin accession talks."

EU accession talks with Cyprus are expected to begin next Spring and the issue has raised opposition from the Turkish side.

To a question if the political will exists on both sides to move forward a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Holbrooke replied "that's what we are here to discuss".

Asked if his visit to Moscow had any connection with a Cyprus government decision taken in January this year to buy the Russian-made defence missile system S-300, Holbrooke said it was "entirely private, for the bank I work for." He said in Moscow he had not any meetings with government officials.

He reiterated his pledge not to do any business in Cyprus, Greece or Turkey during his term as Presidential emissary.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkey invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974. UN efforts to bring about a settlement have so far failed because of Turkish intransigence.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2210:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Clerides meets Holbrooke

Holbrooke made no statements at the Presidential Palace. The American official was due to cross into the Turkish-occupied part of the island for a meeting later tonight with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General Alecos Markides, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides and Under-Secretary to the President Pantelis Kouros.

Markides, and Kouros, were the President's advisors on the Cyprus issue during two rounds of negotiations held this summer.

Holbrooke, on his first visit here since his appointment earlier this year, was accompanied by US ambassador in Nicosia, Kenneth Brill, and State Department's special Cyprus coordinator, Tom Miller.

Tomorrow, Holbrooke will hold a joint meeting with President Clerides and Denktash at the Ledra Palace hotel in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia.

Speaking on his arrival at Larnaca airport Holbrooke said both leaders had agreed their talks would be held in confidentiality.

This point was also stressed earlier today by Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides who said no statements would be made until the end of the visit.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory in 1974.

CNA MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2330:CYPPRESS:08

[08] President Clerides deliberates with advisors

Richard Holbrooke met President Clerides immediately after his arrival here earlier this evening, and then crossed into the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus for a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Attorney General Alecos Markides, Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides and Under-Secretary to the President Pantelis kouros attended the meeting at the Presidential Palace.

The four men were also present at the meeting President Clerides had with Holbrooke.

President Clerides and Rauf Denktash will have a joint meeting with Holbrooke tomorrow.

This is the first time the American envoy is visiting Cyprus since his appointment earlier this year.

Holbrooke stated he does not expect a breakthrough during his meetings in Nicosia and said the Cyprus peace process must continue.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory in 1974.

CNA RG/MA/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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