Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-12-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] DIKO to support possible General-Attorney's candidature

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Turkish Cypriots denounce Ankara's repressive policy

[04] Rossides: Turkish policies against US interests

[05] Seminar on the prevention of violence in the family

[06] EU presidency satisfied with Cyprus' harmonisation

[07] Andrew Athens re-elected SAE President

[08] Cyprus: ideal international business centre

1545:CYPPRESS:01

[01] DIKO to support possible General-Attorney's candidature

However, DIKO has not ruled out the possibility of supporting its President's, Spyros Kyprianou, candidature, if the Attorney-General decides not to stand the elections.

DIKO and Markides had been holding consultations over the past few weeks seeking a wider support to his candidacy.

The decision to support Markides' possible candidacy was taken by DIKO Central Committee yesterday and announced by Kyprianou who did not rule out the possibility of his own candidacy, if Markides decides not to contest.

DIKO leader reiterated at a press conference here today his party would in no way support re-election of Glafcos Clerides and called on the right- wing ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party to jointly support Attorney- General's possible candidacy.

Pending his final decision, Markides told the press last night DIKO's decision was an honour for himself.

The Attorney-General's final decision, who used to be DISY's Deputy President, is expected to be announced within the next few days after he concludes contacts with other parties and personalities.

Markides has repeatedly said his Attorney-General post was not incompatible with his possible presidential candidacy.

DISY founder President Clerides, currently in London, who had last month announced his decision to seek re-election, today rejected Markides' views.

Clerides told reporters if a person contesting presidential elections holds at the same time an incompatible post to the one he stands for, then his post's independence is not secured.

He however added that Cyprus is a democratic country and anyone can contest for its presidency within certain rules.

Asked if a public order issue for Markides is raised, Clerides said: "It is not for me to say. It's up to him to consider this."

DIKO had supported Clerides' candidature in the 1993 elections and until recently participated in his government with five out of the cabinet's eleven Ministers.

Once Markides or Kyprianou finally decide to stand the elections, there will be six presidential candidates.

Former Foreign Minister George Iacovou, an independent candidate, is supported by left-wing main opposition party AKEL.

Socialist EDEK party leader and former House President Vasos Lyssarides, United Democrats' leader and former President of the Republic George Vassiliou, as well as Liberal party President and former Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandis had earlier this year announced their candidacies.

CNA AP/MCH/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    76.17 (-0.05)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  87.73 (-0.05)
Approved Investment Companies          59.00 (-0.25)
Insurance Companies                    56.76 (-0.49)
Industrial Companies                   73.61 (+0.22)
Tourist Industries                     61.88 (-0.19)
Commercial Companies                   40.41 (+0.25)
Other Companies                        60.10 (-0.03)

Trading Volume                         CYP 195628.343

CNA AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Turkish Cypriots denounce Ankara's repressive policy

In an open letter addressed to all country-members of the European Union (EU), a group of Turkish Cypriot intellectuals, who wish to maintain their anonymity, warn that:

"The Cypriot Turks are in danger of being wiped out as a distinct community by Turkey and its army in north Cyprus with the collaboration of Rauf Denktash and the population transferred from Turkey."

The Turkish Cypriot intellectuals point out that "as from 1974 about two thirds of the population have emigrated mainly to Britain and the remaining one third have been turned to hostages (by Turkey and the occupation regime)".

Citing British Euro-MP Pauline Green they stress "Denktash does not represent Cypriot Turks any more", adding he only represents settlers "brought from Turkey to fill the vast gap created as a result of Greek Cypriots forced to flee to the south."

"The Cypriot Turks have been suppressed by Turkey under the disguise of 'liberators of the Turkish community' and by those in power," in the illegal regime, they point out.

Calling on all Europeans to hear their voice, the Turkish Cypriot intellectuals note that "many Turkish Cypriots are in favour of joining Greek Cypriots in the process of negotiations with the EU."

"The Cypriot Turks will only be free in the context of a united Cyprus, as a full member of the EU", they stress.

Concluding they point out that the "situation is urgent, time is running out and our voice is one of desperation but also of hope."

CNA MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Rossides: Turkish policies against US interests

The letter was sent on the occasion of a Washington meeting between Clinton and Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, scheduled for December 19.

"On issue after issue the military-controlled government of Turkey has acted against US interests," Rossides points out in the letter and gives as examples:

"Turkey's questionable commitment to democratic norms, obstructionist attitude on Cyprus, irresponsible territorial claims in the Aegean, defiance of US law over Armenia, reluctant assistance to the US against Iraq, a genocide war against its Kurdish minority (and) abuses of human rights."

The letter states that high expectations generated by the 1992 and 1996 campaign statements on Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean issues have not been fulfilled and criticises the US administration for failing to call Turkey to account.

"Turkey is not the victim of its international problems, but the origin of these problems. Time and time again, Turkish intransigence frustrates the will of the international community," Rossides stresses and adds that:

"Your (Clinton's) forthcoming meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz provides an opportunity to redress the balance."

Rossides asks Clinton to convey Yilmaz the message that "the years of appeasement are at an end and that henceforth the US will hold Turkey responsible for any failure to accept the rule of law and the normal standards of civilised conduct."

He says that two concrete tests of Turkey's good faith would be to stop obstructing a new initiative for a Cyprus settlement and to re-open the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology.

The AHI President also notes that a settlement of the Cyprus and Aegean problems "would materially assist regional stability," that would be to the benefit of US interests.

"With the Middle East peace process under such threat, a positive development of this nature would be very advantageous", the letter concludes.

CNA MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1820:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Seminar on the prevention of violence in the family

Nicosia, Dec 5 (CNA) -- Some 45 officials from different Ministries and non-governmental organisations met here to discuss ways of coordinating efforts to combat an increase in reported incidents of violence.

Speaking to CNA, President of the Advisory Committee aiming at the prevention and combating of violence, Annita Koni, said incidents of violence always existed but people did not use to report them in the past.

According to Welfare Office records, reported incidents of violence have shown a gradual increase in recent years.

The number of reported cases in 1996 reached 102, while in 1995, 1994 and 1993 the numbers were 84, 73 and 59 respectively.

The records show that most of the incidents concern women and children, with women being the major victims.

Among the participants that attended the seminar were representatives from the Ministries of Health, Justice and Education, the Welfare Office, the Associations for the Prevention of Violence and Family Planning.

The Advisory Committee was set up by the Council of Ministers in 1996 based on a relative provision of the law on violence and family passed by the House of Representatives in 1994.

CNA MM/MCH/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1910:CYPPRESS:05

[06] EU presidency satisfied with Cyprus' harmonisation

Luxembourg's Minister of Justice Marc Fischdach expressed the presidency's satisfaction to Cyprus' Ministers of Justice and Public Order and the Interior, Nicos Koshis and George Stavrinakis, during a structured dialogue meeting here today.

The two Ministers briefed their EU counterparts and the European Commission on measures adopted by the Cyprus government in an effort to harmonise its legislation with the acquis communautaire.

In his intervention, Koshis made special reference to money laundering and the measures adopted by the government for its prevention and combating.

He also referred to the international conventions ratified, and reaffirmed that Cyprus is ready to adopt additional measures the EU or the international community might consider necessary.

The Cypriot minister invited Swedish EU Commissioner on emigration and judicial issues, Anita Gradin, to visit the island.

On his part, Stavrinakis referred to the issues of illegal immigration and political asylum and said the government tries its best in dealing with both.

CNA NB/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Andrew Athens re-elected SAE President

Salonica, Dec 5 (CNA) -- Andrew Athens was today re-elected by an overwhelming majority as President of the world Hellenes Abroad Council (SAE).

Athens received 243 votes as against 55 of the second candidate Theodoros Spyropoulos, during elections held in the second day of the SAE assembly in Salonica, Greece.

After his re-election as SAE head for a second two-year term, Athens thanked everyone who had either voted for or against him, noting "because I want to be the President of all Hellenes abroad."

Athens assured that the new SAE presidium "will work together, with love and unity" and pointed out "we've got to be strong" to effectively face the difficult problems of overseas Hellenes worldwide.

"Wherever a single Greek faces a problem, we have to be present," the SAE president said.

Costas Pappas was re-elected as the Council's Vice-President.

Demetris Constantinides, Costas Georganas and Christos Karypides were elected as SAE Secretaries.

Christos Tomaras was elected as SAE US-Canada regional President, Constantinos Vertzayias for Oceania, Stefanos Tabakis for Asia-Africa and Agathangelos Aslanides as SAE President for Europe. Regional presidents act as SAE vice-presidents.

The three-day biennial SAE meeting, which will be concluded Saturday, today discussed the religious problems Orthodox Hellenes face.

Salonica-based SAE was set up in 1995 to consult the Greek government on overseas Hellenes' problems and action.

CNA RG/AP/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1940:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Cyprus: ideal international business centre

Speaking at a seminar on "Cyprus: An international business centre", attended by more than 200 businessmen the majority of whom were British, Clerides said:

"During the last two decades, Cyprus has developed into an international centre of transit trade, tourism, offshore and maritime activities as well as banking and business services."

Inviting foreign investors to engage in business activities on the island, President Clerides said "they will find, as others already have, that Cyprus is indeed an ideal international business centre."

Outlining Cyprus' advantages, he referred, among others, to its geographic location, the prevalence of conditions of macroeconomic stability and social cohesion, the low crime rate, the high educational level of its manpower and the modern infrastructure in transport and telecommunications.

President Clerides cited the "Economist" placing Cyprus third in the Mediterranean region in terms of per capita income level, noting that it also enjoys full employment conditions and a strong balance of payments position.

He made special reference to Cyprus' conversion to an international shipping centre, ranking fifth worldwide on the list of maritime nations with some 100 offshore enterprises with fully-fledged offices engaged in ship-management.

"Cyprus has throughout its history maintained close political, cultural and economic ties with Europe", Clerides said, pointing out that accession negotiations with the European Union are scheduled to begin early next year.

"Extensive political and trading links also exist with the countries in the Middle East region, as well as the former socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe", he added.

Pointing to the changing, improved environment in the Middle East, Clerides said "new opportunities are emerging for Cyprus to upgrade and enhance its role as a base for foreign enterprises wishing to penetrate the rapidly expanding markets in these geographical areas".

The seminar was organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE), the Central Bank of Cyprus and the Confederation of British Industries (CBI).

Also participating in the seminar were Cyprus' Commerce, Industry and tourism Minister Michalakis Michaelides, Central Bank Governor Afxentis Afxentiou and KEVE President Vassilis Rologis.

The seminar was attended by British political figures, businessmen and bankers.

CNA KT/MCH/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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