Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Spokesman: "We face Turkish provocations with self-restraint"

[03] Three new AIDS cases

[04] Christofides: Indications to curb Turkish intransigence

[05] Talat says Turkish parametres should not change

[06] Greek national illegally imprisoned

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.67 (-0.05)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  89.83 (+0.10)
Approved Investment Companies          59.58 (-1.03)
Insurance Companies                    56.99 (+0.11)
Industrial Companies                   74.58 (-0.67)
Tourist Industries                     61.05 (+0.07)
Commercial Companies                   39.90 (+0.58)
Other Companies                        64.97 (-0.78)

Trading Volume                         CYP 680961.810

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Spokesman: "We face Turkish provocations with self-restraint"

The spokesman was commenting on yesterday's violations by four Turkish aircraft on two separate occasions of Cyprus' air space and Nicosia FIR.

"We have the possibility to deal with the Turkish provocations. Cyprus and Greece tackle this with a lot of self-restraint, in a serious and responsible manner," Christofides told his daily briefing.

Asked to say whether the Turkish provocations are not causing insecurity to the people of Cyprus, he replied "we are not at war with Turkey, no war was declared."

He pointed out that the illegal Turkish occupation continues and "we are trying to defend ourselves."

Christofides said the joint Greco-Cypriot defence pact sends the right message about these provocations in the best possible manner.

"Nobody wants a war because a plane flew over Cyprus," he remarked.

The spokesman said the government was making all necessary representations to international fora about yesterday's violations.

The Turkish violations come only days after President Glafcos Clerides announced that a military air base, near the western coastal town of Paphos, would be delivered to the government later this month.

"The air base will provide facilities for aircraft to be stationed there, as part of our defence deal with Greece and the Treaty of Guarantee, " he said.

The 1960 Treaty stipulates that Greece, Britain and Turkey should safeguard the Republic's independence and territorial integrity.

Asked if the air base will be operational after its delivery, the spokesman replied "the delivery of a project signifies that it is ready to operate."

Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have warned they would take countermeasures if the air base becomes fully operational and Greek fighters are there on a permanent basis.

CNA MM/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Three new AIDS cases

The official number of HIV carriers on the island has since 1986 risen to 281, regarding 164 Cypriots and 117 foreigners, the Ministry of Health said.

The majority of Cypriot HIV carriers are between 20 and 40-years-old, 140 being men and 24 women.

CNA AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Christofides: Indications to curb Turkish intransigence

Christofides expressed the expectation that the US and Europe will "unite their forces to curb Turkish intransigence because this is what UN resolutions and the interests of many other countries command."

Pointing out that there has recently been a change in the stance of Europe and the international community towards Turkey, he stressed Turkey is no longer treated as a "spoilt child".

He also said it has been made obvious to Ankara that it must satisfy certain preconditions if it is to continue with its European process.

"In the case of (Ankara's) threats to annex the Turkish-occupied part of the island, if Cyprus joins the European Union, it has been warned that such a move would not be accepted without paying a price," he said.

Turkey cannot continue to behave in an expansionist manner, Christofides added, pointing out that despite statements made both by Turkish politicians and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, it's not them but the UN Security Council that masters the game.

CNA MA/MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Talat says Turkish parametres should not change

This was stressed today by Turkish Cypriot politician and leader of the Republican Turkish Party, Mehmet Ali Talat, in a telephone interview with London Greek Radio (LGR).

Talat argued "parametres emerged in a very long period of time and after very long discussion" and rejected any ideas of changing them.

Stressing on the need for a speedy solution to the Cyprus problem, Talat claimed a change in the parametres would take a long time and "would not help reconciliation for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

"Time is the enemy in our problem, so we have to keep the parametres and continue to search for a solution," Talat added.

Referring to Cyprus-EU accession talks, Talat stressed the need for Turkish Cypriot participation which as he noted "can only take place on equal footing."

He criticised the decision taken at the Luxembourg Summit, saying that Turkish Cypriot participation "was not put as the essence of the issue."

Talat described the period right after February's presidential elections in Cyprus until April as "very crucial".

"This period is necessary to be used in the right way and find a formula for Turkish Cypriot participation (in accession talks)," he said and pointed out:

"Otherwise partition may become more permanent in the future and may be negotiations without Turkish Cypriot participation."

CNA MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2025:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Greek national illegally imprisoned

Lilles, 24, appeared before an illegal military court Tuesday which claimed he was guilty of entering a military area.

UN Spokesman, Waldemar Rokoszewski, told CNA the UN will make further contacts with the occupation regime in an attempt to arrange visits by his family.

"I believe his family will be allowed to see him," the UN Spokesman said.

Lilles was apprehended on December 21 after accidentally entering into the Turkish-occupied areas.

CNA MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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