Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-01-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cypriots want entry into EU

[02] Villagers to abstain from voting

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Australian new High Commissioner reaffirms support

[05] New Swiss Ambassador accredited

1520:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cypriots want entry into EU

The Spokesman explained "the majority is over 90 per cent and nearing 100 per cent."

He said the accession is desired by "the Republic of Cyprus, is welcomed by the Greek Cypriot community, the Turkish Cypriot community, is supported and encouraged by the UN, the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement, except Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership".

Christofides said the interests of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots require the completion of the European course and stressed the "road to Europe should remain open".

He called on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to "set aside excuses and pretexts because it is not right to sacrifice the interests of the Turkish Cypriots to serve the interests of Turkey or those of the Turkish Cypriot leadership".

Cyprus will start accession negotiations in April, following a decision by the Luxembourg European Council last month.

CNA MM/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Villagers to abstain from voting

The final decision of Inia's 300 voters will be taken at an all- community meeting next Saturday, when they will decide whether to hand-in the booklets eligible voters use to practice their right at all elections, which are compulsory by law.

In two previous meetings, held last Sunday and yesterday, the villagers decided and started handing-in their booklets to community leader Sofoclis Pittocopitis, who will hand them over to Paphos' District Officer Nicos Roussos.

Presidential elections in Cyprus will be held on February 8.

Pittocopitis said the inhabitants have chosen this way of reaction to protest the delay shown by the authorities in changing the provisions of a World Bank plan on the environmentally sensitive Akamas peninsula where their village is situated.

Inhabitants in the region oppose the plan, prepared upon governmental request, providing that the area should become a National Park and forbidding housing or tourism development beyond the state land in the area.

More than 180 of Inia's 300 voters handed-in their booklets during Wednesday's meeting, where a decision was taken that all election booklets should be handed-in by next Sunday.

Pittocopitis argued that the delay by the government to take its final decision on the Akamas' plan leads the community to desertion since no motives exist for young people to stay there.

Cyprus radio reported today that Bishop of Paphos, Chrysostomos, approved the protest and urged Inia inhabitants to take further measures. Paphos' Bishopric is one of the major landowners in the area.

Local environmentalists as well as international environmental group Greenpeace have repeatedly urged the Cyprus government to turn Akamas into a National Park.

The Akamas peninsula, situated on the western tip of this east Mediterranean island, is considered unique for its flora and fauna and is one of the few places in the Mediterranean, where the Green and Loggerhead turtles hatch their eggs.

CNA SS/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    77.92 (+0.68)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  90.78 (+0.93)
Approved Investment Companies          59.42 (+0.64)
Insurance Companies                    56.36 (+0.12)
Industrial Companies                   74.29 (+0.24)
Tourist Industries                     59.78 (-0.47)
Commercial Companies                   38.70 (-0.23)
Other Companies                        65.01 (+1.31)

Trading Volume                         CYP 923446.925

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Australian new High Commissioner reaffirms support

This was reaffirmed here, today by new High Commissioner of Australia to Cyprus, Howard Graig Brown.

Presenting his credentials, Brown said Australia has demonstrated over many years its interest and support in efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement of the problems which continue to divide Cyprus.

He said the deployment of Australian police during the past 30 years under the UN auspices "underlines Australia's commitment to realise this objective".

"A dominant element in the bilateral relationship are the thousands of Cypriots and people of Cypriot descent in Australia who are making an important contribution to Australia's development in many fields", Brown added.

Replying, President Clerides said the two countries maintain excellent relations both at the multilateral and bilateral level.

Cyprus, he added, "highly values the active role and positive contribution" of Australia in dealing with various important global and regional issues.

Referring to the protracted Cyprus problem, Clerides pointed out that despite the government's constructive attitude and goodwill for achieving a just and viable solution, the Turkish intransigence prevents the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions.

The President pledged that Cyprus remains "committed to achieving a peaceful settlement". CNA EC/MCH 1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:05

[05] New Swiss Ambassador accredited

Presenting his credentials to President Glafcos Clerides today, Streuli also said Switzerland continues to support the work of the UN peace keeping force in Cyprus and the Committee for Missing Persons.

"Switzerland follows with great attention the issue of the division of Cyprus. We were particularly pleased to host the Glion meeting and I can assure you that you can count on us in the future should our help and good offices be needed," he said.

Two rounds of negotiations were held in summer 1997 to settle the Cyprus problem, the first in the US and the second in Switzerland.

Streuli, based in Beirut, described relations between the two countries as excellent, varied and growing in importance, and pledged to contribute to their further development and deepening.

He pointed out that about 100 thousand Swiss visited Cyprus last year, around 20 Cypriot students attend hotel management schools in Switzerland every year and Swiss students are involved in two archaeological excavations here.

Receiving the new Swiss Ambassador's credentials, President Clerides also stressed excellent relations between the two countries that share "the same democratic values as well as respect for human rights."

He pledged the government will work towards strengthening cooperation particularly in the economic, tourism and commercial sectors, as well as in the international field.

President Clerides expressed appreciation for Switzerland's interest and understanding in the Cyprus problem, which, he said was reflected in the hosting of the second round of talks.

He said that despite the fact that the Turkish side remains intransigent in efforts to settle the Cyprus problem, the government remains committed to uniting the country which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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