Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-02-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN recognise only the Cyprus Republic, says Spokesman

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Yeltsin conveys message to Clerides

[04] Countdown to Sunday's elections

[05] Reunification the only solution, says Foreign Minister

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN recognise only the Cyprus Republic, says Spokesman

Asked to comment on recent statements by Turkish officials, Manolis Christofides reminded his daily press briefing Tuesday that the international community considers the status quo in Cyprus as unacceptable.

The spokesman's comments came in response to recent allegations by Turkey's Deputy Foreign Minister, Inal Batu, that a "union" between Cyprus and Greece was achieved, and claims for the existence of two "states" on the island by Turkish State Minister in charge of Cyprus affairs, Sukru Gurel.

"There is just but one state in Cyprus and that is the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus," Christofides said.

He added "there is only one sovereignty, belonging to the Cyprus Republic, which will be passed on to the federal Republic with its bizonal and bicommunal character, when we gradually reach a solution based on UN resolutions and the high level agreements on Cyprus."

The government spokesman pointed out that Turkey attacked the independent Republic of Cyprus and its territorial integrity in 1974, divided the island and fabricated the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in violation to the Treaties of Establishment and Guarantee.

Under these Treaties, Turkey, Greece and Britain are the guarantor powers of the Republic's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, when Cyprus gained its freedom from British colonial rule, in 1960.

The spokesman stressed the UN had condemned the declaration of the breakaway state in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, unilaterally declared in November 1983.

Christofides reiterated that a Cyprus solution should be based on a single state with one sovereignty and one international personality, noting that all UN member-states except Turkey are looking forward to a united, federal Cyprus.

Only Turkey recognises the puppet regime and the UN itself has called on all states "not to recognise" the self-styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA MCH/AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    79.10 (-0.18)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  92.10 (-0.27)
Approved Investment Companies          61.59 (+0.28)
Insurance Companies                    56.62 (+0.41)
Industrial Companies                   75.73 (-0.45)
Tourist Industries                     63.04 (+0.53)
Commercial Companies                   37.87 (+0.58)
Other Companies                        65.35 (-0.70)

Trading Volume                         CYP 574127.705

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Yeltsin conveys message to Clerides

Yeltsin's message was conveyed Monday by Russian ambassador to Cyprus Georgi Muradov.

"If they (the Russians) wanted to make it public, they would have done so," the President said.

Replying to questions, Clerides said the government has no information about allegations that talks between Turkey and the European Union cover the issue of the deployment of the Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus.

The Cyprus government signed a contract early 1997 with Russian manufacturers for the purchase of the missiles, expected to be deployed in the summer.

Turkey responded to the arms deal, aiming to bolster the Republic's defences, with threats of a pre-emptive strike against Cyprus, if the missiles are deployed.

The government has repeatedly stressed the weapons are a purely defensive means and would act as a deterrent to a possible offensive. It also underlined it would not use the missiles unless the country is attacked.

Turkey maintains a 30,000 strong military force, fully backed with tanks and other advanced machinery, since its troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

CNA RM/AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Countdown to Sunday's elections

Attorney-General, Alecos Markides, had a meeting today with Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis, Chief Returning Officer Thanos Michael and Deputy Chief of Police Andreas Stephanou.

"We exchanged views on preventive measures the Police will take to ensure everything runs smoothly on polling day and in accordance with existing legislation," the Attorney-General said after the meeting.

Markides said it is prohibited to publish the results of any opinion polls 72 hours before polling starts at 0700 hours on Sunday (0500 GMT).

"The pre-election campaign ends on Friday midnight and thereafter no political advertising is allowed," he added.

Markides said no election results shall be made public until the last ballot box is closed and sealed.

He also warned that any move to the contrary would justify immediate arrest without a Police warrant and could mean a jail sentence.

A record number of presidential hopefuls are contesting Sunday's elections. All seven candidates, including incumbent President Glafcos Clerides, base their election programme primarily on the Cyprus question.

Sunday's poll will determine the two major candidates who are almost certain to fight it out on February 15.

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Reunification the only solution, says Foreign Minister

The Minister's comments come in response to a statement Turkey's Premier Mesut Yilmaz is reported to have made that the only solution for Cyprus is division.

According to former Greek Premier Constantinos Mitsotakis Yilmaz revealed to him that Turkish officials have come to the conclusion that division is the sole solution in Cyprus.

"After instructions from the President of the Republic and following Mitsotakis' statement, I wish to reject categorically any notion of accepting the fait accompli resulting from the 1974 Turkish invasion," the Minister said in a written statement.

Kasoulides also dismissed emphatically any idea of "readjusting the so- called borders (in Cyprus) and any idea of part of Cyprus joining the European Union (EU)."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern part. The government of the Republic applied for EU membership in July 1990 and is due to start accession negotiations this spring.

"The sole settlement of the Cyprus problem is the reunification of the island on the basis of UN resolutions, the country's borders are its coastline and its application for EU accession relates to the entire island, " the statement added.

It also pointed out that possible accession before a political settlement "shall concern the whole of Cyprus, as was the case in Germany, and as is the case today with the Customs Union agreement (between Cyprus and the EU)."

The internationally recognised government of the Republic is prevented from exercising its jurisdiction on the entire territory of the country because of the continuing Turkish occupation of its northern areas.

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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