Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkish reinforcements monitored

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Parties consult ahead of election run-off

[04] Cypriot remanded for murder of French tourist

[05] Roberry likely motive for murder of French tourist

[06] Clerides set to get backing of small party

[07] Cyprus wins six-nation tournament

[08] Intense activity among parties

[09] EDEK hands its proposals to presidential candidates

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkish reinforcements monitored

"It is no secret that Turkey continuously reinforces its military strength in occupied Cyprus, both in quality and quantity," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said today, commenting on similar statements made by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

The pact was decided in 1993 between the governments of Greece and Cyprus and provides for sea, land and air cover to Cyprus in the case of a new Turkish offensive.

Christofides reiterated the government expects efforts to settle the Cyprus problem to begin in March, after the election of the new president of the Republic.

"The international community is beginning to loose its patience and wants a solution," he said, noting that everybody describes 1998 as "a key year" for both the peace talks and the Republic's European Union (EU) accession talks.

EU accession negotiations with Cyprus are scheduled to begin end of March or beginning of April.

The spokesman also said the government favours Ankara's European prospects.

Asked if an American intervention in Iraq would affect the Cyprus peace effort, Christofides said "the country involved in the Iraqi issue is also involved in Cyprus, within the UN framework."

The US has stepped up its backing to UN efforts to reunite Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory in 1974.

In 1997 President Bill Clinton appointed Richard Holbrooke, who brokered the Bosnian deal, as his Emissary for Cyprus.

CNA EC/MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1535:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.34 (+1.54)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  94.81 (+1.67)
Approved Investment Companies          63.27 (+0.84)
Insurance Companies                    57.43 (+1.54)
Industrial Companies                   75.64 (+0.27)
Tourist Industries                     69.86 (+4.05)
Commercial Companies                   38.91 (+2.91)
Other Companies                        67.24 (-0.34)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1254006.728

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Parties consult ahead of election run-off

The focus is now on the two front runners, incumbent President Glafcos Clerides and former foreign minister George Iacovou, who are engaged in a flurry of activity with the five candidates who did not make it to the second round.

Sunday's run-off was officially announced today by the Central Elections Service which said Iacovou and Clerides, who obtained the highest number of votes with only half a percentage point in Iacovou's favour, will contest the second round to elect the president for a five-year term.

Meanwhile Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides expressed "full satisfaction with the democratic manner the elections were conducted and the mild political climate that prevailed."

Commenting on the outcome of the elections, the Spokesman said "we are talking about an equilibrium in terms of the numerical strength but there is a momentum in Clerides' favour."

Iacovou, backed by the left-wing AKEL and centre-right Democratic Party, got 40.61 per cent of the vote, and Clerides followed closely behind with 40.06.

The Socialist EDEK party increased its share of the vote and garnered 10.59 per cent, a marked rise from its previous 8.13 in May's parliamentary elections two years ago.

CNA MM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cypriot remanded for murder of French tourist

Kyriakos Andrea Zana, 36, from Kiti village, on the southeastern coast, is alleged to have confessed to the murder of Francoise-Jacqueline Chomik, 49, who has been missing since early January.

The suspect led police to the body, recovered in a well yesterday, and today they are continuing their search for the murder weapon.

The chief of police, Panicos Hadjiloizou, expressed sadness for the murder and said "as far as we are concerned, this case is closed."

Police want to question about fifty people in connection with the murder and are still trying to locate the victim's money and traveller's cheques.

CNA KN/MM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Roberry likely motive for murder of French tourist

Police announced here this evening that Francoise-Jacqueline Chomik, 49, died of gunshot wounds, which 36-year-old Kyriakos Andrea Zana inflicted on her.

The suspect stole 1.700 french francs, 40 Cyprus pounds (about 80 US dollars) and two traveller's cheques, which he later destroyed.

According to the police, Zana collected the French tourist from Larnaca airport to take her to a hotel in Limassol, some 45 miles away.

On the way, Zana diverted the car and led his client to a nearby chapel where he allegedly killed her.

Zana was remanded in custody today for eight days in connection with the case, following his own admission of guilt according to police.

Chomik has been missing since early January.

CNA MM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1735:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Clerides set to get backing of small party

"The Executive Committee, having studied the current situation, decided to suggest to tomorrow's party plenary meeting to back the candidacy of President Clerides," Koutsou told a press conference here today.

Koutsou refrained from outlining the thinking behind the decision.

Koutsou's share of the vote, though small, may prove crucial to Clerides' re-election bid since the difference between the two front runners, Clerides and George Iacovou, is marginal with half a percentage point.

New Horizons leader got only 3.625 votes in yesterday's preliminary round of presidential elections, which ended inconclusively, a number which accounts for 0,91 per cent of the vote.

CNA MM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030 CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus wins six-nation tournament

Meanwhile, Slovakia ended third beating Finland 2-0, and Norway fifth, beating Iceland 1-0.

CNA RG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Intense activity among parties

Yesterday's close outcome, with only half a percentage unit between incumbent President Glafcos Clerides and former foreign minister George Iacovou who is ahead of his rival, has led the two main contenders to try and woo the smaller parties.

However, most of the attention is focused on the socialist EDEK party, which increased its share of the vote to over ten per cent, from just over eight two years ago.

Party leader Vassos Lyssarides is scheduled to meet Clerides later tonight, after chairing meetings of the party Central Committee and the Executive Bureau.

Iacovou, backed by left-wing AKEL and centre-right Democratic Party, hopes to form a "government with broad representation."

Yesterday he polled 40,61 per cent, accounting for 160.918 votes out of a total of 446.732 registered voters.

Clerides reiterated Sunday his proposal to form a government of national unity or a government that would have a wider appeal.

The President, backed by the Democratic Rally party, received 158.763 votes, or 40,06 per cent.

Former Cyprus president George Vassiliou, of the United Democrats, said he would announce his decision after concluding his consultations with all concerned.

Alexis Galanos, who broke ranks with the Democratic Party to contest the elections, said his decision will be based on matters of principles and on how to serve better the interests of the people of Cyprus.

Galanos got nearly four per cent of the vote, a figure that may prove pivotal in a closely fought electoral battle.

Nicos Koutsou, leader of the New Horizons, with only 0,91 per cent announced today he will ask the party faithful to back Clerides in Sunday's poll.

A final decision is expected to be taken tomorrow.

Liberal party leader, and former foreign minister Nicos Rolandis, whose party faired badly, has said he would decide what to do by Wednesday. CNA MM/MA/MCH /1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2230:CYPPRESS:09

[09] EDEK hands its proposals to presidential candidates

Lyssarides stressed the need for national unity and called for an ecumenical government with the participation of all parliamentary political parties.

EDEK's proposals will be handed both to incumbent President Glafcos Clerides and independent candidate, George Iacovou, later tonight.

Lyssarides said his party's proposals concern both political issues, such as the Cyprus problem and the Republic's course for accession to the European Union, as well as internal socio-economic issues.

Asked what EDEK's decision will be if it receives a positive answer from both candidates, Lyssarides said this will be discussed at the party's central committee meeting on Wednesday.

CNA MCH/RG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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