Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Environmentalists decide on Sunday's vote

[02] Cyprus comments on Albright's statements

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Independent candidate sure of success

[05] Clerides calls for national unity

[06] Police smash international drug cartel

1545:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Environmentalists decide on Sunday's vote

The decision was announced here today by George Perdikis, general coordinator of the Movement, who said "none of the two candidates in Sunday's runoff election could be backed in view of the serious differences that exist between our positions and theirs on the Cyprus question, the most important issue."

"We urge all citizens whose views we express to judge for themselves who to vote for, on the basis not only of the pre-election pledges but also on their entire stance and overall position," Perdikis told a press conference.

The people of Cyprus go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president, a post contested by incumbent President Glafcos Clerides and former Foreign Minister George Iacovou.

Perdikis said he was pleased that both candidates put in writing their positions on the Cyprus question and environmental issues, and added "making them public is a commitment on their part and a basis for post- election discussions."

He welcomed Clerides' and Iacovou's commitment in principle to push for the participation of the Movement in the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question.

He also expressed satisfaction with their intention to promote implementation of a management proposal for the development of Akamas peninsula, renown for its unique fauna and flora, and seek an end to military exercises in Akamas by British troops, serving with the two bases Britain has retained since it granted Cyprus its independence in 1960.

Clerides said in his reply he would examine the possibility of creating either an independent department or an under-ministry for the environment.

Iacovou pledged to set up an independent body for the environment.

Replying to questions, Perdikis said both candidates have indicated, through their written replies, that environmental issues are important for the electorate.

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1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus comments on Albright's statements

At the same time, Government Spokesman, Manolis Christofides, said Albright's statement indicates that there will be an unprecedented effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Kasoulides said that "...we should fully utilise the great international interest which was once again reassured by Mrs. Albright's statements, and the US intention to become actively involved and do whatever possible to open the road for a Cyprus settlement".

Speaking before the House International Relations Committee, Albright said yesterday that the US are pressing on Turkey to "be of a greater assistance in Cyprus".

She also said that US Presidential Emissary, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, is trying to carry on the negotiations and as soon as the elections are over "he will pay even more attention".

Commenting on Albright's statements, the Government Spokesman said the Secretary of State "repeated before the Congress that the US are making an unprecedented effort in their pursuit for a Cyprus settlement".

The US initiative, he said, will take place within the framework of the United Nations and will point towards the right direction, that is Turkey.

In other statements, Foreign Minister Kasoulides invited to comment on plans by British envoy, Sir David Hannay to visit Ankara, said the government is aware that Sir David will be visiting Turkey in his capacity as representative of British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the European Union - Turkey relations.

Kasoulides said that if Clerides is re-elected during Sunday's second round of the presidential elections, then the government will pursue a meeting with Sir David who represents the EU presidency "to start the various contacts as soon as possible".

Invited to comment on statements made by French President Jacques Chirac on Turkish Cypriot participation in the Cyprus Republic's negotiating delegation for Cyprus' entry into the EU, Kasoulides said it is the wish of the government to secure the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the team which will negotiate the Cyprus accession.

However, he stressed that the responsibility to accept participation lies with the T/C community, which should accept that it is the Cyprus Republic which is holding the negotiations and there will be no direct or indirect recognition of the pseudo state in the occupied areas.

Referring to statements made by Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, Kasoulides said the Italian Minister "made absolutely clear that there is no precondition for the start of the (EU) accession negotiations with Cyprus".

Cyprus applied for EU membership in July 1990. It is among the countries which will start accession negotiations in March, according to the European Council summit in Luxembourg in December 1997.

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1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.74 (+0.09)

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

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  94.62 (-0.58)
Approved Investment Companies          63.17 (-0.97)
Insurance Companies                    60.87 (+4.37)
Industrial Companies                   75.67 (-0.11)
Tourist Industries                     68.76 (+0.38)
Commercial Companies                   41.05 (+2.78)
Other Companies                        67.43 (+0.16)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1394256.103

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1855:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Independent candidate sure of success

The 60-year-old former Foreign Minister, supported by left-wing AKEL and centre-right DIKO party, called on people who voted for socialist EDEK to back him.

EDEK leader, Vassos Lyssarides, gained a pivotal 10,59 percent of the vote in the first round of elections, but after two marathon meetings the party decided on a vote at will.

"I call on people who voted for EDEK to join forces with me so that we can build a better Cyprus," Iacovou told a press conference here today.

He added EDEK's political programme is closer to his than to his opponent's, incumbent President Glafcos Clerides.

Iacovou got 40,61 percent of the vote giving him a slight lead over Clerides who received 40,06 percent.

Asked if he will form a cross-party government, if elected, the former Foreign Minister said he will consult with Lyssarides after the elections.

Both contenders have accepted a six-page blueprint from Lyssarides providing for an all party government, closer links with Greece and the boosting of the island's defences.

Iacovou said he will discuss with the veteran socialist leader how he envisages a cross-party government.

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[05] Clerides calls for national unity

In a televised message, Clerides called on the people of Cyprus to choose between the steady policy he has been following in the past five years or "the road of dangerous experimentation".

The incumbent president, who received 40,06 percent of the vote will be facing former Foreign Minister, George Iacovou, who got a marginal lead of 40,61 percent in last Sunday's first round.

Stressing the importance of the times ahead, Clerides said the strategy he followed "leads to a just, viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem and towards the European Union."

"It reinforces Cyprus' security, within the framework of the joint defence pact with Greece, and cooperation with Athens," he added.

Clerides also said his policy will lead to "national unity which will open the door to the future."

He said that if his opponent is elected this will lead to "the road of dangerous experimentation, which will jeopardise everything important that we have achieved and undermine the opportunities before us."

"My proposal is straightforward: a government of national unity, that will tackle future challenges with determination, patriotism and experience, " Clerides added.

He pointed out the basis of his policy will be the national strategy of the past few years and said his government would guarantee national unity.

"We will all fight the battles together, without party barriers, and we will win," he concluded.

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2010:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Police smash international drug cartel

The Cyprus police announced that 32-year-old Greek Cypriot Dimitris Frangou, believed to be the mastermind of the operation, was arrested by police in Athens today and procedures for his extradition are underway.

Three other Greek Cypriots were arrested here today while arrest warrants have been issued against two Cypriots living in Bulgaria, in connection with the same case.

Frangou left Cyprus in 1993 and has been living in Bulgaria for the past three years, where he recruited workers to send to the island. He has been wanted by the Cyprus police in connection with the circulation of fake documents.

The compressed drugs were transferred to Cyprus and other countries, from Bulgaria, containers with bags of coal.

Larnaca District Court issued today an eight-day remand order for three persons, Eleni Frangou, 58, restaurant owner, mother of Dimitris Frangou, Antonis Andrea Antoniou, 27, owner of a tourist agency, and Stelios Kattis, 57, restaurant owner.

All three come from villages in Famagusta district.

Police said in a press release they have been working on the case, in cooperation with Interpol, since December last year, after arrests in the coastal town of Larnaca.

CNA MA/MM/1998

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