Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-02-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Liberals to merge with rightwingers

[02] Federation and not partition the answer to the Cyprus problem

[03] Human Rights Commission delegation conclude hearing procedure

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Government Spokesman on British Prime Minister's letter

[06] Human Rights Commission delegation departs

[07] Cypriot delegation prepares for accession talks

[08] Kranidiotis points to the benefits of accession to the EU

1450:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Liberals to merge with rightwingers

In a political account of the party's 12-year-old activity, the Liberal Party leader Nicos Rolandis, a former Foreign Minister, said the establishment of the Liberal Party was a "bold move" in the island's politics.

He said a serious political argument on the Cyprus problem was developed since the party was established in 1986.

The Liberal Party was a member of the Liberals International while Rolandis served as vice president of this group.

He said among the party's activities were its representation in the government, the House of Representatives, the National Council, semi- government organisations, in talks on the Cyprus problem and took part in international missions.

Rolandis acknowledged that although the party was "excessive in political thought and speech", it was poor in attracting voters.

In his account, Rolandis said democracy in Cyprus lacks the ability to give life to smaller parties. He said voters are attracted to the bigger parties, crashing the existence of smaller parties.

The Liberal Party leader was one of the seven presidential hopefuls in the first round of elections on February 8, 1998. Rolandis gained only 0.78 per cent of the vote. In the second round, on February 15, the party supported Glafcos Clerides, who was re-elected for a second five-year term.

Rolandis said during the presidential election campaign, he used the slogan "the politician of truth" because he knew that he would "serve the truth and nothing but the truth, whatever the cost".

"The result was disappointing for me, whatever the reasons which led to it", Rolandis revealed.

Furthermore, he reminded his pledge to reconsider his political future if his party did not receive 1,8 percent of the votes during the elections.

The Liberal party leader said that after he carefully examined President Clerides' advice not to abandon the political scene and invite the Liberals to participate in the government, "I decided that as a party we should leave the small and ineffective political scene".

He said he decided to suggest a respite of the party's independent existence and its merging with DISY, which he expressed the hope would be productive.

He also decided to remain near Cyprus and its problems, through a post which will be announced soon.

The local press suggested that Rolandis would be appointed Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Federation and not partition the answer to the Cyprus problem

Christofides pointed out that the solution to the Cyprus problem is the establishment of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and not partition.

He also stressed that "a position in the European family, offered by Europe to Cyprus and its people, will secure well-being and happiness for all".

The Government Spokesman said Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash has served Turkey's interests in the most excellent manner, but not those of the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktash put as a condition for the continuation of bi-communal talks, the UN plans to restart in mid-March, the recognition of the break-away entity by the Cyprus government, so that talks can be held between two "equal entities".

Following Turkey's exclusion from the European Union's enlargement plans at the Luxembourg summit last December, Ankara threatened to integrate the illegal entity in the north if EU-Cyprus membership proceed as planned on March 31.

The illegal entity in the northern part of the island, which has been under Turkish occupation since the 1974 invasion of the island, was unilaterally declared into the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in November 1983.

It is recogninsed by no other country but Turkey and the UN has repeatedly called upon its member states "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity".

CNA MM/RG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Human Rights Commission delegation conclude hearing procedure

The delegation, headed by Commission President Stefan Trechsel, heard evidence behind closed doors about Turkey's violations of human rights in Cyprus in the framework of the Republic's 4th interstate case against Turkey.

Attorney General Alecos Markides said members of the Commission visited today the Karpass peninsula, in north eastern occupied part of the island, where some 700 Greek Cypriot and Maronite enclaved live under conditions that the UN has repeatedly described in reports as appalling.

The Commission will prepare a report on the case which will be referred to the European Court of Human Rights.

CNA KN/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.28 (-0.12)

Highest: 81.97 (19/2/98)
Lowest : 76.20 (8/1/98)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  94.61 (-0.08)
Approved Investment Companies          61.96 (-0.08)
Insurance Companies                    56.67 (+0.34)
Industrial Companies                   75.62 (-0.71)
Tourist Industries                     65.87 (-0.02)
Commercial Companies                   40.44 (-0.54)
Other Companies                        66.52 (-0.09)

Trading Volume                         CYP 850536.298

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1625:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Government Spokesman on British Prime Minister's letter

Manolis Christofides was commenting on reports that British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, asked in a letter addressed to President Clerides' for equal treatment of the two communities of Cyprus in EU talks.

In his letter, Blair congratulates President Clerides on his re- election and reaffirms British interest in a solution to the Cyprus problem and in promoting Cyprus' European course.

The European Union (EU) may submit other views and ideas on the issue of Turkish Cypriot participation which the government will discuss, provided they respect UN resolutions.

"Any proposal for the participation of Turkish Cypriots, must comply with the UN resolutions, particularly those of the UN Security Council, which reject the recognition of any other government in Cyprus, other than that of the Republic of Cyprus", Christofides said.

Commenting on reports that Blair has asked President Clerides not to deploy the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles on the island, Christofides dismissed them as pure fiction.

CNA MM/GG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Human Rights Commission delegation departs

The three-member delegation heard, during its four-day stay in Cyprus, evidence, behind closed doors, about Turkey's violations of human rights in Cyprus in the framework of the Republic's fourth interstate application against Turkey on human rights abuses.

"The delegation called witnesses proposed both by the applicant and by the respondent government. The hearing of the witnesses was conducted in camera with the participation of the parties", Treschel told reporters shortly before departure from Larnaca airport.

He said the whole procedure "took place in excellent conditions" and said the delegation was grateful to both parties in Cyprus for their cooperation and to the UN for their assistance.

He expressed the hope "that in no later than July we can hold a hearing on the merits with the representatives of both parties and adopt a report before the end of the Commission's mandate in October".

The Commission will prepare a report on the case which will be referred to the European Court of Human Rights.

The Commission declared Cyprus' application "admissible" in July 1996. The Turkish government had objected to the admissibility of the application.

This is the fourth time Cyprus brings Turkey before the Commission. In the previous three cases the Commission issued reports which were delayed for years before they were made public.

In all three cases, Turkey was found guilty of gross violations of human rights in Cyprus.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has been unable to impose sanctions on Turkey because of political expediencies.

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

Thousands of native Greek Cypriots were killed during the Turkish invasion. A total of 1.619 people were listed as missing persons.

About 200.000 Greek Cypriots, making one third of the island's population, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties by the invasion troops.

CNA MAN/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cypriot delegation prepares for accession talks

The meeting, focused on the harmonisation of Cyprus' legislation with the acquis communautaire.

Cypriot Planning Bureau chief, Panicos Pouros, and the Head of the EU Unit, Responsible for Turkey, Malta and Cyprus, Eric Van Der Linden addressed the meeting.

Two working groups made up of EU officials and members of the Cypriot delegation, examined issues related to the internal market and agriculture.

Copyright, free movement of capital and goods, the environment and structural funds were among the issues discussed.

CNA NB/GG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2220:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Kranidiotis points to the benefits of accession to the EU

Speaking on arrival at Larnaca airport, Kranidiotis reaffirmed Greece's firm support in efforts for Cyprus' accession to the EU, as well as for a settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on UN resolutions and international law.

"Accession talks will start soon, while the initiative of the UN Secretary-General for the resumption of bi-communal talks is expected soon", Kranidiotis said.

Pointing out that "Cyprus is entering a new crucial period", he stressed the need for hard work and called upon the international community "to turn its attention to the direction of Turkey, and use its influence to secure its cooperation in this effort".

Sending a message to both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Foreign Under-Secretary said, "Cyprus' accession to the EU will be advantageous to all Cypriots, Greek or Turk", and added:

"The prospect of accession and solution will strengthen stability, peace and cooperation in Cyprus. It will improve Greco-Turkish relations and it will assist Turkey's European prospects".

Kranidiotis refrained from commenting on a letter sent by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to President Clerides, which, according to press reports, asks for Turkish Cypriots to be treated as politically equal in accession talks.

"We have repeatedly stated that the Turkish Cypriots are welcomed in accession talks, provided the illegal entity in the Turkish-occupied part of the island is not recognised and they accept the goal of accession", he noted.

During his seven-day stay in Cyprus, Kranidiotis will meet with President Glafcos Clerides to discuss the latter's visit to Athens, scheduled for March 10.

He will also have meetings with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and political party leaders.

Welcoming, Kranidiotis to Cyprus, Kasoulides said this is a crucial period both for the Cyprus problem and Cyprus' European course, and reiterated the need for a joint strategy to achieve these goals.

CNA MCH/GG/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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