Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] US welcomes Greek, Turkish signs

[02] Cyprus denies purchase of new Russian tanks

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

0745:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US welcomes Greek, Turkish signs

The US has also hailed signals from Turkey to move forward for a resolution of tensions with its NATO ally, Greece.

"It was indicated that the Greek side will be issuing an invitation for Foreign Minister level talks in May and we welcome that," US State Department spokesman, Jim Foley, said here Wednesday.

That, he added, "would be a positive step."

Foley was asked to comment on recent threatening statements by the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman against Greece, which, he said he had not seen.

"We are encouraged that both the governments of Greece and Turkey have recently signaled the desire to move forward for a resolution of bilateral tensions," Foley said.

He said the American administration recognises "that on both sides there are different views on the most appropriate avenues through which to achieve progress. However the fact that they are engaged now on how best to move forward is in itself a positive sign."

The spokesman noted the US is "committed to supporting our allies Greece and Turkey in the effort to achieve genuine security and partnership in the region."

CNA DA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus denies purchase of new Russian tanks

"We deny a report that we have bought T-80 tanks. We had bought T-80 tanks in 1995, which have upgraded our defence," Government Spokesman Manolis Christofides said.

Russian news agency RIA reported yesterday that the Cyprus government had signed the deal to buy the tanks from an arms factory in the Siberian city of Omsk.

The announcement was made by speaker of the Omsk national assembly, Vladimir Varnavsky, who is reported to have said the Cyprus government had given a three-million-dollar down payment for the tanks.

The Cyprus government has signed an agreement with Russian companies to purchase S-300 surface-to-air missiles expected to be deployed in Cyprus later this year.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MM/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    82,11 (0,44)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  95,66 ( 0,51)
Approved Investment Companies          62,90 ( 1,39)
Insurance Companies                    59,61 (-0,37)
Industrial Companies                   76,93 ( 0,76)
Tourist Industries                     66,46 (-0,18)
Commercial Companies                   40,83 (-0,02)
Other Companies                        66,53 ( 0,47)

CNA MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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