Cyprus News Agency: News in Greek (PM), 98-03-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Atmosphere to clear completely tomorrow

[02] Minimal effect on Cyprus from drachma devaluation

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Government protests illegal detention of fishermen

[05] Cordovez's visit "important", Government Spokesman says

[06] New National Guard chief named

[07] Aircraft diverted to Larnaca due to weather

[08] Defence Minister to visit Athens

[09] British MPs denounce Turkey's tactics

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Atmosphere to clear completely tomorrow

Meteorological Department head, Cleanthis Filaniotis, told CNA that "as time goes by the atmosphere is beginning to clear and we expect it to clear completely by tomorrow."

Filaniotis said the wind will blow the dust away and rain will wash out the atmosphere.

He explained that the dust is due to low atmospheric pressure in Egypt and said this is a phenomenon usually affecting Cyprus in spring.

Civil aircraft heading for Cairo and other towns in the Middle East had to land in Cyprus.

Among them was a British Airways aircraft carrying British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to Cairo, at the start of a three-day Middle East tour aimed to revive the peace process.

Britain holds the current six-month presidency of the European Union.

Cook stayed overnight at Larnaca hotel before continuing his trip to Cairo.

CNA RM/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Minimal effect on Cyprus from drachma devaluation

A press release by the Bank said these would be direct and indirect and relate to bilateral trade, tourism and exports to third countries.

The Greek government devalued the drachma by 14 per cent when the currency entered the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM).

The Central Bank said Greek exports to Cyprus will be more competitive while Cypriot goods exported to Greece will be less competitive.

The volume of trade transactions between Cyprus and Greece, the Bank said, is too small compared with the total trade transactions between Cyprus and overseas markets and reach only 7,5 percent.

Tourism will be directly affected by the devaluation of the drachma, since Greek tourists will have to pay more for their holidays in Cyprus while Cypriots will benefit from their visits in Greece.

The press release noted that the number of Greek tourists visiting the island is small and any fluctuation will not affect the total number of tourists who visit Cyprus.

Greece will be more competitive than Cyprus for tourists but this is not expected to affect Cypriot exports and tourism to a significant degree because Cyprus exports different goods than Greece.

Production costs, the Central Bank said, will have to be restrained to minimise the repercussions from the devaluation of the drachma.

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    86,94 ( 0.58)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  97,37 (-0,02)
Approved Investment Companies          66,53 ( 0,89)
Insurance Companies                    65,64 ( 1,77)
Industrial Companies                   84,57 ( 1,77)
Tourist Industries                     79,88 ( 0,11)
Commercial Companies                   51,00 ( 3,24)
Other Companies                        77,08 ( 1,34)

Trading Volume                         CYP 2.276.082

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1725:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Government protests illegal detention of fishermen

In another move on the same issue, the Foreign Ministry said the illegal "arrest and continuing detention of the two fishermen since Saturday, in the coastal area of Famagusta, is yet another provocative action by the Turkish Cypriot occupation regime".

"The government believes the European Union decision to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus has brought the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides to a certain deadlock as far as their strategic designs are concerned," Stylianides.

He said the Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring developments and diplomatic representations will be made to the UN headquarters.

The government, he added, "is ready to deal with any events or incidents along the buffer zone, which aim to put at risk Cyprus' smooth course to the EU."

The Foreign Ministry described the abduction of Andreas Constantinou, 58 and George Lefteris Zelou, 65, both from Dherynia, on the eastern part of the island, as "unprovoked and completely unjustified".

It said the two were fishing in an area where they had the right to do so.

This is not the first time the self-styled authorities in Turkish occupied Cyprus have abducted fisherman in the same area, claiming they were out at sea, fishing in restricted waters.

The government has already protested to the UN in Nicosia demanding their immediate release.

It also called on the UN to monitor developments and ensure the fishermen's safety and proper treatment.

CNA KK/EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1740:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cordovez's visit "important", Government Spokesman says

It has also described a visit by UN chief's top envoy for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, who arrives here tomorrow, as "important".

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides underlined here today the significance of Cordovez's six-day visit, in the light of a recent UN Security Council decision and the fact that he is expected to convey to President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash a letter by the Secretary-General.

Last Friday, the Security Council expressed concern over the "high level of tension" in Cyprus and called "upon both parties to take the practical steps necessary to move the negotiating process forward in an effective manner."

The government considers the renewed UN effort as "a new start in resuming direct talks, from where they stopped last summer at the Troutbeck and Glion discussions," Stylianides said.

Replying to questions, Stylianides reiterated the government's disagreement with a recent statement by Cordovez, that Cyprus' accession course to the European Union (EU) complicates the UN-led peace effort.

"The government insists the EU accession course will act as a catalyst towards a comprehensive Cyprus solution," he said and noted that this course is not in any way related to the peace process for a settlement.

CNA KK/AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1755:CYPPRESS:06

[06] New National Guard chief named

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the procedure for the replacement of current National Guard chief, Lieutenant General Nicolaos Vorvolakos, is already underway.

The spokesman said final decisions on the date Demou will take over as National Guard chief will be taken at a meeting in Athens later this month between Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou and his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

The two Ministers will discuss the inauguration of the Paphos military air base, Stylianides said.

Arrangements for the event will be decided after evaluating the government's strategic plans with regard to the Cyprus problem and the Republic's European Union (EU) accession course, he added.

The air base, situated near the western coastal town of Paphos, was delivered in January by contractors to the Ministry of Defence.

The governments of Cyprus and Greece have agreed on a joint defence pact in November 1993 and the air base will be named after the late Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.

CNA AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Aircraft diverted to Larnaca due to weather

According to a spokesman for the Operations Department at Larnaca International Airport so far ten flights to Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan were diverted to Larnaca Airport.

The increase number of flights to the airport has not affected scheduled flights, the spokesman added.

The Meteorological Department said earlier today the atmosphere will clear by tomorrow.

CNA EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2035:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Defence Minister to visit Athens

The Cypriot Defence Minister will have talks with his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos, a press release said.

Earlier today, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said the two Ministers will decide on the replacement date of the Commander of the National Guard and discuss the inauguration of a military air base in Paphos, on the western coast.

This will be Omirou's first visit to the Greek capital since his appointment as Defence Minister in February.

CNA AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:09

[09] British MPs denounce Turkey's tactics

The resolution, tabled on Friday by six MPs, two from the Labour party, two Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats, so far has the support of 21 members of Parliament.

It "condemns attempts by Turkey to use the illegal occupation of Cyprus as a blocking tactic against the island's EU accession, thus denying all of the citizens of Cyprus, in particular the Turkish Cypriot community, the benefits of EU membership."

The resolution also condemns Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash's "continuous stalling and reluctance to progress in negotiations for the reunification of the island."

It implores Denktash to act upon Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides' request to cooperate in talks, aimed at bringing 24 years of division to an end, with a solution which will guarantee the security of all citizens.

The resolution calls for "unhindered accession in the recognition of the fact that (EU) membership will ensure that the solution of the Cyprus problem will comply with the European legal order and the acquis communautaire, most notably with regard to the rights of freedom of movement, settlement and respect of human rights."

Furthermore, it urges the British government to continue to promote a just and viable solution, to implement UN Security Council and EU resolutions on Cyprus and support the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

CNA KT/AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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