Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-03-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] UN underlines need for unhindered access

[03] Peace effort deadlocked but not lost

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    88,62 (-0,05)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  98,53 ( 0,00)
Approved Investment Companies          67,00 ( 0,80)
Insurance Companies                    67,07 ( 0,37)
Industrial Companies                   86,73 ( 0,32)
Tourist Industries                     76,78 (-3,83)
Commercial Companies                   55,20 ( 0,75)
Other Companies                        85,39 ( 0,65)

Trading Volume                      1.451.723

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] UN underlines need for unhindered access

Rokoszewski was responding to press reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash may impose restrictions in the movement of UN troops in the northern part of Cyprus, under Turkish occupation since 1974, if his self-styled regime is not recognised.

He said "for the time being there is no threat on anything specific" but noted that Denktash wants to upgrade the status of his illegal entity with the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

It was announced that Annan and the Turkish Cypriot leader will meet in Geneva on Friday.

"He probably wants to make it conditional on his attitude vis a vis UN troops in the northern part of the island," Rokoszewski told CNA, noting that Denktash considers UNFICYP and its troops in the occupied areas are sponsored by the government of Cyprus.

"Unless he finds his way to UN, he will consider imposing certain restrictions on UNFICYP, following extension of UNFICYP mandate at the end of June," the UN official remarked.

Invited to comment on reports that in view of accession talks Cyprus begins on March 31 with the European Union Denktash would close access to the government-controlled areas, Rokoszewski said he was not aware of such reports.

"I know that certain new regulations concerning crossing were imposed recently and truly I don't know what the Turkish Cypriot authorities will do on the 1st of April," he added.

UNFICYP, he said, as a military establishment has various contingency plans for various situations.

CNA KN/MM/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Peace effort deadlocked but not lost

Detlev Graf Zu Rantzau also thinks a request by the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for recognition of his self-styled regime would not find fertile ground.

He says the current deadlock, which is not devoid of hope, does not affect the start of accession negotiations Cyprus begins next week with the European Union (EU).

Graf Zu Rantzau described a decision by the government of the Republic to buy anti-aircraft missiles as "not wise" and said Germany has indicated its wish to have this decision reconsidered.

Speaking to journalists here today, at the end of his talks with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, the German envoy said "Turkish Cypriot readiness to continue discussions on the present basis (between the island's two communities) is very limited."

"We have a deadlock not devoid of hope, because there is never a standstill in politics, no deadlock lasts for ever and usually from a deadlock or a crisis doors are open that people did not know that existed," he said.

He said the Turkish Cypriot leader told him he would only continue talks on an inter-state basis, meaning an enhanced status, whereas the Greek Cypriot side expressed its readiness to discuss almost anything, but without preconditions.

"Denktash will probably ask Annan to see to it that the UN Security Council changes its position. That appears to be an undertaking which more likely than not will not materialise," the German envoy told a small group of journalists.

UN Secretary-General and Denktash will meet in Geneva on March 28, it was announced today.

"Countries and governments will find it difficult to recognise a country they believe rests on the military presence of another power," Graf Zu Rantzau pointed out, expressing doubt whether the Security Council will abide by Denktash's request.

Asked to explain what exactly Denktash has in mind when he refers to recognition, he replied:

"I think Denktash means diplomatic recognition of TRNC (the breakaway Turkish Cypriot entity recognised only by Turkey) and today he said he wants the (UN) big five to acknowledge the existence of a state in northern Cyprus."

"What he wants is rather unique, and I do not think there is a precedent of such a situation," he remarked.

Commenting on Cyprus' EU course, the German official said he did not think the current deadlock would have any implications on the start of accession negotiations.

"I do not see why this deadlock as such at this moment would slow down or change the beginning of accession talks, but I will not guarantee that the same will remain in years," he said.

Any slow down or suspension of these talks would have to come from the substance matter being discussed, he explained.

Graf Zu Rantzau also revealed that Denktash did not take up the view he outlined that Turkish Cypriot participation in EU talks would offer him the chance to "manifest at an international forum that there is a northern Cyprus, there is an administration."

"This would be the best way to impress upon the international community that there is an unsolved problem," he said he had told Denktash, who did not find this to be a good idea.

"I do not exclude Turkish Cypriot participation, but do not foresee it in the near future," he added.

Replying to questions, the German envoy said the EU estimates that negotiations with Cyprus would take anywhere between 3 and 4 years.

Graf Zu Rantzau described a decision by the government to deploy Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles later this year as "not wise", but hastened to add: "I am not asking anything (of President Glafcos Clerides) because I am talking to a sovereign government."

Outlining Germany's position, he said his country respects Cyprus' right to choose to buy the missiles, but thinks "it would be desirable to reconsider this decision."

Missiles in Cyprus and the region do not enhance Cyprus security but create instability which would affect Germany, he explained.

In the event of any Greco-Turkey conflict, NATO would be asked to take sides and Germany, as a NATO ally, would be affected, he remarked.

"I do not think the missiles question is only a political bargaining chip," the German envoy concluded.

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

CNA MM/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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