Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-04-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Lyssarides leaves for London

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] German, Finnish MPs meet political leadership

[04] Government responds to Holbrooke's statements

[05] Party leaders react to Holbrooke's statement

[06] Unacceptable demands postpone planned trip

1440:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Lyssarides leaves for London

Tomorrow he will attend a meeting of the leaders of European socialist parties and a lunch to be hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

At the London meeting issues related to Europe's socialist movement will be discussed.

In the evening, the EDEK leader will address a meeting of Greek Cypriots living in the UK.

Lyssarides will return to Cyprus on Wednesday afternoon.

CNA GG/AP/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    89,38 ( 0,62)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                 102,26 ( 0,47)
Approved Investment Companies          65,93 ( 0,38)
Insurance Companies                    64,93 ( 1,42)
Industrial Companies                   83,28 ( 1,09)
Tourist Industries                     76,67 ( 0,45)
Commercial Companies                   51,61 ( 0,57)
Other Companies                        79,57 ( 0,45)

Trading Volume                       1.959.879

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1655 CYPPRESS:03

[03] German, Finnish MPs meet political leadership

Head of the German parliamentary delegation, Eckart Kuhlwein, expressed hope that the island's European Union (EU) accession talks would be a catalyst towards a settlement of the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Speaking through an interpreter after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Kuhlwein said "there are no reservations on behalf of our side" regarding Cyprus' accession course.

He said that in the EU "there are different views concerning Cyprus' membership," as to whether there should be a Cyprus solution prior to the island's accession.

Kuhlwein said a solution should be found during accession talks and then evaluate the situation.

The German delegation, which also consists of MPs Manfred Such, Olaf Feldmann and Rainer Jork, also met with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Meanwhile, the three-member Finnish delegation of the Finland-Cyprus Friendship Group, was received today by House President, Spyros Kyprianou, after a meeting with the House Defence Committee President, Takis Hadjidemetriou.

Later today they are expected to meet with the House Foreign Affairs Committee President and chairman of the Cyprus-Finland Friendship Group, Tassos Papadopoulos.

Chairman of the Finland-Cyprus Friendship Group Jaakko Laakso heads the delegation that also consists of Sinikka Hurskainen and Raimo Tillikainen.

CNA AA/RG/AP/1998

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1820:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Government responds to Holbrooke's statements

The spokesman also recalled that Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides represented the Republic of Cyprus at the start of accession talks last week in Brussels.

The comments come in response to attempts by US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke to make a distinction between Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus as far as the Republic's accession course is concerned.

"The EU invited Cyprus to join the EU accession talks," Holbrooke told a press conference here on Saturday and dismissed press suggestions that the EU considers the government of Cyprus as the representative of the whole of Cyprus.

"That is certainly not how I would tackle the situation," Holbrooke said, noting he was not familiar with such statements from the EU.

"It is obvious that the EU bodies talk and negotiate with the Republic of Cyprus and its representatives," Stylianides told his daily press briefing.

"As far as the Republic of Cyprus is concerned the issue does not arise, since there is full recognition of its competencies for the accession course by the EU bodies," the spokesman added.

The spokesman refrained from further comment on Holbrooke's statements, saying that "the EU is the most appropriate authority than anyone else to express an opinion on European matters and Cyprus' European course."

Stylianides noted the significance of a statement by Holbrooke that the US recognise "the Republic of Cyprus and Glafcos Clerides as its President."

Invited to comment on a thinly veiled warning by Holbrooke that the US may give up its efforts on Cyprus, Stylianides expressed the conviction that the American involvement in the Cyprus question will continue until the resolution of the problem because of the interests of the US and the international community in the region.

Holbrooke has said before leaving the island yesterday the US is not going to "spend the rest of the century wandering around trying to create a settlement between sides if they do not want a settlement."

"The government believes there must be an active involvement of the international community, if we are to have a successful outcome in the Cyprus peace process," the spokesman said.

He acknowledged that "the US undoubtedly plays an important role in the international political scene and we are seeking American involvement to break the deadlock and bow Turkish intransigence."

The government, he added, is also seeking the involvement of the other Security Council members, in particular Russian and EU engagement.

Replying to questions, Stylianides said "the Eastern Mediterranean region is very important for US interests and those of the world community and we believe American involvement will continue in the Cyprus problem until a just, viable and workable solution is reached."

CNA MA/MM/AP/1998

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1950:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Party leaders react to Holbrooke's statement

Party leaders were also disparaging about Holbrooke's attempts to make a distinction between the Republic of Cyprus and Cyprus in connection with the Republic's efforts to join the European Union (EU).

After two days of talks with both sides on the island, Holbrooke warned "there is no point in continuing this kind of shuttle diplomacy" if there is no real desire to move forward.

He also said the EU invited "Cyprus to join the accession talks" and added that he was not familiar with EU statements that the government of Cyprus represents the whole of Cyprus.

Ruling right-wing Democratic Rally deputy president, Panayiotis Demetriou, pointed out that the US recognises only the Republic of Cyprus and Glafcos Clerides as its President.

"We would like to believe that Holbrooke's reference to Cyprus' entry into the EU expresses the common desire that the whole of Cyprus should join and reflects the effort for a solution in Cyprus to reunite the island, " Demetriou said.

If these statements had any other meaning, they would represent a contradiction with his (Holbrooke's) own comments, he added.

The parliamentary spokesman of the main opposition left-wing party AKEL, Andreas Christou, called on the government to protest.

"The implication is that the Republic of Cyprus does not represent the whole of Cyprus and that the EU is negotiating with the Turkish Cypriot community in parallel and on an equal par," Christou said.

Spyros Kyprianou, leader of the centre-right Democratic Party, said Holbrooke's ultimatum is a "provocation" to Hellenism at large which is directed essentially at the Greek Cypriot side.

"Holbrooke's statement indicates that the top US priority is to satisfy Turkey's relations with the EU," Kyprianou pointed out, recalling also earlier statements Holbrooke made about American responsibilities in Cyprus and Greece in the 1960s and the 1970s.

Socialist EDEK leader Vasos Lyssarides described Holbrooke's comments as "not serious and disappointing" and stressed that US interests in the region, and not Cyprus' interests, warrant American involvement.

"If Holbrooke leaves, somebody else will come along," he said and pointed out that "Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus is one and the same thing."

George Vassiliou, leader of the United Democrats, said the comments Holbrooke made are "purely his own views" and added "he certainly did not exercise his influence to the degree we would have liked him."

Vassiliou urged Holbrooke to turn his attention to the Turkish side if he wants to see progress in Cyprus and disagreed with a call to both sides to show evidence for a real desire to move forward.

Nicos Koutsou, leader of the New Horizons, said US engagement in the Cyprus peace effort is motivated by American interests in the wider region.

He said these interests will not be eliminated by the rest of the century, noting that Holbrooke used this time limit "as a blackmailing tactic to exert pressure on our side for more concessions."

Koutsou also underlined that "the application for accession to the EU was made on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus and not Cyprus, and the EU has accepted it as such."

CNA MM/AP/1998

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2025:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Unacceptable demands postpone planned trip

The Turkish Cypriot regime insists on imposing levy for 15 pounds sterling as "entry fee" on every person visiting the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

The office of the Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Takis Christopoulos said in a statement that "the scheduled pilgrimage for Easter Sunday (19 April) cannot take place this year because of unacceptable measures the occupation regime has imposed, demanding 15 pounds sterling as entry fee."

The government, the statement said, has made repeated representations to the UN and others who could help lift these measures for at least the relatives of enclaved Greek Cypriots and those who would have participated in the Easter pilgrimage.

"Unfortunately, so far the response was negative and because of this, the pilgrimage is postponed," the statement said.

The Commissioner's office said the trip would go ahead at a later date, if the measures are lifted.

This is not the first time the puppet regime has essentially barred Greek Cypriots from visiting the occupied areas by imposing restrictions.

In the past, the regime insisted on vetting the list of people who wanted to visit the same Monastery and a planned trip was called off.

More than 1,000 pilgrims visited last November 30 the Monastery to celebrate the Saint's nameday, according to the Greek Orthodox calendar.

CNA MM/AP/1998

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