Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-05-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Russia proposes UN Security Council debate

[02] Cyprus-Greece cooperation "excellent", President repeats

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Kasoulides' forthcoming tour

[05] British MPs reject Turkish Cypriot preconditions

[06] New police chiefs named

[07] Kranidiotis, Hannay discuss Cyprus

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Russia proposes UN Security Council debate

Russian ambassador to Cyprus, Georgi Mouradov, today reiterated his country's support to the demilitarisation of the island and dismissed Turkish threats not to allow the Russian-made S300 anti-aircraft system to be deployed here.

Mouradov was speaking after calling on President Glafcos Clerides with "Itar-Tass" news agency General Director, Vitaly Ignatenko. The President briefed them on latest developments.

"The US had requested we cancel the debate (at the Security Council) until after a visit here by Richard Holbrooke and we had agreed," the Russian ambassador said.

He added that following the US Presidential Emissary's visit to Nicosia, which ended on Monday, Moscow "will bring back the same proposal as the visit's results make a debate necessary."

Holbrooke had three days of extensive consultations with the two sides but did not manage to get them back to the negotiating table as Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash insisted on the recognition of his illegal entity in the Turkish-occupied areas and the withdrawal of Cyprus' application to join the European Union.

Elaborating on Russia's proposal, Mouradov said it aims at backing the UN Secretary-General's good offices mission, the bicommunal dialogue between the two sides and supporting Kofi Annan's special advisor for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez.

He added Cordovez, who chaired two rounds of inconclusive talks between President Clerides and Denktash last summer, is expected to visit the island soon.

"We are prepared to cooperate with all Security Council permanent member states to solve the Cyprus question and facts have proven that joint efforts could be more productive, instead of isolated efforts by any country," he added.

Invited to comment on Denktash's preconditions, Mouradov said Russia supports the continuation of the dialogue between the leaders of the two communities and all UN resolutions.

"Russia recognises only one government of the Cyprus Republic with President Clerides as its leader," he added.

Replying to a question, Mouradov said "there is no possibility" of a hot incident occurring here this summer, when the S-300 will be deployed.

Stressing that no "fake tension" should be created, he pointed out that international law does not allow any act against the sovereignty of a state.

The Russian ambassador dismissed claims that the Cyprus government decision to deploy the S-300 is to blame for the deadlock in the Cyprus issue.

"The S-300 and technical military cooperation between Cyprus and Russia and other countries is not the obstacle," he underlined, pointing out that there are more important reasons.

Mouradov said that the factors which led the Cyprus government to decide the purchase of the S-300 surface-to-air missiles still exist, adding that "if demiltarisation was agreed or the Cyprus problem solved then there would be no need for such modern weapons".

On his part the Itar-Tass Director General said the security of both communities is the key element for a settlement here and stressed this could only be achieved through demilitarisation.

Ignatenko pointed out this could only be implemented through practical measures by the Security Council, such as the arms control in Cyprus.

CNA MK/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus-Greece cooperation "excellent", President repeats

In a written statement, the President also thanked Greece for its unwavering support in Cyprus' efforts to find a peaceful settlement of the Cyprus question and said bilateral ties should be safeguarded at all costs.

The statement was issued here today in the wake of criticism House President Spyros Kyprianou levelled against the Greek Prime Minister that he subscribes to US policy with regard to improving relations with Turkey.

Kyprianou's comments came after US envoy for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, failed to resume the stalled peace talks because of Turkish Cypriot demands for the withdrawal of Cyprus' application for European Union membership and recognition of the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied part of the island.

"The government of the Republic of Cyprus, undertaking fully its responsibilities, has not sought and will not seek to apportion non- existent responsibilities for so-called bad moves on the Greek government and underlines that relations between Athens and Nicosia need to be safeguarded at all costs," President Clerides said.

Clerides said the Cyprus government has "perfect" cooperation with the Greek government and in particular the Prime Minister, and "has no reason to question either the intentions or the moves the Greek government makes in connection with the Cyprus problem."

The Cypriot government, the statement adds, "is fully briefed about these moves which are in the framework of the common strategy."

The President thanked the Greek government and Premier Costas Simitis for their "firm support" in the efforts of the people of Cyprus "for a just, viable and workable solution and continuous support and implementation of a joint defence pact."

The two governments agreed on the pact in 1993, providing for Greek air, land and sea cover to Cyprus by the Greek military in case of a fresh Turkish advance against the Republic of Cyprus.

Clerides also thanked Greece for its "substantial support for Cyprus' course of accession to the European Union."

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1610:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    90,03 ( 0,93)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                 104,41 ( 0,80)
Approved Investment Companies          65,77 ( 0,94)
Insurance Companies                    66,44 ( 1,16)
Industrial Companies                   79,61 ( 0,99)
Tourist Industries                     72,23 ( 0,35)
Commercial Companies                   53,70 ( 2,05)
Other Companies                        76,75 ( 1,76)

Trading Volume                             2.517.223,46

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Kasoulides' forthcoming tour

On Tuesday the Minister will meet his French counterpart Hubert Vedrine and talks are expected to focus on Cyprus' application for accession to the European Union.

On Wednesday, Kasoulides will be in Buenos Aires on a four-day official visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister of Argentina Guido Di Tella. The two men met back in October in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Kasoulides is likely to meet Argentine President Carlos Menem and possibly his Defence Minister as well as members of the Senate and the town's mayor. He may also see members of the Greek community there.

Argentina has the largest contingent in the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus, comprising 396 military personnel, according to a UN report of June last year.

President Menem visited Cyprus twice, in 1995 and in 1997.

On May 17, Kasoulides will be in Cartagena, Colombia, to attend the Non- Aligned Foreign Ministers meeting from 17-20.

He may then move on to either New York or Washington for contacts, following a visit here last week by US presidential emissary Richard Holbrooke in a bid to restart the stalled dialogue between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

The Minister is due back on 23 May.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:05

[05] British MPs reject Turkish Cypriot preconditions

In statements to London Greek Radio (LGR), Labour MP Tom Cox and his Conservative colleague Sir Sydney Chapman also said that the Republic of Cyprus European Union accession course will continue.

The two MPs were invited to comment on demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that his illegal regime is recognised and Cyprus' EU application withdrawn, if he is to participate in negotiations for a settlement in Cyprus.

Chapman said the entity in northern Cyprus is "an illegal regime and it's not recognised by the UN, so I think Mr Denktash must be brought to realise that."

With regard to the Republic's bid to join the EU, the Conservative MP said all EU member states had "fully supported" the opening of negotiations with Cyprus in March.

"That process, I am determined, is not going to be halted but it is going to be pursued," Chapman said, stressing that Cyprus "economically qualifies for EU membership and is one of the very few countries that actually meets the Maastricht criteria."

He added that "there is a sufficient number of members of (British) Parliament who will not brook any attempt by anyone to try and discourage or delay these accession talks."

Chapman also said he does not believe the Europeans will accept any attempt by the US, that may think some other matters are more important, to delay the negotiations with Cyprus.

He said that Cyprus is "doing very well" and "no outside influence is going to change that."

The Conservative MP described Turkey as "a valued member of NATO" but said "the importance of Turkey remaining part of NATO must be quite separate from the development of Cyprus."

He also welcomed President Clerides' invitation to Turkish Cypriots for participation in the EU accession talks, describing it "a perfectly reasonable invitation".

"If Mr Denktash chooses not to accept that invitation, that reflects on him, not on Cyprus," he added.

Asked if he believed Britain should invite President Clerides and Denktash to London for talks, he stressed the need for "reasonable grounds of any meeting becoming fruitful".

On his part, Cox said he had no doubt the vast majority of Labour MPs would "reject totally" the two demands put forward by Denktash.

Noting there is "no recognition of Mr. Denktash's self-created state", he said "it is an illegal state in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus." He also pointed to the "clear evidence of the abuse of human rights in the occupied area".

"As far as the application of the Republic of Cyprus for EU membership is concerned, the tragedy there for me is that Mr. Denktash does not see this as the opportunity, as President Clerides has very clearly indicated, for the Turkish Cypriots to become involved in the discussion," Cox said.

The Labour MP added EU accession "would be of enormous benefit for everyone who lives on the island, be they Greek Cypriot or be they Turkish Cypriot."

He said Denktash is short-sighted in his attitude on the issue, but noted this is not new.

"Have we seen any real progress since the Turkish invasion of 1974 to getting an honorable settlement. I really wonder who Mr Denktash really speaks for, the Turkish Cypriots or the settlers that he has brought into the occupied area from mainland Turkey," he remarked.

Cox said he has recently written to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and British envoy Sir David Hannay requesting meetings to discuss the Cyprus issue, in his capacity as Chairman of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Cyprus Group in the British Parliament.

"We, as one of the guarantor powers of Cyprus, do have this responsibility to seek a meeting with President Clerides and Mr. Denktash," the Labour MP said.

However, he pointed out that a meaningful discussion should take place and progress achieved, but past experience proved that an agenda must be agreed beforehand so that the Turkish Cypriot leader keeps to it.

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1935:CYPPRESS:06

[06] New police chiefs named

Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis said "the President of the Republic has taken his decision and will announce the appointments."

He added that Christofides, who is the assistant chief of police, will take up his duties soon while Angelides will be appointed in about two months.

CNA MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2015:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Kranidiotis, Hannay discuss Cyprus

According to an announcement, the two men discussed "the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on Cyprus' European prospects and British presidency policy."

The Cyprus issue was also discussed today at a meeting of the Greek Parliament Defence and Foreign Affairs committee, in the presence of Kranidiotis.

Kranidiotis expressed the Greek government's "disappointment" with US presidential emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, because "he refrained from apportioning the blame as he ought to have done on the Turkish side."

The Cyprus government had also criticised Holbrooke on this issue, as the US emissary backed down on his pledge to openly blame the Turkish side for the deadlock in the Cyprus peace process, at the end of his three day intensive talks last week.

Outlining the Greek government policy on Cyprus, Kranidiotis said it subscribes to international law and order, meaning it will not recognise the repercussions of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, neither will it recognise the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

He added that Athens will continue to support Cyprus' EU accession talks and will carry on with the joint defence pact agreed between the two countries in 1993.

CNA KI/MA/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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