Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Government stands firm against Denktash's demands

[03] Cyprus beaches receive "Blue Flags" award

[04] First official visit to Cyprus by Greek head of state

[05] Russia reaffirms position on S300s

[06] Omirou and Cutileiro discus Cyprus-WEU relations

[07] Clerides stresses Cyprus' good relations with Israel and Arabs

1555:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          85.42 ( 0.47)

   Traded Value            CYP 946,718

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   323,691      98.66 ( 0.08)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    10,509      61.47 (-0.42)
   Insurance Companies     CYP   152,187      63.93 ( 1.57)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    37,383      77.80 ( 0.65)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    27.751      69.32 ( 0.89)
   Trading Companies       CYP   117,573      44.43 ( 1.72)
   Other Companies         CYP    90,135      73.33 ( 2.17)

CNA AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government stands firm against Denktash's demands

Meanwhile the UN will step up efforts during the next month in an effort to break the deadlock in the Cyprus problem and resume bi-communal talks aiming at a comprehensive settlement.

Commenting on statements by US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, in "Los Angeles Times", that Rauf Denktash's demand for recognition "is what the negotiations were supposed to be partly about," Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said:

"We do not accept recognition of the illegal entity in the north either before or during negotiations (for a Cyprus settlement) and we will not under any circumstances freeze our course for European Union (EU) accession."

Stylianides said the government will discuss the issue with Holbrooke during his next visit to the island.

He added, however, it is not yet known when Holbrooke will pay his next visit to Cyprus.

Stylianides also said the government is pursuing the necessary initiatives in order to make sure that no problems will arise over the renewal of the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) six-month mandate, expected to be approved later this month.

Meanwhile, according to CNA sources the new UN Resident Representative, Ann Hercus, will arrive here on July 4 to replace Gustave Feissel who is retiring.

Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, is also expected to visit the island early next month, in the framework of UN efforts to break the impasse in the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Sources have also told CNA the UN representative in the tripartite Investigatory Committee on Missing Persons will be appointed soon.

Jean Pierre Ritter was named by UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, as the third member to the Committee to replace Paul Wurth who retired in 1996.

The Committee was set up in 1981 comprising of a Greek Cypriot, a Turkish Cypriot and a UN representative.

CNA MA/MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1655:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus beaches receive "Blue Flags" award

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, stressed that "Cyprus has the right to be proud because it is in the lead" as far as clean beaches are concerned.

Stressing the need for protection of the environment against pollution, Kyprianou also pointed to the dangers from the construction of a nuclear plant in Turkey's coastal earthquake prone area of Akkuyu which is very close to Cyprus' northern shores.

Kyprianou expressed support to the moves of environmental organisations' reactions against the nuclear plant construction and called upon the governments of countries affected to also act accordingly.

The European Blue Flag Campaign was launched in 1987 during the European Year for the Environment and the "Blue Flag" has become a European symbol of environmental quality.

It is awarded to beaches which fulfill a number of criteria, including the quality of bathing water, environmental education and information and beach area management and safety.

CNA MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:04

[04] First official visit to Cyprus by Greek head of state

The details of the visit, scheduled for June 25 to 28, were discussed today at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, with the participation of Police, National Guard, and Municipalities' representatives.

Speaking after the meeting, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, stressed the importance of the visit pointing out that this "is the first official visit of a head of the Greek state since the birth of the Republic of Cyprus".

Asked whether Stephanopoulos' visit sends a political message, Kasoulides said it shows Greece's unconditional support to the Cyprus cause for justice.

During his four-day visit to Cyprus President Stephanopoulos will be received by President Glafcos Clerides, the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou and the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos.

He will also have meetings with party leaders and address a special session at the House of Representatives.

During his stay he will also visit the Greek Military Contingent Forces stationed in Cyprus (ELDIK), in accordance with the 1960 agreements for the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

President Stephanopoulos will pay respects at the tomb of late Cyprus President, Archbishop Makarios III, at Throni near the Kykkos Monastery, situated on the Troodos range, and visit sites of national and historical interest.

President Clerides will decorate his Greek counterpart, while Nicosia Mayor, Lellos Demetriades, will present him with the golden key of the divided capital.

President Stephanopoulos will be escorted by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, Finance Under-Secretary Alexandros Baltas, and other officials.

CNA RG/MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Russia reaffirms position on S300s

Responding to reports in the foreign press against the deployment of the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed the defensive nature of the system and pointed out:

"We are convinced that the reason for the deadlock in efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem is not the contract for the S-300s but the maintenance of the unacceptable status quo on the island."

Reiterating the importance of resuming UN-led bicommunal talks for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement, the Russian spokesman also pointed to the need for an agreement on the complete demilitarisation of the island.

"Russia is a reliable commercial partner and will fulfill its obligations deriving from the contract signed with Cyprus," early 1997 the spokesman said, adding that:

"It is obvious that in the case of demilitarisation of Cyprus there would be no need to honour the agreement and deliver this anti-aircraft system."

He described any unsubstantiated arguments towards cancelling the deal as a "direct pressure on the Cyprus government and an open economic and political blackmail."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides said today Cyprus has no aggressive desires against any country.

He stressed, however, that Cyprus "has the undeniable right to defend itself in case of attack and the sovereign right to decide on how to organise its defences."

On his part, Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, repeated today his provocations of a final halt to bicommunal talks if the defensive system is delivered.

"We will announce that the Cyprus problem is closed and invite Turkey to fully establish itself in the northern part of the island," Denktash told journalists in Constantinople.

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

CNA MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2025:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Omirou and Cutileiro discus Cyprus-WEU relations

Omirou also briefed Cutileiro on the deadlock in the Cyprus problem, stressing that the situation is a result of Turkish intransigence.

Omirou attended the presidency session of the European Socialist Party, along with his Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Tomorrow, Omirou will participate in the meeting of the Permanent Committee on the enlargement of the WEU to brief Euro-MPs on Cyprus' position regarding the island's bid for associate partnership status.

Meanwhile, Omirou met yesterday with Greek Commissioner, Christos Papoutsis and discussed Cyprus' accession course to the EU and the Cyprus problem.

CNA NB/RG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Clerides stresses Cyprus' good relations with Israel and Arabs

Addressing the official dinner of the Keren Hayesod - United Israel Appeal, held this evening in the southwestern coastal town of Limassol, President Clerides said:

"Despite the military alliance between Israel and Turkey, after giving consideration to the assurances given to us by the government of Israel, about the nature of the alliance, we are ready to continue working for the strengthening or our relations with Israel."

He pointed out, however, Cyprus wishes to make it clear that bilateral relations "will not in any way change our friendly feelings and close relations with our Arab neighbours, who all along have supported us in our struggle for freedom and justice for Cyprus nor will we deviate from positions we have supported in the past".

President Clerides added that Cyprus' entry to the European Union would enhance its role as a bridge of cooperation and cultural interaction between the Middle East and Europe.

"We fully share the vision of a peaceful and prosperous Middle East, characterised by new challenges and opportunities and increased cooperation and prosperity for all the peoples in the region," he said.

More than 150 Jewish community leaders from around the world gathered in Cyprus to thank the people of the island who helped Jews detained in two camps here by the British after World War II.

CNA MCH/AP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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