Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-07-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Government warns against air strike

[03] EU envoys to visit Cyprus

[04] US Coordinator arrives for talks

[05] Spokesman - demilitarisation

1600:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          84.54 (-0.06)

   Traded Value            CYP     994,063

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   398,748      98.94 ( 0.03)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP     5,329      58.88 ( 0.08)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    75,009      59.11 (-0.91)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    71,209      78.30 ( 0.19)
   Tourism Companies       CYP   240,910      69.95 ( 0.00)
   Trading Companies       CYP    39,439      42.49 (-0.35)
   Other Companies         CYP    48,046      71.33 (-0.38)

CNA MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1745:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government warns against air strike

Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides, said the government "continues to believe that everybody at Cyprus Airways should realise the company must survive for the benefit of the island and the national economy".

PASIPI, the pilots' trade union, announced Tuesday a three day strike from July 23 to 26 to press on with their demands in negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements the national carrier and its sister company Eurocypria have with management.

Pilots with Cyprus Airways want to be considered for promotion in Eurocypria, a press release by Cyprus Airways management said and described this demand as "unreasonable."

The decision to strike prompted immediate reaction from the government. "It has to be made clear that things are very difficult. The government will not stand by idle under any circumstances because it believes the national carrier serves the economy and tourism," Stylianides said.

Cabinet ministers, he added, will make effort to avert a strike. Finance Minister, Christodoulos Christodoulou criticised the pilots' action, noting that they "are using the right to strike at a critical time for the economy".

Christodoulou called on the Cyprus Airways management to undertake all necessary measures, noting the government will back it all the way.

The strike comes at the height of the tourist season and only days after Cyprus Airways management unveiled a strategic plan to help the company cope with increasing competition due to air liberalisation.

CNA EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:03

[03] EU envoys to visit Cyprus

Sir David Hannay, who arrives here Monday for a three-day visit, will be accompanied by Dr. Walter Hagg, head of the Southern European Affairs Department of the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

According to CNA sources, the two EU officials will have a working breakfast with President Glafcos Clerides on July 21 and have talks with Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides.

However it is not yet certain whether Hannay and Hagg will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who has refused to meet EU officials after the Union decided to open accession negotiations with Cyprus.

The visiting dignitaries will also meet the UN Secretary-General's Resident Representative, Dame Ann Hercus.

Hannay will give a lecture in the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia on EU matters, hosted by the Turkish Cypriot businessmen Association.

Before leaving on Wednesday, Sir David will attend a lunch hosted by the representative of the Austrian presidency in Cyprus, Ambassador of Germany, Marie-Gabriele von Malsen-Tilborch. Austria does not have an embassy in Cyprus.

He will give a bicommunal press conference at the Ledra Palace Hotel, situated in the UN controlled buffer zone.

Meanwhile, another EU official, the President of the Economic and Social Committee of the EU, Tom Jenkins, also arrives on the island on 20 July for a two-day official visit at the invitation of the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Alecos Shambos.

Jenkins will meet the Foreign Minister, Labour and Social Insurance Minister, Andreas Moushouttas and the chief negotiator in the EU - Cyprus accession talks, George Vassiliou.

CNA DP/EC/ /1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1825:CYPPRESS:04

[04] US Coordinator arrives for talks

Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides announced that Miller arrives on July 24 and will be received by President Glafcos Clerides on the same day.

Asked if Miller will bring anything specific on the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system Cyprus has ordered from Russia, Stylianides said the government "is ready to discuss anything on this issue, related to the demilitarisation of Cyprus and the resumption of the intercommunal dialogue."

The Cyprus government has pledged not to deploy the missiles if there is sufficient progress towards a negotiated settlement, which would lead to demilitarisation.

Stylianides expressed the government's hope that negotiations for a Cyprus settlement will resume.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory.

The Turkish Cypriot side refuses to return to the negotiating table unless the Cyprus government withdraws its application for accession to the European Union and unless the self-styled illegal regime in occupied Cyprus is recognised.

CNA DP/EC/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1850:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Spokesman - demilitarisation

Stylianides was asked to clarify whether a comment the President made at a press conference in Moscow yesterday meant a shift in government policy on the issue.

Speaking at the end of a four-day visit to Russia, President Clerides recalled his proposal to the Turkish side to start immediate talks on demilitarisation, and added "if an agreement is reached, a gradual reduction in the armed forces and armaments from both sides would begin, followed by a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops."

"This statement does not mean in any way a change of policy," he said, explaining that demilitarisation cannot take place from one day to the next but it involves an certain procedure.

"The President is ready, within this political philosophy, to accept any proposals," said, adding that demilitarisation is the final goal.

The Spokesman said the political leadership should assist the President in his efforts to convince foreign powers that the island's demilitarisation not only will help reduce tensions but will also facilitate greatly the peace effort.

President Clerides put forward his proposal for the island's complete demilitarisation in a letter to the UN Secretary-General in 1993, a move he repeated last month.

He made a similar proposal during last summer's UN-led direct talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in Glion, Switzerland. The Turkish side has rejected all attempts to discuss demilitarisation.

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 DA/AP/MM/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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