Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] President Clerides - Meeting - Civil Service

[03] Israel - Cyprus - US

[04] Britain - bicommunal activities in Cyprus

[05] Repas - S-300 purchase

[06] British Bases - training

[07] ECHR - decision on Loizidou's case

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          83.3  (-0.14)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,117,657

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   647,403      98.01 (-0.43)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    32,572      57.88 (-0.94)
   Insurance Companies     CYP   161,806      58.70 ( 1.98)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    18,104      76.39 ( 0.45)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    38,326      68.60 (-0.71)
   Trading Companies       CYP    94,060      39.75 ( 0.33)
   Other Companies         CYP    24,691      70.23 (-0.24)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Meeting - Civil Service

The officials put forward their suggestions on a number of issues relating to the smooth operation and the modernisation of the civil service, which they will also put down in writing.

"A number of issues on the function, the performance and the cost of the government machinery were examined," Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou said after the two-hour Presidential Palace meeting.

He said that the prevailing attitude among the 13.000 civil servants, the feeling that they have secured their future, is the main reason for which the government machinery is unproductive.

"President Clerides set out the framework of the discussion, assessing that there is a permanent worsening trend, since we gained independence in 1960, that must be overturned," Christodoulou added.

He criticised the level of services offered to the public, the poor performance of government services and the increasing costs.

The Finance Minister underlined that the civil service must be modernised, especially in view of Cyprus' bid to join the European Union and the need to adopt the aquis communautaire.

The government stresses the need for cooperation with political parties and the House of Representatives in order to tackle the issues at hand and will call more meetings in the future.

Decisions on the matter will be taken in October, the Minister added.

CNA KN/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1515:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Israel - Cyprus - US

Speaking to CNA, an Israeli embassy spokesman stressed his country is "not involved in the S300" question.

"We do not see it as a threat to Israel and we are not involved in that. So all the reports that allegedly we are whatsoever involved in that are wrong," the spokesman added.

According to a Pentagon spokesman, the US "discussed our interest with regard to Cyprus with a number of countries, including Israel".

Asked to comment on this, the Israeli Embassy spokesman, reaffirmed his country is not involved in such discussions.

"Israel is not involved in the S300 and does not see a threat to its security," he added.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1630 CYPPRESS:04

[04] Britain - bicommunal activities in Cyprus

Henderson was replying to a question by Labour MP Robin Corbett in the House of Commons, on how the British government reacts to the current suspension on Turkish-Cypriot participation in bicommunal activities in Cyprus.

The suspension has been imposed by the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, in a bid to prevent the improvement of relations between Greek and Turkish-Cypriots and promote his separatist goals.

Henderson said the British government have urged Denktash "to lift the current suspension".

He pointed out "bicommunal activities make a valuable contribution to building a foundation of understanding between the two Cypriot communities, which will be essential for the success of a political settlement".

The UN Security Council has repeatedly urged both communities in Cyprus to encourage and facilitate bicommunal activities as a first step towards the creation of a climate of confidence between them, considered necessary for a political settlement. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of the island's territory, in violation of numerous UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

A puppet regime in the occupied areas, unilaterally declared in 1983, is recognised only by Turkey.

CNA GG/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Repas - S-300 purchase

Asked who took the decision for the purchase of the Russian-made missiles, Greek Government Spokesman, Demetris Repas said today:

"Issues of a national nature are dealt by the Cyprus government after consultation with the Greek government."

He pointed out that the alignment of the policies of the two countries regarding the Cyprus problem is well-known.

Repas also stressed that both Greece and Cyprus are acting within the framework of UN and Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

"The two governments are entitled to cooperate fully, to maintain close relations and identical political options to promote the Cyprus issue," Repas added.

Cyprus Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides, told the press yesterday that the purchase of the S-300 was part of the joint decision- making between Cyprus and Greece.

"Things are as Stylianides has said," Repas reaffirmed today. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

The Cyprus government decided in January 1997 to buy the surface-to-air missiles to bolster its air defence, in case of a new Turkish offensive.

CNA KI/MCH/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640 CYPPRESS:06

[06] British Bases - training

Speaking after meeting Xylofagou village community leader, Charalambos Karayannis, Captain John M. Brown, Media Operations of the British Forces in Cyprus said part of the reason for the clearance of the Pyla range is because the British "are under some pressure from the government of the Republic of Cyprus and the environmental people to not use Akamas for live firing training in the future."

The British Bases have been strongly criticised by environmental organisations and local deputies for destroying the Akamas region, unique for its flora and fauna.

Following repeated demonstrations by locals and environmental organisations, the Bases, in consultation with the Republic of Cyprus, are trying to find alternative sites for the British to train using live ammunition.

Captain Brown said "at the moment, we still retain the right to train in the Akamas, should we choose to do so, under the treaty of Establishment in 1960."

However, he stressed that it is their "wish not to train in the Akamas using live ammunition but to use alternative training areas."

Captain Brown said that for the past few months, the Bases have had detailed discussions with the Republic of Cyprus government "to see if they have any alternative areas for us to use. So far, there are very little in terms of alternative training areas," the British official said.

"Part of our reason in clearing the Pyla range so that we can use it for live firing is so that we don't have to return to Akamas," he added.

Referring to today's meeting, Captain Brown said Karayiannis and the village improvement board are now very clear in their own minds exactly about what the British are trying to achieve.

Yesterday, around 100 residents of Xylophagou demonstrated against the cutting of the trees in the firing range.

Captain Brown said the villagers' views will be conveyed to the commander of the Eastern Sovereign Base Area, who will review the situation.

"But at the moment...we will clear the area as we have been directed, (by the Commander of the British Bases, General Ramsey) to be used for infantry training," Captain Brown said.

He added that the Pyla range area which is being cleared is Ministry of Defence land.

To a remark that the exercises will be conducted very close to residential areas, Captain Brown assured "that all the British military training with live ammunition is conducted under extremely strict guidelines...and there is no danger to anybody outside that range safety area."

Captain Brown said the Bases are not actually cutting all the trees in all the areas because different areas have different amounts of trees cut.

He expressed the hope that the protests carried out yesterday will not be carried out today, adding that the Bases "would like to resolve this whole situation in a peaceful manner."

To a remark that the exercises will be conducted very close to residential areas, Captain Brown assured "that all the British military training with live ammunition is conducted under extremely strict guidelines...and there is no danger to anybody outside that range safety area."

On his part Karayiannis said the British official stressed that they are going ahead with the clearing of the area, despite opposition.

The community leader said the whole village is "distraught" over the tree cutting and they do not know what will happen in the future.

He said the village board will seek a meeting with Interior Minister, Dinos Michaelides.

According to Captain Brown, Karayiannis said, the minister was aware of the British plans to clear the area.

Britain has retained two sovereign military Bases in Cyprus since 1960 when the island gained independence from British colonial rule.

CNA MAN/EC/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2130:CYPPRESS:07

[07] ECHR - decision on Loizidou's case

Attorney-General, Alecos Markides, told reporters today that the ECHR ordered Turkey to pay pecuniary damages of 300.000 CYP pounds (one pound is about 2 US dollars) to Titina Loizidou from the Turkish occupied town of Kyrenia, a further 20.000 for non-pecuniary damage and 137.084 for her costs and expenses.

In its decision, the ECHR dismissed by 15-2 Turkey's claim that Loizidou, has no entitlement to an award of just satisfaction under Article 50 of the Convention.

With the ruling, Markides said Loizidou's legal battle over the violation of her right of property, which began in 1989 ended.

Markides said the amount of 300,000 was assessed as the loss suffered by Loizidou with reference to the annual ground rent, calculated as a percentage of the market value of the property that could have been earned on her properties between 1989-1997.

The Attorney-General said the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe will monitor the implementation of the ruling. He said the amount should be collected within three months from the date of the issue of the ruling.

A simple interest at an annual rate of 8 percent shall be payable on all amounts from the expiry of the three months until settlement.

Markides noted that the decision sets a "precedent" and can be characterised as a "landmark in the history of law".

The ruling stressed that in the light of the December 1996 decision, Loizidou "is still the legal owner of the property, no issue of expropriation arises...and that her claim is this confined to the loss of use of the land and the consequent lost opportunity to develop or lease it".

He stressed that the pecuniary damages cover only the period 1990-1997. Asked if a new petition will be lodged, since Turkey continues to deprive refugees from their right to return to their properties, The Attorney-General stressed that the Council of Ministers has an obligation to make Turkey give access to Loizidou's property.

Markides said there are hundreds of applications pending before the ECHR but following the decision on Loizidou, the procedure is underway for the remaining petitions which will be examined by the new European Court.

Invited to say what will happen if Turkey does not comply with the ruling, Markides said that "no state has been able to get away from an ECHR decision".

In its ruling in December 1996, the ECHR found Turkey guilty of continuous human rights violations with respect to the peaceful enjoyment of Loizidou's property.

It ordered that within the next six months the applicant and the Turkish government submit written observations with respect to the issue of compensation and costs.

It is the first time an international legal body has condemned Turkey and ordered the country to pay damages over human rights violations as a result of the continuing Turkish occupation of Cyprus' northern areas.

Loizidou was represented by Achilleas Demetriades, a prominent Nicosia lawyer.

The Cyprus government was represented by the Attorney General and his team of barristers and counsels, while Stephan Trechsel represented the European Commission of Human Rights, as well as representatives of the Turkish government.

CNA EC/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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