Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-07-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Government - Memorandum - Vienna III agreement

[03] Cyprus - European Court - Turkish claims

[04] US President - Cyprus peace talks

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          84.27 ( 0.96)

   Traded Value            CYP 690,298

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   362,178      99.14 ( 1.18)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    71,618      58.47 ( 1.40)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    39,388      59.34 ( 1.18)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP     6,967      76.04 (-0.41)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    51,760      69.84 ( 0.16)
   Trading Companies       CYP     5,143      40.94 ( 2.17)
   Other Companies         CYP    58,932      71.31 ( 0.59)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1640:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government - Memorandum - Vienna III agreement

"The memorandum will be sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan," President of the Karpass Co-ordinating Committee Nicos Falas said after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, with whom they discussed the implementation of the Vienna III agreement and the problems the enclaved persons face.

The agreement stipulated that some 20 thousand Greek Cypriots and Maronites who remained in the Turkish occupied areas after the 1974 Turkish invasion would have every help to lead a normal life and the right to education, religion, medical care and freedom of movement.

The occupation regime never respected the agreement and after constant harassment and violation of their human rights, also recorded by the UN, most enclaved persons left for the government controlled part of the Republic.

Today only some 500 Greek Cypriots and 150 Maronites remain in the occupied areas.

"We demand the implementation of the Vienna III agreement, as a first step in solving the Cyprus problem and a practical measure for building trust between Greek and Turkish Cypriots," Falas said.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said every effort is undertaken for the implementation of the agreement, but added its implementation stumbles on the Turkish side's intransigence.

"At a time when Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Ankara do not even acknowledge other agreements reached between the two sides, how could we expect them to implement the Vienna III agreement," Stylianides wondered.

However, he reassured that the government brings up the issue at meetings and is exerting efforts for the agreement's enforcement.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - European Court - Turkish claims

Both Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides and Attorney General Alecos Markides stressed that Ankara will have to abide by the Court ruling, if it does not want to face consequences from the Council of Europe.

"The Turkish Foreign Ministry statement is audacious and naive," Attorney General Alecos Markides said.

Echoing his words, Stylianides underlined that Ankara "proves the audacity with which it handles international decisions and decisions by recognised international courts".

In a statement issued yesterday the Turkish Foreign Ministry claims its does not exercise "public authority" in the illegal state in the areas of Cyprus it occupies since its troops invaded the island in 1974.

"It was an individual application against Turkey and not against the illegal state which could not be the defendant since it is a non existent entity and is recognised by no-one," the Attorney General underlined.

In its ruling Wednesday the European Court awarded Titina Loizidou compensation for prevention of enjoyment of her property in the Turkish occupied coastal town of Kyrenia. She was also entitled to moral damages and legal costs.

The illegal entity, unilaterally declared in the occupied areas of Cyprus in 1983 is recognised only by Turkey and the UN has called on all states not to facilitate it in any way.

Markides clarified that Turkey's claims were rejected by the European Court in 1996.

"Turkey will have to face a dilemma very soon because it is forced to respect and abide by the decision. If it doesn't it will have to leave the Council of Europe," he added.

The Government Spokesman said "the Council of Europe has a series of sanctions it could take, including expulsion".

Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot press only referred to the European Court decision today, mainly focusing on its rejection by Turkey and the illegal regime in the occupied areas.

However, in an editorial, opposition newspaper "Avrupa" (Europe) rejects the Turkish Foreign Ministry's claims that the decision is binding, noting "who could believe such things... Who could believe that it is not Ankara that governs us".

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2020:CYPPRESS:04

[04] US President - Cyprus peace talks

In his bimonthly report to Congress on Cyprus, Clinton refers to visits here by US officials in a bid to get the two sides back to the negotiating table and says:

"Unfortunately, the Turkish side took the position talks could not begin unless certain preconditions were satisfied".

He points to demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for recognition of his illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas and the withdrawal of Cyprus' application to join the European Union.

Denktash's demands have been rejected by the Cyprus government, while the UN has reconfirmed the bicommunal basis of negotiations.

The report, covering the period April 1 - May 31, refers to the two visits to Cyprus by the US President's special emissary Richard Holbrooke and US State Department coordinator Thomas Miller.

Clinton says that they "held a series of intensive talks with the leaders of both communities", in early April.

Holbrooke and Miller returned in early May, he adds, "at the request of both leaders and encouraged them to begin serious negotiations towards a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

"Although progress was not possible during Ambassador Holbrooke's May visit, he assured both parties that the US would remain engaged in the search for a solution," Clinton adds.

CNA DA/MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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