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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-09-01Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
0950:CYPPRESS:01[01] Cyprus - Trade deficitNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- There was a decrease in Cyprus' trade deficit in the first half of 1998 compared to the corresponding period last year.According to the Republic's Statistics and Research Department total imports totalled 938,3 million Cyprus pounds (one Cyprus pound is about two US dollars) in the period January-June 1998 as compared with 938,6 m. pounds in the same period in 1997. Total exports were 315,6 m. pounds in relation to 308,5 m. pounds in January-June 1997. As a result of the above developments the trade deficit totalled 622,7 m. pounds compared to 630,1 m. pounds in the first half of 1997. Imports for home consumption were 763,4 m. pounds as against 745,7 m. pounds in January-June 1997. The EU countries supplied Cyprus with goods valued at 492,7 m. pounds or 52,5% of the total imports as compared with 440,7 m. pounds or 47% during January-June 1997. The EU countries absorbed 58,1% or 75,1 m. pounds domestic exports followed by the Arab countries with a share of 22,9% or 29,5 m. pounds. The corresponding shares for the EU and Arab countries for January-June 1997 were 55,3% and 25,7% respectively. CNA AA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1000:CYPPRESS:02[02] Cyprus - Ancient Greek Drama SymposiumNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- A western village of Cyprus, Droushia, will play host to the 5th International Symposium of Ancient Greek Drama between September 5-8.More than one hundred delegates from 34 countries, including professors, musicians, writers, poets and directors, will take part in this cultural event. The Symposium will be opened by Cyprus House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou on September 5. The meeting organised by the Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute, will approach ancient drama from a contemporary point of view, the Centre's Director Nicos Shiafkalis told the press. During the four-day event there will be performances on ancient Greek texts by 10 drama schools from Greece, Croatia, Lithouania, the United states, Australia, Bulgaria, Lebanon, Poland and Belarus. The performances will be based on scenes taken from such classic texts as Medea, Oresteia, Iphigeneia, Antigone and Oedipus Rex. Cyprus will participate with "Lysistrati" given at the open theater of Droushia on September 4. A workshop for actors, amateurs, and professionals will also be held under the teaching of experienced drama professionals. UNESCO subsidises the festival of ancient drama performances while the whole conference is being sponsored among others by the island's Ministry of Education and Culture. CNA DG/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1150:CYPPRESS:03[03] China - Denktash - ReactionNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- China, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, has indirectly expressed its disapproval of a proposal by the Turkish Cypriot leader to set up what he calls a "Cyprus Confederation" and called for implementation of UN resolutions on Cyprus."China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has always advocated that the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non- aligned status of Cyprus should be indeed respected," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Nicosia told CNA today. Invited to comment on the Turkish Cypriot idea of establishing "two sovereign and equal states" in Cyprus, the Chinese official pointed out that "the relevant UN resolutions and the Security Council resolutions should be really implemented." She also expressed the hope that the island's two communities, Greek and Turkish Cypriot, will "cooperate with the UN Secretary-General and on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and through negotiations they will lessen their differences and find, as soon as possible, a just and viable solution of the Cyprus question." The government of the Republic of Cyprus and its political leadership rejected Monday the Turkish Cypriot proposal as "unacceptable, absurd, contrary to and contemptuous" of UN resolutions. Rauf Denktash, who put forward the proposal in Turkish occupied Nicosia, in the presence of Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, warned that this is the last chance for peace talks to take place and threatened that unless the Greek Cypriot side accepts them, there will be no negotiations for a solution. In 1977 and 1979, Denktash signed two high-level agreements envisaging for the establishment of bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus. This was also repeated in numerous UN resolutions. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. CNA MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1220:CYPPRESS:04[04] Irish Labour Party leader - ChristodoulouNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- Cyprus' early membership to the European Union (EU) will contribute to the security of the entire region, Irish Labour Party leader, Ruairi Quinn, stressed here today.Speaking after a meeting with Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou, Quinn noted Ireland's wish to see the island's accession as soon as that is possible, stressing that Cyprus is the only applicant country that will qualify in joining the EU and for full membership of the single currency EURO. "...And from that point of view Cyprus will add to the stability of the EU. The EU in turn will, I think, be strengthened by the adhesion of Cyprus to its membership and create an area of extended stability in the general Middle East area", Quinn said. He added that among the issues discussed during the meeting with Christodoulou were the similarities of the Irish economy and the Cypriot economy in that they are both countries of the so called perimeter. Concerning Cyprus' economy, he noted that the island has demonstrated that it has a very resilient economy, transforming its economic basis in a matter not unlike the way in which Ireland has transformed its economic performance of the last 10-15 years. On his part, the Acting Foreign Minister noted that he briefed the Irish politician on the Cyprus issue and the economy of the island. He expressed satisfaction with the fact that Quinn ascertained that Cyprus is in a position today to become a full EU member, taking into consideration its performance in the economic, social and cultural fields. Christodoulou said Quinn reaffirmed Ireland's willingness to continue to offer its valuable help in Cyprus' bid to become a member of the EU. Cyprus applied for EU membership in 1990. It signed an association agreement with the European Community in 1972 and a customs union protocol in 1987. Cyprus together with five central and eastern European countries started membership talks with the EU in March 1998. CNA KN/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1240:CYPPRESS:05[05] US - Denktash - ReactionNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- The US has reserved judgement on a Turkish Cypriot proposal to establish a "Cyprus Confederation" with "two sovereign and equal states" on the island but welcomed any move indicating the sides on Cyprus are willing to engage in a dialogue."We have taken note of the proposal and are studying it. It is premature to make any comment on the specifics of the proposal," Judith Baroody, Public Affairs Officer of the US embassy in Nicosia, told CNA today, when invited to outline the US position on Monday's proposal. "Regardless of the specifics, we welcome any indication that the sides on Cyprus are ready to put forward ideas on a political solution to the division of the island," she added. On Monday, US Ambassador Kenneth Brill said the US "have long supported the bizonal, bicommunal federation." The government of Cyprus and the political leadership as well as Greece rejected Monday's proposal and described it "unacceptable and absurd." President Glafcos Clerides said in a written statement from Durban, South Africa, to attend the Non-Aligned Summit, "under no circumstances can Mr. Rauf Denktash's (Turkish Cypriot leader) proposal form a basis for talks as it is unacceptable right from the start." The President also pointed out the proposal is "contrary to and contemptuous of the very resolutions of the UN, the high-level agreements Denktash himself has signed and the substance and spirit of international law." CNA MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1330:CYPPRESS:06[06] EU Presidency - Denktash - ReactionNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- The European Union presidency, Austria, would rather comment on a Turkish Cypriot proposal for a confederation in Cyprus at a later stage, once it has studied the document."We should not comment in detail about this proposal of Mr Denktash (Turkish Cypriot leader). We can only say that the Austrian EU presidency and of course all the other member states from EU will carefully examine this proposal," Andreas Schroder, Counsellor of the German embassy in Nicosia told CNA here today, when invited to comment on Denktash's proposal. Schroder was speaking on behalf of the six-monthly EU rotating Austrian presidency as Austria does not have an embassy on the island. "It is premature to give further comment at this stage," he added, noting that there will probably be formal comment at a later date. CNA MM/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1400:CYPPRESS:07[07] Cyprus - Diplomatic steps - Denktash proposalNicosia, Sep 1 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government is taking a series of measures at an international level to condemn a proposal by the Turkish side aimed at establishing a confederation in Cyprus, which is completely contrary to UN resolutions.Acting Foreign Minister, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou today said "President Glafcos Clerides' reply has been circulated to all Security Council and other UN members." Yesterday Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash proposed the establishment of a "Cyprus Confederation" with "two sovereign and equal states" on the island. In a written statement from Durban, South Africa, where he will attend the Non-Aligned Summit, President Clerides said "under no circumstances can Mr Rauf Denktash's proposal form a basis for talks as it is unacceptable right from the start." He added the proposal "is contrary to and contemptuous of the very resolutions of the UN, the high-level agreements Denktash himself has signed and the substance and spirit of international law." Christodoulou said that "instructions have been given to the heads of our diplomatic missions abroad to make our position known" to the governments and international organisations are accredited to. Two high-level agreements reached between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in 1977 and 1979, signed by Denktash himself, envisage the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus. This was also included in numerous UN resolutions. Denktash's demand for recognition of his illegal regime unilaterally declared in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 has been rejected by the UN. CNA NG/MA/GP/1998ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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