Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-09-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Irish Labour leader - Cyprus - EU

[03] Ruling party leader - US ambassador

[04] Britain - Denktash - Reaction

[05] Foreign Minister - Denktash proposal

[06] Cyprus - Turkish violations

[07] Acting President - Defence Minister - Turkish Proposal

[08] NAM Summit - Cyprus Foreign Minister

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          88.53 (-0.46)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,606,724

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP 1,006,332     103.07 (-0.68)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    36,341      58.95 (-1.09)
   Insurance Companies     CYP   114,446      60.13 ( 0.13)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP   132,890      87.44 (-0.31)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    19,595      71.94 (-0.44)
   Trading Companies       CYP    52,096      43.13 (-0.60)
   Other Companies         CYP    81,080      77.69 ( 1.32)

CNA MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Irish Labour leader - Cyprus - EU

He also believes that a Turkish Cypriot proposal for a confederation in Cyprus has nothing to do with the island's application for EU membership.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of a two-day visit here at the invitation of socialist EDEK party, Quinn said he would be willing to come to Cyprus and help the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides find a negotiated settlement.

Quinn said "once the Cyprus problem is resolved, EU rules are such that the status of the entire island will be seen as a single political unit in the EU."

"But the momentum towards membership which Cyprus has cannot, in my view, be stopped by anybody and that will therefore put forth a satisfactory conclusion to what is clearly a difficult issue," he explained.

He said Cyprus' EU membership will give the Union "an understanding of politics and culture in this part of the Mediterranean in a way we do not currently possess."

Referring to Cyprus' early EU membership, the Labour Party leader said "2,003 is a date we should work for but a lot depends on the international situation."

He said the majority of EU members "would prefer that the next enlargement would take all six candidate countries at one time because of the adjustments required."

Noting that Cyprus will qualify at a much earlier stage, he pointed out that "it is possible, if not probable, that full membership of the Union would be determined by the rate of progress of other countries."

Invited to comment on a Turkish Cypriot proposal to set up a confederation in Cyprus, instead of a federation as agreed on and provided by UN resolution, Quinn replied: "I find it extraordinary that you can commence dialogue and negotiations with the conclusion, you have to start off looking at issues and then move on from there."

He referred to his country's experience, which he described as "similar but quite different", and noted that London declared it had no strategic, military or economic interest in remaining in Northern Ireland and it was up to the people of the island of Ireland to decide their future.

Replying to questions, he said the Turkish Cypriot position on confederation does not raise any obstacles to Cyprus' EU aspirations.

"This position has nothing to do with the application of Cyprus for membership, which is a matter exclusively for the EU and the applicant countries," he stressed.

The Labour Party leader said he would be "available to describe in detail what our experience was and facilitate in whatever form it is decided by the people here as to how we can be of help."

He also said he would "most definitely be willing to come here if asked, to work with both sides."

In his remarks at the joint press conference, EDEK leader Vasos Lyssarides said the Cyprus problem was the focus of his discussions with Quinn.

Cyprus' application for EU accession and closer ties with the Irish Labour Party were on the agenda, he added.

"The visit was very interesting and very constructive, the people of Cyprus and Ireland have a common historical background," Lyssarides said.

CNA MM/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1545:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Ruling party leader - US ambassador

"On behalf of my party I have asked them to take up their responsibilities after the new provocation by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash," Anastasiades said after meeting Brill.

Yesterday Denktash announced a proposal for the establishment of a confederation with "two sovereign and equal states" in Cyprus, that has already been rejected by the government and all political parties as it is not in line with UN resolutions and previous agreements between the two sides.

The DISI leader said the proposal "aims at dividing Cyprus and establishing two separate protectorates for Greece and Turkey, which is also against US interests."

"The proposal cannot be discussed and it is their (US) responsibility to contribute towards overcoming Turkish intransigence, if they want peace in the region," he said.

"I had the chance to tell Mr Brill, straight and without hesitation, that we do not agree with the whole stance and behaviour of the US. On the contrary, with their stance they encourage Mr Denktash's intransigence," Anastasiades pointed out.

The US ambassador refrained from commenting on the Turkish side's proposal and said "we're not going to make any comment until we have a chance to take a hard look at it and then we'll have something to say".

Brill said "our goal is to get a negotiation going and to get the Cyprus problem focused back on the political issues, the core issues, and not on some of the issues that we think have been distracting things a good deal in recent times.

"So to the extent that anybody talks about negotiations we think that that's better than not talking about negotiations", he added.

He reassured that his country's "long-standing position has been in support of a bizonal bicommunal federation and that continues to be. We're exploring this issue, we're looking for opportunities to move forward."

CNA KN/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Britain - Denktash - Reaction

Invited to comment on a proposal by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, for the establishment of a "Cyprus confederation" with "two sovereign and equal states", a Foreign Office spokesman pointed to UN efforts for a settlement.

"The international community has repeatedly endorsed the UN Secretary- General's efforts to promote negotiations for a comprehensive settlement aiming at a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as agreed by the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979", he said.

"We continue to believe that this is the best way forward. We are working actively in support of the UN efforts to bring about a resumption of negotiations on that basis", he added.

The Foreign Office spokesman pointed out that "we and our European Union partners have made it clear that the accession of Cyprus to the EU should benefit both communities and help bring about peace and reconciliation".

"The UK welcomes any constructive thinking on accession by a federal Cyprus", he concluded.

The 1977 and 1979 high-level agreements, envisaging the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus, were signed by Denktash.

The Cyprus government and all political leaders have rejected Monday the Turkish Cypriot leader's proposal as "unacceptable, absurd, contrary to and contemptuous of UN resolutions".

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

CNA TZ/MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1755:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Foreign Minister - Denktash proposal

Durban, Sep 1 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides today described a proposal by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, for a confederation in Cyprus, as "unacceptable" and pointed out it makes the prospect of a dialogue between the two sides for a Cyprus settlement all the more remote.

"Rauf Denktash's position is not new, but has been repeatedly expressed", Kasoulides said.

He reminded that the UN Secretary General had referred to a lack of political will on the part of the Turkish side for a Cyprus settlement and the President of the UN Security Council had expressed disappointment over the Turkish stance.

"US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke had also noted that Turkish demands and preconditions for a resumption of negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem are unacceptable," Kasoulides added.

Earlier this year Denktash had said he will not participate in peace negotiations unless his illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus is recognised and the Republic withdraws its application to join the European Union.

Yesterday he put forward his proposal for a confederation of "two sovereign and equal states", which was immediately rejected by the government and all political leaders.

Invited by CNA to comment on a statement by US embassy spokeswoman in Nicosia Judith Baroody, concerning Denktash's most recent provocative act, Kasoulides said: "I believe they (US) knew that this (Denktash's) proposal is not welcome and unacceptable."

Baroody had stated earlier today that "regardless of the specifics, we (the US) welcome any indications that the sides in Cyprus are ready to put forward ideas on a political solution to the division of the island".

"The creation of two protectorates in Cyprus and the partition of the island is out of the question for us," Kasoulides stressed.

He added that Denktash's proposal is "definitely not welcome" and "does not bring us back to the negotiating table but on the contrary keeps as even further away".

Kasoulides remarked that "one who wishes to enter negotiations does not issue ultimatums" and pointing to UN resolutions on Cyprus he said the basis for negotiations already exists

"Denktash could have come to negotiations and we could negotiate in a spirit of good will about how we could build a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation," he added.

Replying to questions Kasoulides said the government is not concerned that the international community could favour Denktash's proposal.

The Foreign Minister also said the prospect of an appeal to the UN General Assembly is being seriously examined.

He said steps have already been taken to point out to the international community the elements included in Denktash's proposal which run contrary to UN resolutions on Cyprus, the High Level Agreements reached between the two sides in 1977 and 1979 as well as the UN Secretary General's good offices.

The two Agreements, signed by Denktash himself, stipulate for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus.

Kasoulides said he found his foreign counterparts, with whom he met on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Summit, were very "understanding and supportive" of the government positions concerning the Cyprus problem.

Replying to a question, he also said he expected the NAM final communique extract on Cyprus "to constitute a reply to Denktash's proposal".

The Foreign Minster said President Glafcos Clerides, who is also in South Africa, will elaborate on the Cyprus problem in his address to the Summit on Thursday and will ask for the support of Non-Aligned countries.

President Clerides will address the Summit after Afghani President, Burhanuddin Rabanni.

CNA MCH/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus - Turkish violations

In a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, the Charge d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the UN, Demetris Droushiotis, points out that "such unauthorised intrusions" are "in violation of international air traffic rules and, at the same time, they are in contravention of the provisions of the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus."

Droushiotis reminds that the resolutions "state that such overflights increase tension on the island and undermine efforts towards achieving a final settlement".

He adds that the "new provocative acts by Turkey" are in "blatant disregard of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant decisions of the Organisation on the question of Cyprus".

Four Turkish RF-4 and two military aircraft F-4 violated the Nicosia FIR on August 26, while the four RF-4 also violated the Republic's national airspace.

CNA RG/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Acting President - Defence Minister - Turkish Proposal

"As on other occasions when the Turkish side made a new move, I believe it is impossible that nobody knew about it," he said, referring to a proposal put forward yesterday by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, for a confederation of two sovereign and equal states.

Asked if he is implying the US, Kyprianou said "yes, basically the Americans, but others as well".

He also said that "this is not actually a proposal but the codification of the Turkish side's positions" adding that "we must not panic nor worry because it was expected".

The Cyprus government and all political parties have turned down the proposal because it is not in line with UN resolutions and previous agreements between the two sides stipulating the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister, Yiannakis Omirou, today underlined that all foreign governments interested in a settlement in Cyprus should exert pressure on Turkey's political and military leadership.

"Denktash's proposal is just one more Turkish provocation", he said, adding that Ankara aims at increasing tension in Cyprus and is stepping up its intransigence.

He described the Turkish proposal as a "provocation" to those countries who play an active part in efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

"They should get the message that their policy of equal distances and tolerance breeds Turkish intransigence", Omirou said, stressing that at the end of the 21st century, Turkey cannot carry on with a policy that threatens peace and stability in the region.

Turkish troops continue to occupy 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since they invaded the island in 1974.

CNA MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1945:CYPPRESS:08

[08] NAM Summit - Cyprus Foreign Minister

Durban, Sep 1 (CNA) -- Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides, held a number of meetings here today with his counterparts attending the 12th Non- Aligned Movement Summit as well as European delegations, whom he briefed on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem.

The Foreign Minister gave emphasis to the latest provocation by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, who proposed yesterday the establishment of a confederation of "two sovereign and equal states" in Cyprus, in contravention to UN resolutions.

Kasoulides met his counterparts from Tunisia, Jordan and Kenya, as well as Ecuador's permanent representative to the UN, with whom he also discussed bilateral relations.

On the sidelines of the Summit, he also met representatives of the European Union Austrian rotating Presidency, Canada and Holland, who are in Durban as observers.

With the EU delegation, the Foreign Minister discussed issues concerning the Cyprus Republic's accession course.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus delegation to the Summit, headed by President Glafcos Clerides, will try to arrange a meeting with UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who is expected here later today.

Tomorrow, President Clerides will meet Algerian President, Lemaine Zeroual, and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khattami.

He will also address the official start of the Summit on behalf of the European NAM member states.

CNA MCH/MA/RG/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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