Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - Holbrooke - Pangalos

[02] President Clerides - Russian Foreign Minister

[03] Zakheos - UN - Turkish vandalism

[04] CYTA - Achievements

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

0830:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - Holbrooke - Pangalos

New York, Sep 22 (CNA) -- The US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus stated he would continue with his efforts to settle the Cyprus problem and confirmed the aim was a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as stipulated in UN resolutions.

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Richard Holbrooke, expressed the view that the UN Security Council and the European Union would remain engaged in the Cyprus peace process.

Holbrooke, accompanied by State Department Cyprus Coordinator, Thomas Miller, had separate meetings Monday in New York with President Clerides and Greek Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos, who are here for the 53rd UN General Assembly.

He said he would continue as the US Presidential Emissary for Cyprus pending the confirmation process for his nomination as US Permanent Representative to the UN.

However, Holbrooke clarified that if he was appointed he would "gradually phase out of the direct full time responsibility (in Cyprus) but will remain very actively involved," noting this was what he promised President Clerides.

He refrained from responding to a question if they discussed security issues at their hour-long meeting with the President, saying "it's all about security".

Asked if his strategic approach to the Cyprus problem has changed after demands by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, for a "confederation of two states" in Cyprus, Holbrooke replied, "no, there has been no change in the US position".

"We support a bizonal, bicommunal federation and there has been no change whatsoever in our position," he added.

Invited to say if he believes it is feasible to bring Denktash back to negotiate on this basis, Holbrooke pointed out that both the Turkish Cypriot leader and himself had made clear their positions during his last visit to Cyprus.

During a meeting with Denktash earlier this year, the Turkish Cypriot leader announced he would not return to the negotiating table, unless his illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus was recognised and the Republic's application to join the EU was withdrawn.

"I made clear the US view that on the basis of that position progress was extremely difficult," he said, stressing "I have been very clear on that. There has been no change in the American position."

Referring to the proposal put forward last month by Denktash for a confederation of two states, Holbrooke made it clear that "the American position, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, remains unchanged. We think the correct approach is for a bizonal, bicommunal federation."

Asked if the American initiative for Cyprus is as strong as it was last year, the Presidential Emissary said "our commitment to working to resolve this problem is undiminished, but the practical obstacles in its path have self-evidently become greater."

Invited to say how the obstacles in the Cyprus peace effort could be overcome, Holbrooke pointed to the need for "perseverance, the engaged support of the UN Secretary-General, the other members of the Security Council, the EU, the US."

"We are just going to keep at it. This is an important region of the world and good relations between Greece and Turkey are important to rest of the world, particularly the US and the EU," he added.

Holbrooke said he will meet President Clerides again later this week and will also meet Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem and Denktash, who is expected in New York, next week.

Cyprus Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides, described the Clerides-Holbrooke meeting as "very useful" and said "latest developments in the Cyprus problem were reviewed".

"Holbrooke's statements after the meeting were very precise and clear and speak for themselves," he added.

CNA MA/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0850:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - Russian Foreign Minister

New York, Sep 22 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will meet today with new Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, on the sidelines of the 53rd UN General Assembly.

The Cyprus problem is expected to be the main issue of the meeting. After that meeting, President Clerides will brief Cypriot political party leaders or representatives, who are in New York to assess the international community's stance towards a debate on the Cyprus problem at the UN.

Earlier today, the Cypriot President is scheduled to speak on "The situation in Cyprus" over a breakfast at the influential Council on Foreign Relations, which will be attended only by its members.

Meanwhile, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will have meetings with his counterparts from various countries.

CNA MA/MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1230:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Zakheos - UN - Turkish vandalism

In a letter to Kofi Annan, Sotos Zakheos, points out that the Church of Saint Theodoros in the Turkish-occupied village of Lapithos was vandalised after being abandoned and desecrated.

He also notes that the Shrine of Saint Kourmoutas in Lapithos has been profaned and defiled.

"The documented large-scale destruction of over 500 churches, which continues unabated, is an effort to turkify the occupied areas," Zakheos says.

This is done, he adds, "in violation of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural Cooperation, adopted by the General Conference of the UNESCO in 1966."

Zakheos remarks that despite the zealous protection of places of worship belonging to all faiths on behalf of the Cyprus government, Turkey "has been resolute in its policy of religious intolerance in the occupied areas and refuses to adhere to international law and the relevant UN resolutions."

"In addition to the other gross violations against religious, cultural and historical monuments, reported to you in previous correspondence, Turkey, as the occupying power for more than 24 years, is entirely accountable and fully answerable for these new illegal and wanton acts of vandalism," he remarks.

The Permanent Representative's letter has been circulated as a document of the 53rd session of the UN General Assembly, under agenda item 62, and of the Security Council.

Turkey illegally occupies 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory since its invasion of the island in 1974, in violation of numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of its troops.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:04

[04] CYTA - Achievements

Speaking at a press conference where he presented the 1997 annual report, Zivanaris said now was the time for changes in the organisation to help it enter successfully in the 21st century.

The results for the year ended were "once again very satisfactory", he said, and show a surplus after tax of 28,2 million pounds (One Cyprus Pound is approximately two US dollars), compared to 21 m. pounds of the previous year.

The total revenue increased by 15,9 m. pounds or 15 per cent and reached 125,4 m. pounds whereas the total expenses increased by 6,8 m. pounds or 8 per cent and reached 90,4 m. pounds.

Zivanaris referred to the theme of this year's annual report, which is dedicated to CYTA's Business Reengineering Project, symbolically named "Promitheas".

He said the project "aims at achieving spectacular gains in productivity in a relatively short time by means of fundamental changes to the way in which basic processes are carried out."

It also aims at making CYTA strong and competitive by listing future core business competencies requiring development.

Zivanaris explained that in the framework of CYTA's efforts to expand its activities outside Cyprus, the Euro-African Satellite Telecommunications (EAST) Programme Agreement was signed in 1997 between CYTA's subsidiary company DIGIMED and the Anglo-French company MATRA MARCONI SPACE (MMS).

Referring to the year under review, Zivanaris noted the successful efforts for the constant technological upgrading of the telecommunications infrastructure, the network's digitilisation, the expansion of the services offered and the creation of the prerequisites for introducing new ones.

The CYTA Board Chairman underlined the increase of direct exchange lines, 58,59 lines per 100 inhabitants, and the greatly increased demand for mobile telephony.

Zivanaris also mentioned the forthcoming prospects with Cyprus' participation in the SEA-ME-WE 3 Submarine Fibre Optic Cable System, in the Black Sea Fibre Optic Cable System and in the LEV Cable System which links Cyprus with Israel and Italy.

Noting that today CYTA is considered one of the best Telecommunications organisations in the world, because of the technologies, facilities and services it offers, Zivanaris stressed that developments in the international competitive environment are such that do not allow CYTA to rest on its laurels.

He said the liberalisation of the telecommunications services will soon be an international reality.

"Now is the time for great changes", he said, noting "our journey for the next millennium has begun and it continues."

"Our successful transition in the telecommunications world of the 21st century is in our hands", he concluded.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          86.80 (-0.57)

   Traded Value            CYP 953,741

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP    502,977    102.36 (-0.33)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP     85,548     59.26 (-0.10)
   Insurance Companies     CYP     46,411     58.26 (-0.17)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP     16,866     81.35 (-1.19)
   Tourism Companies       CYP     88,185     69.87 (-1.29)
   Trading Companies       CYP     20,196     39.91 (-1.46)
   Other Companies         CYP     41,929     76.53 (-1.78)

CNA EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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