Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN Peace-Keeping Missions - UNFICYP

[02] Greek Defence Minister - Arrival

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Israel - Cyprus - Congratulations

[05] Greek Defence Minister - Cyprus

1100:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN Peace-Keeping Missions - UNFICYP

New York, Sep 30 (CNA) -- The UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has had the most fatalities, after the UN force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to a UN peace-keeping operations note for the period that ended September 24.

Since the establishment of UNFICYP, in March 1964, 168 military and civilian police personnel lost their lives, while there were 228 fatalities in Lebanon since the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon was set up in March 1978.

For the period July 1998 to June 1999, UNFICYP was appropriated 45,3 million dollars gross, of which voluntary contributions by Cyprus are 14,5 m. and by Greece 6,5 m.

At the end of August this year, UNFICYP had a 1,268 strong force that monitors the 180-kilometre long buffer zone dividing Cyprus since Turkish troops invaded the island in 1974.

UN Secretary-General's spokesman, Fred Eckhart, announced at his daily briefing Tuesday that on October 6 the UN will observe 50 years of peace- keeping operations by paying tribute to all peace-keepers, military and civilians, who have served since 1948 and especially those who have died while serving the UN flag.

At a special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly in the morning, the Secretary-General will present medals to the families of three UN officials who lost their lives.

Former senior UN officials in charge of peace-keeping, including special representatives, force commanders, chief military observers and civilian police commissioners have been invited to attend the ceremony, Eckhart said.

Total UN fatalities from 1948 until September 1 of this year are 1.582, including military, civilian police and civilian international local staff, while total operations are 49.

There were 17 UN peace-keeping operations underway on 1 September.

CNA MA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1110:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek Defence Minister - Arrival

The Minister, who arrived in a C-130 aircraft of the Greek Air Force, was met at Larnaca Airport by his Cypriot counterpart Yiannakis Omirou and a guard of honour.

The two ministers will hold officials talks later today.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          86.21 ( 0.09)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,435,306

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   636,342    100.89 ( 0.06)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    97,019      59.74 ( 0.37)
   Insurance Companies     CYP   113,343      58.03 (-0.79)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    52,774      82.21 ( 0.43)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    86,493      70.32 ( 0.60)
   Trading Companies       CYP    35,212      39.87 (-1.41)
   Other Companies         CYP   246,042      77.88 ( 1.30)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Israel - Cyprus - Congratulations

Weizman, who is scheduled to pay an official visit to Cyprus in the first week in November, the first by an Israeli President, said he looks forward to meeting President Clerides "soon and cooperating with you in expanding and strengthening further the good and friendly relations which exist between our peoples."

The Israeli President conveyed on behalf of the people of Israel and himself "sincere congratulations and warmest good wishes for your personal wellbeing and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Cyprus."

Relations between Cyprus and Israel were much enhanced in the past several years after Cyprus opened an embassy in Tel Aviv.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Greek Defence Minister - Cyprus

He also stressed that any Turkish threats will be faced with "deeds and not words."

The Greek minister was speaking at Larnaca Airport on his arrival for a three-day visit. He was met by his Cypriot counterpart Yiannakis Omirou.

After inspecting a guard of honour, the Greek minister stated that Greece and Cyprus are united "through the joint defence pact between the two countries, to face outside threats which in Cyprus is expressed through the protracted 24-year-old occupation and expansionist policy of Turkey".

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

"Our differences with Turkey is that it continues, for 24 years now, to insist in depriving northern Cyprus of its human rights, freedom and international law," Tsohatzopoulos said.

"We are not ready to accept for long the last dividing line, the Attila wall, in the ranks of the European Union, which Cyprus aspires to enter soon after the completion of its (accession) negotiations", the Greek minister said.

Asked if the contract to deploy the Russian anti-aircraft missiles to Cyprus will be implemented, Tsohatzopoulos clarified:

"The Cyprus and Greek people, have a very good experience of the expansionist policy and threats from the part of Turkey.

Expansionist policies are handled decisively on two levels, with a firm policy and determined attitude to handle national sovereignty issues and secondly, an unimpeded and complete defence sufficiency.

The Greek minister said "the political option we must rely on is the continued, unimpeded strengthening of the defence capabilities of the Cyprus Republic."

Invited to send a message to the people of Cyprus who are being threatened by Turkey, in case the missiles are deployed, Tsohatzopoulos replied that "for threats which are only words, we do not have to reply with words. We are ready to reply with deeds".

Referring to this year's Greek participation in the National Guard annual military manoeuvre, code-named "Nikiforos", Tsohatzopoulos said the exercise would take place just like in the past, "and will reassure the two countries' aim to strengthen (Cyprus') defence capabilities".

Tsohatzopoulos noted that the result of his recent meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem is that the two countries could work together for the collective security in the Balkan region, eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

"I believe that within the framework of an institution of collective security, we can find solutions to crises such as the Cyprus problem, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kossovo and other issues", he told reporters.

Welcoming the Greek minister, Omirou said the Greek minister is visiting the island during crucial times "indicating once again Greece's firm support in our struggle for freedom and justice".

Invited to comment on press reports that Cyprus and Russia might sign a military cooperation agreement, Omirou said he does not want to comment publicly on national security issues. "If there is anything to announce, we will do so", he added.

Tsohatzopoulos went straight to the capital Nicosia where he held talks with Omirou.

Tomorrow he will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and represent Greece at celebrations, including a military parade, to mark the country's independence day on October 1.

CNA MAN/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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