Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-10-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN - Cyprus issue

[02] Greek Defence Minister - Departure

[03] Australian envoy - Cyprus

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] UN - Cyprus issue

New York, Oct 2 (CNA) -- The UN effort in Cyprus, announced here Wednesday, aims to launch a "silent process" with a view to finding common ground that would allow peace negotiations to begin, and at the same time achieve a reduction of tensions on the island.

Reliable sources told CNA that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has agreed to this process, even though he insists on the recognition of the illegal regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus and the upgrading of his status at the peace talks.

During his meetings here, Denktash appeared willing to discuss all issues and engage in proximity talks without moving away from his demand for recognition of his self-styled regime.

Regarding efforts to reduce tension, it appears that for the first time the UN will seriously engage themselves in talks to reach an agreement on the reduction of armaments, forces and foreign troops.

It is expected that the UN will not confine themselves to issues discussed until today within the framework of a military dialogue, that foresees the establishment of a code of conduct, unmanning of posts at close proximity and unloading of weapons or confidence building measures and a moratorium of overflights.

The sources said that the Cyprus government would reassess its position on the S300 surface-to-air missile system if something substantive emerges from the talks to reduce tensions.

As the UN has announced, Ann Hercus, the UN Deputy Special Representative in Cyprus, will "develop a process for on-island contacts with both parties, with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement."

Foreign envoys involved in the Cyprus peace process are expected to step aside to allow Hercus to work consistently and silently in this new effort.

At the same time, the European Union will be informed on this new effort in view of the fact that it is closely monitoring the situation in Cyprus, that opened accession talks to join the Union earlier this year.

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

CNA MA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Greek Defence Minister - Departure

He dismissed reports that Turkish aircraft violated on Thursday Cyprus' air space but said two Turkish planes photographed locations on Thursday and Wednesday as they flew outside the Republic's air space.

The Minister said, on his way back to Greece after a three-day visit here, that Cyprus and Greece seek to upgrade their role in the region.

Tsohatzopoulos welcomed US intentions to conduct a survey of American- made weapons in Cyprus and said 90 per cent of the arms Turkey maintains in the areas of Cyprus it occupies since 1974 are US made.

"The people of Cyprus should feel vindicated after Thursday's military parade which proved the effectiveness and power of the Cyprus Republic's armed forces, which satisfies us," he said in his remarks at Larnaca airport.

This feeling, he pointed out, enables us to tackle major issues and the political challenges ahead which affect the future of this island.

"The completion of Cyprus' efforts for accession to the European Union and attempts to upgrade the special role of the Republic of Cyprus in the wider geopolitical region we belong to along with Greece, the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Middle East," Tsohatzopoulos said.

He described Cyprus and Greece as "powers of peace, stability, security and cooperation" and said through efforts to safeguard the collective security in the region "we will facilitate for the better developments of issues that affect either Cyprus or Greece."

He said talks with his Cypriot counterpart Yiannakis Omirou involved substantive cooperation on the level of the joint military effort and the creation of joint deterrent force.

The Minister said reports that Turkish aircraft violated Thursday Cyprus' air space "are not true" and explained that two Turkish planes on Thursday and Wednesday flew around Cyprus beyond the ten-mile limit and took photographs.

"This is disturbing but there was no violation of the sovereign air space of the Republic," he added, noting that "this is a usual phenomenon which is created always in areas of tension where there is the specific threat from Turkey and therefore it is the least interference compared with the major Turkish threat."

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

Replying to questions, Tsohatzopoulos said Greek aircraft are scheduled to participate in this month's annual military exercises of the National Guard code-named "Nikiforos".

Asked to comment on reports that the US will take account of American weapons in Cyprus, the Minister said "this is a good move so that the State Department can establish that 90 per cent of the Turkish weapons in northern Cyprus are of American origin."

On the contrary, he said, the Greek contingent in Cyprus has a very limited percentage of US-made weapons.

Both Greece and Turkey, as two of the guarantor powers of Cyprus' independence and territorial integrity, have the right to maintain a small contingent of troops on the island according to the 1960 Treaty of Alliance, which envisages that the Greek contingent shall comprise 950 men and the Turkish 650.

"Greece can give explanations for any type of weapon it has," he said, noting that this should not involve a check on the use of Greek weapons.

CNA MAN/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Australian envoy - Cyprus

No statements were made after the one-hour meeting at the Presidential Palace.

Australia is one of the troop-contributing countries to the UN peace- keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Australia also participates in the Commonwealth Contact Group for Cyprus.

CNA RG/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          85.85 (-0.42)

   Traded Value            CYP 976,830

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   649,441     100.33 (-0.56)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    54,183      59.73 (-0.02)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    35,835      57.90 (-0.22)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP     9,985      81.92 (-0.35)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    68,102      69.70 (-0.88)
   Trading Companies       CYP    27,114      39.95 ( 0.20)
   Other Companies         CYP    64,867      78.38 ( 0.64)

CNA ACH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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