Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-10-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides - Rossides - AHI

[02] Cyprus - S300

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Cyprus - Euro-Mediterranean Conference

1250:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Clerides - Rossides - AHI

Speaking to reporters after being received by President Glafcos Clerides, Rossides said that no dramatic changes should be expected if the Greek Americans do not manage to influence the State Department to alter its policy.

Asked if the recent scandals which are troubling the US government affect the Cyprus problem, Rossides said "I don't think it has that much impact on the Cyprus problem, fundamentally because before the scandals the administration was not doing anything about the Cyprus question."

He said the policy of the US administration "has not been in any way to push Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem. And that has been the policy of the State Department and the National Security Council," he added.

Invited to say whether "dramatic changes" to the US policy on Cyprus should be expected, Rossides replied, "certainly not," noting that AHI is working to "prevent any unfortunate changes. But any helpful changes can only come if the Greek American community is able to influence the policy," he remarked.

Asked how this can be done, Rossides said in the US there are four centres of power, namely the Congress, the Executive branch, the media and the think tanks, or academic community.

The Congress, he said, has separate powers which allows Congress people to push forward issues.

However he admitted AHI has not been successful in convincing State Department officials that their policies are not in the best interests of the US.

Rossides said AHI was founded by the Greek American lobby in 1974 after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus' northern third and initiated the embargo on the sale of US arms to Turkey at that time.

CNA EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1415:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus - S300

Athens, Oct 5 (CNA) -- No concessions will be made regarding the deployment of the Russian S300 anti-aircraft missile system, stated here Monday Cyprus Defence Minister, Yiannakis Omirou.

He was commenting on press reports that the deployment of the missiles would be delayed because of the start of the on-island UN talks for a Cyprus settlement.

Speaking on the sidelines of a one-day meeting on "Armaments - Cooperation of Arms Industries - Economy" in the Greek capital, Omirou stressed that the decisions of the Cyprus National Council and the August meeting in Athens between President Glafcos Clerides and Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis still apply.

"Therefore, no concessions will be made regarding the Cyprus Republic's sovereign right to proceed with the necessary armaments to boost its defence", Omirou added.

He said "any press reports or allegations surrounding the issue, create a danger of diverting the attention of the world public opinion from the Cyprus problem, which needs to be solved in accordance with the international law."

In a joint communique issued after the Athens meeting in August, Clerides declared his readiness to listen to ideas which would contribute to peace and gradual reduction of armaments leading to demilitarisation.

It said the S300 surface-to-air missiles ordered by the Cyprus government, is not a means to an end and reiterated that the Greek government is committed to defend Cyprus militarily, in case of a threat against the free areas of the Republic.

The Cyprus government ordered the missiles last year in a bid to boost the Republic's air defence in case of a new Turkish offensive against Cyprus.

The US, Britain and other countries object to the planned deployment of the missiles.

The Cyprus government has said the missiles will be deployed unless there is substantial progress in the peace effort for a comprehensive solution or steps are taken towards the demilitarisation of Cyprus.

Speaking today in Athens, Greek Defence Minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos reiterated Greece's obligation to boost Cyprus' defence capabilities.

"Greece, as a guarantor power... is promoting the Cyprus Republic's defence capabilities", he added.

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

Omirou is in Athens at Tsohatzopoulos' invitation to visit the exhibition "Defendory International '98" organised by Greece's Defence Ministry.

CNA RG/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

   CSE General Index                          85.33 (-0.61)

   Traded Value            CYP 1,404,255

   Sectural Indices

   Banks                   CYP   973,951      99.80 (-0.53)
   Approved Investment
   Companies               CYP    40,425      59.23 (-0.84)
   Insurance Companies     CYP    85,948      57.60 (-0.52)
   Manufacturing Companies CYP    16,863      80.80 (-1.37)
   Tourism Companies       CYP    88,790      69.52 (-0.26)
   Trading Companies       CYP    18,233      39.84 (-0.28)
   Other Companies         CYP    92,425      77.96 (-0.54)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1455:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Euro-Mediterranean Conference

The decision was taken during the second Conference held in Klagenfurt, Austria, October 3-4.

Cyprus was represented at the meeting by Commerce, Industry, and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis, who pointed to the fact that "the Mediterranean region receives a lower volume of foreign direct investment than other regions of similar economic potential".

He said, however, that "whatever measures are taken to promote foreign direct investments in the region, the situation may not substantially improve unless measures are pursued to improve the competitiveness of the region's economies".

The Industry Ministers' Conference is part of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference held in Barcelona in November 1995 aiming at cooperation between countries of the Mediterranean and the European Union in different fields.

One of its main goals is the creation of a free trade zone in the area with the participation of the EU as well.

The organisation of the next Conference in Cyprus has been described by local sources as "an important success" because it highlights the role Cyprus can play in the realisation of EU goals, and also stresses the fact that Cyprus is accepted by all Mediterranean countries, including the Arab world and Israel.

The Cypriot Minister was due to return from Austria this afternoon.

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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