Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-11-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Clerides - Weizman - talks

[03] Archbishop Chrysostomos - Israeli President

[04] Clerides - Weizman - Banquet

[05] Radiomarathon '98 continues

1415:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          89.67 ( 0.52)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,868,684

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   767,091     104.11 ( 0.51)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    60,666      60.65 (-2.90)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   590,150      64.69 ( 3.47)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    57,559      85.91 (-0.51)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    19,080      70.53 ( 0.33)
      Trading Companies       CYP    83,110      42.20 ( 0.79)
      Other Companies         CYP    47,965      82.33 (-0.21)

CNA EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Clerides - Weizman - talks

He also said, in a thinly veiled manner, that it would be very difficult for Israel to contribute to the peace effort in Cyprus, as Israel is too preoccupied with "its own problems."

Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides said he discussed with his Israeli counterpart matters which "we have the right to be concerned about."

Speaking after official talks at the Presidential Palace on the first day of his three-day state visit to Cyprus, Weizman said he told President Clerides that "the relations between Turkey and us are just between Turkey and us for better training, better equipment."

"Nothing to do with a third party, definitely not Cyprus," Weizman repeated on numerous occasions during his statement to the press.

Asked to say what contribution Israel can make towards a settlement of the protracted Cyprus question, Weizman was very clear: "I can express my hopes. To do something about it, we have enough troubles of our own."

He went on to add "if we can help at any time, but I do not think so." He noted that Clerides "will be quite happy to know that we have friendly relations and whenever anyone wants anything, he knows where to ask, both sides."

Invited to say if Israel will respond, if asked to assist the peace effort in Cyprus, he replied "it all depends, I do not think a country like ours that has not settled its own problems, is far from settling its own problems, should have pretensions of being able to solve all the problems in the world."

Replying to questions about Cypriot concerns relating to the Israeli- Turkey defence cooperation agreement, Weizman reiterated his view that the accord with Turkey concerns no third party and added "I hope nobody attacks anybody but we have no agreement with Turkey that if Cyprus is attacked, we will come in."

He said Israel's experiences of the past are far greater than the ones the people of Cyprus have suffered 24 years ago (when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern areas).

In his opening remarks after the talks, Weizman said he came here on an official visit "to find out what cooperation we can have in industry, medicine, whatever subject that it is relevant."

He acknowledged that Israel has a problem with how to make peace with the Palestinians and the Hizbollah and added "Turkey has her problems and sometimes can get us into business."

He said Israel has no agreement to attack Syria, if Turkey is in trouble, or "do other crazy things like this."

He described the agreement with Turkey as one between two friendly countries that has been going on for sometime and stands between (Turkey's) President Suleiman Demirel and himself and between the armed forces of the two countries.

"I want you to understand, the Turkish press especially, (this has) nothing to do with a third party," he pointed.

He said Israel wants to be part of the Middle East, an Islamic area. Referring to peace with Egypt, he said "it is not what we hoped 21 years ago it would be, but it is better than shooting."

The peace accord with Egypt, he pointed out, is not what the leaders of the two countries at the time envisaged but "agreements have to be implemented with many ups and downs."

"It is better than nothing, we have peace with Jordan which has the longest border with us, we are at the beginning of an understanding and agreements with the PLO," he remarked.

"I hope one day we have an agreement with Syria to solve the Lebanese problem, right now it looks as if it is a phantom or a mirage, but we thought exactly the same thing 22 years ago when we started negotiating with Egypt," the President said, and concluded "therefore to us the Islamic world is important."

In his brief remarks, Clerides said he had a "most interesting private discussion with the President."

"We exchanged views on issues for which we had the right to have certain concerns," President Clerides told the press, but refrained from further comment.

Weizman will be received later today by the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church on the island, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

CNA MM/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1930:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Archbishop Chrysostomos - Israeli President

No statements were made after the half-hour meeting which took place at the Archbishopric, in the capital Nicosia.

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis, the ambassadors of the two countries and other officials were present.

After the meeting the Archbishop accompanied the Israeli President to the Byzantine Museum, within the Archbishopric, were priceless icons as well as icons and other precious items stolen from the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus and recovered by the Church, are on display.

Police took tight security measures around the Archbishopric. A state banquet in honour of President Weizman, the first Israeli President to visit Cyprus officially, will be held tonight.

CNA MA/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2025:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Clerides - Weizman - Banquet

Speaking at a banquet held in honour of the Israeli President, who is on a three-day official visit, both leaders underlined the importance of the strengthening of relations between their two countries.

Clerides and Weizman also stressed the need for peace in the region and expressed the hope a settlement will be reached in Cyprus and the peace agreement signed recently will be implemented bringing peace to the Middle East.

Pointing to the friendly ties between the two countries, President Clerides said that "I interpret the feelings of the people of Cyprus if I were to say in a sincere and honest way that Israel's military co-operation with Turkey constitutes a source of anxiety and concern for our own security."

"And I do hope that activities in this respect will not be allowed to evolve into developments detrimental to our good relationship," he added.

Referring to Israeli relations with Turkey in his response, President Weizman said "I know the subject bothers you and I feel obliged to clarify our positions to you".

As he said, Israel "lives in the heart of the moslem world" in which various tendencies exist, among them "extremist elements who oppose western civilisation in general and the existence of the State of Israel in particular".

Pointing to terrorist activities, President Weizman said Israel "is consistent in her determination to speak with those countries and elements in the moslem world who oppose radicalism and terror."

"It within this framework that you must endeavour to understand our relations with Turkey. Needless to say, our relations with Ankara are not directed against you. Your are our friends and the last thing we would wish to do is to harm you. I believe that my visit here proves this more than a thousand witnesses," he added.

In his speech, President Clerides stressed that "a new dimension of the role of Cyprus in the area is now emerging with our efforts to become a full member of the European Union, thus establishing an important link between Europe and the Middle East in particular."

Referring to this issue, President Weizman said "we, on our part, will be happy if Europe will become closer to Israel by a forty minute flight."

Underlining the need for peace, President Clerides said the road "is not easy at all" but expressed certainty that "there should be no return from the road already marked by both Israelis and Palestinians..."

However, he expressed the view that "peace agreements should also be concluded with all the countries involved if peace, security and stability are to be eventually consolidated in the Middle East."

President Clerides said that for peace, security and stability to be firmly consolidated, the states in the region must act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

President Weizman described the agreement signed in Washington last month between Israel and the Palestinians as "very important" and said he hoped "its successful implementation will lead to a permanent settlement with the Palestinians and to peace agreements with Syria, Lebanon and other countries in the region..."

Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Clerides reiterated that he remains committed to a peaceful solution based on UN resolutions and expressed the hope a fresh UN initiative to reactivate the peace process will bear fruit.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Both Presidents welcomed the increased relations between the two countries over recent years.

President Clerides said that the Israeli President's visit "constitutes an irrefutable proof of the remarkable growth and the strengthening of our bilateral relations".

President Weizman noted that bilateral trade figures have almost doubled and now stand at around 160 US million dollars and underlined the importance of a meeting he will chair tomorrow to be attended by over 100 leading Cypriot businessmen.

The Israeli President also referred to Cyprus' role in his country's history between 1946 and 1948 when more than 50 thousand Jewish immigrants who tried to reach Israel were accommodated here, after being turned away by the British.

President Weizman said his visit also brings back memories from his childhood as he had vacationed here with his family and also referred to the fact that both he and President Clerides served in the Royal Air Force more than 50 years ago.

CNA MA/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Radiomarathon '98 continues

(One Cyprus Pound is about two US dollars). "Radiomarathon '98", organised for the ninth consecutive year to raise funds and increase public awareness on the problems children with special needs face, began this morning at 0600 (0400 GMT) and will end tomorrow midnight.

The event is jointly organised by the Cyprus Popular Bank and the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, (CyBC).

Local TV and radio stations as well as Greek speaking stations in Britain, the US, Australia, South Africa and other countries are participating in this year's Radiomarathon.

Public figures from Greece are already in Cyprus for the event while world renowned Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides have donated personal items to be auctioned in what has become the biggest and most popular annual charity event organised on the island.

Fifty four collection stands have been set around the free areas of Cyprus and seven piggy-bank vehicles are touring the villages to collect contributions.

The Radiomarathon raised over 1,2 million Cyprus pounds last year.

CNA EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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