Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-11-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Spokesman - Israeli President

[02] Government - Yilmaz - Denktash

[03] Hercus - Interview

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Brunei - New Cyprus ambassador

[06] Themistocleous - Cyprus - Israel - Egypt

[07] Israeli President - Tree planting

[08] Kasoulides - Matutes

[09] Radiomarathon '98 nearly ends

1555:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Spokesman - Israeli President

Stylianides also said that Cyprus would like to see the important countries of the region become more involved in the Cyprus question.

Referring to the official visit here by Israeli President Ezer Weizman, the Spokesman described it as "very important" and said Cyprus is ready to cooperate with Israel on trade and other sectors.

"Israel has taken note of the concerns we have expressed and President Weizman has replied in public statements," Stylianides.

The government has expressed concern regarding the island's security because of Israel's military cooperation agreement with Turkey.

On his part, President Weizman has said the agreement is not a threat to any third party and is necessary because Israel is surrounded by moslem countries.

Stylianides said that the Cyprus government does not meddle in another government's foreign policy, but expresses its concerns with the way with which the military agreement between Israel and Turkey affects Cyprus.

Asked if the President's concerns have been allayed after the assurances given by President Weizman, the Spokesman said this depends on future developments.

Invited to comment on statements by Weizman that his country is in no position to facilitate the Cyprus peace process, the Spokesman said "we would like all important countries in the region to become more involved."

He reiterated that the government wants the international community to exert more pressure on the Turkish side so that a substantive dialogue on the Cyprus issue can begin.

Stylianides also welcomed the statements made by President Weizman on Cyprus' role in the Middle East in view of the Republic's bid to join the European Union.

The Spokesman described the Israeli President's visit as "very important" and said Cyprus is ready to sign agreements with Israel in fields such as science, high technology and medical cooperation.

CNA MM/MA/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1705:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government - Yilmaz - Denktash

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides also called on Ankara to exercise pressure on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash so that he returns to the negotiating table to settle the protracted Cyprus problem.

Yilmaz illegally arrived today in the areas of the Republic occupied by Turkey since it invaded in 1974.

Commenting on the visit, Stylianides said "it is a provocation" and called on the Turkish Premier to "put pressure on Denktash to return to the negotiating table instead of making moves simply to impress".

He pointed out that the government has already put forward its positions on both the Cyprus question and the Republic's European Union (EU) course and is expecting the Turkish side to be more flexible and return to the negotiations with good will.

Referring to Denktash's strong reaction to the opening of substantive accession talks between Cyprus and the EU, on November 10, Stylianides underlined that "they cannot make the EU change its position."

The Turkish Cypriot leader has threatened to turn his back to Europe and reinforce relations with Turkey, in view of EU accession talks with Cyprus.

CNA MM/MA/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1735:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Themistocleous - Greece - Water

Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Costas Themistocleous, said here Tuesday that the price for the transfer of the water will be a decisive factor in the government's final decision.

Themistocleous was speaking after a meeting with the director of the Water and Sewage Company of the Greek capital, Dionisios Xenos, and Greek ambassador, Kyriacos Rodousakis.

He said his ministry will consider whether the transfer of the water will be economically feasible and "how to make use of the Greek government's offer."

It will also examine the "cost per cubic metre to the Cypriot consumer."

Themistocleous described the offer by the Greek Water and Sewage Company as "generous" noting that it is a "contribution of the Greek state to the major problem Cyprus is facing."

On his part, Xenos said Greeks support the transfer of water to Cyprus as they also faced a drought in 1993 and said the water would be given at cost price.

He did not say how many cubic metres could be transferred, but noted "as much as the people of Cyprus want".

CNA NG/EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1755:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          91.21 ( 1.72)

      Traded Value            CYP 2,329,227

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   502,253     104.51 ( 0.38)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   107,267      61.67 ( 1.68)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   875,124      68.58 ( 6.01)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    73,568      90.36 ( 5.18)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    25,694      70.18 (-0.50)
      Trading Companies       CYP   230,899      45.26 ( 7.25)
      Other Companies         CYP   143,961      84.19 ( 2.26)

CNA MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1825:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Brunei - New Cyprus ambassador

Presenting her credentials to Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Blkiah Muizzaddin Waddualah, Cyprus High Commissioner to New Delhi, Rea Yiordamli, conveyed President Glafcos Clerides' to further develop relations with Brunei.

Earlier, Yiordamli met Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkian, to whom she extended an invitation from his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides to visit Cyprus.

CNA MA/EC/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Themistocleous - Cyprus - Israel - Egypt

Themistocleous was speaking after visiting today the Cyprus Police Air Wing at Larnaca Airport.

The minister boarded a helicopter from which he inspected a joint exercise in fighting sea pollution carried out by Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.

According the scenario of the four-day exercise which started yesterday, government departments and private organisations from the three countries will avert the risk of sea pollution off the coast of the southeastern town of Larnaca, after a naval accident.

Themistocleous said ecological disasters do not know frontiers and that is why regional and international cooperation in this field is necessary.

"Cyprus is ready to develop this kind of cooperation with other countries, something that would constitute a restraining factor in ecological disasters," he added.

CNA MAN/EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1850:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Israeli President - Tree planting

In a symbolic gesture, Weizman and his wife, who end tomorrow their three day visit, planted a tree at the Athalassa park, in the Nicosia suburbs.

The Israeli presidential couple were accompanied by Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Costas Themistocleous, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis, Israel's Ambassador, Shemi Tzur and other officials.

A signpost which says "Cyprus Forestry Department, Israeli Forest, Planted in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Israel", has been erected in the area.

Themistocleous and Rolandis also planted a tree on behalf of President Glafcos Clerides.

CNA RM/EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1945:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Kasoulides - Matutes

During a meeting in Madrid the two Foreign Ministers also discussed bilateral relations as well as cooperation within the framework of the Barcelona process.

Kasoulides was on a two-day visit to Madrid at the invitation of his Spanish counterpart.

According to an official announcement issued here today, the Cypriot Foreign Minister briefed Matutes on the latest UN initiative and efforts to settle the Cyprus question.

Last month UN resident representative Ann Hercus began talks with the two sides with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement.

The two ministers described bilateral relations as excellent and they examined ways for their further development.

Replying to questions during a press conference, Kasoulides said the government's invitation to Turkish Cypriots to participate in the official team negotiating accession still stands.

He also underlined that the team negotiating accession represents the whole of the island and the interests of all Cypriots.

Kasoulides was scheduled to fly to London today, where he will meet British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on Thursday.

He is on a European tour to discuss the Republic's EU accession course and the Cyprus problem.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Radiomarathon '98 nearly ends

"Radiomarathon" is organised for the ninth consecutive year to raise funds and increase public awareness on the problems children with special needs face.

As of next year the charity event, which is organised by the Cyprus Popular Bank and the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) will extend to Greece.

Hundreds of volunteers have helped in collecting the contributions and car piggy-banks have travelled throughout the free areas of the Republic.

Public figures from Greece are 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.

CNA/RM/EC/MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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