Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kranidiotis - US - Meetings

[02] President - UN envoy

[03] Cyprus - Protest - Turkish violations

[04] Cyprus - Britain - UN

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[06] Cyprus - Japan - Economic relations

0930:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kranidiotis - US - Meetings

The promise was given by US State Department Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Miller and Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Mark Grossman, to Greek Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis at a meeting in Washington on the sidelines of the donors' conference for the Palestinians.

Both US officials advocated a reduction of tension in Cyprus and a reduction of arms, pointing out that such moves should include Turkey as well.

Reiterating their opposition to the proposed deployment of Russian anti-aircraft missiles in Cyprus, Grossman and Miller said they understand the difficulties that exist in pushing for such moves and share the disappointment, blaming the Turkish side for the failed attempts in the recent past.

Grossman and Miller promised Kranidiotis the US would show an interest and undertake some kind of initiative within the UN framework to achieve some progress to reduce arms and promote demilitarisation of Cyprus.

According to Kranidiotis, the US move will aim to examine whether there is any prospect for the reduction of arms and military forces which could break the deadlock and end the current stalemate.

Kranidiotis' US contacts come only days after a Greco-Cypriot summit in Athens where it was agreed that Cyprus will have the final say about the arrival of the SAM (surface-to-air missiles) with prior consultation with the Greek government.

President Glafcos Clerides revealed that the US had suggested the deployment of the missiles in the Greek island of Crete instead of Cyprus.

Kranidiotis described his meeting as "interesting and constructive" and said he stressed to his interlocutors that it would be absurd to ask the Cyprus government to shift its policy on defence issues at a time when the Turkish side is responsible for increasing tension on the island.

Turkey maintains a 35,000-strong military force in occupied Cyprus, in complete defiance of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. Turkish troops invaded Cyprus in 1974 and continue to occupy the island's northern part.

Replying to questions, Kranidiotis said there is no American proposal on the missiles issue and noted there are different views and alternative scenarios in case the conditions for the non-deployment of the missiles are met.

He said Greece and Cyprus have agreed that decisions on the matter will be taken in consultation with each other as there is joint responsibility.

A lot will depend on diplomatic activity and initiatives, if there are any, in the near future, he said.

Kranidiotis dismissed reports about disagreement between Athens and Nicosia about the missiles and said there are views and thoughts but "a unified voice, Greece backs Cyprus' decision."

Miller and Grossman expressed support for Cyprus' accession course to the European Union, reiterating their desire to see a political settlement before the Republic joins the Union.

They stressed, however, that a settlement is not a precondition for accession and noted they encourage European countries who has some reservations about this to end this policy.

Commenting on future developments, Kranidiotis said there must be an initiative to implement UN resolutions adopted last June which called for the demilitarisation of Cyprus and the restriction in arms.

"The UN, the US and the EU must make an effort to implement UN resolutions," he added.

Expressing the disappointment of the Greek and Cypriot governments for the lack of progress and the continuing Turkish intransigence, Kranidiotis said a new UN resolution (expected later this month with a renewal of UNFICYP's mandate) could call for a timetable or moves towards the implementation of UN resolutions.

CNA DA/MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President - UN envoy

Dame Ann was, as usual tight-lipped about the content of her discussions, and restricted herself in announcing her next meeting with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides.

"I have met with Mr. Clerides, I am meeting with Mr. Denktash (leader of the Turkish Cypriot community) on Monday of next week and I will meet with Mr. Clerides late next week," she told reporters at the Presidential Palace.

Hercus' shuttle talks started in mid-October with a view to help resume the intercommunal dialogue. The UN effort is firmly backed by the US, Britain and the European Union.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus - Protest - Turkish violations

In a letter to UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, Cyprus' Permanent Representative to the UN, Sotos Zackheos, protests against violations of the Nicosia FIR and Cyprus' national airspace on November 19, 20 and 21 by Turkish military aircraft.

Describing such acts as "provocative" and "against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus," Zackheos also points out that:

"The frequency and intensity of these airspace violations are a further reminder of Turkey's offensive disregard of international law, the UN Charter and all relevant decisions of the Organisation on the question of Cyprus."

Concluding, he stresses that "these continuing overflights by the Turkish Air Force, as well as the presence of the Turkish military occupation forces on the island, constitute the underlying causes of tension in Cyprus".

CNA MCH/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1420:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus - Britain - UN

At the same time, other governments, including the British, are currently working to complement the UN procedure.

In statements Britain's High Commissioner to Cyprus, David Madden reassured of his country's full support to Dame Ann Hercus' shuttle diplomacy.

Speaking after being received by Cyprus President, Glafcos Clerides, Madden said Britain is "very much part" of the many efforts going on at the moment on the Cyprus problem.

"We fully support Dame Ann Hercus... so we want to do our best to help all sides to make progress," the British diplomat said.

To a question which other efforts are underway, Madden said "that (the UN procedure) is the central piece of the effort. That is the effort that I am referring to plus, of course, the efforts which other governments including my own are making to give her the fullest possible support in her efforts," he said.

Referring to Dame Ann's UN mandate, Madden said she also discusses "the core issues" of the Cyprus problem. "The UN initiative is the process", he said and Dame Ann's shuttle talks "are in process and we wish her well."

Madden also introduced to President Clerides, Caroline Brown, the new Deputy Head of the Southern European Department at the Foreign Office and a central member of the London team dealing with the Cyprus problem and the other regional issues.

Invited to comment on press reports that he is near the end of his term in Cyprus, Madden replied that he has been in Cyprus for four and a half years so naturally he is probably near the end of his stay on the island.

However, he said he does not know exactly when he will leave yet.

CNA MK/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          89.59 (-0.52)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,076,621

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   432,094     103.60 (-0.17)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    38,874      59.30 (-1.69)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   149,838      64.61 (-1.24)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    89,945      89.62 (-1.33)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    93,806      68.50 (-0.01)
      Trading Companies       CYP    22,045      42.20 (-0.42)
      Other Companies         CYP   116.787      83.37 (-1.72)

CNA MA/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus - Japan - Economic relations

Speaking after a meeting with Japanese ambassador to Cyprus Kazuo Matsumoto, the minister announced he may visit Japan next June in a bid to reverse this trend.

Rolandis said his visit would aim at "discussing trade and export issues with Japanese officials, as well as investments in the industrial, high technology and the services fields."

The minister also said he would discuss ways of attracting more Japanese tourists to Cyprus.

Rolandis said he also raised the issue of second-hand Japanese cars imported to Cyprus and asked for clarifications as to whether they are up to European Union standards.

In the past few years there has been a sharp increase in the number of Japanese second-hand cars imported to Cyprus as they are cheaper than other, especially European, cars.

Noting that in the future all imports to Cyprus must be of European standards, the minister said that "if these cars are not we will have a problem."

Rolandis added that this is the message Brussels has been sending. Cyprus applied for European Union membership in July 1990. It started substantive talks on November 10, 1998.

CNA NG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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