Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-02

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Morphou Municipality - Meetings - London

[02] House President - Palestine National Council

[03] Vassiliou - Hungarian President

[04] British Shadow Foreign Secretary - Cyprus problem

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1010:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Morphou Municipality - Meetings - London

The Morphou delegation, headed by Mayor Antigone Papadopoulou, yesterday handed a petition on the Cyprus problem at 10 Downing Street and had meetings at the Foreign Office and later with MPs, at a special function held at the House of Commons.

Speaking on behalf of a number of their colleagues, Labour MP Eddie O' Hara and Conservative Roger Gale, expressed support to an early settlement of the Cyprus problem.

On her part, Papadopoulou referred to the petition handed to the British Premier which calls on his government to play a more active role in the Cyprus peace effort, aiming at "a free, united Cyprus, where Greek and Turkish Cypriots and religious groups can live in peace."

"We believe the British government can exert more pressure upon Turkey to change her attitude and work towards a just solution for the Cyprus issue," it says.

So far there has been no breakthrough in UN-led efforts to reach a settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974.

This year Turkish intransigence has culminated, with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash refusing to negotiate unless the illegal regime unilaterally declared in the occupied areas is recognised, despite UN resolutions calling on all states not to recognise or facilitate the illegal entity.

The delegation of the Turkish-occupied town, west of Nicosia, also met with the Director of the Southern European Department at the Foreign Office, David Redaway, and his aides.

The British official reiterated that his country backs the fresh effort undertaken by UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus, for the resumption of peace talks and the reduction of tension.

The Morphou delegation pointed out that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides has proposed the demilitarisation of the island, beginning with the reduction of arms and forces.

Today the delegation will go to Brussels for meetings with Euro MPs and will return to London for more contacts.

CNA KT/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] House President - Palestine National Council

In a message to Palestine National Council Speaker Saleem Al-zanoon, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, Kyprianou expressed the wish for increased cooperation.

"The people of Palestine and Cyprus have a lot in common, exhibiting remarkable determination and adherence to the same ideals and sharing the same vision of peace and stability in this sensitive region of the Mediterranean basin," he says.

The House President points out that the agreement signed by Palestinians and Israelis, in Washington last month, "paved the way for an ultimate peaceful solution and creates a prospect for stability and security, assuring social and economic development in the region."

"However," he adds, "the prospect of peace in the area dictates that all countries make their own contribution to the cause of peace and work collectively in this direction."

Underlining that stability in the area will be beneficial to each country and the region as a whole, Kyprianou reassures that the Cyprus parliament "endorses all initiatives aiming at promoting peace, democracy and the rule of law."

The House of Representatives "is very much looking forward to the enhancement of the existing friendly and sincere relations and cooperation with the Palestine National Council, to the mutual benefit of our peoples and to the promotion of the ideals and principles that they both cherish", Kyprianou concludes.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1140:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Vassiliou - Hungarian President

Vassiliou went to Budapest to take part in a meeting of the chief negotiators of the six countries included in the first wave of countries to begin substantive accession talks with the European Union.

Issues of mutual interest will be discussed at the two-day meeting, that ends today.

The other five countries that have opened accession talks are the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia.

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1250:CYPPRESS:04

[04] British Shadow Foreign Secretary - Cyprus problem

In an interview with London Greek Radio (LGR), Michael Trent backed efforts for the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus and rejected a proposal from the Turkish side for confederation.

The Conservative MP underlined that Britain should play an active role in the search for a solution and said his party will support any attempt by the Labour government.

"The British Conservatives firmly support the EU's decision to open accession negotiations with Cyprus," Trent said, expressing the hope that "a solution can be found so that the whole island can join".

He added his party is "firm in our belief that no country outside the EU has the power to veto membership of the Union."

"The criteria for joining was set out and those countries which meet the criteria should be let in. This is a clear message from our party for those who may try to block the accession process and intimidate the recognised government of Cyprus from pursuing its application for membership."

The Turkish side has reacted negatively to the EU decision to open accession talks with the Cyprus Republic, while Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has demanded the withdrawal of the application if he is to participate in peace talks.

Trent rejected a proposal put forward by Denktash in August for the establishment of a "confederation of two states" in Cyprus, which is contrary to UN resolutions.

"We do not support the idea of a confederation proposed by Denktash and we don't see the essence in measures which would perpetuate rather than put right the present division of the island", he said, expressing support to a bizonal, bicommunal federation as stipulated in UN resolutions.

The Conservative MP expressed the view that "there is another round of increased tension right at the moment."

"We do not want to see at all further militirisation of the island. We think it is a step in the wrong direction. And our stand over the acquisition of missiles by the government and the response by the Turkish government are both disturbing," he added.

The Cyprus government decided to purchase the Russian-made S300 anti- aircraft missile system, to protect the free areas of the Cyprus Republic in case of a new Turkish offensive.

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

Turkey has threatened it would not allow the deployment of the missiles in Cyprus.

Asked if London could play more active role in a solution in Cyprus, Trent said "we think that Britain should continue to be closely involved with the search for a solution. And we will support any real and genuine attempts to bring about a lasting settlement."

CNA EC/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          88.97 (-0.69)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,142,380

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   478,566     102.98 (-0.60)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    30,125      59.12 (-0.30)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   258,252      64.27 (-0.53)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    41,979      88.53 (-1.22)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    40,956      68.21 (-0.42)
      Trading Companies       CYP    26,136      41.78 (-1.00)
      Other Companies         CYP   164,307      82.26 (-1.33)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article