Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-12-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Security Council - Debate

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Shambos - OSCE

[04] Greek Americans - Meeting - Berger

[05] Education Minister - Australia

[06] UNFICYP - Cheques to G/C and T/C communities

[07] Russian Finance Vice Minister - Visit

[08] Murder - Two Chinese

[09] Vassiliou - Turkish Cypriots - EU

[10] European Parliament - Cyprus - Turkey

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Security Council - Debate

The Republic's permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Sotos Zackheos informed Security Council President Didier Opertti at a meeting yesterday.

"The National Council (top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue) has taken an initial decision," Styliandes said, when asked if the decision was reached because renewed efforts by UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus had failed.

He clarified that "it was an initial decision that will be re-assessed and re-examined if any new developments take place."

Hercus began separate meetings with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in October, on the Cyprus problem and for the reduction of tension on the island.

"We participate in Hercus' effort with good will and a spirit of cooperation," the Government Spokesman said.

Replying to questions on the debate, Stylianides explained that a country has to make its intention known to the UN General Assembly so the time of discussion can be arranged.

He added that the whole issue will be discussed further at a National Council meeting.

The protracted Cyprus problem is frequently discussed by the UN and the Security Council, but has not been the subject of a General Assembly debate since 1983.

Peace efforts have come to a standstill since the summer of 1997, when Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash demanded recognition of the illegal regime in the areas of the Republic occupied by Turkish troops since they invaded in 1974.

He said he would not participate in negotiations unless the illegal regime is recognised and Cyprus withdraws its application to join the European Union.

In August this year, Denktash stepped up his intransigence saying he would not participate in peace talks unless they aim at the establishment of a confederation of "two states" in Cyprus.

His proposal was rejected by the UN, the Security Council and the Greek Cypriot side because it is contrary to UN resolutions.

UN resolutions as well as two agreements reached between the two sides in 1977 and 1979 stipulate for the establishment of a bizonal bicommunal federation.

CNA RG/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          89.14 ( 0.19)

      Traded Value            CYP 1,424,876

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP   645,376     103.56 ( 0.56)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    60,234      58.81 (-0.52)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   120,135      64.24 (-0.05)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    64,895      87.87 (-0.75)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   143,737      68.05 (-0.23)
      Trading Companies       CYP    22,246      41.51 (-0.65)
      Other Companies         CYP   210,865      82.01 (-0.30)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Shambos - OSCE

Speaking Wednesday at the 7th OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, which ends today, Shambos said principles and values "should not just occasionally be paid lip service to but should be honoured in practice."

The diplomat reminded that Cyprus supports the existence of an OSCE document/charter on European Security, which should "develop a mechanism effective and capable enough to ensure comprehensive implementation of OSCE commitments."

"Europe is still in need of a new security system that should effectively address security in all dimensions beyond its core military aspects," he said.

Shambos said that the OSCE, though a very new organisation, has achieved a great deal especially in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and in promoting further respect for human rights and freedoms.

"However, the Kossovo conflict now remains a test case for the vitality and effectiveness of our organisation," he said, and pledged Cyprus will make its own modest contribution in the Kossovo Verification Mission.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Greek Americans - Meeting - Berger

President of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes Andrew Manatos said the meeting "could help re-focus the American government on Cyprus and the Aegean, particularly if President Bill Clinton joins our meetings."

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Education Minister - Australia

During his stay the Minister will call on the Orthodox Archbishop Stylianos of Australia and meet members of the Association of Teachers of the Greek Language.

In Darwin, Kappas will call on the Prime Minister of Northern Australia Mr. Stone and will attend a formal dinner the Australian official will hold in his honour.

In Adelaide he will meet with the Leader of the Labour Party of Southern Australia Mike Rann and will present an award to the former Prime Minister of the State of Southern Australia Don Dunstan.

Kappas is scheduled to speak at the inauguration of the National Center of Greek Study and Research and the Institute of Cyprus Studies of La Trobe University, in Melbourne.

He will also meet the dean and professors and will give a lecture. The Minister is also expected to visit the Centre of Greek Historical Heritage and Education of the Royal Institute of Technology in Melbourne as well as the Department of Modern Greek Studies of the University of Monash.

Kappas will meet members of the Greek Community and will attend functions given by the Cypriot Community, in all towns he visits.

The Education Minister will meet federal leaders in Sidney, Brisbain, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, before he returns to Cyprus on December 18th.

CNA FZ/MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:06

[06] UNFICYP - Cheques to G/C and T/C communities

Presenting the cheques Dame Ann said the money was raised for charity in Cyprus by UN Peace-keeping force UNFICYP peacekeepers during a "Quadrathon" sporting challenge on Sunday November 7 1998.

As Hercus added, teams from all sectors and UNFICYP Headquarters were involved in running and cycling the 190 kilometers length of the Buffer Zone, rowing its equivalent length and swimming 40 kilometres, all within 24 hours.

CNA RM/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1735:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Russian Finance Vice Minister - Visit

Kutrin arrives tomorrow, heading a three-member delegation, at the invitation of Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou.

An official announcement says that efforts will be made for the completion of talks between the two sides on the Agreement.

Progress made in implementing the provisions of the Protocol of the first Cyprus - Russia Intergovernmental Committee for economic cooperation summit meeting, held in Moscow in January, will also be reviewed.

Issues that will be examined during the Committee's second meeting, to be held in Nicosia next year, will also be discussed.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1835:CYPPRESS:08

[08] Murder - Two Chinese

The young man and woman were students at a private college in the southern coastal town of Limassol and had arrived in Cyprus on October 11.

The Police has not released their names. A police statement says that evidence was found at both their home and in the area where the two youngsters were found, which will be further investigated.

"Investigations are continuing with special arrangements for inspection of ports, airports and other areas," it adds.

The victims were spotted yesterday by a tour guide who alerted the police.

The two Chinese students were wrapped in blankets and according to forensic experts they had probably been murdered elsewhere and then transported to the area from which their bodies were thrown off the cliff.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1925:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Vassiliou - Turkish Cypriots - EU

Speaking today on his return from Budapest where he attended a meeting of chief negotiators, the former President said everybody involved in the Republic's EU accession course is working hard and with enthusiasm.

"We are working hard to be able to open a site on the Internet and on a number of other measures through which we can inform the Turkish Cypriots on (EU) developments and are hoping for the best," Vassiliou said.

The chief negotiator said the invitation extended by President Glafcos Clerides to the Turkish Cypriots to nominate representatives in the official team carrying out accession talks still stands.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has turned down the invitation. Cyprus, along with five eastern and central European countries, opened substantive EU talks early November.

Vassiliou said "hard work is being done, with enthusiasm, by all associates and departments working towards accession."

Referring to the Budapest meeting, he said the chief negotiators agreed on the new chapters which will be handed in to the EU.

"We all want to cooperate, especially in issues of methodology and tactic," Vassiliou added. CNA RM/MA/MC./1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:10

[10] European Parliament - Cyprus - Turkey

The European Parliament plenary today adopted a resolution, containing a reference to Cyprus, that accompanies the report prepared by Austrian EuroMP Hannes Swoboda regarding the development of a European Strategy towards Turkey.

In the paragraph referring to Cyprus, the European Parliament reconfirms that an additional political obstacle for Turkey's accession to the EU is its continuing occupation of the northern areas of Cyprus.

Turkey invaded Cyprus in July 1974 occupying 37 per cent of the island's territory. It still maintains a 35-thousand man strong army in Cyprus, despite UN resolutions calling for its withdrawal.

The European Parliament also referred to Turkey's stance towards Cyprus' EU accession course, noting that Ankara's trying to delay the accession of a candidate country.

Turkey supports that Cyprus cannot join the EU, if it is not also a member, a position rejected by the Union itself.

The European Parliament also called on Turkey to actively contribute towards efforts for a political settlement to the Cyprus problem, based on UN resolutions, and to stop threatening that it will integrate the occupied areas.

It also encourages Ankara to back contact between Cyprus' Greek and Turkish communities.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash does not allow Turkish Cypriots to participate in most bicommunal events, since December last year, after the EU reconfirmed it would begin accession talks with Cyprus in March 1998.

Swoboda described Turkey as an important country for the EU, but said it had to satisfy the criteria set out by the EU if it wants to join its ranks.

The Austrian EuroMP noted that at the moment Turkey does not satisfy the criteria and said Ankara should provide the EU with a time schedule on its harmonisation with European criteria.

He also asked Turkey to cooperate in a Cyprus settlement and backed the Republic's accession to the EU.

CNA NB/MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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