Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Germany - Cyprus

[02] Council of Europe rapporteur - Meetings

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Kyprianou - Andrew Athens

1400:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Germany - Cyprus

The envoy, Detlev Graf Zu Rantzau, also expressed concern about the issue of the missiles and appeared sceptical about German initiatives to help find a solution to the protracted Cyprus question but stressed his government's active support for the UN effort.

Speaking after a 50-minute long meeting with the President here today, Rantzau said "I expressed the concern of my government with regard to the everlasting question of the missiles, but also at the same time I expressed the trust of my government that the President will find a solution to this problem in the interest of his country and in the interests of relations of Cyprus with the European Union."

Asked if he sought any assurances from the President that he would not make any move to increase tension in the area, he replied "I did not seek any such assurances because my government puts great trusts in the President's ability to find such solutions, it is not for us to ask for any further assurances."

He said he exchanged views with the President on the general political developments in Cyprus with regard to division of the island.

"We agreed that the years between now and the end of the negotiations with the European Union will have to be used for further efforts to find a solution to the problem of Cyprus," Rantzau added.

Asked if Germany is willing to undertake any specific initiative to help towards a solution or a reduction of tension, the German envoy was very clear in his government's position on the matter.

"I do not think that Germany is well put to undertake any bilateral, any national initiative on this matter," he told the press.

Noting that Germany works with other member states of the EU because "it is for us very important to see and to try and be of help that the political problems which still beleaguer your country would have been resolved by the time membership day approaches."

Expressing "very active support to the UN efforts," he said Germany is trying to contribute to this effort.

"I think I should use this occasion to say that a solution that is acceptable can only come out of Cyprus, and it is only the Cypriots themselves who can work out a solution that will be a lasting solution," he remarked.

Any solution that might be imposed from outside will, I am convinced, not work, he stressed.

Rantzau had talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and will meet later today UN top envoy in Cyprus, Ann Hercus.

CNA MM/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1430:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Council of Europe rapporteur - Meetings

Barsony, who called on President Glafcos Clerides and House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou today, supports that the Council could make a greater contribution towards a solution "on the civilian side".

He also expressed regret with the obstacles the Turkish Cypriot side places in contacts between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Barsony said he had a "very fruitful" exchange of views with the President on "the elements of a possible solution, what kind of guarantees we see, on both fields, civilian and military."

"Probably the key issue of the solution is a much wider and much more effective guarantee, on both the security and civilian side, so that is what we have to elaborate in the future," Barsony said.

Pointing out that the internal situation in Turkey does not give space for much optimism at this stage, he expressed the hope that when it evens out Ankara will support that "a solution is the interest of both communities and all the guarantor sides."

Referring to the CoE role, Barsony said it "should be much more significant on the civilian side", as it is not a security organisation.

Asked if the existing guarantors of Cyprus' independence (Britain, Greece and Turkey) could be replaced by the NATO, he said "it could be a future option, of course it depends on the parties".

He said that experience of the past 25 to 30 years have shown that more security is needed on the island and that Greece and Turkey "transferred" their differences here.

"A wider international guarantee would put out the issue of the continuous Turkish - Greek conflict from the island's political life," Barsony added.

Asked if it is the Greek or Turkish side that places obstacles for NATO guarantees, he said "probably there are certain problems on Turkish side."

Barsony also pointed out that non-NATO members who have fundamental interests in the region, such as Russia, should also have a role.

After his meeting with the House President, the Hungarian MP said they discussed parliamentary relations and expressed regret with the obstacles the Turkish Cypriot side places in contacts between the two communities.

"We deeply regret this relatively new element that these cross community talks were obstructed and definitely finished by the northern (Turkish) side," he said.

The Hungarian MP said that a dialogue between deputies of the House of Representatives and representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community "is a fundamental element of any positive solution for the future."

He also supported that meetings of trade unions, employers organisations and other civil organisations should take place and said "we are trying our best to convince the other side".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has forbidden Turkish Cypriots to take place in most bicommunal events since December last year, in reaction to a European Union reconfirmation that it would open accession talks with the Cyprus Republic.

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

CNA AA/MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          90.59 ( 0.99)

      Traded Value            CYP 3,336,826

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 1,089,824     104.65 ( 0.94)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   189,993      59.49 ( 0.27)
      Insurance Companies     CYP 1,274,142      68.41 ( 2.69)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP    49,738      88.75 ( 1.04)
      Tourism Companies       CYP    75,903      68.84 (-0.15)
      Trading Companies       CYP    81,878      43.27 ( 2.51)
      Other Companies         CYP   283,042      82.32 (-0.75)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1500:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Kyprianou - Andrew Athens

Speaking after being received here Monday by the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, Athens said "in the past, we would come here and say we had hope but now we cannot say such thing."

He said that "without great pressure from US President Bill Clinton nothing can be done", adding "now that President Clinton is in office something should be done."

Athens said President Clinton would like a Cyprus settlement and reminded that his term in office expires in 14 months. "A new president might not pay any attention," Athens said. He expressed the hope that 1999 will be a good year to make an effort to find a Cyprus settlement.

Asked if he is disappointed, Athens said "I am. We all are. There, were we thought we had made progress, we did not."

Athens acknowledged that the Russian S300 anti-aircraft missile system which Cyprus intends to deploy prevents the efforts of the overseas Greeks but added that "we supported Cyprus' right to take care of its armament." However, the issue is not the missiles but Turkey, Athens added.

House President, Spyros Kyprianou said both Athens and Andrew Manatos, President of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, conveyed the message "that no optimism on Cyprus can be justified at present."

He said that they briefed him on efforts on Cyprus made in the US by the Greek-Americans.

Kyprianou added that the only positive thing which has come out of a recent White House meeting of the overseas Greek leaders with President Clinton is that the US President will "become personally involved (with the Cyprus problem).

The House President said that the forthcoming European Council in Vienna is very important regarding the European Union's efforts to upgrade its relations with Turkey.

Asked if it would be a negative development that Turkey becomes an EU candidate country, Kyprianou said "we are not an obstacle in Turkey's European perspective."

However, he said if Europe accepts Turkey as a candidate country while it continues to violate human rights and the acquis communautaire, then it would probably be not such a good development.

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

CNA RG/AA/EC/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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