Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 98-12-28

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - S300 - Final decision

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1400:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - S300 - Final decision

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides told his daily press briefing today that the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue, will convene tomorrow afternoon after the President returns from Athens were he will discuss the issue with Premier Costas Simitis.

The President leaves for Athens this afternoon and will meet the Greek Premier Tuesday morning.

The Spokesman said President Clerides will hand to the Greek Premier the positions of the political parties of Cyprus on the S300 issue in writing.

He said this was decided at the last meeting of the National Council, but refrained from elaborating on the issue before Tuesday's meetings.

Stylianides underlined that relations between Athens and Nicosia are very good, decisions are taken jointly and the two countries follow common strategies.

Asked whether after tomorrow's meeting of the National Council a decision on the S300 will be announced, the Spokesman replied that "there will be a final decision on the issue".

The Russian-made S300 surface-to-air missiles were ordered by the Cyprus government in January 1997 in a bid to boost the island's air defence, in case of a new Turkish offensive.

Foreign governments, including the US and Britain, as well as the UN and the European Union have expressed opposition to the deployment of the missiles in Cyprus, as they believe this would increase tension.

In resolutions adopted last week, the UN Security Council urges Secretary-General Kofi Annan to pursue mediation efforts between the two communities and to secure a "staged process" of reduction of troops and armaments in Cyprus.

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

CNA MA/GP/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1425:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                          91.31 ( 0.15)

      Traded Value            CYP 3,336,057

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 1,881,025     107.25 ( 0.49)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   104,109      58.43 ( 0.15)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   117,198      65.74 (-0.48)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   226,681      86.06 (-0.97)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   676,244      70.58 ( 0.16)
      Trading Companies       CYP    63,341      41.41 (-0.46)
      Other Companies         CYP    76,631      82.29 (-0.17)

CNA MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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