Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-01-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Illegal migrants - Back to Lebanon

[02] EU - Cyprus - Talks

[03] President Clerides - China's Deputy Health Minister

[04] President Clerides - British envoy

[05] Ireland - Parliament - Visit

[06] HMS Invincible - Visit

[07] Cyprus Foreign Minister - Czech Republic - Slovenia

0950:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Illegal migrants - Back to Lebanon

According to a Police spokesman the 29 economic migrants departed from Limassol port, on the police launch "Odysseas".

The illegal migrants come from Iraq (18), Egypt (6), Somalia (2), Palestine (1), Burundi (1) and a woman from Sri Lanka.

The economic migrants are escorted by members of the Cyprus Police Force.

Yesterday Famagusta District Court sitting in Larnaca issued an eight- day remand order against the economic migrants.

Police arrested early yesterday the migrants, who arrived on Wednesday night by boat from Tripoli, Lebanon, at the eastern bay of Konnos, near the tourist resort of Ayia Napa.

According to police, the migrants carried no travel documents or papers denoting their identity and each one of them paid between 800 to 2, 000 US dollars to be taken to Italy and Rhodes.

CNA AA/FZ/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

0955:CYPPRESS:02

[02] EU - Cyprus - Talks

The head of the European Commission Task Force for accession negotiations with Cyprus, Leopold Maurer, and Cyprus' Chief Negotiator George Vassiliou chair the talks, in which all interested parties are participating.

The seven-member EC team, which arrived here Thursday, will probe into various issues relating to accession including telecommunications, external relations, company law, free movement of goods and justice and home affairs.

This round of talks is scheduled to end Saturday lunchtime.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1240:CYPPRESS:03

[03] President Clerides - China's Deputy Health Minister

Wang, who is heading a Chinese Health Ministry delegation, was speaking to the press today after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, attended also by Cyprus Health Minister Christos Solomis.

Solomis and Wang yesterday signed a bilateral agreement for cooperation in the fields of public health and medical science.

After his meeting with President Clerides, Wang noted that this agreement was the first between the two countries, adding it would strengthen further their relations in the field of health in the interest of both peoples.

He expressed hopes for Cyprus' reunification and wished happiness for its people.

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

Solomis said the two sides had decided to prepare a cooperation protocol, which would provide for the exchange of experience and experts in the fields of public health and medical science between the two countries.

He expressed conviction that cooperation and relations between Cyprus and China would continue to develop.

After meeting President Clerides, the Chinese Deputy Health Minister had a meeting with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Later today he will be received by House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou.

CNA GG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1245:CYPPRESS:04

[04] President Clerides - British envoy

It is not yet clear if Sir David will also meet the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Rauf Denktash, who has yet to reply to a request to see the British diplomat.

Denktash has steadfastly refused to meet Hannay in the past year when he also represented the British and Austrian rotating presidency of the European Union.

Clerides and Hannay will sit at a working meal on Friday, 22 January, at the residence of British High Commissioner in Nicosia David Madden.

Sir David will arrive in Cyprus on Thursday, January 21, for a meeting of Britain's top diplomats here, Greece and Turkey, David Madden, Michael Smith and David Logan, respectively, who confer at regular intervals in one of the three countries on matters of common interest.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides and Under Secretary to the President Pantelis Kouros are also expected to attend Friday's working meal.

Britain has recently reiterated its firm support for UN efforts to break the deadlock in the Cyprus peace process and yesterday Britain's top diplomat, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, met UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus, in London, to discuss developments in Cyprus.

Diplomatic sources have told CNA Thursday's meeting proves British keen interest in the UN initiative and noted it took place at Cook's request.

The same sources said there is some optimism in London about Hercus' latest bid to end the stalemate, since she started shuttle talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides in mid-October.

The shuttle talks are still going on and continue to be shrouded in secrecy, they remarked, describing this an important achievement.

Dame Ann plans to meet again President Clerides on Monday, January 18. She returns on Saturday from New York where she would have discussions with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1315:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Ireland - Parliament - Visit

According to the preliminary programme, they will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and House President Spyros Kyprianou.

They will also meet Acting Foreign Minister, Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou, and Nicosia Mayor Lellos Demetriades.

During their six-day visit, they will also visit the University of Cyprus and archaeological sites and meet Irish troops serving with the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus.

They leave Saturday, 23 January.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:06

[06] HMS Invincible - Visit

The carrier, which took part in the Faklands war in the 1980s, will be accompanied by two other vessels, HMS Newcastle and Bay Leaf.

All three ships are set to be in the area early Tuesday morning for only seven hours to get supplies.

The Commander of the UK task group, who will fly into Akrotiri earlier on, will embark on HMS Invincible before it departs for the Gulf.

During the visit, there will be increased air movement of helicopters and two Harriers.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1405:CYPPRESS:07

[07] Cyprus Foreign Minister - Czech Republic - Slovenia

Kasoulides, who will visit Prague at the invitation of his Czech counterpart Jan Kavan, will have a meeting with the country's President Vaclav Havel, to whom he will convey a personal message from Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, an official statement here says.

Cyprus Foreign Minister will also hold talks with his Czech counterpart.

Kasoulides and Kavan will discuss the Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, the two countries' European Union course and their cooperation in the framework of international organisations.

The Cypriot Minister will also have meetings with the Czech Deputy Prime Minister and the Chairmen of both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and he will sign a cooperation agreement on social security.

After the Czech Republic, Kasoulides will fly to Slovenia. He will return to Cyprus Friday, January 22.

CNA GG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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