Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-01-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] WFDY Assembly - Opening

[03] Rolandis - Egypt

[04] Privatisation - Conference

[05] Clerides - New Ambassador of Ecuador

[06] Clerides - New Ambassador of Mexico

[07] President Clerides - Costas Karamanlis

[08] President Clerides - Conference - Cyprus question

[09] Britain - Cyprus

1520:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         101.16 (-0.38)

      Traded Value            CYP 4,165,511

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 1,812,752     118.07 (-0.45)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   176,103      62.81 (-0.35)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   552,145      79.91 ( 0.83)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   247,247      93.24 (-0.47)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   305,304      77.89 (-1.29)
      Trading Companies       CYP   276,635      46.93 (-0.66)
      Other Companies         CYP   151,135      86.49 (-0.43)

CNA MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:02

[02] WFDY Assembly - Opening

The Assembly, hosted by youth organisation EDON which is affiliated to left-wing AKEL party, opened here today with the participation of some 150 participants from 80 countries.

General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party Ferdi Soyer and four members of the party's youth organisation, as well as coordinator of the Patriotic Unity Movement Rasih Keskiner also managed to come to the free areas of the Republic to attend today's deliberations.

Their presence was welcomed by both House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou, who opened the proceedings, and EDON General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou.

Opening the Assembly, Kyprianou referred to WFDY's efforts for peace and a better standard of living worldwide and its solidarity with countries facing problems.

He said the people of Cyprus have often felt this solidarity and friendship, noting that "international support gives us strength to face the future and we need all our friends in our struggle for freedom and unification."

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

In his reference to the new world order and the US role as the only superpower, Kyprianou strongly criticised Washington's stance on the Cyprus issue.

"They (US) are denying small countries the right to defend themselves, " he said, adding that "they no longer see the Cyprus problem as an issue of invasion, occupation and violation of human rights but as a bicommunal problem."

The House President said the Cyprus question is not a problem between the Greek and Turkish communities of the island and turning to the Turkish Cypriots present he said "we should create common political and economic interests."

"If outside factors left us alone I believe that despite some problems we faced in our recent history we could create a united country," he said.

On his part EDON General Secretary said that one of the reasons for which Cyprus manages to survive and look towards the future is "because of international solidarity and the help given by progressive forces from all over the world."

Welcoming the Turkish Cypriots he said their presence is of great political importance and expressed the hope it is the first step in overcoming the ban on bicommunal meetings imposed by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash since December 1997.

Stefanou also called on the 15th WFDY Assembly to increase its role in the international political arena.

On his part the French President of WFDY Olivier Meier underlined that the world has to be changed and suffering and injustices overcome.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he welcomed the presence of the Turkish Cypriots and said the two communities should coexist and live in peace.

Meier also denounced the occupation and the division of Cyprus, said all foreign troops should leave the island and stressed that UN resolutions on Cyprus should be implemented.

The three-day proceedings of the Assembly will continue in the coastal resort town of Larnaca.

CNA MA/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1715:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Rolandis - Egypt

Egyptian Ambassador to Cyprus, Mohamed Fadel El-Kadi, conveyed an invitation from Gweily to Rolandis during a meeting earlier this week.

Rolandis will have talks with Gweli and other Egyptian Ministers and will meet with Egyptian businessmen, aiming at developing further relations between the two countries in the fields of trade, industry and tourism.

CNA DG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1730:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Privatisation - Conference

Various speakers at today's morning session outlined the prospects offered through privatisation but stressed at the same time the necessity to proceed along this course with a careful and calculated manner.

In his speech, Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides dealt with the political implications of privatisation saying that Cyprus has not yet embarked on the process of privatisation in the sense of transferring all or nearly all state businesses or services to the private sector.

The state, he said, is seeking to move from a "business state to a state with a new presence, with emphasis on the citizen."

"We are trying to set up the legal framework to allow the economy to function on the basis of privatisation and secure healthy conditions in competition, restricting the possibility of state intervention," Kasoulides said.

He pointed out that liberalisation and sale of shares are expected to attract new investors and noted that Cyprus' geographic location, its manpower and infrastructure render the island an attractive base and bridge for services far beyond its own area.

The President of one of the organisers, the Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy (CKID) in Greece, Ioannis Varvitsiotis said market globalisation calls for flexibility in decision making and speed in action.

"The road to privatisation is not a bed of roses," he added, stressing that governments cannot ignore the political cost of privatisation, which they can minimise if they launch a campaign to inform the public about their moves.

Ioannis Koutsakou, President of the Institute for Eurodemocracy in Cyprus, one of the two co-organisers, said scientific study and research are a must.

"Turning scientific knowledge into the necessary infrastructure for the politicians lies in transferring relevant knowledge in forms and proposals which can be applied by the politicians," he said.

In his remarks, Dr. Ioannis Loulis, Executive Director of the CKID, pointed to some factors that have to be taken into consideration with regard to privatisation, such as the overall social climate, the timing selected for action, the manner this action is conveyed and the way the government makes the most out of the dynamism of society.

"Politicians cannot ignore the reaction of the public if they want to apply their policies," he said.

Referring to Cyprus, Loulis described the climate "as positive, restraint but not radical" and said careful but steady steps are being taken to back privatisation.

The Executive Director of the American Enterprise Institute, Jeffrey Gedmin, said privatisation "has enormous promise but does not solve everything."

"It means greater freedom for everybody," he added. He said former Warsaw Pact states were never fully able to extinguish creativity and innovation of private enterprise and in the West there were reservations about privatisation.

CNA MM/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1750:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Clerides - New Ambassador of Ecuador

Presenting his credentials to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Dr Ruilova said "the Cyprus problem deserves a just, peaceful and viable solution, one that must contemplate a single sovereignty, an international personality and a single citizenship".

He said "it will be worth striving into the possibilities of developing agreements mutually beneficial for both countries".

Replying President Clerides expressed Cyprus' "deep appreciation and gratitude" for Ecuador's "continuous support to the just cause of Cyprus".

He added "we remain committed to a peaceful solution of the problem of Cyprus and we will continue to cooperate and make every effort possible within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's mission of good offices to find a solution, on the basis of the relevant United Nations Resolutions and the two High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979".

President Clerides added "we will continue to count" on Ecuador's "valuable support in our quest for a peaceful solution to the problem of Cyprus".

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

CNA FZ/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1755:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Clerides - New Ambassador of Mexico

Presenting his credentials to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, Seira said Mexico stands by "the single sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Cyprus with an international personality and a single citizenship".

It supports "the call of the international community for the demilitarisation of Cyprus and for a peaceful political solution to the Cyprus problem".

Seira added the permanent guidelines of Mexico's foreign policy are "non intervention in the affairs of others, the self determination of nations and the peaceful solution of controversies".

Perhaps, Seira said, "it was this tradition that led two Secretaries General of the UN to appoint two distinguished Mexican diplomats as mediators in Cyprus."

He added there are a number of fields in which both countries can work together to "strengthen our good relations" to the benefit of Mexico and Cyprus. These, he said, include "trade, investment, tourism, educational and cultural exchanges".

Replying, President Clerides said Cyprus and Mexico "have too many things in common" and the two countries share, "a common adherence to the eternal values of peace and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

The Cypriot President said "we remain committed to a peaceful solution and a peaceful reunification of our country. To this end we will continue to do everything we can to achieve a solution within the framework of the United Nations Secretary-General's good offices mission, on the basis of the relevant United Nations Resolutions and the two High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979".

President Clerides expressed "deep appreciation and gratitude" for Mexico's continuous support to the just cause of Cyprus and thanked "the Decision of the Congress of Mexico to support fully the demilitarisation of the Republic of Cyprus".

He added "we are further confident that the accession negotiations that our country has already started with the European Union, will eventually act as a catalyst in our efforts to find a just, viable and lasting solution to the problem of Cyprus to the benefit and prosperity of its people as a whole".

President Clerides said Cyprus "will continue to count" on Mexico's "valuable support as well as that of the international community, until we succeed in our efforts to bring real peace to our country".

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

CNA FZ/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2040:CYPPRESS:07

[07] President Clerides - Costas Karamanlis

Karamanlis, arrived here, earlier this evening to attend and address a dinner held by the Nicosia-based Institute for Eurodemocracy on the sidelines of a two-day conference on privatisation co-organised with the Constantine Karamanlis Institute of Democracy of Greece.

Speaking to the press he described the present period as "sensitive and tense" and pointed out that Greek Cypriots are looking for security and clear-cut policies.

Karamanlis stressed the need for a decisive national strategy to prevent Turkish expansionism, pointing out at the same time that "the future of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey is the European prospect, not violence or threat of using violence or the law of the jungle".

CNA MCH/FZ/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2115:CYPPRESS:08

[08] President Clerides - Conference - Cyprus question

Clerides said the Turkish side had been aiming for a confederation in Cyprus all along and added that unless the international community exercised pressure on Turkey it would not abandon its intransigent stance towards a Cyprus settlement.

He also stressed that Cyprus' future will not be put in jeopardy only to achieve the island's accession to the EU.

Clerides was addressing a two-day international conference "Privatisation of Public Enterprises: The Prospects Ahead", which opened today in Nicosia.

The Turkish side has always been intransigent, he said, explaining that "they were pretending that they were ready to discuss federation, but the views they supported were for confederation".

"They now say clearly that they do not accept a solution based on federation and that they want a solution based on confederation," he added.

Clerides said the reasons that have prevented progress on Cyprus are the Turkish side's demand for recognition of sovereignty and equal representation in a federal government.

They were also demanding decision making by common consent and rotating presidency which are both characteristics of confederation, he noted, adding that another demand of the Turkish side which remains unchanged was the exchange of properties.

They have never accepted free settlement, while they have given indications of accepting free movement of persons but only under their own terms, he said.

President Clerides pointed out that the Turkish side have not changed their positions so far because the international community simply express support for the UN Secretary General's good offices, but they do not exercise pressure on Turkey.

Achieving progress towards a solution depends a lot on the stance of the countries which are able to influence Turkey, he pointed out, adding that "at the moment we have enough promises" regarding that issue.

He made clear, however, that promises alone cannot settle the Cyprus problem, adding that Cyprus must create the conditions necessary to convince influential countries to press Turkey for a just solution.

Noting that Cyprus' EU accession course will act as a catalyst, he made clear that the future of the people of Cyprus will never be put in jeopardy just to achieve EU membership.

President Clerides said the concerns of each community in Cyprus regarding the other's intentions should be dispelled in order to secure a climate of confidence, regardless of whether those concerns are irrational or not.

The Greek community's concern is that some day Turkey will occupy the whole island and that of the Turkish community is that as Greek Cypriots are the majority in Cyprus, some day Turkish Cypriots will become an oppressed minority and the island will unite with Greece.

"It does not matter whether those concerns are rational or irrational", he noted, pointing out that "we must admit they exist".

He noted that the said fears may be dispelled through real demilitarisation and explained that for the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash demilitarisation means no armed forces for the federal state, but Greek and Turkish troops on the island.

"That is not demilitarisation but subjugation", he pointed out, adding that that would turn Cyprus from an independent state to a protectorate.

The solution to the communities' concerns is the presence of an international military force for a period of time which would be under the Security Council and would be able to intervene automatically if one community through illegal acts put Cyprus' independence and territorial integrity at risk, he said.

That force would also intervene if one community put the other community's existence at risk or whenever there is a breach of the agreement, President Clerides noted.

He said that force, which would replace Greek and Turkish military presence on the island and would derive its power from the Security Council's mandate, adding that then "one could say the two communities should be appeased".

He noted that Cyprus' EU accession would prevent any crisis in Cyprus from being transferred to both Greece and Turkey, as the crisis would be tackled within the EU.

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

CNA GG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2205:CYPPRESS:09

[09] Britain - Cyprus

British Minister for Europe Joyce Quin, repeated today her Prime Minister's commitment "to a sustained effort to reduce tension and to address the core issues of a Cyprus settlement as called for in UN Security Council Resolutions 1217 and 1218," at a meeting with Cyprus High Commissioner, Michalis Attalides in London.

Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus Sir David Hannay was also present at the meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Quin "underlined, as Sir David had done, the continuing support of the British government for a solution on the basis laid down in UN resolutions for a bizonal, bicommunal federation", the statement says.

"Similarly she said we would be supporting the UN efforts to work intensively with the two sides for compliance with the Security Council resolution 1218", the statement adds.

According to the statement, Quin "stressed that UK policy towards Cyprus remains unchanged and that the UK is determined to play an active role in the process seeking a resolution of the Cyprus question".

Comments made by Sir David during a recent visit to Cyprus had caused the dissatisfaction of President Glafcos Clerides and the political leadership and had been described as "unfortunate".

The British diplomat had described a letter sent by Clerides to the UN Secretary General accepting in full Security Council resolutions 1217 and 1218 as "a tactical way of proceeding" which aimed at reciprocal moves form the Turkish side.

Asked to comment on the insistence of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a confederation in Cyprus, despite repeated UN resolutions calling for a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, he had also said that there was "excessive concentration on matters of forms and not enough of focus on matters of substance".

Clerides refused as a result to attend a working dinner held at the residence of British High Commissioner David Madden attended by British Ambassadors in Athens and Ankara as well as Sir David.

Government Spokesman, Christos Stylianides had said that "certain references in Sir David's statements are not in the spirit of UN resolutions".

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

CNA GG/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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