Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] President - Foreign Minister - Cyprus problem

[03] Commerce Minister - Berlin exhibition

[04] Labour MP - Interview - LGR

[05] Armenian Foreign Minister - Official visit

1515:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         118.11  (-0.52)

      Traded Value            CYP 5,296,677

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 2,459,375     146.56 (-0.68)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   167,210      73.57 (-0.16)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   248,015      78.03 (-0.54)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   510,714     106.00 ( 0.31)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   326,783      81.22 (-0.55)
      Trading Companies       CYP   102,357      51.33 (-1.00)
      Other Companies         CYP   135,576      89.83 ( 0.21)

CNA MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President - Foreign Minister - Cyprus problem

"My impression is that there will be attempts after the Turkish elections," the President told the press, after touring the island's reservoirs and sites for desalination plants.

Commenting on remarks by the Turkish Cypriot leader that talks on Cyprus are on deadlock as a result of the Ocalan (leader of the PKK Kurdish Workers Party) affair, President Clerides replied "one must not bother with statements Mr. Rauf Denktash makes."

Invited to comment on Denktash's statements, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said "Turkey and Mr. Denktash are making a big mistake if they think the current status quo in Cyprus or the fait accompli of the Turkish invasion have resolved the Cyprus question to their benefit."

He said their mistake is against the Turkish Cypriots and added "if they do not understand that now, sooner or later they will."

Denktash had said he would not return to the negotiating table, using the Ocalan affair as a pretext.

The minister pointed out that "Denktash is trying to find new excuses to justify his totally intransigent and negative position."

He also noted that "no fait accompli, created by the force of arms in contravention of international law and order, which has lasted for ever."

"Injustice has never prevailed," he added. "Turkey cannot and is not in a position to deal the blows it believes it can against Greece and Cyprus without harming itself," Kasoulides said in response to press reports that the Turkish premier has allegedly said that it was high time the Aegean was divided and Cyprus was taken over completely by Turkey.

Turkey has stepped up its criticism of both Greece and Cyprus following Ocalan's arrest and appears to be making every effort to create tension through unsubstantiated allegations against both countries.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1920:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Commerce Minister - Berlin exhibition

During his stay, the Minister will meet with tour operators and other officials involved with tourism.

Rolandis returns to Cyprus on Wednesday.

CNA MEM/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1935:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Labour MP - Interview - LGR

Cox also said Turkey is expected to respect the rights of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and warned that if Turkey takes no heed of the grievances of the Kurdish people, there will be more trouble ahead.

In an interview with London Greek Radio, Cox appeared optimistic on future prospects for Cyprus, noting that other long standing problems are progressing slowly towards their resolution.

"I think this is what we have to commit ourselves to," he added. Commenting on the tension following Ocalan's arrest, the deputy said this is bound to create difficulties and pointed out that successive Turkish governments have not recognised the rights of the Kurdish people.

"Until Turkey stops to listen and honour the rights of the Kurdish people of Turkey, troubles will sadly continue," he told LGR.

He said Turkey is expected to honour Ocalan's rights during his trial. Cox described the "enormous influence and power the military has in Turkey" as regrettable.

"We have to use our influence and the friendship we tried to build up, to try and get the Turkish people and authorities to realise that this has to change," he stressed.

On his part, Eddie O'Hara said the Ocalan affair offered Turkey the opportunity "to demonstrate to the West it could operate a fair trial and to improve relations with Greece."

Expressing sad disappointment on both counts, the deputy said Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have made it clear they are exploiting the arrest of Ocalan and castigated comments by Turkish premier on Greco-Turkish relations.

"I really do not take enough notice of what Turkish politicians say about the Aegean or Cyprus, only the army," he added, noting that he wishes to see good relations between Greece and Turkey.

He called on Turkey to take changes towards democratisation step by step and added "at the end of the day the only agent which can move Turkey forward is the US."

In his remarks, Liberal party deputy Simon Hughes expressed "frustration" about the lack of progress towards a solution in Cyprus and added "it struck me that the British government has not been nearly strong or tough enough" in this respect.

"Peace cannot come and justice cannot come and fair recognition of Turkey's place in the world will not come to them until and unless they move (withdraw their occupation troops from Cyprus)," Hughes said.

Replying to questions, he said Cyprus' application to join the European Union "is in itself putting pressure on Turkey because they will not like the idea of Cyprus joining" and then being regarded as beyond the pale.

"I am very clear that the application is helpful and the UN are trying harder," he pointed out.

The best chance of a move on Cyprus, he said, is the start of the new administration to be elected in Turkey's elections and said the pressure now has to be on the Turkish administration.

CNA MM/RM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Armenian Foreign Minister - Official visit

During his visit Oskanian will call on President Glafcos Clerides and meet Acting President of the House of Representatives Nicos Anastasiades.

On Monday, Oskanian, heading a three-member delegation, will meet his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides and hold official talks at the Foreign Ministry.

The two ministers will give a press conference after their talks. The Armenian official will also call on the Primate of the Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos and meet with Deputy Chairman and members of the House Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Marcos Kyprianou.

He will visit the old city of Nicosia and the ceasefire line accompanied by the Mayor Lellos Demetriades.

The minister will pay a visit to Nareg Elementary Armenian School and the Melkonian Institute to meet members of the Armenian community.

He will also have the chance to visit archaeological sites, Machairas Monastery and talk to the chairman of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vasilis Rologis.

Oskanian leaves on Wednesday.

CNA RM/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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