Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-03-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kasoulides - Fischer - EU

[02] President Clerides - UN Chief of Mission

[03] Stylianides - Resignation

[04] CNA - AFP Training Seminar

0945:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Kasoulides - Fischer - EU

The German presidency, speaking through the country's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, has also stressed the urgent need for a settlement of the Cyprus question, noting this would also be in the interests of the Union.

Fischer called on the Cyprus government to do all it can towards this goal, saying its efforts towards this objective would be closely monitored by the EU.

In statements to the press after a meeting yesterday with his Cypriot counterpart, Ioannis Kasoulides, he pointed to a link between the peace effort and the EU accession process.

"We believe that the Cyprus government should do all it can for a constructive solution to the political problem. On the other hand, accession negotiations cannot fail because of the veto of a non EU member," Fischer said.

He said new initiatives for talks must be seized and added "we hope the government of Cyprus does everything towards constructive developments and this, at the end of the day, will undoubtedly play an important role in our (EU) assessment."

Commenting on reports about possible involvement of the G8 group (the seven most industrialised countries plus Russia) in the Cyprus peace effort, Fischer said one should take advantage of every opportunity before him to settle the problem.

"The Cyprus issue is one of the most serious problems that needs to be settled and one that encompasses a fair risk of flaring up, irrespective of whether Cyprus is an EU member or not," Fischer stressed.

He said Cyprus lies in a "very complex region bordering the Middle East, an area linked to Greco-Turkish relations and the Balkan region" and added "this is why the problem needs to be solved urgently to the benefit of all neighbouring countries, the Mediterranean countries, and the EU."

"We have a fundamental interest to settle this problem, whether Cyprus is an EU member or not," Fischer said.

Referring to the content of his discussions, Fischer said Germany backs Cyprus' effort to do all it can to bring about a resolution of the problem since, as he put it, "we see a close link with the accession negotiations."

"We have given assurances of our view that there was and there can be no veto from the Turkish side relating to membership talks," Fischer said, expressing hope that after April's elections in Turkey there may be an appropriate climate for constructive talks.

In his remarks to the press, Kasoulides, who is on a tour of European capitals, described his talks as "very productive" and added "we discussed different ways we can contribute to the cause of peace and stability in our region."

"This is a priority for us as well and we have assured our interlocutors that we shall display a constructive and positive attitude in view of all international attempts aiming to find a settlement of the Cyprus problem, as we have done in the past," Kasoulides said.

The minister expressed hope this objective will be achieved because "our application will be judged on the basis of our achievements and no country outside the EU will have the right to veto our accession."

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1005:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - UN Chief of Mission

Speaking to the press after today's meeting with the President, Hercus said "the shuttle talks continue, they will continue next week, the week after that and the week after that."

She noted she had a meeting earlier this week with Denktash. Hercus embarked on her talks with the two leaders in October last year with a view to make progress towards a negotiated settlement and the reduction in tensions.

CNA MM/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1345:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Stylianides - Resignation

Stylianides announced his decision to the press after handing a resignation letter to the President, noting it was taken for "reasons of principle".

The former Government Spokesman said he discussed the issue with President Glafcos Clerides with whom he maintains "good relations" and whom he "respects".

MORE LATER

CNA MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1440:CYPPRESS:04

[04] CNA - AFP Training Seminar

The two-day seminar is jointly organised by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) and the French News Agency (AFP). It is addressed to chief editors and technical directors and takes place within the framework of CNA's presidency of AMAN.

Addressing the seminar, Michaelides pointed out that the introduction of new technology will maximise the output of news agencies "and enable them to better fulfill their mission and play a more substantive role in promoting international issues, as well as those concerning Mediterranean countries".

Making special reference to the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus' northern third since 1974, he stressed the importance of mass media in making "international public opinion aware of the gross injustice against the people of Cyprus".

Michaelides expressed the conviction that news agencies -members of the Alliance, "will continue to intensify their support in this direction".

In his address, read by CNA Director, Themis Themistocleous, CNA Board Chairman, Anthos Lykavgis remarked that "yesterday's technology is today obsolete," and said that "news agencies are among the first to suffer the consequences, yet must take up the challenge to remain in the forefront and serve their subscribers fully".

"Hence we are here today, to hear about and see the technological advancements in news agency operations," Lykavgis said, adding that the seminar will give AMAN members "a unique opportunity to get acquainted with today's and tomorrow's technology".

AFP Middle East Manager, Michel Garin, said that during the two-day seminar AFP will brief participants on latest developments in news agency technology, including Internet, photo service and editing, product technology, network, editorial and chief equipment.

During the opening ceremony Vice-Chairman of the CNA Board Nikos Hadjinikolas, presented Moroccan journalist, Aarab Issiali, a Paris based editor of the Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP), with an award for the Best News Item competition for 1998, organised by AMAN.

The Moroccan journalist will stay in Cyprus for a week as a CNA guest, during which he will meet with Cypriot officials and businessmen and visit various sights of interest on the island.

CNA RM/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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