Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-04-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Russian officials - visit

[03] Kyprianou - Demirel's claims

[04] Kasoulides - Papandreou - Kosovo crisis

[05] Kasoulides - Yugoslav crisis

1530:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                        115.79 ( 1.87)

      Traded Value            CYP 4,883,813

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 2,347,453     145.49 ( 2.11)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   175,081      70.32 ( 0.83)
      Insurance Companies     CYP    43,989      75.88 ( 0.42)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   318,218      93.67 ( 1.14)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   140,103      82.55 ( 1.74)
      Trading Companies       CYP   216,083      48.94 ( 3.03)
      Other Companies         CYP   159,453      83.73 ( 0.75)

CNA MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Russian officials - visit

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Avteyev and Russia's envoy for Cyprus, Vladimir Tchizhov, will be received by President Glafcos Clerides and hold talks with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Avteyev and Kasoulides are set to give a press conference on Thursday after their talks.

Avteyev's visit takes place within the framework of bilateral relations while Tchizov's meetings with the President, and as anticipated with Turkish Cypriot leader Raud Denktash, are part of Russia's efforts to help find a Cyprus solution.

The Russian Deputy FM is scheduled to see House President Spyros Kyprianou and chairman of the House Foreign and European Affairs Committee, Tasos Papadopoulos.

Both men are expected to leave Friday.

CNA MM/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1735:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kyprianou - Demirel's claims

"The government, the House of Representatives and the people of Cyprus do not consider the Cyprus problem as resolved," Kyprianou said.

He stressed that "it will only be resolved when a solution is reached based upon international law, the UN Charter and UN resolutions".

In statements published in the Turkish Cypriot press on Monday, Demirel claimed that what is happening today in Kosovo also happened in Cyprus but was resolved in 1974 when Turkey invaded the island.

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

Kyprianou wondered what the US and NATO "have to say" on the issue, and called upon them to reply to Demirel's claim, pointing out that "the people of Cyprus have the right of a reply to this question".

Kyprianou also referred to the ethnic cleansing practised by the Turkish regime in the northern occupied part of the island against Greek Cypriot enclaved and called for "a constructive initiative" for a Cyprus settlement, "in accordance with UN resolutions".

Immediately after the end of hostilities in 1974 some 12.300 Greek Cypriot remained enclaved in the areas that came under the occupation of Turkish invasion forces.

The majority of them were forced by the Turkish Cypriot regime to find refuge in the government-controlled areas and less than 500 still remain in the north today.

CNA FZ/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1900:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Kasoulides - Papandreou - Kosovo crisis

Speaking after a meeting with his Greek counterpart, George Papandreou and Greek Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis, Kasoulides also conveyed the government's concern over developments in Yugoslavia.

On his part Papandreou reaffirmed that the Cyprus problem always remains a priority for Greece.

The ministers' meeting focused on the crisis in Yugoslavia and its consequences on wider Greek and Cypriot interests, but the Cyprus problem and the island's process of accession to the European Union were also examined.

"If the Kosovo crisis remains as intense as it is today, it is possible that an American initiative on Cyprus (which is expected to be launched after elections in Turkey) could be postponed," Kasoulides remarked.

He said he could not tell whether the Turkish side would abandon its unacceptable preconditions for UN-led talks between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, pointing out that the international community is expected to call for such a meeting in the summer.

"The Cyprus government is ready for a dialogue on the basis of UN resolutions," Kasoulides added.

Denktash has demanded recognition of the illegal regime unilaterally set up in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus before he enters talks for a Cyprus settlement.

Last August Denktash also put forward unacceptable proposals for the creation of a confederation of two states on the island, a proposal which is contrary to UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus calling for a bicommunal, bizonal federation with one international personality.

Commenting on the situation in Kosovo, Kasoulides said he was concerned over accounts of ethnic cleansing, pointing out that Cyprus has also been a victim of such practices, and said that military operations do not help.

Concluding Kasoulides said he fully agreed with positions expressed by Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, over the Yugoslav crisis that "we should move in this international situation bearing in mind national interests".

CNA KI/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2315:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Kasoulides - Yugoslav crisis

Speaking after his arrival from Athens where he met his Greek counterpart, George Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis, Kasoulides said both Greece and Cyprus were concerned over developments in Yugoslavia.

He also said he was concerned over the possibility of creating a precedent in Kosovo, stressing the need to insist on the inviolability of borders.

"I think the international community would agree on this," he said, pointing out that" a political and diplomatic solution should be reached within the boundaries of Yugoslavia, just as any solution to the Cyprus problem should be within the island's shores".

Kasoulides said that Cyprus relies on the UN Charter, UN resolutions and international law, "which are now under trial in Yugoslavia," adding, however, that it also relies "on human rights principles".

"We are obliged to tell the whole truth," he said, noting that the NATO bombings in Yugoslavia "have not relieved human misery".

On the other hand, Kasoulides said that brutalities carried out against the peoples of the region and especially the Albanian minority are real.

Invited to comment on provocative statements by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, who "invited" Albanian refugees from Kosovo to stay in the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, Kasoulides said assurances have been given by the international community to both Cyprus and Greece that this will not materialise.

"If Mr. Denktash feels strongly about the suffering of the refugees, this is his chance to open Famagusta to its legitimate refugee inhabitants, " Kasoulides said.

The eastern coastal town of Famagusta, once a thriving tourist resort, today remains a desolated "ghost town" and Turkish troops in the occupied areas prevent the return of its Greek Cypriot legitimate inhabitants.

Some 200.000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties by Turkish troops which invaded the island in 1974 and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MAN/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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