Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-06-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Green - Cook - Cyprus problem

[02] President Clerides - China - Xian

[03] Chinese Foreign Ministry Official - Interview

[04] Larnaca - Earth Tremor

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1030:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Green - Cook - Cyprus problem

Green was speaking after a meeting she had last night with Cook. She was accompanied by a delegation of Cypriots, living in Britain.

Answering a question about how she evaluates the prospects for Cyprus she said "I do not believe it is possible in this world for the situation to remain as it is. I remain convinced that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will live in a united Cyprus with one sovereignty".

Asked if she believes that after the war in Yugoslavia there will be more international interest in Cyprus, Green said "I do because the principles that have been established in Kosovo are ones that now have to be applied to other difficult areas of the world and Cyprus obviously is a critical one".

She added that the emphasis and the concern expressed about the Balkan region generally "will now mean that there will be also a focus on Cyprus, its problem and the solution of it."

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

CNA KT/MK/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1035:CYPPRESS:02

[02] President Clerides - China - Xian

Xian, Jun 9 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and First Lady Lilla-Irene Clerides, on a state visit to China, are in Xian city for contacts and a visit to the Museum of Terracotta Warrior Figures of Qin Mausoleum.

The President, who flew to Xian from the Chinese capital Beijing, will meet this afternoon with leaders of Shanxi People's Government Province.

President Clerides and the members of his entourage, were received today by the Vice Governor of Shanxi Provincial People's government, Jia Zhibang, the Mayor of Xian and the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Province, Hao Yanzheng.

The official welcome of the President took place at the South Gate, one of the four gates of the ancient city of Xian, where the key to the city was given to President Clerides.

Xian administration officials explained to the President and his wife the history of the city. Young girls, clad in traditional costumes of the Tang Dynasty and boys dressed in terracotta warrior suits were lined up to welcome the Cypriot President.

Later today, President Clerides will visit the famous Museum of Terracotta Warrior Figures of Qin Mausoleum, under the protection of UNESCO, and will watch a performance of traditional dances and music.

CNA MA/MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1050:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Chinese Foreign Ministry Official - Interview

Xian, Jun 9 (CNA) -- A Chinese diplomat, dealing with Cyprus at the Foreign Ministry, has assured his country will continue to support the peace process for a settlement on the island and every effort to this effect.

He also underlined the need to implement UN resolutions on Cyprus. Speaking to CNA on the occasion of Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides' six day state visit to China, Deputy Director General of the Department for West Asia and North Africa Affairs, Song Aiguo, said the visit will further develop good relations between the two countries in all fields.

Song described Cyprus as an important non-aligned country in the Eastern Mediterranean region and said China believes all states should be equal, whatever their size.

"China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council always maintains that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-aligned status of Cyprus should be respected," he said.

The Chinese official said "we would like to see that the Cyprus issue is solved by peaceful means, with the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General and peaceful negotiations between the two communities."

He assured that China, as a Security Council permanent member, "will do her best to continue supporting the peace process together with the other members of the international community."

Invited by CNA to comment on a statement the G8 (seven most industrialised nations plus Russia) are expected to issue, backing UN efforts, Song reiterated China's support to the UN Secretary General and said "any action which might help the just and reasonable solution of this issue would, of course, be welcomed."

The Chinese diplomat said "we would like to see peace prevail in Cyprus and Yugoslavia."

Asked if he believes double standards are being followed in safeguarding human rights seeing the way NATO has acted in Kosovo whereas human rights are being violated by Turkey in Cyprus for the past 25 years, he said "the bombing against Yugoslavia is a great tragedy and the Cyprus issue is also a tragedy."

"I think the resolutions of the Security Council concerning Cyprus should be implemented and this is one of the very important principles for the solution of the Cyprus issue," he said.

Asked if the UN would lose its credibility if its resolutions on Cyprus are not implemented, Song said "the UN together with the Security Council should play a very important role to solve problems like the Cyprus problem."

Regarding relations between the two countries, he described them as "excellent" in all fields, political, economic, trade and cultural. He said all Cypriot Presidents have visited China, which shows the "great importance" each country attaches to the other.

Song said the principle guiding China's foreign policy is "that we regard all countries, no matter big or small, should be equal."

"Cyprus is a very friendly country, active member of the Non Aligned and plays a very important role in keeping peace and stability in that region and at the same time we understand that Cyprus is a very important country in the Eastern Mediterranean," he said.

The Chinese official said the presidential state visit is "an important event in the history of our relations and certainly plays a very important role for the further promotion of our friendly relations and cooperation."

Asked how he sees China's role in the new millennium, he said his country "will do its best to preserve peace and stability in its region and to promote the just cause of peace and stability for the world at large."

Song has visited Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

CNA MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1215:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Larnaca - Earth Tremor

The Geological Survey Department, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, announced today that the epicentre of the tremor was in an area, between the villages of Ormidia and Xilofagou, some 25 kilometres east of Larnaca.

The earth tremor was also felt in the capital Nicosia.

CNA FZ/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1450:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         148.45 ( 2.33)

      Traded Value            CYP 10,442,307

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 5,570,424     201.11 ( 3.14)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP    73,601      75.08 ( 0.78)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   195,796      74.90 (-2.45)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   380,691      86.32 ( 0.34)
      Tourism Companies       CYP   482,559     104.86 (-0.46)
      Trading Companies       CYP   248,674      57.71 ( 1.96)
      Other Companies         CYP   383,854      94.69 ( 0.74)

CNA MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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