Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-08-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] US experts - Cyprus economy

[02] Austrian Defence Minister - UNFICYP

[03] Clerides - Demirel - Telegram of condolence

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Morphou - Anti-occupation event

1440:CYPPRESS:01

[01] US experts - Cyprus economy

Nicosia, Aug 18 (CNA) -- A team of US experts are in Cyprus with a view to prepare a comprehensive report on the island's economy, following contacts on both sides of the divide.

The multi-member team, from the consultancy firm Nathan Associates of Virginia, comprises experts in microeconomics and macroeconomics who are affiliated with the US agency for International Development.

The team will be here for about two weeks and is scheduled to have meetings with officers from the Central Bank, the Planning Bureau, the Ministry of Finance, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It will also meet people in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus.

"The US is interested in Cyprus including its economy," American sources told CNA today, adding that "the study is meant to provide a better picture of the economic circumstances on both sides of the island and to provide useful insight into the context in which USID's annual 15 million programme is implemented."

They added the study "is focused on the economic realities of the island, not on one or other of its communities or one or other sectors."

The US experts are at this point conducting "a review on the impact of the programme and the economic context in which it is being implemented."

However they pointed out that it would be premature to draw any conclusions at this stage.

Most of the 15 million dollar aid to Cyprus goes to bicommunal projects.

CNA MM/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1455:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Austrian Defence Minister - UNFICYP

Speaking after a visit at the headquarters of UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) where he inspected the Austrian contingent, Sasslabend said that "the Austrian soldiers are trying to make a contribution to keeping peace here on the island".

He said that "this is very important" and that "everybody has to try to find ways how the people on the island can live peacefully together in the future".

Sasslabend said that "this year is the end of this century and the millennium", adding that "now we will have more to look forward to, to see what we can do and what contributions we can make to bring the people, Greek and Turkish speaking, together, to unify the island again".

He said that "this will not be easy", adding that one has to be "realistic".

Sasslabend said he hoped that in Autumn, when US President Bill Clinton visits Turkey and Greece, "a small step can be made".

The Austrian minister further said "there is a very good chance" for Cyprus to become a member of the European Union.

The Austrian Minister held a one-hour meeting with UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Dame Ann Hercus and UNFICYP Commander, Major General Evergisto Arturo de Vergara.

He leaves Cyprus this afternoon for Lebanon to inspect the Austrian peacekeepers there.

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

CNA RG/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Clerides - Demirel - Telegram of condolence

President Clerides pledged his government is ready to send medicines and other items to Turkey through the International Red Cross.

"It is with deep sorrow that the Cypriot people and myself were informed of the grievous news about the catastrophic earthquake which has struck your country with so much loss of life and material damage," Clerides says in his telegram to Suleyman Demirel.

"I wish to express our deep sympathy for this terrible catastrophe and convey to the families of the victims our sincere condolences," the President added.

He said "the Cyprus government has also informed the International Red Cross it is ready to send through the Organisation medical assistance in the form of medicines and other items suggested to it."

Clerides sent Demirel the telegram despite the fact that Cyprus has no diplomatic relations with Turkey, which occupies the island's northern third following its 1974 invasion.

CNA EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         326.93 ( 0.69)

      Traded Value            CYP 28,458,188

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 7,553,938     448.79  (-0.55)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP 2,139,933     182.31  ( 8.40)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   803,557     152.32  ( 7.99)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP 1,442,285     126.51  ( 1.38)
      Tourism Companies       CYP 3.424,501     228.98  ( 5.00)
      Trading Companies       CYP 1.536,229     136.68  (-0.10)
      Other Companies         CYP 5,333,349     271.99  ( 2.05)

CNA MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2005:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Morphou - Anti-occupation event

Earlier Wednesday members of the Morphou municipality collected signatures outside a tent to demonstrate against the 25 years of the town's occupation.

Mayor Antigoni Papadopoulou and members of the town's municipality set up a tent to remind people of the time when 200.000 Greek Cypriots were uprooted from their homes during the Turkish invasion.

Morphou Bishop Neophytos, MPs, party representatives and other officials and relatives of missing persons signed the book condemning the continuing Turkish occupation in Cyprus, that will be sent to various governments and organisations.

Signatures will be collected until October 10th. The Morphou area has a total of 100 persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

"We will not bargain the fate of Morphou, Kyrenia, Famagusta or the 205 villages which are under Turkish occupation," Papadopoulou said.

Morphou is a town in the Nicosia district, 36 km west of the capital, renowned for its orange grooves.

A memorial service was held at the Phaneromeni church in central Nicosia, a few feet away from the dividing line, for those who were killed during the invasion.

It was followed by the anti-occupation event near the National Guard post at the commercial Ledra Street.

Part of Ledra Street is occupied by Turkish troops, dividing the capital Nicosia.

CNA EC/MA/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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