Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-08-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] New government members - Profiles

[03] Cabinet - Aid to Turkey

[04] POMAK - Central Council

[05] Britain - Cyprus - Trade mission

[06] Foreign Minister - Visit - Norway

[07] Holbrooke - Overseas Cypriots - Cyprus issue

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         370.12 ( 3.28)

      Traded Value            CYP 38,806,596

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP13,495,825     497.34 ( 4.29)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP 4,800,905     290.54 ( 9.76)
      Insurance Companies     CYP 1,365,514     197.49 ( 2.75)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP 1,757,004     130.86 (-8.87)
      Tourism Companies       CYP 4,402,749     316.49 ( 3.92)
      Trading Companies       CYP 1,676,327     151.55 (-1.35)
      Other Companies         CYP 4,952,154     288.29 ( 2.68)

CNA MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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[02] New government members - Profiles

The new Government Spokesman is the vice-president of the United Democrats party, that participates in government since Glafcos Clerides' reelection in February last year.

Two of the new members of the government have studied law and the other two accountancy.

The new Defence Minister Socrates Hassikos studied law in Athens and was elected twice MP for the Turkish occupied district of Kyrenia.

Hassikos, born in Nicosia in 1956, was director of "Alithia" daily newspaper and "Alpha" pay-TV, until his appointment. He is married and has a daughter and two sons.

Averof Neophytou, the new Communication and Works Minister, is the youngest member of the present government. He studied economics and accountancy in the US.

Neophytou, born in 1961, is an active member of the DISY party. He has served as mayor of Polis Chrysochou and was elected MP for the Paphos district where he was born.

The new Minister of Health Frixos Savvides, born in Kato Amiantos in the Limassol district in 1951, is a chartered accountant who studied in the UK. Until his appointment he was managing director of a chartered accountants and auditors firm.

He has also served as member of the board of the Cyprus telecommunications Authority. Savvides is married and has a son and two daughters.

Lawyer Michael Papapetrou, who is the new Government Spokesman, studied in Greece and the UK.

He began his political career as a member of the left-wing AKEL party, with which he was elected deputy in 1985.

Following differences Papapetrou left AKEL and was one of the founding members of the Democratic Socialist Reform Movement (ADISOK).

Shortly after the 1996 parliamentary elections ADISOK merged with the Free Democrats Movement, headed by the former President of the Republic George Vassiliou, to form the United Democrats party.

Papapetrou is married and has a daughter and a son.

CNA MA/MM/1999

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[03] Cabinet - Aid to Turkey

Announcing the decision after the meeting, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said "the aid, in medicine or other items considered necessary, worth 100,000 US dollars, will be sent through the UN agency in Geneva, coordinating the relief effort."

Kasoulides said that only two days after last Tuesday's earthquake, "notes were sent to both the Turkish Government and the UN agency in charge to inform them that one forensic expert, two general surgeons, two nurses and a civil engineer from Cyprus are willing to go to Turkey to offer help, on a voluntary basis."

"We have not received a reply," he said. Greek Cypriots have been touched by the devastating effects the earthquake had on the people of Turkey and have offered their assistance despite the fact that Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of Cyprus' territory.

Two Greek Cypriot doctors and a nurse went to Turkey last week to offer their expertise and a local radio station is waging a campaign to raise funds for the stricken areas.

President Glafcos Clerides has sent a message to his Turkish counterpart Suleyman Demirel and political parties have issued announcements expressing sorrow over the loss of life.

CNA EC/MA/MM/1999

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[04] POMAK - Central Council

Haris Sofoclides of Great Britain was re-elected President of POMAK. Vice Presidents are Michalis Ellinas (Great Britain), Kerry Kyriakides (Australia), Savvas Tsivikos (USA), Nicos Dionysiou (Canada), Philippos Philippou (South Africa), Andreas Demetriou (Greece), Evagoras Mavrommatis (Europe) and Nestoras Nestoros (rest of Africa).

Panayiotis Yiannoudis (Australia) was elected General Secretary, Andreas Komodromos (USA) Treasurer, and Giorgos Michaelides (Greece), Secretary.

CNA RG/MM/1999

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[05] Britain - Cyprus - Trade mission

The mission is organised by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with the Cyprus-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry in London.

The British High Commission in Nicosia announced that the mission will comprise ten companies, which collectively represent a wide range of products and services, and that some of the participating companies in the mission are already represented in Cyprus, whereas the rest are looking for agents and associates.

CNA RG/MM/1999

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[06] Foreign Minister - Visit - Norway

Kasoulides told the press he will "elaborate on our positions on the Cyprus problem", pointing out that the Norwegian government "is interested in efforts for a settlement".

Replying to questions, he said Norway's moves to block the sale of a radar system to Cyprus will also be discussed.

In his statements the Foreign Minister recalled that Norway "had subsidised the negotiations held in Troutbeck and following its experience in the Middle East peace process is interested in rapprochement between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots."

Replying to questions, Kasoulides said that the Oslo-based International Peace Research Institute continues to promote meetings between the island's two communities even though they are kept away from the limelight.

"There is no reason to publicise and advertise what is being done," he added.

Two rounds of unproductive Cyprus peace talks were held in the summer of 1997, the first in Troutbeck, US and then in Montreux, Switzerland.

The talks failed to yield any results because the Turkish Cypriot side refused to negotiate unless the illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is granted international recognition and the Cyprus Republic withdraws its application to join the European Union.

Cyprus opened accession talks with the European Union last year. The Foreign Minister returns to Cyprus on Sunday August 29th.

CNA EC/MA/MM/1999

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[07] Holbrooke - Overseas Cypriots - Cyprus issue

Speaking by phone to delegates to the conference of the International Coordinating Committee - Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) one hour after taking his oath of office, Holbrooke said neither the US nor its friends will stop supporting the establishment of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus.

"If the other side shows a willingness to move in one of the number of directions that we discussed, I want to assure you that I will be deeply involved in it, directly while that is going on," Holbrooke assured.

He said this is something he has also discussed with US President Bill Clinton.

He repeated that the Turkish side has "caused so many problems and has been so intransigent" and reiterated that "the US and our friends will not change our support to a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, backed by Ankara, is refusing to participate in peace talks unless they aim at establishing a "confederation of two separate states".

Denktash is also demanding that the illegal regime unilaterally set up in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recongised.

Holbrooke also said "nothing has been any more important to me over the past few years than our effort to deal with the tragedy on Cyprus."

"I wanted all of you to know that I will continue to pay the closest attention," he added.

He said he does not consider appropriate to continue to hold the position of Presidential emissary for Cyprus and be the US representative to the UN at the same time.

"If I attempt to do both jobs one of the jobs will not have sufficient attention," Holbrooke explained.

White House Chief of Staff John Podesta also assured delegates that President Clinton "is determined to do everything he can to bring a just solution to the division of Cyprus this year."

"President Clinton will be personally engaged in the Cyprus issue," he told delegates over the phone and said all members of the US administration will be included in this effort.

Podesta said "we are working hard on this problem. We can't promise you that we will solve the problem. I think no one can do that. But we will try."

Some 120 people of Cypriot origin from all parts of the world are participating in the meeting, which ends tomorrow.

CNA AA/MA/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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