Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-08-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Mosque - Attempted Arson - Search Warrants

[03] Government Spokesman - American-Jewish Committee

[04] Themistocleous - Israel - Agricultural Fair

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange - New all-time high - Measures

[06] SPORT: Benetton Treviso 86 - Partizan Belgrade 63

1700:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         477.17 (26.72)

      Traded Value            CYP 117,488,320

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP70,933,304     707.78 (37.64)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP 4,709,823     301.16 ( 3.50)
      Insurance Companies     CYP 1,103,024     197.17 (-2.64)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP 6,153,883     139.62 ( 7.35)
      Tourism Companies       CYP 2,442,336     304.27 ( 0.09)
      Trading Companies       CYP 4,157,522     162.55 ( 8.40)
      Other Companies         CYP 3,978,479     281.12 (-1.07)

CNA EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Mosque - Attempted Arson - Search Warrants

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said today "police investigations are continuing" and disclosed that the police received an anonymous phone call naming a person as the alleged culprit.

The phone call was tracked down by the Police which then issued two search warrants against two Greek Cypriots, Papapetrou added.

The Spokesman refrained from making any further comments, pointing out that investigations are continuing.

He also said that according to the guard at the Hala Sultan Mosque three or four persons were seen leaving the area in a suspicious manner.

A police announcement also said that various persons have been questioned in relation to the case, but so far no arrest warrants have been issued.

Meanwhile Communications and Works Minister Averof Neophytou, who visited the mosque earlier today, said no serious damage was caused as a result of the arson attempt and added that instructions were given for any damage to be repaired.

Neophytou stressed that the cultural inheritance of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should be respected.

Hala Sultan Mosque, which is considered to be one of the holiest Moslem sites, was built in memory of Umm Haram, an aunt of Prophet Mohammed.

All political parties have deplored the arson attempt. CNA MM/MA/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1705:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Government Spokesman - American-Jewish Committee

Papapetrou said the government is satisfied with the letter and cited a Foreign Ministry announcement which says the content of the letter is positive.

Meanwhile Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Shemi Tzur refrained from commenting any further on the letter.

"I have nothing to add to what has been said by your Government Spokesman," Tzur said, replying to questions and added: "I think the letter speaks for itself".

In a letter to Bill Clinton the American-Jewish Committee expresses "whole-hearted" support to the US administration's efforts to find a viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

It points out that "creating the conditions that promote political stability and economic prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean is in the best interests of the US and its friends and allies in the region, notably Greece, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey".

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

CNA MM/FZ/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Themistocleous - Israel - Agricultural Fair

The invitation was extended today to Themistocleous by Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Shemi Tzur on behalf of his country's Agriculture Minister.

Speaking after the meeting Themistocleous said he will have the chance to meet his Israeli counterpart and expressed the view the visit would prove very useful.

Themistocleous pointed out that Cyprus and Israel have for long cooperated in agricultural issues.

On his part Tzur said ministers from 30 countries, including Greece and Turkey will be visiting the Agricultural Fair.

Asked to comment on relations between Cyprus and Israel Tzur said "cooperation will grow further and further".

CNA FZ/MCH/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1950:CYPPRESS:04

[05] Cyprus Stock Exchange - New all-time high - Measures

Volume reached an explosive 117,5 million Cyprus Pounds, with banks leading the way with nearly 71 million. (One Cyprus Pound trades at 1.8 US dollars).

Last year the average daily volume of transactions was 1,4 million Cyprus pounds.

The new all time high came with the return Monday of the Bank of Cyprus titles after a two-for-one split dictated by the Group's restructuring. Their comeback was expected to spiral the market.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Takis Klerides announced today that the government decided to take new measures aimed to solve the strain between the CSE and brokers over the question of delays in the clearance of transactions.

The new measures were decided following the intervention of President Glafcos Clerides and the tension created after the suspension of a brokerage that failed to meet a deadline for clearing overdue transactions.

The minister said the measures will be published in the Official Gazette and that they intend to restrict to the minimum or even solve the problem, noting that the CSE will have to show more flexibility regarding overdue transactions.

The CSE shut twice in July and August to allow brokers sift through months of unprocessed paperwork.

CNA GG/EC/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2000:CYPPRESS:05

[06] SPORT: Benetton Treviso 86 - Partizan Belgrade 63

It was the first match of the Caretta Sunball Classic tournament, which opened today at Nicosia's "Eleftheria" indoor stadium.

Later tonight, European champions Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania meet runners-up kinder Bologna of Italy, while Greece's champions Panathinaikos play against Israel's champions Maccabi Tel Aviv.

CNA GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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