Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Clerides - Swedish Ambassador

[02] Clinton - Cyprus

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1315:CYPPRESS:01

[01] President Clerides - Swedish Ambassador

He also referred to a "window of opportunity" at the forthcoming summits in Istanbul (Constantinople) (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe - OSCE) and Helsinki (EU) in the effort to make headway and reopen peace talks on Cyprus.

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Ambassador Hagard said he discussed the latest developments in the effort to see "if the windows of opportunities that open up in Istanbul with the presence also of President Clinton and the upcoming summit of the European leaders at Helsinki will lend themselves to finally a movement towards an opening of negotiations over the Cyprus questions."

Ambassador Hagard leaves his Cyprus posting to take up his duties as the Director General for Middle East and North African Affairs at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Asked if he thought Turkey has a place in the EU, he replied "we count Turkey as well as Cyprus of course as a part of Europe not only geographically but politically."

He explained however that the status Turkey will have in Europe "depends not only on Europe but also on the endeavours of the government, the Parliament and the people of Turkey."

The Ambassador declined to say whether Turkey should be offered candidate status in the EU, noting this is a matter for the 15 heads of state and not for him.

CNA MK/MM/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1320:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Clinton - Cyprus

Describing a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus as "a high priority" for himself and the entire US administration, he expressed his conviction that negotiations without preconditions are the best way forward.

"I will continue to do all I can to encourage the beginning of negotiations and ensure they move toward a fair and successful conclusion," Clinton said in a reply letter to the President of the Cyprus Federation of America Savas Tsivicos.

The US, he added, continues to believe that "negotiations without preconditions between (Cyprus) President Clerides and Mr. Denktash (leader of the Turkish Cypriot community) are the best way to move forward, and that a just a lasting settlement on the island can be reached."

The US President noted the high calibre of his team dealing with the Cyprus question who are working to bring the "Government of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots" to the negotiating table this fall.

UN led efforts, backed by the US, Britain and others, to resume peace negotiations without preconditions have so far not yielded any result because of unacceptable demands by the Turkish Cypriot side for recognition of the breakaway regime in Turkish occupied part of Cyprus.

The letter also expresses deep sympathy for the untimely death last month of Cypriot born Yiannos Kranidiotis, killed with his son and others in an air accident.

Tsivicos welcomed Clinton's interest in promoting talks without preconditions.

"Such efforts are greatly appreciated but we remain quite disappointed and saddened to see that no substantial progress has been achieved so far," he said in a statement.

Tsivicos expressed the hope that Clinton and his administration will do what it takes to end the quarter century illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus before the end of their term.

CNA MM/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         579.92 ( 3.75)

      Traded Value            CYP 16,785,854

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP 4,653,443     726.85 ( 2.69)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   878,584     360.91 ( 4.73)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   717,293     259.26 ( 2.08)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   776,126     217.41 (-0.44)
      Tourism Companies       CYP 2,374,384     528.39 ( 6.03)
      Trading Companies       CYP 1,338,030     338.60 ( 5.70)
      Other Companies         CYP 4,069,543     535.36 ( 7.81)

CNA EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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