Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 02-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN spokesman refers to Annan's meetings in Cyprus

[02] EU Commissioner: enlargement timetable for Cyprus in place

[03] Bicommunal Choir sings in Constantinople

[04] Sri Lanka strongly supports a united Cyprus

[05] Greek minister hopes for positive EU decision on Cyprus

[06] US congresspersons welcome Annan's visit to Cyprus

[07] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[08] Annan calls on leaders to focus on core issues

[09] June target date for progress can be met, says SG

[10] Annan leaves Cyprus on UAE flight

[11] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[12] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[13] Annan assures of continued UN assistance to peace effort

[14] Government does not intend to shift from its positions

[15] Annan's visit to Cyprus will be judged by its outcome

[01] UN spokesman refers to Annan's meetings in Cyprus

0850:CYPPRESS:01

UN spokesman refers to Annan's meetings in Cyprus

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, May 16 (CNA) -- UN spokesman Fred Eckhart briefed the press yesterday in New York about UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's meetings in Cyprus.

He said, the Secretary-General met (yesterday) for an hour and a half "with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides at Clerides' office. The meeting was two-on-two, with the Secretary-General accompanied by his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto."

Later in the afternoon, the Secretary-General "went to the office of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a meeting that lasted almost two hours. Again, the formula was two-on-two."

Eckhart also referred to the working dinner given by the Secretary-General for the two leaders held at the residence of Zbigniew Wlosowicz, the Chief of the UN Mission in Cyprus.

This morning the UN chief will visit the headquarters of the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus before departing early afternoon.

He is expected to make statements on the results of his Cyprus trip at Larnaca International Airport.

CNA/AZ/GP/2002 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

[02] EU Commissioner: enlargement timetable for Cyprus in place

1030:CYPPRESS:02

EU Commissioner:enlargement timetable for Cyprus in place

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- The timeframe for Cyprus' accession to the European Union will not change because of the political situation on the island nor will the EU to accept Cyprus as a member, without a settlement, EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement Gunter Verheugen has said.

[03] Bicommunal Choir sings in Constantinople

1040:CYPPRESS:03

Bicommunal Choir sings in Constantinople

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- Bicommunal Choir for Peace in Cyprus performed last night in Constantinople (Istanbul). The concert was held as part of the events organised under the title "Meeting for peace in Cyprus" by the Turkish Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) and Turkish Cypriot Union for Science, Education, Health and Solidarity, "Kibes".

[04] Sri Lanka strongly supports a united Cyprus

1240:CYPPRESS:04

Sri Lanka strongly supports a united Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- Sri Lanka has expressed its firm support for one Cyprus, stressing that the country should not be a divided nation, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando has said.

In an interview with CNA, he also said disputes should be resolved through political means and called on all the parties involved in the Cyprus conflict to go to the negotiating table.

[05] Greek minister hopes for positive EU decision on Cyprus

1245:CYPPRESS:05

Greek minister hopes for positive EU decision on Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Greek Minister for Development, has expressed hope that the European Union will take the necessary political decisions by the end of this year to include Cyprus in its ranks.

He reiterated Greece's firm support for a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus question and said President Glafcos Clerides briefed him here today on the ongoing peace talks, under UN auspices.

[06] US congresspersons welcome Annan's visit to Cyprus

1255:CYPPRESS:06

US congresspersons welcome Annan's visit to Cyprus

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, May 16 (CNA) -- Members of the US Congress Mike Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, expressed hope the UN Secretary General's visit to Cyprus would contribute to the decisive progress in the UN-led peace talks, aimed at solving the protracted Cyprus problem.

[07] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1330:CYPPRESS:07

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Friday and Saturday: 17/05/2002 to 18/05/2002

Weather: On Friday and Saturday will be mainly fine with some temporal cloud and patchy mist over night, mostly during dawn. During afternoons cloud will thicken and isolated showers or local thunderstorms are expected mainly inland.

The wind will be mainly northerly light to gentle 2 to 3 during night and gentle to moderate sea breeze during day. The state of sea will be slight and locally up to moderate temporarily during afternoon.

The maximum temperature will range from 20 over the highest peaks o Troodow range to 26 degrees over the coastal areas and to 29 degrees inland. The minimum temperature will range from 10 degrees over the highest peaks of Troodos range to 15 inland and coastal area.

Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 19/05/2002 to 20/05/2002

The weather on Sunday will be mainly fine, and on Monday is expected to be fine. The temperature will note a rise.

[08] Annan calls on leaders to focus on core issues

1340:CYPPRESS:08

Annan calls on leaders to focus on core issues

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has asked the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to focus on the core issues of government, security, territory and property, during talks to solve the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at Larnaca Airport, after wrapping up his visit to Cyprus, Annan said both Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, have reaffirmed their readiness to intensify their effort, noting that he leaves the island with the commitment of both leaders to go about this effort in a genuine spirit of "give-and-take".

In his opening remarks, Annan said that yesterday he "called on HE Glafcos Clerides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and on HE Rauf Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader" and "the three of us met last night and I had the pleasure of hosting both of them to dinner".

"Altogether, I have had several hours of discussions on both the substance and procedure", he added.

The Secretary General said he was "even more deeply convinced that this is the time to press on and rise to the challenges that we face", adding that "an historical opportunity exists now to reach a comprehensive settlement".

He pointed out "there is no doubt in my mind that this would be in the interest of both sides and the region and that opportunity must be seized".

"I have reminded both leaders of the responsibility they shoulder and of my willingness to help them reach their goal they set out to achieve at the end of last year", Annan said.

The UN Chief assured "the two leaders have both stated to me their readiness to intensify their effort" and noted "I come away from Cyprus with the commitment of both leaders to go about this effort in a genuine spirit of give-and-take".

"Despite their differences on substance and on the timeframe, I am still convinced that between now and the end of June they can resolve all the core issues provided they go about their task decisively and with the necessary political will", he said.

Annan noted that "the core issues I have asked them to focus on are government, security, territory and property".

[09] June target date for progress can be met, says SG

1355:CYPPRESS:09

June target date for progress can be met, says UN Secretary General

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said here today he has secured a commitment from the leaders of the two sides to work with a view to meeting a June target date for substantive progress on the core issues of the Cyprus question.

He said he leaves Cyprus satisfied after several hours of discussions with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denkash.

Annan also said he believes the people of Cyprus want to see peace on their island and assured them that both he and the UN will work towards this goal.

[10] Annan leaves Cyprus on UAE flight

1425:CYPPRESS:10

Annan leaves Cyprus on UAE flight

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan left Cyprus at 1400 local time (1100 GMT), on board a special plane provided by the United Arab Emirates Airlines, thus wrapping up his 48-hour working visit to the island.

Kofi Annan, and his wife Nane, were seen off by the UN Chief's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus Zbigniew Wlosowicz, and other senior UN officials, as well as Cyprus Foreign Ministry Director of Protocol, Rea Yiordamli.

The UN Secretary General will visit Indonesia and East Timor.

[11] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1535:CYPPRESS:11

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) - Today's weather and temperatures for Cyprus,
according to the Meteorological Service at Larnaca International
Airport are:

Temperatures (degrees Celcius)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Station               Maximum     Minimum       Weather
(At 1200 UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nicosia                  26          15          THUNDERSTORM
Larnaca                  25          14          FINE
Limassol                 27          17          FAIR
Paphos                   24          14          FAIR

[12] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1545:CYPPRESS:12

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All hare
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               99,26  (-2,07)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.200.374

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    525.400   418,96  (-2,32)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    267.641   116,85  (-1,96)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     43.429    87,20  (-2,38)
Insurance Companies           CYP      1.761    31,97  (-0,53)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     62.899    55,66  (-0,48)
Tourism Companies             CYP     30.352    76,55  (-1,03)
Trading Companies             CYP     40.311    22,31  (-2,36)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     14.604    52,83  (-0,62)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      6.849     4,60  (-3,56)
Financial Services Companies  CYP    136.388    16,68  (-5,98)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP          0    17,78  ( 0,62)
Hotels                        CYP    115.451    58,87  (-1,87)
Other Companies               CYP    357.815   102,24  (-1,75)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[13] Annan assures of continued UN assistance to peace effort

1715:CYPPRESS:13

Annan assures of continued UN assistance to peace effort

Larnaca, May 16 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said the UN will do "whatever it takes" to help the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to successfully conclude the peace talks they embarked on earlier this year, telling both parties repeatedly that if they want to they can bring peace to their island.

Speaking on departure for Indonesia and East Timor, after talks with both sides, Annan said he leaves satisfied with his talks here and pointed out that the two sides need to move away from their entrenched positions and show will and inspiration to achieve substantial progress by the end of June.

The UN chief said he has asked Greece and Turkey to contribute to this effort and said the people in Cyprus have expressed to him their desire for peace and encouraged him to work towards this goal.

"In the discussions I had, my sense is that the two men can do it if they find the will, and the timetable of June in my judgment can be met if they focus on the core issues now in a spirit of give and take," Annan said replying to questions from the press.

He said having spoken to both sides, he believed it could be done and called on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who has indicated that June might be too soon, to find the will and the inspiration to work for peace.

Asked whether his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto would play a more energetic role in the talks, Annan said he would stay on the island as long as it takes, until the end of June when there will be assessment of the situation to see how far the core issues have been cracked and then look ahead.

He assured, however, that he himself, in the spirit of his good offices, will be helping the process along, and both de Soto and himself will assist the parties as they move forward.

Invited to clarify the ways the UN would apply to assist the parties, he replied "we will do whatever it takes to help the parties get to a successful conclusion", noting that at times one does a lot and at other times less in a negotiating process.

Asked if the UN intend to put concrete ideas on the negotiating table, he said "I am prepared to help them, assist them and facilitate the talks, my representative here, de Soto, who is on the ground, will help them in the coming months and I myself will stay close to the process from New York."

Replying to questions, he said wherever he went people encouraged him to convince the two leaders to work for peace and referred once again to an "historic opportunity" for a solution.

"I think both sides need to move away from their entrenched positions, then proceed on a genuine, determined basis, and on a give and take basis we will make progress," he said.

He assured the people of Cyprus that "I and the organisation are going to work with the two leaders to bring peace as soon as we can."

"I still believe we can make substantial progress by the end of June and I would urge everyone concerned to really focus on the core issue so that we can move forward," he said, and urged personally Denktash to focus on the core issues, despite his doubts about meeting the June target date for progress, which Denktash first mentioned when talks began.

"I genuinely believe that if they focus on the core issues and put the interest of the people first and are determined to make peace, it can be done, and it can be done this year," he added.

He promised to return to Cyprus to lift a glass of champagne and celebrate if the leaders succeed.

Asked if European Union accession can help the peace effort, he said if a reunited Cyprus were to join the EU, it would be in the interest of the island and the region.

"I have also urged the neighbouring countries to sustain and support this effort," he said, referring to Greece and Turkey.

Invited to say whether he was leaving empty-handed, he said he was going away "satisfied."

Asked if he leaves the island more confident that a solution can be reached by June, he replied "if you resolve the core issues by June and begin to put them in writing, you are beginning to see the end of the tunnel" but explained that he did not mean that by June they should have a signed and sealed agreement but at least they should be able to have resolved the core issues.

The Secretary General refused to comment on Turkish Cypriot demands for separate sovereignty, saying it would be inappropriate to say what he thinks the two leaders should do, noting also that the two men are discussing all issues.

[14] Government does not intend to shift from its positions

1755:CYPPRESS:14

Government does not intend to shift from its positions

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou has made it clear here today that the Greek Cypriot side does not intend to alter its positions on the Cyprus question, adding that "no element capable of making our side more optimistic or which underlines any change, even a verbal one, to the way the Turkish side addresses issues", has come up during the visit to the island of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Papapetrou announced that Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides would be flying to Athens on May 22 for deliberations with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. He will return to the island on May 23.

[15] Annan's visit to Cyprus will be judged by its outcome

2035:CYPPRESS:15

Annan's visit to Cyprus will be judged by its outcome

Nicosia, May 16 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General (SG) Kofi Annan's visit to Cyprus will be judged by its outcome during the next meetings between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, within the framework of the UN-led direct talks, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here today, adding that "the talks have entered their most crucial stage," with the conclusion of the SG's visit.

Commenting on Annan's statements, which he made on his departure from the island, the Spokesman said the Cyprus government "would have been more happy if the UN SG's position was more decisive and clear when answering a question on whether there is an issue of recognition of the illegal regime in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus, or an issue of separate sovereignties.

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