Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-02-26

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bush and Simitis pledge to work for Cyprus settlement

[02] UN chief arrives in Cyprus today

[03] UN Secretary-General arrives in Cyprus

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[06] Annan expects reply tomorrow on new plan

[07] Annan arrives to discuss with parties new plan (corrected)

[08] Annan seeks agreement within a week the maximum

[09] Annan meets Clerides in Nicosia

[10] Annan has 50-minute-long meeting with Clerides in Nicosia

[11] Annan meets Papadopoulos in buffer zone

[12] Annan hands revised plan to Clerides

[13] NAM urges sides in Cyprus to continue negotiations

[14] Annan to meet Papadopoulos and Denktash

[15] Annan holds hour-long meeting with Papadopoulos

[16] Annan meets Denktash in buffer zone

[17] Papadopoulos assures Annan about G/C determination

[18] Annan holds hour-long meeting with Denktash

[19] Annan expects "real movement" from talks tomorrow

[01] Bush and Simitis pledge to work for Cyprus settlement

0820:CYPPRESS:01

Bush and Simitis pledge to work for Cyprus settlement

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Feb 26 (CNA) -- White House spokesman Ari Fleischer confirmed that US President George Bush and Greek Premier Costas Simitis discussed the Cyprus problem during a telephone conversation yesterday.

[02] UN chief arrives in Cyprus today

0910:CYPPRESS:02

UN chief arrives in Cyprus today

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrives in Cyprus at 1400 hours (1200 GMT) today for a three-day visit during which he will present his new proposals for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Annan travels to Cyprus after visits to Turkey and Greece where he noted that a few days delay in the agreed timetable (28 February) would be acceptable but warned that postponement beyond that would doom the prospect of a reunited Cyprus signing the EU treaty of accession in mid April.

According to UNFICYP Spokesman, Brian Kelly, Annan will meet with Cyprus outgoing President Glafcos Clerides at 1530 hours at Clerides' residence in Nicosia.

At 1700 hours the UN SG will meet President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos at the residennce of Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and UNFICYP Chief of Mission, Zbigniew Wlosowicz, in the UN-controlled area, near the Nicosia airport.

[03] UN Secretary-General arrives in Cyprus

1400:CYPPRESS:03

UN Secretary-General arrives in Cyprus

Larnaca, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Cyprus here Wednesday for a three-day visit during which he will present his new proposals for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

He is accompanied by Senior Advisor, Kieran Prendergast, Executive Secretary to the Secretary-General Elisabeth Lidenmayer, Spokesperson Hua Jiang, Appointment Secretary Anastasiya Delenda, Political Officer, Peter Schmitz, Chief Operations Officer, Mark Hoffman and photographer, Eskinder Debebe.

A second group comprising Communications Officer, Americo Canepa, Secretary Laura Donini and Operations Officer, Thomas Bryant was expected to arrive shrotly.

The UN Chief will meet outgoing President Glafcos Clerides at 1530 hours at Clerides' residence in Nicosia.

At 1700 hours the UN SG will meet President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos at the residence of Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and UNFICYP Chief of mission, Zbigniew Wlosowicz, in the UN-controlled area, near the Nicosia airport.

At 1830 hours he will meet at the same place with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

[04] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1410:CYPPRESS:04

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               86,39   (-3,00)

Traded Value                  CYP  1.931.877

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP  1.469.704   328,24   (-5,59)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP  1.402.466    95,16   (-5,63)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP      5.612    76,51   (-0,48)
Insurance Companies           CYP      3.266    18,21   (-2,20)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     34.466    60,84   (-1,12)
Tourism Companies             CYP      3.502    92,90   (-0,73)
Trading Companies             CYP     20.574    18,44   ( 0,16)
Building and Cement Companies CYP     81.676    71,45   (-1,89)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      3.965     3,06   (-1,29)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     17.680    16,80   (-0,36)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP         25    12,01   ( 0,25)
Hotels                        CYP      4.188    44,17   (-1,49)
Other Companies               CYP     66.986    80,64   (-0,47)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[05] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1420:CYPPRESS:05

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 26 (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                12             1         CLOUDY
Larnaca                15             2         CLOUDY
Limassol               16             4         FAIR
Paphos                 14             3         FAIR

[06] Annan expects reply tomorrow on new plan

1430:CYPPRESS:05

Annan expects reply tomorrow on new plan

Larnaca, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he will give to the leaders of the two sides in Cyprus another plan, which is not a surprise to them, and will expect a reply tomorrow.

In statements at Larnaca airport, Annan said he arrives in Cyprus, at this decisive moment, hoping that the leaders will come to an agreement in the coming days.

He said when he came to Cyprus last May, he sensed a deep longing to bring an end to the longstanding dispute that has torn this beautiful island.

He referred to his meetings this afternoon with President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and outgoing President Glafcos Clerides, adding that tomorrow he will meet all political party leaders from both sides of the divide.

[07] Annan arrives to discuss with parties new plan (corrected)

1450:CYPPRESS:07

Annan arrives to discuss with parties new plan (corrected story)

Larnaca, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he will give to the leaders of the two sides in Cyprus another revision of his plan, which should not come as a surprise to them, and hoped to discuss it tomorrow with them.

In statements at Larnaca airport, Annan said he arrives in Cyprus, at this decisive moment, hoping that the leaders, in their wisdom, will come to an agreement in the coming few days.

He said when he came to Cyprus last May, he looked into people's eyes, "and I saw that they wanted to bring an end to the longstanding dispute that has torn this beautiful island apart for decades.

He referred to his meetings this afternoon with President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and outgoing President Glafcos Clerides, adding that tomorrow he will meet all political party leaders from both sides of the divide.

[08] Annan seeks agreement within a week the maximum

1530:CYPPRESS:08

Annan seeks agreement within a week the maximum

Larnaca, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said here today that he prayed the leaders in Cyprus, will come to an agreement in the coming few days on the Cyprus problem but not later than a week.

In statements at Larnaca airport, Annan said he was delighted to arrive in Cyprus at this decisive time. When I came in mid-May, I looked into peoples eyes, and I saw that they wanted to bring an end to the longstanding dispute that has torn this beautiful island apart for decades.

Annan said this very afternoon, he will be seeing (President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos, "the incoming Greek Cypriot leader, and Mr. (Rauf) Denktash, the Turkish Cypriot leader, in separate meetings. Before that I will call on Mr. (Glafcos) Clerides, whose term in office will shortly come to an end. I expect to meet them directly tomorrow morning. Tomorrow I will also be meeting other political party leaders, both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot, he said.

The Secretary-General remarked that the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots were given a draft agreement on 11 November 2002. This was revised on 10 December, in the hope that they could agree to it before the Copenhagen European Council. This opportunity slipped by.

This afternoon, I will give them another revision which I hope to discuss with them tomorrow. Its contents should not come as a surprise to them. My Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto, and his team, have gone over the elements which we proposed to change with all concerned in the past week or so. A preview of the proposed changes was given to them in writing this last Saturday, Annan said.

I pray that the leaders, in their wisdom, will come to an agreement in the coming few days, the UN Chief said. This will allow Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to go to the polls on 30 March, in separate simultaneous referenda, to bring into being a new state of affairs in Cyprus. If this happens on 16 April, the European Union Treaty of Accession will be signed on behalf of a reunited Cyprus.

Annan added ''I have come to Cyprus to tell you that the entire international community is hoping and praying that a Cyprus settlement, so long delayed, is at last at hand. I believe very strongly that the offer on the table is fair and balanced, and that a settlement would bring great benefits to the two sides, to the motherlands, to the region, and to the world''.

''I hope that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike understand the urgency of the task at hand. It is no exaggeration to say that you have a rendezvous with destiny'', he concluded his statement.

[09] Annan meets Clerides in Nicosia

1600:CYPPRESS:09

Annan meets Clerides in Nicosia

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived earlier this afternoon in Cyprus, began his meetings in Nicosia with outgoing President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides.

Annan was welcomed at Clerides' residence by the President himself and his Undersecretary Pantelis Kouros.

Neither the UN chief nor Clerides made any statements before the meeting. Scores of local and foreign media representatives have gathered outside Clerides' residence.

[10] Annan has 50-minute-long meeting with Clerides in Nicosia

1635:CYPPRESS:10

Annan has 50-minute-long meeting with Clerides in Nicosia

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived earlier this afternoon in Cyprus, held talks today in Nicosia with outgoing President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides, which lasted 50 minutes.

Annan was welcomed at Clerides' residence by the President himself and his Undersecretary Pantelis Kouros.

Neither the UN chief nor Clerides made any statements before or after the meeting. Scores of local and foreign media representatives gathered outside Clerides' residence.

Police have taken strict security measures for Annan's visit to the island.

Annan will now meet with President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos at the residence of Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, UNFICYP Chief of mission Zbigniew Wlosowicz.

[11] Annan meets Papadopoulos in buffer zone

1710:CYPPRESS:11

Annan meets Papadopoulos in buffer zone

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived earlier this afternoon in Cyprus, began a meeting with President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos, at the residence of Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, UNFICYP Chief of mission Zbigniew Wlosowicz, in the UN-controlled buffer zone.

Neither the UN chief nor Papadopoulos made any statements before the meeting. Scores of local and foreign media representatives have gathered outside the residence.

Annan will later meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at Wlosowicz's residence.

[12] Annan hands revised plan to Clerides

1710:CYPPRESS:12

Annan hands revised plan to Clerides

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, began his contacts on the island by presenting a revision of his plan for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem to outgoing President Glafcos Clerides.

The two met at Clerides residence for an hour, accompanied by their advisers. No statements were made by Annan but Undersecretary to the President, Pantelis Kouros, told reporters afterwards that the Secretary-General had handed to Clerides his new revised plan.

[13] NAM urges sides in Cyprus to continue negotiations

1715:CYPPRESS:13

NAM urges sides in Cyprus to continue negotiations

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has urged both sides in Cyprus to continue negotiating in the period ahead in a positive and constructive spirit so that full agreement can be reached the soonest.

In its final document, the XIII Conference of Heads of State or Government of NAM held in Kuala Lumbur, Malaysia, reaffirmed ''all previous positions and declarations of the NAM on the question of Cyprus''.

It noted that ''the Movement considered the present status quo in Cyprus, established through the use of force and sustained by military strength, as unacceptable and is deeply concerned over the lack of progress in the search for a just and viable solution to this long-lasting question, primarily due to Turkish intransigence''.

The Movement ''noted the recent ongoing efforts of the UN towards finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem through inter-communal dialogue and reaffirmed its position that the solution agreed must be based on the implementation of all United Nations resolutions and NAM's decisions on Cyprus, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law''.

''In this regard, the Movement also considered the statement by the President of the Security Council of 19 December 2002, which expressed its regret that the Turkish Cypriot leadership had not responded in a timely way to the initiatives of the Secretary-General'', the statement added.

The Movement also took note that ''the attitude of the Turkish Cypriot leadership is in direct contrast with the will of the Turkish Cypriots themselves''.

[14] Annan to meet Papadopoulos and Denktash

1740:CYPPRESS:14

Annan to meet Papadopoulos and Denktash

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will have a joint meeting here Thursday morning with President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

UNFICYP Spokesman Brian Kelly announced that the meeting will be held at 1000 local time (0800 GMT) and will be held at the site where the direct talks were being held, near the UN-controlled Nicosia airport.

[15] Annan holds hour-long meeting with Papadopoulos

1810:CYPPRESS:15

Annan holds hour-long meeting with Papadopoulos

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan held talks this afternoon in Nicosia with President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos, which lasted one hour.

[16] Annan meets Denktash in buffer zone

1850:CYPPRESS:16

Annan meets Denktash in buffer zone

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived earlier this afternoon in Cyprus, began a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, at the residence of Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, UNFICYP Chief of mission Zbigniew Wlosowicz, in the UN-controlled buffer zone.

[17] Papadopoulos assures Annan about G/C determination

1855:CYPPRESS:17

Papadopoulos assures Annan about G/C determination

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- Cyprus President-elect, Tassos Papadopoulos, assured here today UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan about the Greek Cypriot sides determination to hold talks for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem with a constructive and flexible attitude.

Speaking to reporters at his office, following his meeting with Annan at the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Papadopoulos said the UN Secretary-General wants to become personally involved in the current stages of the Cyprus problem, hoping his presence and personal contribution will push forward the talks.

[18] Annan holds hour-long meeting with Denktash

1950:CYPPRESS:18

Annan holds hour-long meeting with Denktash

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan held talks this afternoon in Nicosia with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Denktash did not make any statements before or after the meeting.

The meeting took place at the residence of Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, UNFICYP Chief of mission Zbigniew Wlosowicz, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, near the Nicosia airport.

Annan earlier met with outgoing President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides, at the latter's residence, and President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos at Wlosowicz's residence.

[19] Annan expects "real movement" from talks tomorrow

1955:CYPPRESS:19

Annan expects "real movement" from talks tomorrow

Nicosia, Feb 26 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expects "real movement" during his joint meeting tomorrow with Cyprus President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article