Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-01-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] T/C Platform calls for negotiations and solution by May 1

[02] Annan and Prodi to discuss Cyprus issue

[03] MacShane: Cyprus solution achievable by 1 May 2004

[04] Papadopoulos meets Schwimmer, Schieder

[05] President Papadopoulos to meet UN chief tomorrow in Brussels

[06] Papadopoulos calls for PACE's support to end human rights violations in Cyprus

[07] Schwimmer says Cyprus settlement not for granted

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[09] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[10] President dismisses Erdogan's positions on referenda

[11] President ready for talks if UN chief calls them immediately (1)

[12] Transcript - Prodi and Annan - Cyprus

[13] PACE urges leaders in Cyprus to resume talks in good faith

[14] Annan says solution must be found by end of March to meet deadline

[15] Cypriot politicians hope UN Chief will call for talks

[16] Russian FM issues statement on Cyprus

[17] Erdogan says he wants Cyprus solution as soon as possible

[01] T/C Platform calls for negotiations and solution by May 1

0830:CYPPRESS:01

T/C Platform calls for negotiations and solution by May 1

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) -- The Turkish Cypriot Platform "This country is ours", comprising Trade Unions and NGOs, has circulated a press release among the members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly with which it expresses support to the UN Secretary-General's initiatives on Cyprus and his three preconditions for the resumption of negotiations for a Cyprus settlement.

[02] Annan and Prodi to discuss Cyprus issue

1020:CYPPRESS:02

Annan and Prodi to discuss Cyprus issue

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Jan 28 (CNA) -- The Cyprus problem will be discussed during today's first official visit to the European Commission in Brussels by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The UN SG will attend the weekly meeting of the European Commissioners and also attend a lunch hosted in his honour by the Commission's President Romano Prodi and 19 Commissioners.

[03] MacShane: Cyprus solution achievable by 1 May 2004

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MacShane: Cyprus solution achievable by 1 May 2004

by Kyriakos Tsioupras

London, Jan 28 (CNA) -- The British government continues to believe that a settlement of the Cyprus problem is achievable by 1 May 2004, British Minister for Europe Dennis MacShane has said.

Answering a question in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Sir Nicholas Winterton, he said that all of his European colleagues ''agree on the desirability of an early settlement of the Cyprus problem so that a united island can join the EU on 1 May''.

[04] Papadopoulos meets Schwimmer, Schieder

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Papadopoulos meets Schwimmer, Schieder

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) -- Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer stressed here today that the chances are still there for a Cyprus solution, adding that this goal requires hard work.

Schwimmer was speaking during a meeting with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, who arrived at the CoE in order to address the winter session this morning of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly.

[05] President Papadopoulos to meet UN chief tomorrow in Brussels

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President Papadopoulos to meet UN chief tomorrow in Brussels

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos announced here today that he will meet tomorrow in Brussels with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Answering to deputies' questions after addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, President Papadopoulos said he will discuss with the UN chief latest developments in efforts to resume the Cyprus peace dialogue.

[06] Papadopoulos calls for PACE's support to end human rights violations in Cyprus

1300:CYPPRESS:07

Papadopoulos calls for PACE's support to end human rights violations in Cyprus

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has called for the active support of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in the hope of ending as soon as possible the violations of human rights on the island by Turkey, that have persisted for the last thirty years.

Addressing here today the Assembly, President Papadopoulos also expressed the hope and wish that the several public statements that a new approach by Turkey on efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem reflects a reality and are not a ''public relations'' campaign.

At the same time, he expressed the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to participate in negotiations for a settlement, noting that ''a solution is urgently needed in Cyprus''.

''Greek Cypriot side and my self are ready to respond positively to any invitation of the Secretary General to a new round of talks on the basis of his plan with the aim of achieving a more functional and just solution which as a result will be durable and viable and will enable Cyprus play its full role in the European Union after its formal accession on 1 May 2004 as a constructive partner in the Union and not as a troublesome member'', President Papadopoulos said.

As regards the ongoing grave violations of human rights in Cyprus by foreign armed forces, President Papadopoulos said ''we are still trying to establish the fate of all the missing persons, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, who have disappeared during the Turkish military operation in 1974''.

In addition, he noted the violations of the few remaining enclaved persons in the occupied north. ''The clearest example is the persistent unjustifiable refusal of the right to secondary education of the children of the enclaved families without any reason given for such a denial''.

Noting that these rights form part of the judgment of the Court in the Fourth Interstate Case of Cyprus v. Turkey, the execution of which is entrusted to the CoE Committee of Ministers, President Papadopoulos stressed that once more ''we have been faced for the last three years, with the well known obstructionist tactics of the respondent state''.

''I call for the active support of this Assembly, which has always championed the cause of human rights in the hope of ending as soon as possible these violations which have persisted for the last thirty years'', the Cypriot President said.

Noting that the only path to make the CoE more effective is to define and honour its basic principles, he noted that ''the Republic of Cyprus, for one, commits itself to put always its political expediencies to the test and subject to such fundamental principles and ideals''.

''Cyprus' vision for the Council of Europe is centered around our duty to safeguard and build upon the achievement of the unique system of the European Convention of Human Rights. We envisage a strong and refocused Council which unites the rich diversity of nationalities, languages cultures, ideals and ideas under a common European identity of shared values and standards''.

Noting that Cyprus remains fully committed to the realisation of the goal to safeguard the integrity of the European Convention and preserve the coherence of its well elaborated system, President Papadopoulos stressed that ''failure to secure execution of the judgments of the Court within a reasonable time period severely undermines the achievements of this Council in this paramount objective of the past half century''.

To indicate in the clearest terms the acuteness of this problem the Cypriot President referred to Turkey's ''continuing, unjustified refusal to execute the Loizidou merits judgment of 1996, which in fact concerns the substantive decision of the Court on the violation of the Convention''.

[07] Schwimmer says Cyprus settlement not for granted

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Schwimmer says Cyprus settlement not for granted

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) --Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer said today that a solution of the Cyprus problem could not be taken for granted, noting that in the end there would be no alternative but to reach a settlement.

Speaking after a meeting in Strasbourg with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, Schwimmer said Turkey would play a decisive role in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and expressed hope that the Turkish side would make courageous steps.

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1450:CYPPRESS:09

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 28 (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                 16            3           CLOUDY
Larnaca                 17            5           FAIR
Limassol                17            6           CLOUDY
Paphos                  16            8           CLOUDY

[09] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1535:CYPPRESS:10

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Jan 28 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               81,95   (-0,85)

Traded Value                  CYP    386.516

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    210.942   343,28   (-0,77)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.300.38   ( 0,20)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    164.182    98,69   (-1,01)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     11.950    71,83   ( 0,01)
Insurance Companies           CYP      5.011    15,62   ( 0,19)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      6.973    55,86   (-0,90)
Tourism Companies             CYP      5.985    56,29   (-2,17)
Trading Companies             CYP     12.145    20,73   (-0,05)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      9.554    67,67   (-1,38)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      2.491     3,31   ( 1,85)
Financial Services Companies  CYP    100.096    10,76   ( 0,94)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP        393    11,73   ( 0,09)
Hotels                        CYP     10.808    36,33   (-2,60)
Other Companies               CYP     38.302    70,74   ( 0,06)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[10] President dismisses Erdogan's positions on referenda

1625:CYPPRESS:11

President dismisses Erdogan's positions on referenda

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, 28 Jan (CNA) -- Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos today dismissed the position expressed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on holding referenda on the fundamental principles of the Cyprus settlement plan, proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, noting that the Greek Cypriot side would not compromise on one issue, that is the Turkish demand for ''two separate states'' in Cyprus.

[11] President ready for talks if UN chief calls them immediately (1)

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President ready for talks if UN chief calls them immediately

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said today that if UN Secretary General Kofi Annan invited the parties for talks now, the Greek Cypriot side would attend without terms or preconditions.

''If the Secretary General tomorrow asks for talks, I'll be there with no conditions, no terms, nothing. I am not going to say let the Turkish side clarify its position. I'll be there'', he said during a press conference in Strasbourg.

[12] Transcript - Prodi and Annan - Cyprus

1700:CYPPRESS:13

Transcript - Prodi and Annan - Cyprus

Brussels, 28 Jan (CNA)-- This is a transcipt of what the President of the Commission of the EU Romano Prodi and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said today on Cyprus, during a joint news conference after their talks in Brussels:

PRODI: When the UN Secretary-General comes to Europe, the one issue where the UN plays a crucial role is Cyprus. I thanked the SG for his effort to promote a comprehensive settlement and for the excellent cooperation between his organization and the Commission. I recently had intensive discussions with Prime Minister Erdogan in Ankara. I insisted the EU wants to see an agreement before the 1st of May so that a reunited Cyprus can join the EU. We are convinced that a window of opportunity still exists to reach a settlement before accession on the basis of the plan presented by the SG. The views are well known, but there is a need for more political will on the part of all parties involved. The Commission can provide technical assistance to the UN on issues relating to European law. We are ready to accommodate the terms of a settlement on the basis of the SG's plan. We are also ready to organize a donors conference to mobilize financial support for needs arising for a settlement.

Question by CNA (in French): Mr Annan, after meeting Erdogan at Davos, do you think the time is now right to resume negotiations on Cyprus?

ANNAN (in French): I had a very encouraging meeting with Mr. Erdogan. He told me that his country is prepared to resume negotiations. And I think that is a good decision. He made some proposals to me and I am currently studying them very seriously. I will see Mr. Papadopoulos tomorrow afternoon and I shall also have an opportunity, I hope, to talk to the Greeks and to Mr. Denktash. Once I have all the necessary information, I will be able to decide whether the time is right to begin again. But the conditions are clear and I think the parties must be prepared to show willingness to solve these problems so that they can go forward, because if we begin, everyone must understand that we must do our utmost to complete the process by 1st of May.

Question by NTV of Turkey (in English): You said you were waiting for the parties to give engagement and commitment that they would find solution by 1st May. What is the schedule in your mind, bearing in mind that on the one hand there should be a deadline for negotiations, a deadline for you to fulfill the blanks and a deadline to sign an agreement, and in addition, what is also the problem with the referenda. Should it be before May 1st or after? And for Mr. Prodi: the Greek side and the Cypriot side are very keen on having a solution which is being in line with the acquis. So you think we could find a solution or we could make an arrangement within the EU acquis in the light of the solution found by both parties?

ANNAN (in English): I have made it clear that my good offices are available provided the parties demonstrate the will and the determination to find a solution. There are two parties, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, and then you have the two motherlands, Turkey and Greece who have a considerable role to play and influence... and there is also the security agreement between them which will also be part of the discussions. If indeed we are going to try and settle this issue early enough for the expansion on the 1st of May, then if you work backwards we dont have much time. The plan on the table does envisage that the parties may have the possibility of negotiating changes in the plan, and also indicated that where they were not able to agree they may give me the authority to fill in the gaps. Which means if you work backwards, ideally we should try and have an agreement between the parties by end of March, to be able to have simultaneous referenda in April to meet the May 1st deadline. And I think this should be clear for everyone who approaches me and says ''lets resume talks, we are determined to go ahead, we want to settle it before 1st of May''. That is the calendar we should assume we are looking at.

PRODI (in English):

[13] PACE urges leaders in Cyprus to resume talks in good faith

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PACE urges leaders in Cyprus to resume talks on basis of Annan plan

by Maria Koniotou

Strasbourg, Jan 28 (CNA) -- The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has called on the leaders of both communities in Cyprus to resume negotiations in good faith and without delay, on the basis of a UN proposal (the Annan plan) with a view to reaching a political settlement of the Cyprus problem by 1 May 2004.

[14] Annan says solution must be found by end of March to meet deadline

1825:CYPPRESS:15

Annan says solution must be found by end of March to meet deadline

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Jan 28 (CNA) UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that a solution to the Cyprus problem must be reached by the end of March, to be able to have simultaneous referenda in April to meet the May 1st deadline, when Cyprus joins the European Union.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels with European Commission president Romano Prodi, Annan added that he had a very encouraging meeting with Turkeys Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, and described Erdogans statement that Turkey is prepared to resume negotiations a good decision, noting that the Turkish premier gave him some proposals which he is currently studying very seriously.

Prodi praised the UN role in efforts to find a solution in Cyprus and stressed that he is convinced that a window of opportunity still exists to reach a settlement before accession on the basis of the plan presented by the SG.

[15] Cypriot politicians hope UN Chief will call for talks

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Cypriot politicians hope UN Chief will call for talks

Nicosia, Jan 28 (CNA) -- Leaders or representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties, who met here today, expressed hope that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan would call for the resumption of UN-led talks aiming at solving the Cyprus question before 1 May 2004 so a reunited island joins the European Union.

[16] Russian FM issues statement on Cyprus

1930:CYPPRESS:17

Russian FM issues statement on Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 28 (CNA) -- The latest developments in the Cyprus problem allow the Russian Foreign Ministry to say that a more favourable atmosphere for the renewal in the nearest future of the negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem is being created.

[17] Erdogan says he wants Cyprus solution as soon as possible

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Erdogan says he wants Cyprus solution as soon as possible

By Demetris Apokis

Washington, Jan 28 (CNA) -- Turkeys Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after talks with US President George Bush his country is willing to restart negotiations on Cyprus, taking the Annan Plan as a reference point.

He expressed determination to solve the Cyprus problem as soon as possible.

On his part, Bush said he appreciates Erdogans efforts to solve what he described as a long standing dispute.

Speaking through an interpreter, Erdogan stated we spoke of the fact that we support the good will mission of the Secretary-General of the UN and we are willing to restart negotiations, taking the Annan Plan as a reference point.

I state once again that the Turkish side is determined for a solution, we will always be a step ahead of our Greek counterparts and we are determined to solve this as soon as possible, he added.

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