Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-01-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] MacShane urges all sides to seize opportunity for Cyprus

[02] Hadzidemetriou: EU satisfied with Cyprus progress on Paying Agency

[03] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[04] (Κ) Ανάν - Κυπριακό - Δηλώσεις στις Βρυξέλλες

[05] Transcript - Annan - Cyprus

[06] Papadopoulos to be briefed by Annan on Turkish positions

[07] Annan underlines talks must be based on his Cyprus peace plan

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[09] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[10] Protection of ethnic minorities seminar

[11] (Κ) Πάουελ - Γκιουλ - Πλήρες κείμενο στα αγγλικά για Κυπριακό

[12] Transcript - Powell - Gul

[13] Iacovou to discuss Cyprus question with Irish counterpart

[14] Powell and Gul discuss Cyprus in Washington

[15] Christofias says Greek Cypriots ready for solution ''here and now''

[16] President Papadopoulos meets Annan in Brussels (1)

[01] MacShane urges all sides to seize opportunity for Cyprus

0950:CYPPRESS:01

MacShane urges all sides to seize opportunity for Cyprus

by Kyriakos Tsioupras

London, Jan 29 (CNA) -- British Minister for Europe Dennis MacShane has urged all sides involved in the Cyprus problem to seize the opportunity in the period until May 1st, to allow a united Cyprus to enter the European Union.

[02] Hadzidemetriou: EU satisfied with Cyprus progress on Paying Agency

1045:CYPPRESS:02

Hadzidemetriou: EU satisfied with Cyprus progress on Paying Agency

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Jan 29 (CNA) -- European officials were impressed here Wednesday by Cyprus' harmonization progress concerning the Paying Agency but asked for a faster respond concerning the issue of merchant shipping.

[03] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1240:CYPPRESS:03

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 29 (CNA) - The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Friday and Saturday: 30/01/2004 to 31/01/2004 -------------------- Rather cloudy with showers and local thunderstorms. Snow will fall over Troodos. Winds southwesterly fresh to strong and sea moderate and temperature ranging from 6 to 16 inland and from 10 to 18 on the coast.

Outlook for Sunday and Monday: 1/02/2004 to 2/02/2004 ------------------------------ Partly cloudy with local rain and possibly thunderstorms. Winds westerly to northesterly fresh. Temperature will drop.

[04] (Κ) Ανάν - Κυπριακό - Δηλώσεις στις Βρυξέλλες

Annan: I believe my good friend, the Secretary of State Colin Powell already has a job and he has his hands full. Let me say I have been engaged with the Cyprus process for quite a while, I have had a very good negotiator, which most of you already know, Alvaro de Soto who knows the issues inside out. In the process we were helped by representatives of several friendly countries and I think if we were to resume the process, because of the time factor, I would want to have somebody in charge who knows the issues.

We will accept assistance from governments of good will and who have influence and capacity to help us and try and get these negotiations completed as soon as possible, but that will only be possible if the parties show a will and determination to engage seriously in a sustained manner and reach results in the very short time that we would have.

Question: Yesterday, Mr SG, you had referred to some proposals you received from Erdogan. What are these proposals, an executive summary of the Annan Plan, a simplified document of the Annan Plan, can you please elaborate on this ? And would you envision talks beginning not on the Annan Plan, on another document?

Annan:

[05] Transcript - Annan - Cyprus

1415:CYPPRESS:04

Transcript - Annan - Cyprus

Brussels, 29 Jan (CNA)-- This is a transcipt of what UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said today on Cyprus, replying to questions during a joint news conference in Brussels:

Annan: I believe my good friend, the Secretary of State Colin Powell already has a job and he has his hands full. Let me say I have been engaged with the Cyprus process for quite a while, I have had a very good negotiator, which most of you already know, Alvaro de Soto who knows the issues inside out. In the process we were helped by representatives of several friendly countries and I think if we were to resume the process, because of the time factor, I would want to have somebody in charge who knows the issues.

We will accept assistance from governments of good will and who have influence and capacity to help us and try and get these negotiations completed as soon as possible, but that will only be possible if the parties show a will and determination to engage seriously in a sustained manner and reach results in the very short time that we would have.

Question: Yesterday, Mr SG, you had referred to some proposals you received from Erdogan. What are these proposals, an executive summary of the Annan Plan, a simplified document of the Annan Plan, can you please elaborate on this ? And would you envision talks beginning not on the Annan Plan, on another document?

Annan: I think that the parties in the discussions that we have had in the past know that if we are going to proceed and that we will become engaged, it has to be on the basis of the plan. I had very good discussions with Prime Minister Erdogan, we did not exchange documents, if thats what you have in mind, but what is important is that Turkey has indicated clearly its desire and willingness to see talks resume, negotiations resume, they will support and actively play a role in the negotiations the effort will be strictly sustained until we come to a conclusion and we are also aware that it has to be done before the 1st of May and they accept that. Of course as to details of positions that will have to be discussed at the table with the others, not in a public forum like this and I would not want to get into anything else.   CNA EC/GP/2004

[06] Papadopoulos to be briefed by Annan on Turkish positions

1425:CYPPRESS:05

Papadopoulos to be briefed by Annan on Turkish positions

Nicosia, Jan 29 (CNA) -- Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said today that the government expected UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to fully brief President Tassos Papadopoulos on the true positions of the Turkish side on the Cyprus question, during their meeting today in Brussels.

Replying to questions about the meetings Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held in the United States, Chrysostomides said there was no official information yet on the Turkish positions or if Secretary of State Colin Powell wished to become involved in the peace process.

[07] Annan underlines talks must be based on his Cyprus peace plan

1430:CYPPRESS:06

Annan underlines talks must be based on his Cyprus peace plan

Brussels, Jan 29 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan underlined here Thursday that if parties involved in the Cyprus problem are to proceed and become engaged in the negotiating process, it would have to be on the basis of his peace plan.

At the same time Annan indicated he would not want to change a negotiator if talks were to resume soon for a Cyprus settlement.

Speaking in Brussels during a press conference with European Parliament President Pat Cox at the European Parliament, Annan also said the UN will accept assistance from governments of good will and who have influence and capacity to help get the negotiations completed.

He stressed, however, that this would only be possible if the parties show a will and determination to engage seriously in a sustained manner and reach results in the very short time.

Invited to comment on information that Turkey has asked for a strong negotiator, such as US Secretary of State Colin Powell, to take an active role in the UN process, Annan replied that Powell already has a job and he has his hands full.

Let me say I have been engaged with the Cyprus process for quite a while, I have had a very good negotiator, which most of you already know, Alvaro de Soto, who knows the issues inside out. In the process we were helped by representatives of several friendly countries and I think if we were to resume the process, because of the time factor, I would want to have somebody in charge who knows the issues, the UN Secretary-General said.

Annan noted we will accept assistance from governments of good will and who have influence and capacity to help us and try and get these negotiations completed as soon as possible, but that will only be possible if the parties show a will and determination to engage seriously in a sustained manner and reach results in the very short time that we would have".

Asked what where the proposals Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had given him in Davos and whether Annan would envisage talks beginning on any other document than that of his plan, the Secretary-General replied that the parties in the discussions that we have had in the past know that if we are going to proceed and that we will become engaged, it has to be on the basis of the plan.

He said he had very good discussions with Prime Minister Erdogan, noting we did not exchange documents, if thats what you have in mind.

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1435:CYPPRESS:07

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 29 (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            4           FINE
Larnaca                 18            7           FINE
Limassol                18            9           FINE
Paphos                  18           10           FINE

[09] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1610:CYPPRESS:08
Cyprus Stock Exchange
Nicosia, Jan 29 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               82,51   ( 0,68)

Traded Value                  CYP    429.283

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    320.817   345,46   ( 0,64)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.238,81   (-0,98)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP    235.913    99,54   ( 0,86)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP     14.129    72,58   ( 1,04)
Insurance Companies           CYP      5.598    15,40   (-1,41)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP     24.701    56,62   ( 1,36)
Tourism Companies             CYP      8.139    56,54   ( 0,44)
Trading Companies             CYP     13.108    20,97   ( 1,16)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      8.987    67,84   ( 0,25)
Ιnformation Technology
Companies                 CYP      5.036     3,30   (-0,30)
Financial Services Companies  CYP     20.602    10,78   ( 0,19)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP        533    12,05   ( 2,73)
Hotels                        CYP      8.469    36,28   (-0,14)
Other Companies               CYP     63.728    70,87   ( 0,18)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[10] Protection of ethnic minorities seminar

1720:CYPPRESS:09

Protection of ethnic minorities seminar

Nicosia, Jan 29 (CNA) -- Cyprus' effort to implement Council of Europe recommendations with regard to the protection of ethnic minorities came under scrutiny today at a seminar on the application of the Convention-Framework for the protection of ethnic minorities.

Interior Minister Andreas Christou, who has the responsibility to ensure compliance of the recommendations made by the advisory committee to the Convention, said in his address to the meeting that the government has a keen interest in and care for ethnic minorities and religious groups on the island.

The Committee said in its 2001 opinion that Cyprus had made great strides in protecting ethnic minorities but noted that the Republic's constitution seems to contradict the provisions of the Convention.

The opinion also said that matters such as the obligation of members of the island's three religious groups (Maronites, Armenians, Latins) to opt to belong to one of the two communities in Cyprus is contrary to the principles of the Convention.

It also noted the absence of the right of Turkish Cypriots to vote in parliamentary or presidential elections.

Under the 1960 constitution, they vote for the vice-president of the Republic and Turkish Cypriot members of the House of Representatives, but have abstained from both since 1964.

In his remarks, the minister referred to the bill tabled before the House to enable Turkish Cypriots to vote in the June elections for a European Parliament, as Cyprus will join the Union on May 1, and in local administration elections in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic.

He said following the partial lifting of restrictions on free movement to and from the island's Turkish occupied north, the government has drafted a comprehensive policy on the reunification of the country, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, which includes measures addressed to the Turkish Cypriots.

Christou referred to legislation passed last year that enables Turkish Cypriots to have a civil marriage here and said members of the island's three religious groups were a vital and dynamic part of Cypriot society.

Council of Europe expert Tonio Ellul welcomed the bill on Euro elections and said the seminar is taking place at a very appropriate time as it bridges the first and the second phase of monitoring in Cyprus.

He said the next report is expected in February.

Ellul noted that the obligation to vote in elections should be considered a right and not a legal obligation and welcomed the law on marriage relating to Turkish Cypriots.

The expert said the repercussions of a political settlement on the rights of ethnic minorities should be taken into consideration in peace talks and noted in particular the rights Maronites in occupied Cyprus.

Representatives of the Attorney General and the Interior Ministry outlined the work done to bring Cyprus in line with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.

According to the 1999 figures, the religious groups number about 8,000, representing 1,2 per cent of the population.

The representatives of the groups to the House, who are observers but have no right to vote, said they would like to have a say in discussions about a political settlement that would also affect their rights and advocated a more active role in parliament.

They also said they would like to have more air time to promote their culture and activities of their respective groups and more involvement in civil service. CNA MM/../2004 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

[11] (Κ) Πάουελ - Γκιουλ - Πλήρες κείμενο στα αγγλικά για Κυπριακό

SEC. POWELL: As you know, the minister is here with Prime Minister Erdogan, who had excellent discussions yesterday with President Bush. We thanked Turkey for all the support it has been providing to us in the global war against terror, and its willingness to assist us in our efforts in Iraq. And we thanked Turkey for the important role it plays in the region as a model of a secular Muslim nation that follows the democratic path. We had a long conversation on Cyprus. I expressed my thanks to the minister and to the Turkish government for some of the steps they have taken recently to align their efforts with those of Kofi Annan and the Annan plan. There's still much more work to be done, but there is a moment of opportunity here that we hope to seize and have referendums and resolve outstanding issues and, hopefully, get it all done by the 1st of May. I pledged to the minister that the United States would make every effort to assist with this work and that I would get personally involved as necessary to work with the secretary-general and the parties to see if we cannot solve this long-standing and most difficult problem.

Question: What will be your role in the Cyprus issue? Are you the mediator or -- (inaudible).

SEC. POWELL: No. Kofi Annan has put forward a plan. I think it's a good plan and both sides are now responding to the secretary- general's request for their position on those plans. Prime Minister Erdogan made an important statement this last weekend and the United States is supporting both sides. We have not become the mediator or the interlocutor in all this. But I think --

MIN. GUL: (Will you be ?) the facilitator. SEC. POWELL: Huh? MIN. GUL: Can you facilitate? SEC. POWELL: (Laughs.) The minister likes the word ''facilitator.'' I would -- I'll say that we stand ready to use our good offices to help all the parties move forward, but it is the secretary-general's plan that we believe is the operative plan and the manner in which we move forward.

Question: Thank you. From Greece. My question is, you're happy or satisfied by the position taken by Mr. Gul and Mr. Erdogan. What about the Greek side, are you putting pressure on the Greek side? Mr. Papandreou today made a statement saying that Greece has been forthcoming up to now, and some people feel it's unfair to put the pressure on the Greek side.

SEC. POWELL: We are in touch with both sides, and I expect to talk to Secretary-General Annan n a few hours. He has been talking to, I think, President Papadopoulos and others. And I, of course, will be talking to my Greek colleagues as well. I think it's time for all of us to put pressure on all sides to get a resolution to this difficult situation; it's gone on for so long. And I think we're getting close to a solution. So, to the extent that we can assist the secretary-general in his efforts, and assist all the sides in coming together on the basis of the secretary-general's plan, then we will do so.

Question: Mr. Gul, in this process, did you accept the Annan plan up to this point?

[12] Transcript - Powell - Gul

1855:CYPPRESS:10

Transcript - Powell - Gul

Washington, Jan 29 (CNA) - This is a transcript of what US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul said today on Cyprus, replying to questions after a meeting in Washington:

SEC. POWELL: ... We had a long conversation on Cyprus. I expressed my thanks to the minister and to the Turkish government for some of the steps they've taken recently to align their efforts with those of Kofi Annan and the Annan plan. There's still much more work to be done, but there is a moment of opportunity here that we hope to seize and have referendums and resolve outstanding issues and, hopefully, get it all done by the 1st of May.

I pledged to the minister that the United States would make every effort to assist with this work and that I would get personally involved as necessary to work with the secretary-general and the parties to see if we cannot solve this long-standing and most difficult problem.

...

MIN. GUL: ... We talked on CYPRUS, we talked on Iraq, then also in the greater Middle East. There are common opinions on these issues and we will continue to work together.

...

Q What will be your role in the CYPRUS issue? Are you the mediator or -- (inaudible).

SEC. POWELL: No. Kofi Annan has put forward a plan. I think it's a good plan and both sides are now responding to the secretary- general's request for their position on those plans. Prime Minister Erdogan made an important statement this last weekend and the United States is supporting both sides. We have not become the mediator or the interlocutor in all this. But I think --

MIN. GUL: (Will you be ?) the facilitator.

SEC. POWELL: Huh?

MIN. GUL: Can you facilitate?

SEC. POWELL: (Laughs.) The minister likes the word ''facilitator.''

I would -- I'll say that we stand ready to use our good offices to help all the parties move forward, but it is the secretary-general's plan that we believe is the operative plan and the manner in which we move forward.

...

Q ... From Greece. My question is, you're happy or satisfied by the position taken by Mr. Gul and Mr. Erdogan. What about the Greek side, are you putting pressure on the Greek side? Mr. Papandreou today made a statement saying that Greece has been forthcoming up to now, and some people feel it's unfair to put the pressure on the Greek side.

SEC. POWELL: We are in touch with both sides, and I expect to talk to Secretary-General Annan n a few hours. He has been talking to, I think, President Papadopoulos and others. And I, of course, will be talking to my Greek colleagues as well.

I think it's time for all of us to put pressure on all sides to get a resolution to this difficult situation; it's gone on for so long. And I think we're getting close to a solution. So, to the extent that we can assist the secretary-general in his efforts, and assist all the sides in coming together on the basis of the secretary- general's plan, then we will do so.

...

Q ... To Mr. Gul, in this process, did you accept the Annan plan up to this point?

[13] Iacovou to discuss Cyprus question with Irish counterpart

1930:CYPPRESS:11

Iacovou to discuss Cyprus question with Irish counterpart

Dublin, Jan 29 (CNA) - Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Iacovou will discuss the prospects for a settlement of the Cyprus question when he meets his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen in Dublin on 2 February, according to an Irish EU presidency press release.

Iacovou will be visiting Dublin for discussions on current issues on the EU agenda, including the IGC, the future financing of the EU and the Lisbon Strategy. The Ministers are also expected to exchange views on a number of international issues, including the situation in the Middle East, Iraq and UN Reform. The meeting will be followed by a brief press conference.

During his visit to Ireland on 2 and 3 February, Iacovou will also pay a courtesy call on the Taoiseach and will meet with the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. He will also meet with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

CNA/RG/../2004

[14] Powell and Gul discuss Cyprus in Washington

1955:CYPPRESS:12

Powell and Gul discuss Cyprus in Washington

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Jan 29 (CNA) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed the US readiness to help all the parties move forward in the Cyprus issue but noted that it is the twice-revised Cyprus settlement plan presented by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, which he described as ''a good plan'', that is ''the operative plan and the manner in which we move forward''.

Speaking after a meeting in Washington today with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul, Powell said it is time to put pressure on all sides to get a solution, hopefully by the 1st of May, when Cyprus will officially be joining the EU, and noted that the US had not become a mediator or interlocutor in the process of negotiations, as Ankara had requested.

[15] Christofias says Greek Cypriots ready for solution ''here and now''

2000:CYPPRESS:13

Christofias says Greek Cypriots ready for solution ''here and now''

Nicosia, Jan 29 (CNA) Acting President of the Republic and President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias said today that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to attend serious talks for a solution of the Cyprus problem ''here and now'' on the basis of a twice-revised settlement plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Christofias held separate meetings today with US Ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson and a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot platform ''This land is ours''. Speaking after the second meeting and commenting on the positive reaction of the US to recent Turkish moves, Christofias said he did not expect the Americans and the UN chief would condemn those moves, having in mind statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

[16] President Papadopoulos meets Annan in Brussels (1)

2030:CYPPRESS:14

President Papadopoulos meets Annan in Brussels (1)

by Nicos Bellos

Brussels, Jan 29 (CNA) - Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos asked UN Secretary General Kofi Annan tonight to call talks immediately for a Cyprus settlement.

President Papadopoulos said that during the meeting with Annan he stressed that the Greek Cypriot side is ready to participate in talks to reach a solution as soon as possible.

He added that the Greek Cypriot side believes it is time to begin substantive talks, to leave aside public relations efforts because we have lost a lot of time waiting for developments and we have no time and we should aim at the result.

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