Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-04-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Annan discusses Cyprus with world leaders

[02] Top UN envoy on Cyprus to brief Security Council

[03] Schroeder urges Cypriots to vote in favour of UN solution plan

[04] Bush promises to help Cyprus settlement

[05] Blair welcomes developments in Cyprus

[06] EP urges Turkey to maintain constructive Cyprus attitude

[07] Ahern commends UN for ''tireless efforts'' in seeking Cyprus settlement

[08] National Council to examine referendum issue

[09] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[10] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[11] Australian FM hopes for positive referenda on Cyprus

[12] Greek Premier says Cypriots will decide with maturity

[13] Consumer Price Index rises in March 2004

[01] Annan discusses Cyprus with world leaders

0825:CYPPRESS:01

Annan discusses Cyprus with world leaders

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Apr 2 (CNA) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was in Vienna Thursday, where he discussed the question of Cyprus, among other issues, with world leaders.

Annan is in the Austrian capital to attend the semi-annual meeting of the UN Chief Executives Board, which brings together the heads of all the UN agencies, funds and programmes.

[02] Top UN envoy on Cyprus to brief Security Council

0950:CYPPRESS:02

Top UN envoy on Cyprus to brief Security Council

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Apr 2 (CNA) -- UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will brief today the Security Council about developments in the question of Cyprus.

[03] Schroeder urges Cypriots to vote in favour of UN solution plan

1010:CYPPRESS:03

Schroeder urges Cypriots to vote in favour of UN solution plan

Nicosia, Apr 2 (CNA) -- German Chancellor Gherhard Schroeder has called on the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots to vote in favour of a UN plan on a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus which UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has described ''fair and balanced.''

[04] Bush promises to help Cyprus settlement

1025:CYPPRESS:04

Bush promises to help Cyprus settlement

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Apr 2 (CNA) -- US President George Bush has said that his goal is to be close to Cyprus and assist in the solution of the problem without imposing a settlement of his liking.

Addressing Greek and Cypriot Americans at a White House ceremony to mark Greek national day, Bush said his policy with regard to the solution in Cyprus is based on the principles he adheres to as an American citizen, namely freedom, democracy and respect for human rights.

[05] Blair welcomes developments in Cyprus

1130:CYPPRESS:05

Blair welcomes developments in Cyprus

By Kyriakos Tsioupras

London, Apr 2 (CNA) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed developments in Cyprus which as he said would allow a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union, pointing out that they offered great hope to the people on the island.

[06] EP urges Turkey to maintain constructive Cyprus attitude

1310:CYPPRESS: 06

EP urges Turkey to maintain constructive Cyprus attitude

by Maria Fili

Strasbourg, Apr 2 (CNA) -- The European Parliament adopted here Thursday a report on Turkey, noting a settlement of the Cyprus conflict remains an essential condition for progress regarding the country's application for accession to the EU.

Adopted by 211 votes in favour, 84 against and 46 abstentions the report by MEP Arie Oostlander regarding Turkey's progress towards accession calls upon the Turkish authorities ''to maintain their constructive attitude to achieve a solution'' and urges the country to withdraw its troops from northern Cyprus.

[07] Ahern commends UN for ''tireless efforts'' in seeking Cyprus settlement

1315:CYPPRESS:07

Ahern commends UN for ''tireless efforts'' in seeking Cyprus settlement

Nicosia, Apr 2 (CNA) -- The President of the European Council, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, has commended UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and colleagues for ''tireless efforts'' in seeking Cyprus settlement and reiterated the EU's strong preference for the accession of a united Cyprus on 1 May 2004.

[08] National Council to examine referendum issue

1420:CYPPRESS:08

National Council to examine referendum issue

Nicosia, Apr 2 (CNA) -- The National Council convenes tomorrow to examine the referendum issue, which will take place on April 24, according to the fifth version of the UN Secretary-Generals plan for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

An official statement said Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos will preisde over the Council session which begins at 1000 local time (0700 GMT).

[09] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1520:CYPPRESS:09

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Apr 2 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

CSE General Index                               85,55   (-0,11)

Traded Value                  CYP    583.345

FTSE/CYSE 20                  CYP    465.966   365,46   (-0,41)
FTSE Med 100                                 6.223,76   (-0,28)

Sectoral Indices

Banks                         CYP     444.818  106,70   ( 0,39)
Approved Investment
Companies                 CYP      39.237   74,01   (-0,67)
Insurance Companies           CYP       8.531   17,21   (-0,12)
Manufacturing Companies       CYP      11.720   56,60   (-0,30)
Tourism Companies             CYP       2.217   56,53   (-1,91)
Trading Companies             CYP       8.813   23,85   ( 0,13)
Building and Cement Companies CYP      23.519   71,11   (-1,97)
Énformation Technology
Companies                 CYP       2.454    2,95   (-1,01)
Financial Services Companies  CYP       3.893    9,87   ( 0,10)
Fish Culture Companies        CYP           0   12,35   ( 2,24)
Hotels                        CYP       5.648   34,16   (-0,81)
Other Companies               CYP      15.706   69,45   (-0,10)

* The third column presents the percentage variation of

[10] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1540:CYPPRESS:10

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 2 (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                 24            11           FINE
Larnaca                 26            14           FAIR
Limassol                24            13           FINE
Paphos                  25            18           FINE

[11] Australian FM hopes for positive referenda on Cyprus

1550:CYPPRESS:11

Australian FM hopes for positive referenda on Cyprus

Nicosia, Apr 2 (CNA) - The Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer has welcomed the UN secretary General's final plan to settle the Cyprus dispute, expressing the strong hope that the people of Cyprus will accept it.

[12] Greek Premier says Cypriots will decide with maturity

1725:CYPPRESS:12

Greek Premier says Cypriots will decide with maturity

by Christa Nicolaou

Athens, Apr 2 (CNA) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told Parliament that there is no room for emotional outbursts or dangerous talk with regard to the question of Cyprus and Greco-Turkish relations, stressing that is was up to the people of Cyprus to decide about their future with mature thought.

Briefing deputies about the UN-led Cyprus talks, which ended on Wednesday in Switzerland, he said the UN plan on a comprehensive settlement was a compromise and stressed the need for careful thought and responsible attitude.

''The final text of the Annan plan given to the parties at the talks is essentially the original plan which has been amended. It is obvious that this text is the product of compromise and as such it contains positive and difficult points for all sides,'' Karamanlis said.

He said the plan would have to be carefully assessed and added ''the final decision lies with the people of Cyprus who I believe will take their decision with mature thought,'' he added.

''I believe that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will evaluate the situation and, with wisdom and foresight, will make their choice,'' he added and urged everybody to avoid extreme remarks and dangerous statements.

He stressed that Greco-Turkish relations and the question of Cyprus call for ''continuous effort, maturity, wisdom and unity and demand that we look to the future.''

He called for ''responsible approach and careful consideration by all'' and said that the Greek government would assess everything before it and take its decisions at the appropriate time.

The question of Cyprus, he said, was an important national issue and reiterated that the Greek government continued to support the efforts of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos for a viable and functional solution, in the UN framework and in line with the acquis communautaire so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can enjoy EU benefits.

The Prime Minister said that during his stay in Burgenstock, where the talks took place in the past several days, he held discussions with Papadopoulos and Cypriot political party leaders, undertook a series of initiatives and meetings, and with the Foreign Minister they stressed the need to improve the Annan plan.

He said Greece submitted two documents on security and the compatibility of the plan with EU laws and regulations.

''We firmly believe in formulating and implementing a national strategy on important national issues. Dialogue, information are a prerequisite and basis for this strategy which aims at unifying the efforts of the political leadership in common goals,'' he concluded.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said that for the first time a solution in Cyprus was so close within the European Union framework and added ''it is possible to expand the positive points of the plan.''

''It is wrong to talk about 'having our hands tied'. We had the initiative and there was and still is room to manoeuvre,'' Papandreou said, recalling that the New York agreement which forced the Turkish Cypriot leader and Turkey back to the negotiating table was the outcome of Papadopoulos' initiative towards Kofi Annan.

''We have an obligation to analyse the Annan plan and formulate our own position and that does not mean that we do not respect the views of the independent Cyprus and its people,'' Papandreou said.

Nicos Constantopoulos of SYN called for a careful examination of the pros and cons of the Annan plan and described the decisions Greece and the Greek Cypriot leadership would take ''of historic significance and responsibility.''

''We have to see whether the plan is the beginning for improvements or for deadlocks,'' he said and invited everybody to avoid division.

Aleka Papariga, General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party, described as ''unfair and dangerous'' the solution proposed in the Annan plan and noted that the procedure of the talks in Switzerland sealed what had been taking place, officially and unofficially, in the past years.

[13] Consumer Price Index rises in March 2004

1825:CYPPRESS:13

Consumer Price Index rises in March 2004

Nicosia, Apr 2 (CNA) - The Consumer Price Index for March 2004 increased by 0.73 units or 0.63% to 116.24 units compared to 115.51 in February 2004.

This is mainly due to increases in the prices of clothing and footwear items following the end of the winter sales as well as to increases in the prices of poultry and rents. Decreases have been recorded in the prices of certain fresh vegetables, fruit and potatoes, according to an official press release.

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