Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 04-12-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[02] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[03] Cypriot doctors: Situation much worse in SE Asia

[04] Cyprus President addresses message for the New Year

[05] Cyprus President's message for the New Year (FULL TEXT)

[06] To CNA subscribers and associates

[01] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1320:CYPPRESS:01

Cyprus Stock Exchange

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) - The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share
Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:

INDICES BASE VALUES: FTSEMed=5000, OTHERS=1000

TRADED VALUE                       220.925,84

GSE GENERAL INDEX                       72,55     0,42    212.028,01
FTSE/CySE 20                           338,50     0,26    124.041,56
MAIN MARKET INDEX                    1.015,70     0,29    126.167,97
PARALLEL MARKET INDEX                  929,50     1,35     13.293,18
INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX      932,33     0,72      2.557,39
MAIN AND PARALLEL MARKETS INDEX      1.012,27     0,33    139.461,15
BANKS INDEX                          1.029,85     0,21    114.452,61
HOTELS INDEX                           862,51    -0,81        670,00
ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX               849,61     1,39     75.719,49
FTSE Med (30/12/2004)                6.844,14     0,06

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices

[02] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1420:CYPPRESS:02

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Dec 31 (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               19             9              FINE
Larnaca               20            12              FINE
Limassol              21            12              FINE
Paphos                22             9              FINE

[03] Cypriot doctors: Situation much worse in SE Asia

1635:CYPPRESS:03

Cypriot doctors: Situation much worse in SE Asia

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- Cypriot doctors who are in Sri Lanka as part of the Doctors of the World, have said that the situation in south-east Asia following the tsunami that was triggered on Sunday by an underwater earthquake of a magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter scale off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is much worse than anticipated and called for more drugs to help the victims.

In another development, all municipalities on the island have cancelled their New Year's celebrations scheduled for this evening and are instead channeling all money that was to be spent, to humanitarian aid.

[04] Cyprus President addresses message for the New Year

1810:CYPPRESS:04

Cyprus Presidents message for the New Year

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) - Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos wished, in his message on the occasion of the New Year, deliverance and vindication of the struggle of the Cyprus people and expressed belief that better days will dawn for Cyprus.

He also called upon all to join forces and unite, noting that ''only united can we hope and be certain about a happier future for our country''.

In his message, President Papadopoulos made a special reference to the tragedy in southeast Asia that was hit by the tsunami waves triggered by a 9 point on the Richter scale quake on Sunday, and called upon the Cyprus people to contribute to efforts to alleviate the suffering of the victims. He also expressed on behalf of the government and the people of Cyprus his deepest sorrow for the tragic event.

Referring to 2004, he said that it has been an important year for Cyprus, noting the two historic landmarks, Cyprus accession to the European Union and the referendum for the Annan plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

He noted that the accession to the EU was realized thanks to the efforts made by all the governments of the Republic, the Parliament and the sacrifices of the Cyprus people and referring to the referendum he reiterated that on April 24, the Greek Cypriots did not vote against the reunification of Cyprus, but against the specific plan.

Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, Cyprus President extended a message of friendship and called upon them to acknowledge the Greek Cypriot concerns about the perpetuation of division and to understand that the common and long-term interest of all is best served through a real reunification of Cyprus.

President Papadopoulos underlined that the Greek Cypriot side works ''systematically and quietly to create the correct prerequisites that will provide the guarantees for substantial and constructive negotiations that will lead to an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem in the new conditions created by our accession to the European Union''.

[05] Cyprus President's message for the New Year (FULL TEXT)

1815:CYPPRESS:05

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos' message for the New Year (FULL TEXT)

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- ''In a few hours the year 2004 ends and a new year starts. I wish to address my warmest and sincere wishes to all our compatriots for a happy and prosperous new year, with good health, happiness and the fulfilment of their expectations.

I am sure that my wish for our country is the same as the wish and expectation of all of you. That an end may be put to the invasion and occupation and that our beloved country may be vindicated.

We wish for deliverance and vindication through a functional and viable solution of a bizonal and bicommunal federation, in which all the lawful inhabitants of Cyprus may be able as equal citizens without any discrimination- to build in conditions of security a common homeland, united, prosperous and peaceful.

At this hour, I would like to address my special wishes to the refugees, the enclaved people and the relatives of missing persons as well as to our national guardsmen. Also I would like to express my particular appreciation to all those who are away from their homes, manning essential services and serving the public at large.

It is natural on this occasion to turn our thoughts to the tragic and catastrophic natural phenomenon that wreaked havoc in Southeastern Asia and brought mourning and desperation. On behalf of the Cyprus people, I express our profound grief and our sympathy to the governments and the peoples of the affected countries for this great tragedy. I wish to call upon you to assist in any way you can the relief effort, displaying once again the virtues of humanism and solidarity that characterize our people.

The year 2004 was a very important year for our country with two historic landmarks. On May 1st the Republic of Cyprus became a member of the European Union, fulfilling in this way our dream, thanks to the efforts made by all the governments of the Republic, the Parliament and mainly thanks to the sacrifices of the Cyprus people.

On April 24, the people of Cyprus were called upon to decide on their future through a referendum. The Greek Cypriots in an absolutely democratic and free Referendum rejected with an overwhelming majority of 76% the proposed Plan. This verdict of the people should be respected by all, not only by word but also by deeds that will guide and cement the unity of the people and their leaders.

On April 24, the people did not reject a solution to the Cyprus problem. They did not vote against the reunification of our country. They rejected this specific Plan, judging that it would not lead to the reunification of their country or to a workable solution.

I know and share our peoples concern about the further course of our national problem. A lot is being said about possible new initiatives and new efforts to promote a solution to the Cyprus problem. However, our first and foremost concern and priority remains the promotion of an acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.

We work systematically and quietly to create the correct prerequisites that will provide the guarantees for substantial and constructive negotiations that will lead to an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem in the new conditions created by our accession to the European Union. Arbitration and tight deadlines that shift pressure to our side were proven ineffective for an equal negotiation, able to lead to an agreed, viable solution.

To our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, on this occasion, I extend a message of friendship and wishes for a common course towards the common future of our common country. I call upon them to acknowledge the Greek Cypriot concerns about the perpetuation of division and to understand that the common and long-term interest of all of us is best served through a real reunification of our country.

I believe in the final vindication of our common struggle. Better days will dawn for our homeland and for all of our people. I call upon all of you to join forces and unite. Only united can we hope and be certain about a happier future for our country.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish all of you a Happy New Year. I wish that the New Year will be full of joy, prosperity and progress for all the lawful inhabitants of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.

Happy New Year''.

CNA/AAR/EC/2004

[06] To CNA subscribers and associates

1840:CYPPRESS:06

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- CNA wishes its subscribers and associates health, happiness and good news throughout the new year, for Cyprus and for the whole world.

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