Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-01-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government wants talks to resume once framework defined

[02] Cyprus to observe three-minute silence

[03] Cyprus observe three-minute silence

[04] Relatives of missing persons to go to Strasbourg

[05] Karamanlis - Molyviatis consult on Cyprus

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[07] Cyprus ready to air further assistance to Sri Lanka

[08] Excavations begin in occupied north to locate graves

[01] Government wants talks to resume once framework defined

0900:CYPPRESS:01

Government wants talks to resume once framework defined

Nicosia, Jan 5 (CNA) -- Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has said that the government has stated its wish to resume negotiations for a political settlement in Cyprus once the framework of the negotiating process to be followed has been clarified.

''We have said that our side wants to see a resumption of talks aimed at a solution of the question of Cyprus, provided that the framework of these talks is clarified,'' the spokesman said.

He said the solution the government was seeking was ''an agreed settlement, without arbitration, which could be brought before the people of Cyprus in a referendum.''

This, he added, was one of the two directions of the government policy.

[02] Cyprus to observe three-minute silence

0915:CYPPRESS:02

Cyprus to observe three-minute silence

Nicosia, Jan 5 (CNA) -- Cyprus will observe a three-minute silence at 1300 local time (1100 GMT) today in memory of the thousands of victims of the strong earthquake and the huge tidal waves that have devastated Southeast Asia on 26 December.

Flags will fly at half mast at all public buildings throughout the day in a show of solidarity with the people of all the countries hit by the tsunami.

[03] Cyprus observe three-minute silence

1320:CYPPRESS:03

Cyprus observe three-minute silence

Nicosia, Jan 5 (CNA) -- Cyprus observed today a three-minute silence at 1300 local time (1100 GMT) in memory of the thousands of victims of the strong earthquake and the huge tidal waves that have devastated Southeast Asia on 26 December.

''Officers at the Foreign Ministry have expressed their deep sorrow and sympathy to the victims of the earthquake in Southeast Asia by observing the three-minute silence,'' Ambassador Sotos Zahkeos, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, said.

Flags are flying at half mast at all public buildings throughout the day in a show of solidarity with the people of all the countries hit by the tsunami.

Cyprus is participating in this display of mourning along with the remaining 24 partners in the European Union, following a suggestion by the former Dutch EU presidency endorsed by the current holder of the six-monthly rotating presidency, Luxembourg.

The local branch of the Red Cross Society and other humanitarian organisations on the island, as well as various societies and associations and businesses, have launched campaigns to collect money for the purchase of drugs and medical supplies and foodstuff for the people of Southeast Asia.

Local municipalities cancelled their New Year's Eve celebrations and donated the funds destined for the festivities for people in need.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 Cyprus pounds has been donated so far (one Cyprus pound trades at around 1.5 US dollars).

The Cyprus Cabinet has approved 370,000 dollars in aid of the areas devastated by the southeast Asian tsunami.

The Cyprus Church has announced a donation of 5,000 Cyprus pounds and a fund-raising campaign was launched at churches around the island.

[04] Relatives of missing persons to go to Strasbourg

1325:CYPPRESS:04

Relatives of missing persons to go to Strasbourg

Nicosia, Jan 5 (CNA) -- Representatives of the Committee of Relatives of Missing Persons and Undeclared Prisoners of War are planning to visit Strasbourg for contacts with Council of Europe officials in order to press on with their demand for a resolution of this humanitarian issue.

[05] Karamanlis - Molyviatis consult on Cyprus

1355:CYPPRESS:05

Karamanlis - Molyviatis consult on Cyprus

by Christa Nikolaou

Athens, Jan 5 (CNA) -- Developments in the question of Cyprus, Turkey's relations with the European Union and humanitarian aid to Southeast Asian countries were the focus of a meeting here today between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and his Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

[06] Cyprus Stock Exchange

1540:CYPPRESS:06

Cyprus Stock Exchange
Nicosia, Jan 5 (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                       192.010,75

GSE GENERAL INDEX                       72,57     0,10    169.641,44
FTSE/CySE 20                           337,91     0,28     94.425,05
MAIN MARKET INDEX                    1.013,09     0,28     92.715,48
PARALLEL MARKET INDEX                  934,77     2,04     12.696,61
INVESTMENT COMPANIES MARKET INDEX      916,15    -1,37     11.674,01
MAIN AND PARALLEL MARKETS INDEX      1.009,95     0,33    105.412,09
BANKS INDEX                          1.025,30     0,29     52.136,62
HOTELS INDEX                           879,10     1,23      1.457,50
ALTERNATIVE MARKET INDEX               859,43     1,20     55.617,04
FTSE Med (04/01/2005)                6.972,77     0,18

* The second column presents the percentage variation of the indices

[07] Cyprus ready to air further assistance to Sri Lanka

1830:CYPPRESS:07

Cyprus ready to air further assistance to Sri Lanka

Nicosia, Jan 5 (CNA) Antibiotics and vaccinations valued at 45 thousand pounds as well as staple commodities, offered by the Republic of Cyprus for the victims of the southeast Asia tsunami, were transported to Larnaca Airport today where they will be flown to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

[08] Excavations begin in occupied north to locate graves

1930:CYPPRESS:08

Excavations begin in occupied north to locate graves

Nicosia, Jan 5 (CNA) Greek Cypriot member of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP), Elias Georghiades said todays start of excavations to locate graves in the Turkish occupied north of the island was a small step in the right direction.

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