Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 97-07-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

News Update

Wednesday, 30/07/97

CONTENTS

• [01] Jordanian official received by President and Foreign Minister
• [02] Australian MP says government shows good will
• [03] Government to protest against inclusion of pseudostate in international organisation
• [04] New findings about ancient Cyprus
• [05] Cyprus protests about Turkish provocations
• [06] Bank of England to investigate drug flow from occupied Cyprus
• [07] Rise in employment despite foreigners

[01] Jordanian official received by President and Foreign Minister

After the meeting with President Clerides, Mr Srour said he had conveyed King Hussein's hopes for further improvements in the relations of the two countries in the economic, cultural and political fields.

Speaking after the meeting with the Foreign Minister Srour said they discussed the Cyprus and Middle East problems and "exchanged views on matters of common interest in our region".

<Australian MP says government shows good will

Talks are the only way to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem and should be encouraged, Australian Labour MP Daryl Melham said here yesterday.

At the same time, he expressed satisfaction with the views expressed during his meetings with government officials.

Melham met with President Glafcos Clerides and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides who briefed him about recent developments.

The Australian MP stressed the need for talks at all levels, noting they "are the only way even if you do not necessarily achieve immediate results. If you are taking there is always a chance to reach a solution", he added.

On his return to Australia Melham will be reporting his findings to opposition Labour Party leader, Kim Beazly. He leaves Cyprus today.

[02] Government to protest against inclusion of pseudostate in international organisation

Originally part of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), is now a private organisation of 38 members. According to the Turkish press the breakaway Turkish Cyprus has been accepted as an official member. Cyprus is not a member.

Christofides said that the Foreign Ministry is lodging protests with the organisation and elsewhere.

[03] New findings about ancient Cyprus

The Antiquities Department say their findings prove the significant role of Idalion in the economy of ancient Cyprus.

Recent digs in the area of the Late Bronze Age site, brought to light a new wall which may have constituted part of the enclosure encircling the "industrial" installations excavated in previous years, the Department said.

[04] Cyprus protests about Turkish provocations

In a letter, circulated as a UN document, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Nicos Agathocleous, referred to the visit of Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, to the occupied part of Cyprus and the "joint declaration" issued by Ecevit and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, concerning the gradual integration of the occupied areas of Cyprus with Turkey.

He said that such actions are in contravention of the provisions of the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions on Cyprus.

He stressed moreover, that "such actions could adversely affect the good climate that has emerged from the UN-sponsored direct talks and seriously impede the efforts towards the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

[05] Bank of England to investigate drug flow from occupied Cyprus

The paper reported on Sunday that the Bank's inquiries into the activities of the "Cyprus Credit Bank (UK)" and the bigger "Turkish Bank (UK)" forced the first bank to close operations.

It added that record amounts of heroin are flowing into Britain, up to 90 percent from or through Turkey and the occupied areas of Cyprus, while UK Customs have seized more than a tonne of the illicit substance in the past three months.

The drug flow, "The Observer" wrote, has sparked a war between rival Turkish and Turkish Cypriot gangs which has led to several murders in London.

Although Turkey passed a law against money laundering, last year, British banking regulators believe it is inadequate and have advised caution when dealing with Turkish banks and clients.

The newspaper further pointed out that dozens of "brass plate" banks with links to organised crime have sprouted in the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus since 1992 because of lax banking laws.

It noted that British efforts to combat the heroin trade "are being hampered by suspicions of links between drug barons, high-level politicians and senior police chiefs in Turkey".

[06] Rise in employment despite foreigners

According to the Department of Statistics and Research, the number of foreign workers has risen to 12,045 in 1995 compared to 2,530 in 1989.

In its report of the Geographical Distribution of Establishments the Department says that persons working in offshore companies in Cyprus more than doubled, almost reaching 4000, with more than half of employees being Cypriots.

The report says that the largest increase in professional establishments over the period was recorded in the Paphos area and that the Limassol area had the greatest concentration of establishments.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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