Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 98-10-08

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

News Update

Thursday, 08/10/98

CONTENTS

• [01] UN sponsored shuttle talks to begin soon
• [02] Turkey's illegal deployment of US military equipment in Cyprus denounced
• [03] Foreign Trade Statistics

[01] UN sponsored shuttle talks to begin soon

Speaking on her return to Cyprus from a visit to Athens and Ankara, Dame Ann said she had "very productive" and "very useful discussions" in both capitals which she believes will facilitate her talks with both sides.

Dame Ann stressed that the imminent shuttle talks with President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will take place behind closed doors.

She reiterated a statement made by the UN Secretary General in New York, on September 30 in which she is mandated "to develop a process for on-island contacts with both parties, with the goal of reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting statement". Dame Ann said yesterday the Secretary General believed the process would best be undertaken away from media spotlight.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides reiterated yesterday that the government is ready to engage in a dialogue on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with the framework of all UN resolutions.

Referring to the Turkish side's proposal for confederation he said "Once more, the Turkish Cypriot side is trying to revoke events and facts as they have been formulated within the framework of the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General and the joint statement of the foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

[02] Turkey's illegal deployment of US military equipment in Cyprus denounced

Pointing out that US defence equipment and services sold or leased to Turkey have been redeployed in the occupation zone of Cyprus in violation of US law, Mr. D'Amato wrote that "such deployments severely complicate the efforts of the United States to achieve measurable progress towards a just and lasting Cyprus settlement. I request the immediate review of the matter, including an inventory of US defense equipment and services in the occupied zone of Cyprus", he added.

In his letter, Senator D'Amato noted that the Foreign Assistance Act prohibits the furnishing of US military assistance to any country for purposes other than internal security, legimate self - defence or for certain UN approved actions.

[03] Foreign Trade Statistics

Total exports were L364,9 mn in relation to L371,6 mn of the corresponding period in 1997. As a result of the above developments the trade deficit totalled L744,5 mn compared to L742,2 mn of the previous year. The goods supplied by EU countries presented an increase representing 53 per cent of the country's total imports as compared with 46,9 per cent last year.

Domestic exports reached L153,2 mn in the first six months of 1998 whereas last year they amounted to L132,8 mn.

EU countries absorbed 57,4 per cent of Cyprus domestic exports, followed by the Arab countries with a percentage of 23,7.

Last year the corresponding shares for the EU and the Arab countries were 51,2 per cent and 27,1 per cent respectively.

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

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