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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-01-14Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
FRIDAY 14 JANUARY 2000 [01] HEADLINESIt has been confirmed that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will chair the start of the second round of proximity talks,The government spokeman has said there is no reason for concern over an invitation by the German Foreign Minister to Rauf Denktash for a meeting, Cyprus political parties wrangle over whether the invitation sets a bad precedent or not, The Cyprus Stock Exchange is investigating allegations of undue influence by brokerage firms on investors to sell their shares, Investors warn that constant dithering on stock market laws is causing havoc with business, And the Interior Minister has said laws regarding the handling of Turkish Cypriot property are frought with problems. [02] SPOKESMAN GENEVAUnited Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will chair the start of the second round of proximity talks in Geneva.This confirmatin from Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou, who added that Geneva was selected for the second round because Mr. Annan will be present there at the time. Mr. Papapetrou said the talks' proceduces will be the same as those followed in New York. The talks will be conducted in the same manner as in New York, there will be an imposed embargo on statements and the whole process will last around 10 days. The Government Spokesman added that the four issues discussed in New York will be examined on a deeper level in Geneva, as Mr. Annan had requested. The President of the Republic will be accompanied to Geneva by the Foreign Minister, the Attorney General, the Government Spokesman and the undersecretary to the President. The National Council will convene prior the President Clerides' departure for Geneva on the 25th of January. [03] SPOKESMAN FISCHERMeanwhile, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou has said that German Foreign Minister Yiosca Fischer's invitation to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a meeting is no reason for concern, if the invitation is similar to that extended by the UN Secretary General to Mr. Denktash.Mr. Papapetrou added that what is of substance are that the contacts which Mr. Denktash will have, do not encourage his position on recognition. The Government Spokesman stressed also that the government is acting so that in can prevent anything that may be construed as recognition of the occupation regime. Mr. Papapetrou said that according to government sources, there is no reason to worry that the German government may possibly recognzed the occupation regime. The Government Spokesman said that the German government has in fact expressed its willingness to engage more actively in resolution efforts. Mr. Papapetrou said that it would not bother the government if Mr. Denktash had contacts with the European Union, stressing again that what is most important is the nature and shape of these contacts. [04] EDEK DENKTASHSocialist party EDEK has criticized the fact that the invitation extended to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash by the German Foreign Minister was warmly greeted by Greek Cypriot political power brokers.The party also criticized that a lack of sensitivity is gradually leading to the creation of undesirable situations. In an announcement, EDEK said Yoska Fischer's example will be repeated in the future, since Greek Cypriot politicians welcomed the invitiation. The party added that soon, every invitation extended to the President of the Republic, will be extended to the Mr. Denktash as well. EDEK asked if this qualifies as recognition of the Turkish Cypriot leader, adding that no suggestion for a change of position on the issue was made at National Council meetings. [05] GREENS FISCHERThe Cyprus Greens meanwhile, have sent an urgent message to the German Foreign Minister saying that Mr. Fischer's planned meeting with Mr. Denktash constitutes a bad precedent for Europe.In its own announcment, the Greens consider the action as unfortunate, mistaken and a politically aimless initiative, which will only lead to encouraging the Turkish Cypriot leader's arrogant and intransigent attitude. The Greens called on Mr. Fischer to visit Cyprus in order to gain a broader perspective of the situation. [06] ANASTASIADES CYPRUSDemocratic Rally Party President Nicos Anastasiades reiterated that he doesn't see any damage caused by the German Foreign Minister's invitation, since Rauf Denktash is referred in the invitation as leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.In statements to CyBC this morning, Mr. Anastasiades said that the meeting will be a positive development, if Mr. Fischer stresses the benefits the Turkish Cypriot side will gain from Cyprus' European course and asks Mr. Denktash to end his intransigence. The DISY party leader said that the Greek Cypriot side can neither ask foreigners to intercede, nor react every time an invitation is extended. Mr. Anastasiades also stressed that the Greek Cypriot side must invest in and get the most benefits from the new dynamic created by the Helsinki European Union summit. He also declared himself to be in favour of bolstering efforts at rapprochement and restoring trust between the two sides on the island. [07] DENKTASH TRAPMeanwhile, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has described efforts at rapprochement by Greek and Turkish Cypriot non-governmental agencies as a "trap".He also reiterated his insistence his occupation regme being recognized, as well as equality and sovereignty. [08] CLERIDES ISRAELISPresident Clerides met this morning with the President and members of Israel's Supreme Court.The Israeli officials are conducting an official visit to Cyprus, on the invitation of the island's Supreme Court. No statements were made after the meeting. [09] STOCK VIOLATIONSThe CSE Governing Council is moving towards a preliminary investigation into allegations that investors were influenced to sell shares in their possession.The investigation concerns the CLR and Share Link brokerage firms, to which CSE Director Nondas Metaxas has sent letters asking whether the allegations are true. In a reply letter, CLR said that it had never influenced investors to either buy or sell shares, adding that it sometimes dispenses advice on shares when it is asked. Share Link's reply was along the same lines, noting that protecting investor interests and dispensing investment advice is the firm's ethical and legal obligation. [10] INVESTORS REACTFrequent postponments of the Cyprus Stock Exchange's laws and regulations are not constructive, because they interfere with business at the exchange.This from Pancyprian Investors' Association General Secretary Andreas Antoniou, who said that frequent changes provoke uncertainly and mislead investors. Speaking on CyBC television, Mr. Antoniou said the law passed on the documentation of transactions over 20 thousand pounds, without broker mediation, excludes small investors, since the majority of transactions that occur are below that sum. As regards the separation of the three functions performed by brokers, Mr. Antoniou said that there is always a way of avoiding the law. He said the status quo will not change, since the law does not apply to brokers who are already CSE members. [11] DEFENCE CUTSHouse Defence Committee Chairman Takis Hadjidimitriou has confirmed that his committee will recommend to the plenum specific cuts to the defence budget.Speaking on CyBC this morning, Mr. Hadjidimitriou said the idea behind the move is that funds are approved only for real purchases and not theoretical ones. He also confirmed that the cuts will in no way affect the National Guard's armaments program. [12] CHRISTODOULOS LAWThe law pertaining to the administration of Turkish Cypriot property is frought with inaccuracies and vagueness and is not considered the proper mechanism to justly administer Turkish Cypriot property.This from Interior Minister and Turkish Cypriot property administrator Christodoulos Christodoulou, after a study of the matter prompted by charges made by deputies Antonis Karras and Kikis Yiangou. In a press conference, the Interior Minister presented the results of the investigation into the charges. He said that even if there are no major illegalities involved, the law's weakness since it was introduced in 1991 has allowed for the incorrect administration of the property. Mr. Christodoulou said that his ministry will prepare a draft law in the next six months to ammend the existing law. [13] WEATHERThis afternoon will be mainly fine with moderate, northeasterly winds, 4 to 5 beaufort, on moderate seas.The temperature will reach 13 degrees inland and 15 along the coasts. Tonight will be fine but cold. Winds will be northeasterly moderate, 4 beaufort, on moderate seas. The temperature will drop to one degree inland, 3 along the southern and eastern coasts, 5 along the western coasts, and minus two over the highest reaches of the Troodos mountains. Frost is expected in some areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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