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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-10-04Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>CONTENTS
1410:CYPPRESS:01[01] Cypriot military exercise startsNicosia, Oct 4 (CNA) -- A six-day military exercise code-named ''Nikiforos'' of Cyprus' National Guard started today in the government-controlled southern part of this East Mediterranean island.Greece's air force and naval units will take part in the Cypriot annual manoeuvres. Also taking part in the exercise will be some 8.500 Greek Cypriot reservists. Parachutists will be dropped over Cyprus from Greek military aircraft, weather conditions permitting. During the exercise live ammunition will be fired and air raids will be carried out by Greek warplanes on mock targets. The last stages of the exercise will run at the same time with the Greek armed forces ''Toxotis'' exercise between Cyprus and Greece's southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes, scheduled to start on Sunday. Both exercises will take place within the framework of the joint defence pact agreed upon by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in November 1993. The pact aims to face Turkish expansionist designs against the two countries. Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal. Greece has warned Turkey with war in case the Turkish occupation troops advance towards the free areas of the Cyprus Republic. CNA GP/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1530 :CYPPRESS:02[02] EU embargo on illegal regime set to stayNicosia, Oct 4 (CNA) -- The government does not think the European Union has any intention of lifting the trade embargo on the illegal regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides has said.''The EU has its own directives and abides by them. Various EU bodies are instructed to ensure implementation of EU laws which govern its functions,'' Cassoulides told his press briefing today. His comments follow reports in the Turkish press which quote diplomatic sources saying that the EU has indicated it would lift the trade embargo it imposed in 1994. The Court of Justice of the European Communities ruled in July 1994 that EU member states must not accept produce and health certificates originating from anybody but the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. The press reports said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash intends to tour European capitals for contacts in an apparent effort to promote his own views on EU matters. Asked to comment on a suggestion that the government should consider relaxing some of the trade barriers to ease the economic decline in occupied Cyprus, Cassoulides noted the Greek Cypriot side is asked to lift an embargo which was imposed by legal means. The suggestion was made by Lord Finsberg, Cyprus Rapporteur at the Council of Europe, in his preliminary report on the situation on the island. Referring to Denktash's proposed trip to EU capitals, the Spokesman said the government will deal with it appropriately. CNA MM/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1730:CYPPRESS:03[03] Cyprus Stock ExchangeNicosia, Oct 4 (CNA) -- The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) All Share Index closed at today's stock exchange meeting as follows:CSE All Share Index 81.87 (+0.38) Sectural Indices Banks 88.60 (+0.23) Approved Investment Companies 73.45 (-0.53) Insurance Companies 61.50 (+0.61) Industrial Companies 80.14 (+0.51) Tourist Industries 75.32 (+1.24) Commercial Companies 67.41 (+1.29) Other Companies 79.67 (-0.21) Trading Volume CYP 500089.483* The difference in brackets represents the percentage increase (+) or decrease (-) of the index from the previous stock exchange meeting. CNA MM/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1745 :CYPPRESS:04[04] Government comments on CoE Cyprus reportNicosia, Oct 4 (CNA) -- The Greek Cypriot side hopes that a Council of Europe draft report on Cyprus will be amended once its author hears out the government's comments on it, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said here today.''We shall outline our views on Lord Finsberg's draft report when he visits Cyprus later this month in the hope that he will understand that some of the positions he takes will have to be amended,'' Cassoulides told the press. The report criticises the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities for defying the UN ''quite blatantly'' and calls for a more logical approach to the Cyprus problem by both. It also warns that the European Union may take measures against either or both sides if they do not cooperate during negotiations for a settlement. The Spokesman said Lord Finsberg's reference to Greek Cypriot defiance of the UN ''creates problems in the efforts of the international community to implement UN resolutions 1000 and 1032 (which calls for a reduction in arms on both sides).'' ''We have declared our readiness to accept a timetable for the withdrawal of troops and a reduction of arms provided it leads to the demilitarisation of the island,'' Cassoulides said. He also said references in the report to a UN proposed package of confidence building measures (that both sides share the blame for absence of agreement on their implementation) have been overtaken by recent developments and decisions on Cyprus. ''The international community backs intense preparatory work for direct negotiations to ensure a successful outcome and believes talks should focus on the substance of the Cyprus question,'' Cassoulides explained. The Spokesman said Lord Finsberg's conclusion that it appears that all missing persons have died ''run contrary to decisions by the international community on this issue, which dictate that all cases on the missing should be investigated and convincing proof of each person's fate must be provided.'' CNA MM/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1810 :CYPPRESS:05[05] No US protests over military manoeuvresNicosia, Oct 4 (CNA) -- The US has not protested about the National Guard annual military exercise codenamed ''Nikiforos'', with the participation of the Greek armed forces, Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides has said.''The American ambassador here, who met Thursday with Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, did not make any representations yesterday,'' Cassoulides told the press. He said ambassador Kenneth Brill wished to be informed about President Glafcos Clerides' recent talks in New York and discussions with Greek Premier Costas Simitis, earlier this week. ''The military manoeuvres, and Greek military participation in them, featured in yesterday's talks but Brill did not comment on the matter,'' Cassoulides said. He acknowledged, however, that Brill had in the past asked the President to avoid any military moves which may increase tension. CNA MM/MA/1996ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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