Cyprus Mail: Press Review in English, 99-01-16

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Saturday, January 16, 1999

Crushed by a crazy Cascavel

THE DEATH of a National Guardsman in an accident involving an armoured vehicle, the fourth tragic death in 48 hours, was the main focus for all yesterday's papers. Attention was also given to further comment on President Glafcos Clerides' letter to UN General Secretary Kofi Annan and Britain's special representative to Cyprus Sir David Hannay's visit to Cyprus this coming week.

Phileleftheros called the Cascavel armoured vehicle - also known as a 'Crotalias' - which crushed 19-year-old Michalis Pendaliotis, a "murderer".

The paper said Pendaliotis was the third person to be killed by a vehicle in the last three days. "The day before yesterday it was eight-year-old Eleni (Andronikou) and 13-year-old Nicolas (Theodorou). Yesterday it was the turn of 19-year-old Michalis (Pendaliotis).

Phileleftheros' lead, however, was "Hannay: He's coming with ideas to break the deadlock."

The paper said that, according to its informed sources, "the Foreign Office representative will involve all sides in discussions with the aim of implementing the UN's procedures."

Alithia had the headline, "Fatal 'Crotalias' cut short the life of a 19-year-old."

The paper said Pendaliotis had been crushed by the Brazilian-made vehicle, while on a military exercise in Larnaca's Kalo Chorio area.

Alithia then described the disturbing scene at Nicosia General hospital where President Clerides joined Pendaliotis' shattered family and friends. Also present to support the family were House president Spyros Kyprianou, Defence Minister Yiannakis Chrysostomis, Health Minister Christos Solomis and MP Nicos Moushiouttas, who was Pendaliotis' godfather. Pendaliotis' mother works at the Presidential Palace and his father is head of Civil Defence.

The paper, meanwhile, described Clerides' letter to Annan as "an act of good will." It said the letter also contained a warning, with Clerides saying that "the postponement (in arms purchases) is not indefinite."

Haravghi called Pendaliotis' death "a terrible tragedy."

The paper described the circumstances of the accident and noted that the unlucky commando was the son of the head of Cyprus' Civil Defence, Modestos Pendaliotis. His mother, the paper continued, is a Presidential Palace employee.

The paper also gave front-page attention to Akel's Secretary-general, Demetris Christofias, being discharged from hospital after lengthy treatment for bronchial pneumonia.

Machi's main headline was "Crazy Cascavel crushes National Guardsman."

The paper also discussed Hannay's forthcoming visit, saying that Britain supported the shuttle talks between UN special envoy to Cyprus Dame Ann Hercus, Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The paper continued that Dame Anne's meeting with British Foreign Minister Robin Cook on Thursday lasted an hour.

Simerini focused on the arrest of the driver of the military vehicle that crushed Pendaliotis. The paper continued with a description of the accident and scenes at the hospital. The report said that investigations into the exact circumstances of the accident were continuing.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999

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