Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-02-09

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Occupation regime expels doctor

[02] Thousands attend prayer at Kykko Monastery

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Occupation regime expels doctor

Joseph Moutiris, a Limassol General Hospital doctor, along with nurse Katina Vassiliou, had originally been allowed by the illegal authorities to visit the northern Turkish-occupied village of Kormakitis, to treat enclaved Maronite patients.

Following arrangements with the occupation regime, the two had crossed into the occupied areas through the Ledra Palace check-point early yesterday and went to Kormakitis where they treated some 15 patients at the community centre.

While another 15 patients were waiting to be examined, five men turned up claiming to be ''policemen'' and demanded Moutiris show his work permit for the Turkish-occupied areas.

Despite the doctor's appeal to allow him examine all patients, the self- styled ''policemen'' took both Moutiris and the nurse to a local ''police'' station and later drove them to the Ledra Palace check-point where they were told to return to the free areas.

Moutiris has been visiting the Turkish-occupied areas since 1995 to treat enclaved patients.

This was the first time the occupation regime intervened in his humanitarian mission. The government is expected to lodge a complaint to the UN for the incident.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of the island's territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

CNA AP/EC/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1550:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Thousands attend prayer at Kykko Monastery

In his prayer, Archbishop Chrysostomos called on the Virgin Mary and Christ to help the people of Cyprus in their struggle to free the Turkish- occupied northern part of the island and ascertain the fate of those missing, since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

He also prayed for an end to the continuing drought which is considered the second national problem on the island.

In a speech, Chrysostomos said the tears of Virgin Mary and Christ are not only a sign of sorrow and love but also a challenge for all to realise the dangers around us.

It was the first time since 1977, when the late Archbishop Makarios III was buried at Throni, near Kykko Monastery, that the area has experienced such throng. Cars were immobilised as thousands slowly passed underneath the icon which was carried in a procession around the Monastery.

Some say the shedding of what seems to be thick, fragrant tears from the icon is an ominous sign for the island's future.

The tears, which continue to flow, are a thick, running liquid, somewhat like the sap of a pine tree. They do not evaporate, but rather remain as streaks running from the eyes of both the Virgin and the Christ- child.

The ''Virgin of the Elikion'' icon was transferred to Kykko Monastery in 1789, according to inscription on the icon itself, after the Monastery in which it was kept was destroyed.

Meanwhile, the priest of Mammari village, 15 kilometres west of Nicosia, said that yesterday he noticed tears shedding from three icons in the church of St. George.

CNA EC/AP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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