Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 98-08-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] House President - US - Bomb attacks

[02] Government - Greek junta intelligence chief visit

[03] Weather - Fall in temperatures

1745:CYPPRESS:01

[01] House President - US - Bomb attacks

Kyprianou today sent telegrams to US Vice President and Senate President, Al Gore, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, expressing aversion and shock with the bomb attacks.

Offering his condolences, the House President unreservedly condemns all acts of terrorism and expresses the hope those responsible will soon be brought before justice.

The bomb attacks against the US embassies occurred last Friday.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Government - Greek junta intelligence chief visit

Vintzilaios has been on the immigration stop list because of his active part in the July 1974 coup in Cyprus, staged by the Greek military junta to overthrow the elected President, Archbishop Makarios III.

Five days after the coup, Turkey invaded Cyprus using as a pretext the protection of the Turkish Cypriots and since then continues to occupy 37 per cent of the island's territory.

Vintzilaios' visit was revealed Sunday by opposition left-wing AKEL party newspaper "Haravgi", prompting strong reaction from nearly all political parties as well as House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou.

An official announcement issued today says President Glafcos Clerides had ordered Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis to allow "the extraordinary entry and stay for three days in Cyprus of Vasilis Vintzilaios".

It adds that permission was given on request from the family of deceased businessman Yiangos Papadopoulos "to tie up some outstanding matters regarding the deceased's property in Zaire".

Vintzilaios is the director of Papadopoulos' business abroad. The deceased, who was one of the richest persons in Cyprus, had lived and worked in Zaire for many years.

The government press release also notes that the deceased had donated "a considerable amount of money" to the pre-election campaign of George Iacovou, who was AKEL's candidate in last February's presidential elections.

AKEL General Secretary, Dimitris Christofias, sent Koshis a letter Monday demanding to know why the former intelligence chief was given permission to visit the island.

Centre-right party DIKO, socialist EDEK and the United Democrats have also strongly condemned the visit.

House President Spyros Kyprianou, said his party, DIKO, does not consider the issue closed.

He added that Vintzilaios is one of eighteen persons that had ties with the Greek junta and are not allowed to visit Cyprus.

Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou, who represents EDEK in the government, described the visit as a "provocation to the democratic feelings of our people" as Vintzilaios is one of the persons to blame for the tragic situation in Cyprus today.

"Initially there seems to be a violation of the institutional and legal framework because he is on the stop list," he said.

Omirou added that "convincing replies" have to be given regarding Ventzilaios' entry and the procedures followed.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1910:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Weather - Fall in temperatures

The heatwave claimed the lives of 56 people, mainly elderly with health problems, according to Health Minister Christos Solomis.

Temperatures today were 39 degrees Celsius in Nicosia, a four per cent drop from yesterday, 33 in the southern shores, from 38, and 31 in the western coast, from 33.

The Meteorological Department announced temperatures will remain at today's levels through to Friday when a slight increase is expected.

"The small tragedy Cyprus went through in the past few days is coming to an end, with the heatwave easing and temperatures going back to normal levels," Solomis told reporters after a visit to Larnaca Hospital.

The southern coastal town of Larnaca was badly affected by the heatwave as well as unbearable humidity.

The Health Minister said that of the 56 people who died over the past few days, 30 were from Larnaca and the Famagusta district, 16 from the south-western coastal town of Limassol, nine from the capital Nicosia and one from Paphos, in the western shores.

Solomis praised the work done by hospital staff and said difficulties which came up were unavoidable.

It is estimated that over 3.500 people sought medical care over the weekend with heat-related problems.

Acting President of the Republic, House of Representatives President, Spyros Kyprianou, also congratulated hospital staff for their dedication, pointing out that a large number of doctors and nurses who were on leave voluntarily offered to return.

"Every effort to tackle the situation was made," he said and added that some problems that came up should be discussed with the government at a later stage.

CNA MA/MCH/1998

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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