Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-02-15

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] New Limassol Bishop - Enthronement

[02] Defence Minister - Moscow

[03] Kasoulides - Annan - Holbrooke

0910:CYPPRESS:01

[01] New Limassol Bishop - Enthronement

Thousands of Limassolians headed by their mayor Dimitris Kontides and other local officials turned up to welcome their new Bishop, who had secured a majority vote last week in the final stage of elections.

A consecration service was held Sunday morning in Nicosia, officiated by Archbishop Chrysostomos, in the presence of President Glafcos Clerides, House President Spyros Kyprianou, church and party leaders and other officials, as well as hundreds of faithful.

A number of clergy from other Orthodox churches, including priests from Mount Athos in northern Greece where Athanasios served before returning here, had also come to Cyprus for the enthronement.

However, four members of the Holy Synod, Bishops Chrysostomos of Paphos and Pavlos of Kyrenia as well as Suffragan Bishops of Arsinoe and Salamina, were not present at the ceremonies, deepening recent differences in the Church ranks.

During the pre-election period Bishop Chrysostomos had accused Athanasios' spiritual mentor, Elder Iosif, of indecent behaviour. The charge was rejected by the Holy Synod.

Bishop Athanasios, until recently the Abbot of Machairas Monastery, replaces former Bishop Chrysanthos who was forced to resign after facing fraud allegations.

The new Limassol Bishop has a large following and is particularly popular with the younger generation, as he has the gift to communicate with young people.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1030:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Defence Minister - Moscow

Speaking on his departure for Moscow, Chrysostomis also said that during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyev the Cypriot side will put forward a proposal for amendments to an existing agreement for technical backing, but did not elaborate.

"My visit to Moscow has to do with the final arrangements for the deployment of the missiles in Crete," he said.

At a meeting in Athens last week, Chrysostomis and his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos reached an agreement for the deployment of the S300 in this southern Greek island.

Chrysostomis said a delegation from the Greek Defence Ministry will also participate in the Moscow talks with the manufacturing company Rosvooruzhenie to achieve amendments to the contract.

Referring to his meeting with Sergeyev, the Cypriot Defence Minister said "we will discuss issues of mutual interest".

"During our talks we will also suggest amendments to the existing agreement for technical support," he added.

Asked if he is optimistic on the outcome of his talks, the minister replied that "if we take into consideration all statements made by the Russian side I believe this issue will be resolved."

The Russian news agency Interfax said Sunday that the country's main arms exporter Rozvooruzhenie sees no problems in altering its contract with Cyprus.

"We, as a state company, see no problems," its head Grigory Rapota told the agency.

He added "we only have to re-register some of the clauses of the contract. We do not expect any financial losses. The deal is working - we fulfil our part, the Cypriots fulfil their part."

President Glafcos Clerides decided in December not to deploy the S-300 surface-to-air missiles in Cyprus and instead to negotiate with Moscow their possible deployment in Crete.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory.

CNA MAN/MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1400:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Kasoulides - Annan - Holbrooke

Kasoulides arrived in New York yesterday, accompanied by Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Takis Christopoulos and Director of his Office, Minas Hadjiminas.

Tomorrow morning, Kasoulides will have a working breakfast with Holbrooke and will then meet with the UN Secretary-General, while on Tuesday he will have a lunch with other UN officials.

Today, Kasoulides was due to exchange views on recent developments in the Cyprus problem with leading members of the Greek community in the US.

On Tuesday afternoon Kasoulides will leave for Washington, where he will meet on Wednesday with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

CNA MCH/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article