Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ship - Police - End of rescue operation

[02] Limassol - Earth tremor

[03] US embassy - British High Commission - UN envoy's resignation

0915:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Ship - Police - End of rescue operation

A police spokesman told CNA today that officially the rescue operation has stopped but police will continue to be on the lookout during its daily sea patrols.

According to the other six crew members who were rescued, they were calling the two missing sailors, Ahhmed Abdou Aly, 43, and Elsahed Hassona, 56, from Egypt, to abandon the Honduran-flagged cargo vessel "Rofayda" immediately after an explosion on board but got no response.

There are suspicions they may have been injured from the explosion. The crew members saved, including the captain, had jumped off the vessel and managed to get onto a raft from where they were picked up by a tanker going by. The survivors are five Egyptians and a Sudanese.

A representative of the company that owns "Rofayda" has said the ship was in a good condition.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1120:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Limassol - Earth tremor

According to a Geological Department press release the earthquake's epicentre were the villages of Pahna and Prastio, northeast of Limassol.

A police spokesman told CNA no damages have been reported so far.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1220:CYPPRESS:03

[03] US embassy - British High Commission - UN envoy's resignation

Speaking to CNA officials of the two embassies pledged that their countries will continue their cooperation to get the stalled Cyprus peace talks going this autumn.

So far the Cyprus government has refrained from commenting on Hercus' decision to resign for "family reasons".

Her decision was announced yesterday with a statement attributable to the Secretary-General's spokesman in New York.

A US embassy spokesman told CNA today that "the US embassy has enjoyed a good cooperative relationship with Ms Hercus during her year in Cyprus."

"She has done an outstanding job under, at times difficult circumstances and we value her contribution," he added.

The spokesman said the US "urge the UN Secretary-General to name her replacement promptly and promise to do all we can in working with Ms Hercus' successor to promote a comprehensive negotiating process this fall under the Secretary-General's auspices."

On his part the British High Commission spokesman told CNA that they have "admired the way she has carried out her mandate on behalf of the Secretary-General."

"We and others remain fully committed to support the UN Secretary- General's efforts for a fresh round of talks," he added.

Hercus, 57, took up her post as Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General on July 1, 1998 and was appointed Special Representative about a month ago.

The official UN statement said Hercus is currently in New Zealand with her family, where, according to diplomatic sources her father is ill.

It adds that the Secretary-General accepted her resignation "with deep regret" and that over the past 12 months she has served "with distinction in a difficult assignment".

Kofi Annan and Dame Ann have agreed she will remain at her post until the end of September.

The outgoing UN special representative has served as New Zealand's ambassador to the UN, minister of her government and member of parliament.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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