Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-08-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus - Palestine - Water shortage problem

[02] Tourism Ministry - Holy Synod - Miss Universe pageant

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Court - British tourist - Nightclub attack

[05] Foreign Ministry - UNFICYP - Greek Cypriot

[06] Cyprus - Protest - Turkish military aircraft violations

1500:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus - Palestine - Water shortage problem

Both Themistocleous and Abu-Safieh described the problem as "acute" and said Cyprus and the Palestinian Autonomous Areas are "in the same boat".

"We are on the same boat here in Cyprus and in Palestine. We are facing almost the same problems, like the problem of water shortage," Abu- Safieh said.

He added they discussed "the activities that are being done here and what we hope to do there."

"In Palestine we are trying to secure the basic needs of our people... we need balance between the needs and the environment," the Palestinian official said.

Abu-Safieh, who is visiting Cyprus at the invitation of the Technical Chamber of Cyprus (ETEK), said that tomorrow the Palestinian delegation will visit the first desalination plant to operate on the island, in Dhekelia on the eastern coast.

The Palestinian Autonomous Areas are planning to construct three desalination plants.

On his part Themistocleous said that Cyprus and the Palestinian Autonomous Areas are in the early stages of trying to effectively tackle issues affecting the environment.

He said the two discussed Cyprus' bid to join the European Union and Palestinian efforts to build a state.

Themistocleous assured that Cyprus will help Palestinians in their efforts to build a state adding that Palestinians have already come here to study the island's experiences in the agricultural field.

CNA RG/MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1520:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Tourism Ministry - Holy Synod - Miss Universe pageant

Replying to a statement issued yesterday by the Holy Synod, comprising the island's top church leaders and the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, the ministry says beauty contests are held "in 182 of the 185 countries of our planet".

In a strongly-worded statement the ministry points out that beauty pageants have been held in Cyprus in the past.

"Nobody has been scandalised by the beauty contests held until today because the one-piece swimsuits to be worn at the event were also worn by the mothers of our grandmothers," the ministry states.

Expressing "surprise" with the Holy Synod statement, the ministry notes that this year millions of Cypriots and tourists "will enjoy the sun and sea in outfits far more daring than that of the contest and no one will be scandalised."

"With all the respect that we have towards the Church, we as a ministry believe that a real catharsis and effort to put right all that is wrong should be undertaken and not an effort to cancel events that are part of international life," it concludes.

In its statement yesterday the Holy Synod called on its flock not to participate in the pageant and expressed surprise and sadness that such an event will be held "during celebrations marking 2000 years since the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Minister Nicos Rolandis had signed the contract to host the Miss Universe pageant last month. He had expressed certainty it would help promote the island as a tourist resort and get Cyprus in the limelight.

CNA MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

      CSE General Index                         282.90 ( 2.16)

      Traded Value            CYP 30,664,216

      Sectural Indices

      Banks                   CYP11,603,324     387.02 ( 3.17)
      Approved Investment
      Companies               CYP   664,091     131.81 ( 1.17)
      Insurance Companies     CYP   881,967     133.77 (-2.92)
      Manufacturing Companies CYP   509,849     101.42 ( 1.24)
      Tourism Companies       CYP 1,359,541     195.78 (-1.87)
      Trading Companies       CYP 1,354,516     122.00 ( 0.18)
      Other Companies         CYP 7,753,084     251.55 (-0.02)

CNA EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1655:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Court - British tourist - Nightclub attack

Loukas Ioannou, 28, a cook, is being treated at the Nicosia General Hospital where he underwent an operation for a severe head injury. A hospital representative told CNA his condition is critical and he is on life support.

The Briton was arrested at dawn today in the popular coastal resort of Ayia Napa, in the eastern coast, following a manhunt.

Gallimore, a building contractor, had arrived in Cyprus on holiday with his brother on July 30 and was scheduled to leave the island on August 6.

Investigating police officer, George Economou told the Famagusta District Court that Ioannou had accidentally pushed Gallimore with his shoulder at a local disco yesterday morning.

The Londoner, who was sitting at the bar at the time, reacted by punching Ioannou until he fell to the ground covered in blood, Economou added.

After the incident Gallimore and his brother left the scene. Gallimore allegedly admitted punching Ioannou but said he does not believe he was the one who caused the severe head injury. He said it is possible Ioannou was also hit by others.

The blood-stained clothes Gallimore was wearing at the time of the incident will be sent for forensic examinations, while police are expected to take around 20 testimonies.

CNA MAN/MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1800:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Foreign Ministry - UNFICYP - Greek Cypriot

An official statement says Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides is personally following the case while Acting House President Nicos Anastasiades, who is replacing the President of the Republic, is being kept informed.

Georgiou, 48, was abducted last month when he accidentally entered the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974.

His brother Dafnis, who visited him yesterday with UNFICYP escort, has said Georgiou is being systematically beaten, tortured and on occasions was left without food and water.

The Foreign Ministry said it is monitoring with concern Georgiou's continuing illegal detention and today summoned UNFICYP senior advisor Peter Schmidtz and other officials to complain.

It has asked that Georgiou is examined by an UNFICYP doctor. At the same time the Foreign Ministry has contacted the Canadian High Commission in Cyprus, based in Damascus, to make the necessary representations, and asked Cyprus' charge d' affaires in Ottawa to contact the Canadian government.

The statement says the ministry has also asked for "the good-offices of other diplomatic missions of friendly countries."

Rogiros Georgiou is scheduled to appear before an illegal court in the Turkish occupied areas on August 10.

The illegal regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus is recognised only by Ankara while numerous UN resolutions call on all states not to recognise or facilitate it in any way.

CNA MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1815:CYPPRESS:06

[06] Cyprus - Protest - Turkish military aircraft violations

Most of the violations occurred only a few days after the Security Council adopted resolution 1251 calling upon all states to respect and not prejudice by their actions the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus.

In a letter sent last week to the UN Secretary-General, which circulated as an official General Assembly document yesterday, the Cyprus Permanent Mission to the UN gives specific details on the dates, the violations that occurred and the type of aircraft.

It points out that such actions violate international air traffic rules and are in contravention to the provisions of the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus.

"Such provocative actions are not conducive to reducing tension," the letter says, noting they run contrary to a new UN initiative announced last September aiming at reducing tensions and promoting progress towards a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

It adds that "the continuing overflights by the Turkish Air Force as well as the presence of Turkish military forces on the island constitute the underlying causes of tension in Cyprus."

Most of the Turkish military aircraft violations of the Nicosia FIR and Cyprus' airspace occurred around July 20th, the date when the Turkish forces invaded Cyprus 25 years ago, occupying 37 per cent of the island's territory.

CNA MA/EC/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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