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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-08-12Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
0955:CYPPRESS:01[01] SOCCER: Hertha Berlin 2 - Anorthosis Famagusta 0Nicosia, Aug 12 (CNA) -- Cyprus' champion Anorthosis was defeated last night in Berlin by Hertha 2 - 0 in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.The Cyprus side conceded the first goal in the second minute of the match and the second in the 58th minute. Anorthosis, a refugee club from the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, will meet Hertha again in Larnaca, their temporary home town, on August 25. Anorthosis had qualified for the Champions League third qualifying round after winning Slovan Bratislava 3 - 2 on aggregate in the second round earlier this month. CNA GG/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1155:CYPPRESS:02[02] Israelis - Prison sentence - SuspendedNicosia, Aug 12 (CNA) -- Two Israelis who were serving a three year jail sentence for approaching a prohibited military area in Cyprus, were released here Thursday after a recommendation by the Attorney-General to President Glafcos Clerides.Acting Attorney-General Nicos Charalambous told CNA Thursday that their prison sentence was suspended according to a recommendation by Attorney-General Alecos Markides, based on article 53 of the Constitution. "The recommendation provides for serving the national interest", said Charalambous in his statement. He pointed out that "special reasons made the Attorney General submit the recommendation which are directly involved with the handling of the national issue." Therefore, he said, "details cannot be revealed because that would not serve the purpose of the recommendation." Igar Damary, 49 and Udi Hargov, 37, were arrested in early November 1998 and were initially charged with spying. However the prosecution had dropped the spying charges and the two Israelis were sentenced to three years imprisonment on February 1st, 1999, for approaching a restricted area and possessing banned listening equipment without the permission of the Cypriot authorities. There were conflicting reports as to the whether the two had returned to Israel this morning on a private jet or their departure was still pending. CNA EC/GG/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1230:CYPPRESS:03[03] Cyprus - AftershocksNicosia, Aug 12 (CNA) -- More than 40 earth tremors followed yesterday morning's quake which measured 5.8 on the Richter scale, the strongest aftershock measuring 4,6.The Geological Survey Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, today announced that since 2000 local time (1700 GMT) yesterday until 0730 (0330 GMT) today a total of 44 aftershocks occurred. The strongest jolt measured 4,6 on the Richter scale and occurred at 2300 (2000 GMT) last night, causing light damage. Five quakes measuring between 4,0 and 4,3, were felt in Limassol while another 38 were of lighter magnitude. The seismic activity is considered a normal post-quake activity, following yesterday's quake in the region of Gerasa, north of the southern coastal town of Limassol. Cyprus is located in a seismic zone and earthquakes are quite common. CNA RG/EC/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1350:CYPPRESS:04[04] President Clerides - Israelis - PardonNicosia, Aug 12 (CNA) -- President Glafcos Clerides' decision to give pardon to two Israeli's serving a three-year jail sentence here since February for approaching a prohibited military area was taken because their continuing imprisonment "no longer served the national interest".According to an official press release "this gesture towards the friendly neighbouring state of Israel is made on the occasion of the assumption of power by the Barak government, which inaugurates a new period of friendly bilateral relations." The two Israelis, Igar Damary, 49, and Udi Hargov, 37, left Cyprus on a private plane that flew from Larnaca airport at 0800 am local time (0500 GMT). The government press release says the President decided to grant pardon and suspend the remainder of the two Israelis' prison term "exercising his constitutional powers and following the concurring opinion of the Attorney-General". The two Israelis were arrested in November 1998 and were initially charged with spying. The spying charges were then dropped and they were sentenced to three years imprisonment on February 1st 1999, for approaching a restricted area and possessing banned listening equipment without the permission of the Cypriot authorities. CNA MA/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1420:CYPPRESS:05[05] Israeli Ambassador - StatementNicosia, Aug 12 (CNA) -- Israel welcomed the decision of the Cyprus government to suspend the prison sentence of two Israeli nationals in Cyprus, noting that it will further contribute in strengthening the already friendly relations between the two countries.Igar Damary, 49 and Udi Hargov, 37 were serving a three year jail sentence for approaching a prohibited military area in Cyprus, were released today after a recommendation by Attorney General Alecos Markides to President Glafcos Clerides. Israeli Ambassador in Nicosia, Shemi Tzur, told CNA he was "pleased for the two Israelis" and happy they returned home to join their families. "I have no doubt whatsoever that the gesture of the Clerides government will contribute to further strengthening the existing friendly relations between our two countries," he said. The Ambassador also said that now "we don't have any more this cloud above us we will continue to work towards further intensifying, upgrading and expanding our relations in all fields". Tzur stressed that the Republic of Cyprus' gesture " "is highly appreciated in Israel". The two Israelis left this morning on a BRAVO ECO 9-L jet which arrived yesterday at Larnaca International Airport for this purpose. The whole procedure was kept secret and local authorities took tight security measures in and around the airport. CNA GG/EC/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1450:CYPPRESS:06[06] Communication Minister - ResignationNicosia, Aug 12 (CNA) -- Communication and Works Minister Leondios Ierodiaconou has handed in his resignation to take up a scientific research programme abroad in the second half of September.In a letter to President Glafcos Clerides dated July 28, which he released today following media reports on his resignation, Ierodiaconou clarifies that his decision "can in no way be connected to any disagreement or conflict of political content". Referring to press reports that he has given President Clerides the excuse to go ahead with a cabinet reshuffle in September, Ierodiaconou says "any effort to connect my choice with a possible reshuffle is unjustified." Ierodiaconou says that even though he will not participate full time in the programme he is forced to resign because he will often have to be away from Cyprus. According to a report in the island's largest-selling daily newspaper "Fileleftheros" Ierodiaconou will take up a research post on political issues at a Swedish University. Ierodiaconou, born in Nicosia in 1941, has served as MP with ruling right-wing DISI party from 1976 to 1996 and for a five-year term served as chairman of the House Finance Committee. He was appointed Minister of Communications and Works in April 1997 and continued to head this ministry after President Clerides' re-election for a second term in February 1998. Ierodiaconou studied political science in Greece and continued his studies in Sweden. CNA MA/MCH/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |