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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-12-31Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
1420:CYPPRESS:01[01] Cyprus - ShipwreckNicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- Seventeen people were rescued today by the British Bases in Cyprus and the Cyprus Port Police when the ship they were sailing on sunk 33 nautical miles off the coast of Larnaca, in the south of the island.According to British Bases spokesman Rob Need, this morning the Bases responded to a signal picked up via satellite by the cargo ship "Seven seas", under a Syrian flag, and sent a helicopter in the area to rescue 12 people drifting at sea in a dinghy. Another five people were rescued by a Cyprus Police helicopter. The people rescued, 12 Syrians and 5 Romanians, were taken to Larnaca Hospital for medical examinations. Britain retains two military bases in Cyprus since granting the island independence from colonial rule in 1960. CNA RM/MA/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY1510:CYPPRESS:02[02] US ambassador - New Year messageNicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) -- In a New Year message to the people of Cyprus US ambassador here Donald Bandler says that during the recent UN-led talks in New York it emerged that Cypriots were serious about the search for a negotiated settlement.The American ambassador also says his "everyday contacts with people here have shown that they yearn for the time when all Cypriots will enjoy a secure and prosperous future together." In his message, the US ambassador points out that in the outgoing year negotiations helped settle conflicts and decrease tensions in a number of regions. Bandler notes that Greece and Turkey also have now embarked upon a road to increase cooperation "that will radiate throughout the region". "This reconciliation has not been easy," the ambassador said. "The key has been dialogue and sustained public support for the hard work of negotiations. Events have shown that even in the most seemingly intractable situations, these ingredients make it possible to achieve peace." The American ambassador says that "as we look forward to the New Year and the continued talks process, I have confidence that Cyprus will join Greece and Turkey, Ireland and the Middle East in showing that it is possible to settle differences and build a durable peace". A new UN-led effort to pave the way for a settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory in 1974, got underway in New York earlier this month. A second round of proximity talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides will begin in Geneva on January 31. CNA MA/GG/1999ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCYCNA ENDSCyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |