Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-07-13

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>

CONTENTS

MONDAY 12 JULY 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] PAPANDREOU

[02] SPOKESMAN/CYPRUS

[03] PAPHOS/BISHOP

[04] VASILIOU

[05] FOREIGN WORKERS

[06] INDIAN /PAKISTAN

[07] TURKEY EXPLOSION

[08] IRAN

[09] HEAT

[10] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

--PRESIDENT CLERIDES WILL REPLY TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL'S INVITATION ACCORDINGLY

--INTERNAL CHURCH ACCUSATIONS SURFACE OVER THE POSSIBLE SUCCESSION OF THE ARCHBISHOP

--CHIEF NAGOTIATOR VASILIOU BRIEFED THE HOUSE ON NEGOTIATING POSITIONS

--AND THE HEATWAVE MAY LINGER ON UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY WHEN LOWER TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED.

[02] PAPANDREOU

In an interview with the Athens newspaper Ethnos, Papandreou added that some sort of a dialogue could be conducted with Turkey on other issues even though there are great differences and huge problems such as the Cyprus issue and the process in the Aegean,

The foreign minister added that some improvement in relations could be achieved if the efforts of the Turks on Aegean issues are stopped, or if the Turks decide to deal with these matters as Greece suggested, that is under the light of international treaties.

Papandreou repeated that Greece has given no promises about lifting the veto against the financing of Turkey.

We must look at this matter in practice and then we will evaluate results when the right time comes.

[02] SPOKESMAN/CYPRUS

The statement was made by the government spokesman who added, however, that the government will not discuss confederation, but will discuss all aspects of the Cyprus issue.

The spokesman added that the government is committed to the procedure followed by the United Nations and not to any other forms or reports that could exist but are not in compliance with the UN resolutions.

The spokesman also denied Athens press reports that Western diplomats in Nicosia warned the government about possible Turkish provocative actions on the buffer zone in an attempt to undermine UN initiatives on Cyprus.

[03] PAPHOS/BISHOP

Speaking over the CyBC the bishop said these scenaria have been concocted by persons close to the Archbishopric, who enjoy the confidence of His beatitude the archbishop himself.

He added the purpose is to create problems to the Archbishop and force him vacate his throne the soonest possible.

The metropolitan of Paphos even alleged that there is a specific senior cleric who aspires to succeed Archbishop Chrysostomos but avoided mentioning names.

He also stated that the Logos radio-TV station will be rented by people who want to close the Cyprus issue any which way and that the Archbishop disagrees with this.

The Bishop also accused the Monastery of vatopedi on Mount Athos of being behind these moves adding that religious broadcasts will be conducted under this monastery's intervention.

[04] VASILIOU

The ban will be enforced for reasons of environmental protection.

Vasiliou announced the government's intentions to the House Foreign and European affairs committee which he briefed on the progress of negotiations ion different sectors.

The chief negotiator said the relevant bill has already been forwarded to the Legal department for observations before it is tabled before the House of representatives.

Members of the committee warned of the serious consequences which such a move could have and demanded appropriate measures.

Vasiliou also referred to the VAT issue stressing that fifteen percent is the minimum level and added that the EU demands the same minimum from Cyprus.

He added that exemptions will be requested on food items, children's clothing and other items.

[05] FOREIGN WORKERS

The issue of foreign workers and that of the Pontians (Greeks from the Black Sea areas) was discussed today by the special committee of six ministers who met at the Labour Ministry.

The motion to stop issuing work permits for foreign workers was tabled by labour minister Andreas Moushiouttas but it was determined that they are needed in certain branches, which will be determined by the minister.

On the matter of the Pontians living in Cyprus , it was decided to form a special committee of officials from the ministries of labour, justice, labour and education to study all aspects of the issue.

[06] INDIAN /PAKISTAN

India announced today that it gave Pakistani forces until July 16 to withdraw.

Although no official cease fire has been announced a spokesman of the Indian foreign ministry assured Pakistan that Indian forces will not open fire on forces evacuating the Indian side of the border with Kashmir.

However the agreement seems to have raised the anger of fanatical Pakistani Islamists who claimed to having killed 65 Indian troops during an operation.

The chief of the Indian airforce revealed that the army was ready for an all-out war with Pakistan since May 26 and also warned that Indian forces will remain on the alert.

[07] TURKEY EXPLOSION

Last night PKK guerrillas attacked a warehouse of road making equipment killing two people.

The Anatolia news agency reported that after the attack the guerrillas set fire to the warehouse.

Shortly after ten last night a strong explosion which took place in a coffee shop filled with people, shook the town of Van in Eastern Turkey.

Fourteen people were killed and, according to eye witnesses the explosion took place after a youth left the establishment, having left a plastic bag under a table.

[08] IRAN

Thousands of police attacked police with sticks and stones.

Dozens of people were injured, windows were smashed and a police patrol car was set on fire.

During a student demonstration an unknown person fired shots in the air outside a mosque in the Tehran university city but nobody was injured.

Clashes between students and police started five days ago after police used force to disperse a peaceful student demonstration demanding freedom for the press.

In a message Iran's spiritual leader Ayiatollah Ali Hammenei condemned fanatical islamists and the police over the tragic incidents of last week and the attacks in university city describing the events as totally unacceptable for an islamic system.

[09] HEAT

Appropriate state services remain on stand-by.

With the thermometer at 40 most people remained indoors or rushed to swimming pools in search of relief.

According to Kleanthis Filaniotis, chief of the meteorological service, there will be a drop by one or two degrees in temperatures and the situation will return to normal standards for the season from Wednesday.

Last years tragic consequences from the heat wave have kept state services on stand by with the hospitals under instruction to keep beds and staff ready to deal with heat stroke cases//.

Under the light of last year's large scale fires, the fire brigade remains in full alert and ready to deal with emergencies.

[10] WEATHER

Winds will be North Westerly light and the sea will be slight.

Temperatures will drop to 24 C inland and the south coast, 22 C on the West coast and 20 C over the higher mountains.

The weather will continue clear tomorrow with North Westerly light winds in the morning becoming Westerly to South Westerly moderate later in the day.

The sea will be slight and temperatures will rise to 40 C inland 33 C on the South coast, 31 C on the West coast and 29 C on the higher mountains.

Today's temperatures were:

Nicosia 40 C -- 25 C

Limassol 32 C -- 23 C

Larnaca 32 C -- 25 C

Paphos 31 C -- 22 C

Prodromos 31 C -- 23 C

The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas.

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article