Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-07-15

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 15 JULY 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] CLERIDES MEMORIAL

[03] HOUSE ANNIVERSARY

[04] COHEN KRANIDIOTIS

[05] DENKTASH ANKARA

[06] BARAK IN THE US

[07] GREECE HOSTAGES

[08] ASSIZE COURT

[09] ARMED ROBBERY

[10] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

--- The United States do not accept the division of Cyprus, but are not prepared to press Turkey in the direction of a solution.

--- Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, said today that he would only take part in talks on the Cyprus problem, if his pseudostate is recognised.

--- An unidentified man tried to rob a co-operative bank this morning, but fled in a panic when a member of staff began screaming.

AND

--- Greece said today that it was prepared to pay ransom to an armed Albanian who hijacked a bus.

[02] CLERIDES MEMORIAL

This morning, a memorial service was held at the Saint Constantinos and Saint Eleni church in Nicosia, under Archbishop Chrysostomos.

President Glafcos Clerides, political leaders and other officials attended the service.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou, said that it is not possible to expect Turkey to ever lift the injustice against Cyprus.

Memorial services were also held in other parts of Cyprus.

President Glafcos Clerides said that Cyprus has an obligation to honour those heroes who died for democracy.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, President Clerides stressed that Turkish bids for a confederation solution are rejected now, as in the past.

He said that for Turkey to change its stance, pressure must be put on Ankara by the international community.

[03] HOUSE ANNIVERSARY

House President, Spyros Kyprianou, said that it is necessary, in the context of the National Council, to make an effort to find a path, which will lead to some positive developments.

Democratic Rally leader, Nicos Anastasiades, called for unity, and stressed that a new international initiative is developing, which must be considered constructively, despite possible reservations.

AKEL Secretary-General, Demetris Christofias, said that the Greek Cypriot side must become actively involved in the procedures on the Cyprus problem, until talks resume, to make sure that the UN chief moves along the lines set by UN resolutions.

Democratic Party Parliamentary Spokesman, Tassos Anastasiades, said that there is no force int he world that can enforce an unacceptable solution on the Greek Cypriots, which will be against international law, the acquis communautaire and human rights.

Socialist Party EDEK leader, Vassos Lyssarides, said that it is time to properly examine the international and regional background and lay out a comprehensive strategy.

On behalf of the United Democrats, MP Androulla Vassiliou said that political powers in Cyprus must compose themselves and work towards facing the long and difficult road of negotiations.

The Chairman of the Eurodemocratic Renewal Party, Alexis Galanos, urged the President of the Republic to take on serious initiatives, to lift national dignity on the island.

[04] COHEN KRANIDIOTIS

US Defence Secretary, William Cohen, said today in Ankara, after meetings with the Turkish leadership, that the status quo in Cyprus is unacceptable and that unconditional talks between the two sides must begin soon.

Mr Cohen said that the United States believe it is up to Greece and Turkey to solve their differences over Cyprus.

Turkish Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, announced that the United States will not put pressure on Turkey.

Meanwhile, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis, told the CyBC that if the United States do not press Turkey, then the prospects of talks are not optimistic.

[05] DENKTASH ANKARA

Speaking before the Turkish National Assembly, Mr Denktash reiterated his intransigent positions and received an ovation whenever he mentioned the pseudostate and the support of Turkey.

Mr Denktash demanded recognition of the so-called realities in Cyprus and the establishment of a partnership between two states.

He said that all those interested in the co-existence of the two states will have to help establish bilateral relations.

Mr Denktash also said that Turkey and the pseudostate have clearly defined what they will accept and what they will reject.

[06] BARAK IN THE US

The United States is playing down expectations of any dramatic decisions during Mr Barak's six-day visit, his first to the United States since he won Israeli elections in May.

During his stay, Mr Barak will also meet Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, and Defence Secretary, William Cohen.

[07] GREECE HOSTAGES

Witnesses said that as many as 50 snipers were in position around the bus near the northern town of Florina, about half an hour's drive from the border with Albania.

The drama began yesterday afternoon when a hooded Albanian calling himself Alexander seized the bus, carrying around 50 people, near Thessaloniki.

All but eight of those aboard were quickly released as the man demanded safe passage to Albania, 780,000 dollars in ransom and two automatic weapons. Another passenger was released later.

One hostage said that the hijacker had removed the firing pin from a grenade, meaning it would explode if he were shot by snipers and dropped it.

Police flashed lights at the bus throughout the night, apparently to stop him falling asleep and dropping the grenade.

They had allowed the bus to travel towards the Albanian border but stopped it outside Florina. Albanian police were waiting across the border but Albanian officials said they did not plan to let the man in.

[08] ASSIZE COURT

She also said that her son is ill and desperately needs medical attention.

The Assize Court, which is trying the murder of Hambis Aeroporos, decided today to convict Prokopiou.

Today, a trial within a trial began to determine whether one of the witnesses testified willingly or not.

[09] ARMED ROBBERY

An unidentified hooded man, possibly foreign, entered the village coop bank and immobilised a member of the staff, under gun point.

The perpetrator abandoned the coop branch empty handed and in a panic, when the woman began to scream.

The Police cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt, backed by Police helicopters.

[10] WEATHER

Around noon, clouds will form, and in the afternoon some local showers are expected.

Winds will be westerly to south-westerly, moderate, four to five beaufort, and the sea in the morning will be slight, and in the afternoon moderate.

The temperature will reach 37 degrees inland, 32 on the south coast, 30 on the west coast, and 28 over the mountains.

The fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas.

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