Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-07-19

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

CONTENTS

MONDAY 19 JULY 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] INVASION ANNIVERSARY

[03] CLER INTERVIEW

[04] ECEVIT CYPRUS

[05] SPOKESMAN NATCON

[06] DEFENCE MINISTER ISSUE

[07] HOUSE AUSSIES

[08] IRAN-TURKEY

[09] CY AIR INQUIRY

[10] HOSPITAL STRIKE

[11] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

The President of the Republic promotes a federal Cyprus as the "Switzerland of the Mediterranean";

Turkey's Prime Minister insists on the international recognition of the breakaway Turkish-Cypriot regime;

Iran demands an apology and compensation from Turkey;

and...

Cyprus Airways begins an inquiry into yesterday's flight delays, while Hospital technicians come out on strike.

[02] INVASION ANNIVERSARY

On the occasion of the dark anniversary, President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides has prepared a proclamation to be aired on CyBC's First Television Channel right after tonight's main news bulletin in Greek. Party-organised events to mark the anniversary have been called for eight o'clock tonight by both DIKO and EDEK, at Nicosia's Makarios III open-air theatre and the Ledra Palace roadblock respectively.

Meanwhile, relatives of Greek servicemen missing since the Turkish Invasion this morning laid wreaths at the Imprisoned Graves in Nicosia, and also took part in an anti-occupation demonstration held tonight in the vicinity of the US and Russian embassies.

[03] CLER INTERVIEW

Referring to repeated demands issued by Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash regarding the question of his status in any bicommunal talks, Cyprus' President noted that the furore is null and void, given that UN resolutions provide for negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, and not between Mr Denktash and the Cyprus Republic.

[04] ECEVIT CYPRUS

Prime Minister Ecevit told Turkish state television late last night that it is time for the rest of the world to join Turkey in acknowledging the enclave and, quoted by Reuters, said "Twenty-five years have passed and the child has grown into a robust youngster. However unwilling some countries are to acknowledge this truth, it is alive and undeniable."

Turkey's head of government is to visit the occupied part of Cyprus tomorrow for ceremonies marking the anniversary of the 1974 events, within the scope of which six Turkish naval craft today berthed at Kyrenia harbour in the presence of Rauf Denktash, who described their arrival as a guarantee to the safety of the Turkish-Cypriot people.

[05] SPOKESMAN NATCON

This was disclosed today by Government Spokesman Costas Serezis, who added that neither the time nor the day of the scheduled meetings will be announced.

The Government Spokesman went on to say that the motion for secrecy was tabled by a non-governmental member of the National Council, and was met with unanimous agreement. He did mention however the Government's disappointment in seeing certain matters discussed at the latest National Council meeting published in the press.

[06] DEFENCE MINISTER ISSUE

Corroborating the Defence Minister's statements, Mr Serezis noted that similar visits, on the ticket of weapons-manufacturing companies, were also made in the past and during previous administrations, and do not deviate in the least from routine procedures.

Cyprus' Defence Minister, in statements made to our station today, said that he intended to request a hearing with the President of the Republic, adding that he has no desire to continue in his current role if he does not enjoy the president's confidence and support.

[07] HOUSE AUSSIES

After the meeting, the Australian House Speaker voiced optimism that recent UN resolutions and the honest desire of President Clerides towards a settlement of the island's long-standing problem will lead to a viable resolution of the issue.

On his part, House President Kyprianou described the meeting as very useful and expressed the conviction that it will further promote the good relations between the parliamentary bodies of Australia and Cyprus.

[08] IRAN-TURKEY

According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, the Moslem Republic's foreign ministry summoned the Turkish charge d'affaires late last night in order to inform him that Tehran reserves the right to take any necessary action and that Turkey bears full responsibility for the consequences of the aggression, in which five people were killed, with another 10 being injured.

Relations between the two states have been tense over Turkish charges that Iran backs Kurdish rebels and Islamists in officially secular Turkey, while Iran in turn has repeatedly criticised Turkey for its military ties with Israel.

[09] CY AIR INQUIRY

In statements to our station this morning, Chairman of the Board Takis Kyriakides noted that the inquiry will be completed shortly and that its results will be announced to the public.

Mr Kyriakides did mention however that while the problem was of a purely technical nature to start with, a number of flight attendants then called in sick, leading to further complications. Asked why replacements were not called in, the Cyprus Airways Chairman said that all the necessary arrangements were made so as to minimise all adverse effects, but added that it was not possible to find replacement personnel at such a short notice.

[10] HOSPITAL STRIKE

Commenting on the situation, Health Minister Christos Solomis expressed his support and apologies to all in- and out-patients discomfited by the strike, and voiced bewilderment since, as he said, the technical staff's demands have already been tabled for discussion.

In a relevant announcement, the Civil Servants' union PASYDY considers the Government fully responsible for the current industrial action, charging the Ministry of Health of purposely delaying dealing with the employees' grievances

[11] WEATHER

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