Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-09-03

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

CONTENTS

FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 1999

[01] HARPAS BODY/FUNERAL

[02] T/C PRESS HARPAS

[03] UNFICYP HARPAS

[04] CY CEM

[05] CY COOK

[06] MIDEAST

[07] WORLD IN BRIEF

[08] MURDER ATTEMPT

[09] FATALITY

[10] BASKETBALL TOURNEY

[11] WEATHER

[01] HARPAS BODY/FUNERAL

The body has been since transferred to Nicosia General Hospital for a second post-mortem. Following the first post-mortem performed by the occupation authorities in Famagusta yesterday, it was ascertained that Harpas had been murdered by two bullets in the head and that the perpetrators, in an apparent attempt to cover up any traces of the crime, placed his dead body in a car which they then set afire.

Stelios Harpas' funeral is scheduled to be held at Linopetra's Ayios Stylianos church at five o'clock this afternoon.

[02] T/C PRESS HARPAS

The four are brothers Recep, Co?kun and Mehmet G?ng?r, and Mehmet Seyhan, and were today arraigned before a Turkish-Cypriot court, which ordered their three-day remand. Recep, who is presented as the last person to converse with the victim, has reportedly denied any involvement in the crime.

Investigations are continuing.

[03] UNFICYP HARPAS

She went on to say that the Turkish-Cypriot authorities will not be notified of the contents of the report, given that the victim was a Greek-Cypriot. The report in question has been drafted by the two UNFICYP doctors who were allowed to attend, as observers, yesterday's post-mortem.

[04] CY CEM

Using diplomatic language and avoiding any disclosure as regards Turkey's intentions, Mr Cem also referred to the great complexity of the issue, saying that it is for this complexity that he is careful in exactly which words he chooses to use. As regards the improvement of relations between his country and Greece, Turkey's Foreign Minister said that he is not in any way pessimistic, noting that he is looking forward to this month's meeting, in New York, with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou.

[05] CY COOK

Specifically, he mentioned that the long-standing problem was indeed discussed, while during the meeting the hope was also expressed that recent international initiatives will create a climate within which to advance a universally-acceptable solution in Cyprus, thus enbabling both Cyprus and Turkey to proceed in their respective courses as EU candidate-states.

[06] MIDEAST

However, prospects for a signing in Egypt later today appeared increasingly unlikely with the approach, at 1530 GMT, of the Jewish Sabbath, when Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak would be expected not to travel. Earlier, Prime Minister Barak's office said that Mrs Albright was trying to "facilitate an end to the negotiations with the Palestinians that would permit a signing of an agreement". The two had met in Jerusalem for three hours of talks in the dead of last night, in a bid to break a deadlock over the emotive issue of Israel's release of Palestinian prisoners.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian official was quoted by Reuters just over half an hour ago that the dispute has been resolved and the sides are putting the final touches to the renewed peace accord.

No further information was available.

[07] WORLD IN BRIEF

- East Timor is bracing for more violence tomorrow, given the expected announcement of ballot results on independence, an option fiercely opposed by pro-Jakarta militiamen who now control much of the territory. Indonesian military commander General Wiranto said he had sent two battalions of extra troops to the region at the request of the United Nations.

- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's decision to withdraw from next week's Asia-Pacific summit in New Zealand is fanning speculation that he plans to call snap elections in the immediate future.

- In Russia, the Pacific Ocean department of the Federal Border Guards reported that the country's coast guard opened fire on a Chinese trawler and detained it for poaching fish in Russian waters.

- And in Paris, two years after the fatal car crash which led to the death of Britain's Princess Diana and her escort Dodi Al-Fayed, French judges have dismissed manslaughter and other charges against nine photographers and a motorcyclist involved in the case.

[08] MURDER ATTEMPT

In relation to the incident, Police Press Spokesman Glafkos Xenos said that Savva was shot at seven times by a hooded individual who then proceeded to flee the scene. Five of the bullets hit their intended target, who was immediately rushed to Nicosia General Hospital, where he was promptly operated upon. Doctors describe his condition as critical.

According to preliminary investigations, the would-be murderer is believed to be relatively young, approximately 1-metre 70-centimetres tall.

[09] FATALITY

Preliminary investigations indicate that Shammas had stopped his car on the hard shoulder and for reasons unknown had stepped outside, when he was struck and fatally wounded by a passing car driven by 36-year-old Nicosia journalist Apostolos Vassiliou, who has been detained by Police in order to facilitate investigations.

[10] BASKETBALL TOURNEY

Third place in the international tournament was taken by Kinder Bologna, while Lithuania's Zalgiris Kauna placed fourth.

[11] WEATHER

Generally fair conditions are also forecast for this evening, with mist and low cloud also expected to form along the coasts. Winds will settle to northwesterly light, 3BF, on slight seas, while temperatures will drop to 20C inland and in coastal regions, and 14C over the mountains.

The fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas.

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