Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-10-13

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

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] KAS ATHENS

[03] SPOKESMAN

[04] PAPAPETROU TOUR

[05] CEM EU

[06] OCCU RELIGION

[07] ENCLAVED BODY

[08] PAKISTAN

[09] CULTISTS LEAVE

[10] ARMED ROBBERY

[11] LIMMASOL BLAST

[12] SQUID

[13] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

brokers reported that tens of thousands of titles are on the market and blamed the companies for it

The government spokesman has insisted there is no change in the position of Greece towards turkey's candidacy

Small parliamentary parties are pessimistic over the outcome of the Cyprus problem

British prime minister Tony blair carried out a major reshuffle of top echelons of his government

Israeli prime minister barak said settlers must not be allowed to establish West Bank outposts without government approval

the Russians have launched a concerted air and land offencive in Chechnya

and Tycoon Dan wracks havoc along China's Western coasts.

[02] KAS ATHENS

In statements prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Kasoulides said that his meeting will focus on policy matters which, by their very nature, cannot be publicly commented upon, but did disclose that he and his Greek counterpart will exchange views on to the window of opportunity recently opened and concerning a possible solution to the Cyprus Issue.

The meeting was deemed necessary given next month's OSCE conference in Constantinople, the Helsinki EU-summit scheduled for December, and the announced visits of US President Bill Clinton to Athens and Ankara next month.

[03] SPOKESMAN

Mr Papapetrou further said that the Cyprus Government is currently holding a series of contacts with a number of countries in order to ensure that this is not the case, and is also seeking a clear commitment that Turkey will be pushed by the EU to seek a settlement.

[04] PAPAPETROU TOUR

Reliable diplomatic sources have told our station that the tour, which includes London, Berlin, Rome and Paris, aims at the advancement of the Greek positions as regards greco-turkish relations, while at the same time attempting to link Turkey's European course with a specific progress chart and secure the Cyprus Republic's accession course to the European Union.

[05] CEM EU

Keeping a stiff upper lip however, Foreign Minister Cem also noted that Turkey is not about to accept any conditions or terms over its bid to join the 15-nation bloc.

[06] OCCU RELIGION

The report goes on to mention that as if all the other social ills imported from Turkey were not enough, the Turkish-Cypriots are now being faced with a flood of religious fanaticism and followers of what it described as "dangerous theosophic beliefs", who plan and co-ordinate their activities from establishments rented in the occupied areas' towns and villages.

[07] ENCLAVED BODY

Upon accepting delivery of the body of 73-year-old Maria Mitsarou in order to issue a death certificate, the on-duty medical officer ascertained that a post-mortem had already been carried out.

A second post-mortem, in the presence of a UN medical officer, will be carried out today by State Pathologist Sofoklis Sofokleous, while the Cyprus Police Criminal Investigation Department is investigating the case.

[08] PAKISTAN

Hardly any troops were visible on the roads, except those guarding the buildings and strategic installations seized last night, shortly after the ousted premier sacked the country's military chief, General Pervez Musharraf, who said that he had acted to save the country from ruin, adding that he would very shortly lay out his policies. Troops stormed state television centres, closed major airports and other government buildings and surrounded Sharif's official residence and the homes of some cabinet ministers.

Meanwhile, trading at the country's Stock Exchange, based in Karachi, was suspended today, while a Civil Aviation Authority official said that Islamabad international airport remains closed for outgoing international flights, while the serious disruption of services makes it unclear whether any incoming flights have landed since last night.

[09] CULTISTS LEAVE

The group cult members, which included 18 Irish, six Romanians and a Colombian, was confined to the ferry after arriving at Haifa in Israel on Sunday, and set sail from there on Monday night. Israel fears an influx of Christian zealots during the millennium, and described the 25-member group as an "extreme Christian" cult. Cyprus police said the group calls itself SEKTA.

The group is continuing its travails amid fears from the countries it seeks entry to that its members plan to commit suicide with the coming of the new millennium and the projected fulfillment of apocalyptic prophesies.

[10] ARMED ROBBERY

Eye-witness accounts mention that the two helmeted perpetrators entered the premises and, brandishing a short-barelled shotgun, emptied the bank's tills. Their getaway, heading west, was effected on a white dirt bike.

The same accounts mention that the two robbers, both estimated at between 25 and 30 years of age and about 1-metre 80-centimetres (or 5-foot 11-inches) spoke fluent Greek.

Police are on the lookout for the two, while anyone with relevant information is requested to contact the nearest police station.

[11] LIMMASOL BLAST

According to preliminary police investigations, the blast was due to a high-powered makeshift explosive device placed under a car registered to one Yiorgos Charalambous, aka Poullaouas.

The car was parked on Limassol's Stelios Mavrommatis Street, and suffered only minor damage. There were no victims.

[12] SQUID

The world's largest invertebrate, or Architeuthis kirki, never observed in the wild, is the stuff of legend. Jules Verne made the elusive animal a bloodthirsty beast in his "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," while tales of sea monsters, krakens and serpents have been told by mariners since the time of Homer.

Attaining lengths of up to 21.3 metres, the giant squid has eyes the size of soccer balls, a huge parrot-like beak, eight arms and two long tentacles, each equipped with dozens of suckers armed with small teeth. It lives at depths of up to 914 metres, dining on fish and other squids and is believed to be one of the more intelligent species in the world's oceans.

[13] WEATHER

Generally fair conditions are also forecast for tonight, with winds abating to light to moderate northeasterlies, 3-4BF, on moderate seas. Temperatures will drop to 15C inland and in coastal regions, and 10C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas.

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