Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-10-21

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] MOSES DEPARTURE

[03] CLAY

[04] STATE BUDGET

[05] TURKEY BOMB

[06] EGYPT AIR HIJACK

[07] FATAL BRIT

[08] UN DAY

[09] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides holds a private meeting with Britain's High Commissioner to the island;

The unified State Budget is tabled at the House of Representatives;

A Turkish former minister of culture and staunch secularist has died following a bomb attack;

A British woman living in Cyprus was killed in a road accident yesterday afternoon;

UNFICYP is organising an "Open House" this Sunday;

[02] MOSES DEPARTURE

In statements at Larnaka airport just prior to his departure, the US official said that while there were moments of pessimism during his contacts on the island, there were also moments which lent themselves towards encouragement for a continuation of current efforts. He did mention, however, that any contribution by him or by US State Department Special Co-ordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston towards the reaching of a Cyprus solution is dependent upon both sides. Mr Moses further noted that both sides appear bound towards reaching a solution, but added that this is not an attempt which can be concluded in a matter of days, but rather a continuous process.

While his contacts have, to date, been veiled in secrecy, the US Presidential Emissary did divulge that among the matters discussed was the resumption of talks within the framework outlined by UN Security Council resolutions.

[03] CLAY

On leaving the Presidential Palace and on being asked about the Moses visit to the Nicosia-Athens-Ankara triangle, High Commissioner Clay refrained from making any statements, saying that any comments, if any, should come from the US and the Cyprus Governments.

He did mention however that efforts towards bringing the two sides in Cyprus to direct talks will continue, and that Britain remains committed to this end. As regards UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's expected invitations to President Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the holding of direct talks, High Commissioner Clay said that he does not know if the wording is ready, but expressed his doubts, adding that this falls within the duties of Mr Annan.

[04] STATE BUDGET

According to House Finance Committee Chairman Markos Kyprianou, debating of the documents will begin in earnest next week, and all efforts will be made to conclude discussions by the end of November. Mr Kyprianou did note, however, that the tax-package is likely to give rise to more differences than in the past between parliamentary parties.

The new package provides for a 2% hike on the Value Added Tax as well as an increase in Road Tax rates.

[05] TURKEY BOMB

Kishlali, 60, was a writer for the secularist "Cumhuriyet" newspaper and a political scientist. He served as culture minister between 1978 and '79. In a recent column, he attacked the leaders of a Moslem sect for saying that a deadly earthquake which shook northwest Turkey in August was divine retribution for the country's official clampdown on Islamic activism.

The motive for the attack on the staunch secularist and writer remains unclear, and no group or organisation has yet claimed responsibility.

[06] EGYPT AIR HIJACK

The "Sabah" newspaper said that the Egyptian hijacker, named as Khalaf Ahmed Omar, was angry at being deported from Turkey -- the last setback in an attempt to win political asylum in Europe.

The hijacker diverted the Boeing 737 and its 48 passengers and six crew, en route from Constantinople to Cairo, to the German city of Hamburg where he handed himself in, even though he had failed to win asylum in the country earlier this month.

German authorities say the man, yet to be officially identified, may be mentally ill. He faces from five to 15 years' imprisonment.

[07] FATAL BRIT

Killed in the fatal accident was 80-year-old Josephine Albine, while her husband (driving the car) and her grandaughter (in the back seat) both sustained injuries.

According to police investigations, the accident occured when the car in which the Britons were travelling entered the oncoming traffic lane for reasons still unknown and collided successively with two cars coming from the opposite direction.

[08] UN DAY

The Open House, being held to celebrate United Nations Day, will feature an International Children's Parade, UNFICYP equipment displays, UN information stands, adults' and children's competitions and games, art and photo exhibitions and, last but not least, food and drink from UNFICYP countries.

It's hoped that the event will be marked by attendance from both communities on the island and not, as has happened in the past, with the occupation regime authorities preventing the free access of Turkish-Cypriots.

That's this Sunday, between two and six in the afternoon, at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia.

[09] WEATHER

Generally fair conditions are also forecast for this evening, with the possibility of light mist forming in many areas. Winds will abate to light northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on slight seas, and temperatures will drop to 16C inland, 18C in coastal regions and 12C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas.

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