Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-11-10

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

CONTENTS

TUESDAY 9 NOVEMBER 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] GLAFKOS/SPYROS

[03] RODHOUSAKIS

[04] FRANCE CY

[05] CLINTON CY

[06] ANNAN INVITATIONSYN

[07] MISSING ISSUE

[08] VASSILIOU BRUSSELS

[09] CSE

[10] LIMASSOL BOMB

[11] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

International consultations concerning Cyprus continue in view of the upcoming OSCE and EU summit meetings;

A Turkish-Cypriot newspaper presents UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as being still undecided as to the realisation of direct talks over the Cyprus Issue;

The saga of the missing unfolds a little at a time;

The Cyprus Stock Exchange closes on a record high volume of trading;

[02] GLAFKOS/SPYROS

In view of the President Clerides' departure, House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou, who will be serving as Acting President for the duration of the meeting, was this morning received at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.

In statements afterwards, Cyprus' House President exhorted all to stop making undue noise over the issue of those missing since the 1974 Turkish Invasion, since the clamour only aids Turkish propaganda efforts.

As regards the Cyprus Issue, House President Kyprianou said that the immediate future holds what he termed "two significant stops": the Constantinople OSCE conference, and the Helsinki EU summit.

[03] RODHOUSAKIS

The assessment was expressed by Greece's Ambassador to Nicosia, Kyriakos Rodhousakis, following a meeting with President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides this morning.

Asked if France has in any way modified its previously-expressed position as regards Cyprus' EU-accession course, Ambassador Rodhousakis also said that while the Simitis and Papandreou contacts in Paris have had positive results, today's scheduled meeting may well be the most decisive.

[04] FRANCE CY

Specifically, the agreement covers the issue of Turkey's possible upgrading to an EU candidate-state, as well as guarantees sought by Greece on the unhindered continuation and completion of Cyprus' EU-accession negotiations.

[05] CLINTON CY

Stating that the normalisation of greco-turkish relations is one of the three basic priorities of his country's European policy, President Clinton said that Turkey could well become an integral part of Europe if she manages to overcome its differences with Greece, particularly those over the Cyprus Issue.

The US President went on to say that the most difficult challenge as regards the building of a permanent peace in the Aegean Sea is possibly the establishment of a true reconciliation between Greece and Turkey, and added that he will raise the issue, as well as the vital role which can be played by Greece in Europe, during his upcoming visit to Athens.

[06] ANNAN INVITATIONSYN

The UN Secretary-General is also quoted as saying that the possibility of Turkish-Cypriot political parity being raised at the negotiating table cannot be excluded, and further expressed the hope that the talks, if finally realised, be held in New York.

Asked if the Cyprus Issue is as important as that of Kosovo or East Timor, Mr Annan answered in the affirmative, adding that in no way should it be downplayed because it has remained unresolved for such a long time. In another question on whether he is the subject of pressure as regards the reaching of a Cyprus settlement, the UN Chief said that pressures are part and package of his mandate, and expressed his gratitude for the interest shown by many countries to his latest initiative.

[07] MISSING ISSUE

Mr Hasikos went on to say that he was privy to this knowledge in his then capacity as a member of the House of Representatives committee on the issue. He avoided disclosing any more details, instead confining himself to appealing for a stop to what he described as "internal strife" over the missing issue. In closing, Cyprus' Defence Minister voiced the opinion that things have matured, and that all parties are now willing to deal with the matter.

In a parallel development, the Pancyprian Committee of the Relatives of the Missing, through its co-chairman Agapios Hiratos, today called upon the Government to promptly notify the kin of the 126 missing for whom there is evidence that they are dead, adding that this would increase the credibility of the Greek-Cypriot side, help towards ascertaining the fate of those truly missing, and put an end to the pain and anguish suffered by many.

[08] VASSILIOU BRUSSELS

Apart from a re-assessment of the chapters dealing with economic and monetary union, company law and rules governing market competition, Cyprus' Chief EU-negotiator will also hold discussions on the free provision of services, transportation and taxation.

During his stay in the Belgian capital, Mr Vassiliou will have a series of meetings with EU officials.

[09] CSE

An increase was also experienced by the General Price Index, which rose to 729 units following the completion of today's 8,060 transactions.

Gains were apparent in practically all sectors, with only a small drop observed in trading companies.

[10] LIMASSOL BOMB

The intended victim of the blast was Savvas Georgiou, also known as "Blakkis", who while not suffering any external injuries, has been hospitalised following a significant loss of hearing due to the explosion.

Preliminary police investigations have ascertained that the bomb had been placed near the back door of Georgiou's house, and exploded right after he entered his home, at around 5 a.m.

The area has been sealed off and investigations are continuing.

[11] WEATHER

By tonight however, partly cloudy skies will lead to the possibility of scattered showers throughout the island, while winds will abate to light west-to-northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on slight seas. Temperatures will drop to around 11C inland, 13C in coastal regions and 6C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

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