Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-01-13

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 13 JANUARY 2000

[01] HEADLINES

[02] COOK MINISTER

[03] DENKTASH MINISTER

[04] GROSSMAN CYPRUS

[05] MINISTER BASES

[06] BUDGET TALKS

[07] DIMITRA EXCHANGE

[08] EXCHANGE LAW

[09] AIRLINE SHARES

[10] OCALAN POSTPONEMENT

[11] MENINGITIS OCCUPIED

[12] BOMB ATTACK

[13] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash rejects the possibility of trade relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots,

U.S. Undersecretary of State for European Affairs, Mark Grossman has said that proximity talks were of substance and tackled key issues,

Cyprus and Britain will sign an agreement tomorrow, amending a part of the Treaty of Establishment,

The investment company "Dimitra" has filed an application for induction into the CSE,

While the Exchange's governing council will take important steps in halting the recent downward slide,

Cyprus Airways chief executives are considering renewing the airline's fleet and making more of the company's shares available to the public,

The Health Ministry is saying there is no reason for concern over reported cases of meningitis in the occupied areas,

AND a 26-year-old man threw molotov cocktails against the central Limassol police station.

[02] COOK MINISTER

Mr. Papandreou wrapped up his visit to Cyprus yesterday, during which he stressed that the Helsinki EU summit decision, along with ongoing proximity talks, are creating opportunities for a Cyprus resolution for the first time.

He added that Athens and Nicosia intend to take full advantage of these new opportunities.

Mr. Papandreou and his British counterpart will also discuss Greek-Turkish relations, as well as Turkey's relations with the European Union.

During his stay in London, Mr. Papandreou will take part in a seminar entitled, "Ideas from 1999".

[03] DENKTASH MINISTER

Reacting to a statement by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou at a Cyprus Chamber of Commerce function, Mr. Denktash said the Turkish Cypriot side will not make any concessions on its sovereign rights.

He said that the Turkish Cypriots are ready for trade transactions with Greek Cypriots, as long as their regime and sovereignty is recognized.

According to the Turkish Cypriot newspaper "Huriyet Kibris", Mr. Denktash said that it is incumbent upon the European Union to accept and declare that the Greek Cypriots do not represent the Turkish Cypriots and that Turkey's guarantee rights on Cyprus are accepted.

In the meantime, other Turkish Cypriot press reports state that Mr. Denktash has said that his illegal regime must begin preparing for accession to the EU and called on Turkish businessmen to invest in the occupied areas.

[04] GROSSMAN CYPRUS

He added that the second round of talks to begin in Geneva on January 31st, will be of equal significance.

Mr. Grossman also refuted the Turkish position that the Cyprus problem has been resolved by the 1974 Turkish invasion.

The U.S. official said that both G-8 member countries and the United Nations have stated that this is not an issue that has been resolved, and this is the reason why both sides came to New York for proximity talks.

Mr. Grossman added his approval to expanding contact between the two communities on the island.

He reiterated that the U.S. continues to support the creation of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus, and that it will continue its efforts for a Cyprus resolution, co-jointly with Greece and Turkey, so that peace and stability reign in the eastern Mediterranean.

[05] MINISTER BASES

The agreement permits British Forces in Cyprus to use the Kalo Horio firing range, instead of the Akama area.

Use of the Akama area for training exercises by British land, sea and air forces had been established in a special appendix to the 1960 Establishment Treaty.

The agreement will be signed by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kassoulides and British High Commissioner, Edward Clay.

[06] BUDGET TALKS

Political parties asked for the postponement in order to study the matter further.

Finance Minister Takis Klerides will present the budget to the Plenum on January 20th.

The Plenum will debate the budget on the second, third and fourth of February.

[07] DIMITRA EXCHANGE

"Lefkoniko" Cooperative Company President Kikis Kazamias said the first big step was taken today, with more steps taken most likely this year.

Mr. Kazamias estimated that "Dimitra" will begin trading before summer, adding that the company's share prices will be high and stable.

CSE Governing Council Chairman Dinos Papadopoulos said thousands of new investors will be attracted to the stock market, once "Dimitra" begins trading.

He added that "Dimitra" is a serious company which is welcomed, and that the governing council will try to include the company on the trading floor as soon as possible.

[08] EXCHANGE LAW

The Governing Council concluded from a study that the main reason for the slide is a lack of liquidity in the market, due to investor preference for newly inducted investment companies.

According to CyBC sources, the CSE's Governing Council is expected to examine investment company applications for induction in order of priority.

[09] AIRLINE SHARES

According to CyBC sources, Cyprus Airways is looking into retiring four 14-year-old Airbus A-310 aircraft, and replacing them with newer models.

Cyprus Airways chairman Charis Loizides said that the company is moving towards raising the number of its shares and had asked the government to relinquish some of its rights on attaining more shares, so that they may be offered to the wider public.

Mr. Loizides said further that the government's stake in the company must be reduced immediately to between 68 and 69 percent, as forseen by Cyprus Stock Exchange regulations.

He added that the long-term goal is for a reduction in the government's stake to 53 percent.

[10] OCALAN POSTPONEMENT

The postponement was decided after a marathon, seven-hour meeting, between the three government coalition parties.

[11] MENINGITIS OCCUPIED

Health Ministry officials said that meningitis is only passed on through person-to-person contact.

They added that the Health Ministry has not been officially informed on either the type or scope of the meningitis outbreak, even if the first cases of the disease began to appear at least ten days ago.

[12] BOMB ATTACK

According to police, Yiorgios Andreou Neophytou threw 4 molotov contails into the police station's courtyard, at a round 5:30 this morning.

The ensuing fire was put out by on duty officers.

Neophytou was arrested and remanded into custody to aid police investigations.

The suspect is thought to have complaints of ill-treatment by police.

Limassol Police Chief Charalambos Koulendis said that the suspect attacked officers at the same station with a skewer three months ago.

According to the police chief, Neophytou had been arrested for erratic behaviour, and was sent to a psychiatrist for treatment.

The suspect and his relatives charge that he was abused during his previous arrest, but police deny the accusations.

[13] WEATHER

Winds will be northerly light, 3 beaufort, on slight seas.

The temperature will reach 13 degrees inland and 15 along the coasts.

Tonight will continue to be fine, with intermitent cloud bringing some light showers and snow over the mountains.

Winds will remain northerly light, 3 beaufort, on slight seas.

The temperature will drop to 2 degrees inland, where frost is expected in some areas. It will drop to around 5 degrees along the coasts.

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