Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-02-03

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2000

[01] HEADLINES

[02] PROXIMITY

[03] HOUSE

[04] BUDGET

[05] CEM

[06] COUNCIL

[07] WORLD

[08] SAVVIDES

[09] MATSAKIS

[10] EXCHANGE

[11] ROBBERY

[12] DRUGS

[13] TRIPLETS

[14] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

Budget talks continue in the House of Representatives,

The Finance Minister said all party positions were taken into consideration when formulating the budget,

Ismail Cem will travel to Athens later today on the first official visit by a Turkish Foreign Minister in 40 years,

The Health Minister denied accusations that negligence killed a 29 year-old hemophiliac,

The stock market posted a slight drop,

And the chief of police said a large quantity of drugs found at Larnaca airport is preoccupying international drug enforcement agencies.

[02] PROXIMITY

Attending the meeting were the Attorney General, the Government Spokesman, the Under Secretary to the President and other Foreign Ministry officials.

Mr. De Soto met with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash after his meeting with President Clerides.

Security issues were expected to be discussed in today's meetings.

[03] HOUSE

From what was assertained from yesterday's speeches by party representatives, the Democratic Rally party will vote in favour of the budget, while left-wing AKEL will abstain, but will vote in favour of funding for defence and the refugees.

The Democratic Party and the United Democrats will also vote in favour, but socialist EDEK will vote against.

[04] BUDGET

Speaking to CyBC this morning, Mr. Klerides said his ministry took the points to which all parties agreed and proceded to formulate the budget accordingly, so that the greatest possible degree of consensus would be achieved.

Referring to positions expressed by party representatives during the start of the budget debate yesterday, Mr. Klerides said that a disposition for opposing the budget was evident.

Mr. Klerides also said an effort to reformulate the taxation system to make it more fair will be made during this year.

The new taxation system is expected to take effect in 2001.

[05] CEM

This is the first official visit to Greece by a Turkish Foreign Minister in the last 40 years.

According to Turkish news agency Anatolia, Mr. Cem will seek to discuss with the Greek government, issues concerning the European Union and Ankara's proposal to form a joint Greek-Turkish military committee to oversee the implementation of confidence building measures in the Aegean.

According to the news agency, the talks will include discussion on the creation of a new Greek Consulate in Trabzon and on the Halki Theological school.

Mr. Cem's official itinerary includes laying a wreath at the tomb of the unkown soldier tomorrow morning.

The Turkish Foreign Minister will then meet with President Costas Stephanopoulos and later with Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

Mr. Cem and his Greek counterpart are expected to sign five more bilateral cooperation agreements.

[06] COUNCIL

Accoring to Mr. Petrela, a review fo the Security Council's schedule for the month of February determined that the Cyprus issue will be taken on on that date.

The Security Council will be briefed on the second round of proximity talks in Geneva by the Secretary General's special adviser, Alvaro De Soto.

[07] WORLD

Haider's anti-immigrant Freedom Party and the conservative People's Party of Wolfgang Schuessel are determined to form a coalition, defying pressure from countries appalled at the prospect of Haider getting his hands on the levers of power.

Meanwhile Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said Europe should not sacrifice its values to appease Austria if Joerg Haider's far-right Freedom Party enters the government.

- - - -

An international patrol enforcing U.N. sanctions against Iraq stopped and boarded a Russian tanker suspected of smuggling Iraqi oil. Russian officials said the ship was carrying legal Iranian crude.

- - - -

One floor collapsed onto another in a crowded furniture store in the southern Spanish city of Seville injuring at least 50 people. The store was crowded with several hundred people for a special sale.

- - - -

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern travelled to England for emergency talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair, aimed at rescuing Northern Ireland's peace process and the crisis-hit provincial government.

[08] SAVVIDES

Mr. Savvides said Veglis was lost because of his multiple injuries and not because of negligence, adding that his ministry would spare no expense to save a life.

Speaking to CyBC this morning, Mr. Savvides said he has become personally involved with the case and had undertaken every possible effort to afford him the best care.

The Health Minister said that he had been in touch with medical experts in Greece, who deemed that it was not necessary to call in other doctors, since the care he was getting here was excellent.

Mr. Savvides added that he had given directions so that a helicopter would be standing by to ferry Veglis to Israel as soon as he was well enough.

Dut despite doctor's efforts, the patients condition couldn't be stabilized because of his many injuries.

[09] MATSAKIS

Mr. Matsakis said that in Cyprus, there are around 200 hemophiliacs who need special care only a centre devoted to their needs can provide.

He added that a study must be conducted to determine where most hemopheliacs reside, so that the centre can be built there.

[10] EXCHANGE

It closed at five hundred ninety seven points, just three points lower than yesterday's close.

Volume exceeded 20 million pounds today, but was lower than yesterday's close by about a million pounds.

Brokers speaking on CyBC television, called the drop marginal and stabilizing, but presents no reason for concern.

They added that new companies entering the exchange will give the public the opportunity to make more investments.

[11] ROBBERY

In total, five people have been arrested.

Two motorcycle helmets, balaclavas and money were found in the suspects' car.

The perpetrators, who where wearing helmets and riding powerful motorcyles, entered the petrol station belonging to Yiannakis Tsangarides, and stole 3 to 5 hundred pounds while brandishing a shotgun.

They struck Tsangarides with the weapon and made good their escape.

[12] DRUGS

Investigations into the matter are looking into whether the heroin was produced at the Pakistani factory where the carpets were made.

Mr. Angellides said police are in touch with Interpol on this matter.

The Police Chief said the drugs were packaged professionally and that no one could suspect that they were in the carpets.

Mr. Angellides said it's not clear if the drugs were destined for Cyprus or another country.

He said that police are also investigating if the Iranian suspect had any accomplices in Cyprus.

[13] TRIPLETS

Maryland obstetricians said the chances of a woman giving birth to triplets twice is one in 10 million.

The triplets were delivered normally and wheigh between 1,700 to 2,090 grams.

They have been placed in incubators for now, where they will remain for the next couple of weeks.

[14] WEATHER

Winds will be vairable but mostly southesterly light to moderate, 3 to 4 beaufort on slight seas.

Tonight will remain fine will more cloudy periods.

Winds will be variable light, 2 to 3 beaufort, on calm to slight seas.

The temperature will drop to 4 degrees inland, 7 along the coasts, and one degree over the highest mountains.

The depth of snow on Mount Olympus and 35 centimetres, and on Troodos Square, 30 centimetres.

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