Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-03-29

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

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH 2000

[01] HEADLINES

[02] CLERIDES

[03] ROBBERY

[04] ANDREAS

[05] SPYROS

[06] WORLD

[07] WATER

[08] BUSINESS

[09] EXCHANGE

[10] THEFT

[11] QUEEN

[12] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

Armed robbers made off with 60 thousand pounds after holding up a Laiki bank branch in Limassol,

Little Andreas and his family will make a pilgrimage to Apostolos Andreas monastery today before he leaves for the US for chemotherapy treatment,

Nicosia's mayor is warning that the capital may face health problems if the water supply is reduced further,

And the Queen was the target of a tomato thrower in Australia.

[02] CLERIDES

Welcoming President Clerides, President Weisman praised both countries' struggles for peace and democracy.

He also expressed the hope that solutions would be found in the forseeable future to the problems plaguing both countries.

Making a veiled, but clear referrence to the arrest of two Israeli men caught spying in Cyprus two years ago, President Weisman set aside his prepared speech and tacitly apologized for any incidents that had occured in recent times that may have put Cyprus in a difficult situation, just as bilateral relations were improving.

On his part, President Clerides said the improvement of relations with Israel and other neighbouring countries was at the core of his political agenda when he took office in 1993.

President Clerides said that we are looking at head to the day when the eastern Mediterranean will be transformed into an area of peace, calm, and progress for all its inhabitants.

President Clerides then visited the Knesset where he was officially received by its President, Abraham Berg.

Later this afternoon, the President of the Republic will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak with whom he will discuss the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, Middle East developments and other issues of mutual interest.

Tonight, President Clerides will meet again with President Weisman.

President Clerides also met this morning with the President of the Knesset's Cyprus-Israel Friendship Group and its members.

[03] ROBBERY

Two men dressed in black wearing black helmets and armed with a hunting rifle , burst into the branch from the rear entrance, demanding that everyone lie on the floor.

They grabbed as much money as they could find and left through the rear entrance.

An armed police officer in the branch at the time of the robbery chased after the robbers and fired a warning shot with his service pistol.

The robbers struck the officer shouting obsenities at him and left on a high-speed motorcycle.

Police later located a motorcycle they believe was the one used by the robbers.

It's also believed that the robbers entered an awaiting white or silver car and headed towards the mountains.

[04] ANDREAS

The bus ferrying the group left from the Ledra palace checkpoint a little past 10 this morning.

Andreas' father, Vassos Vasiliou said before the group's departure that the family is fulfilling a wish to visit Apostolos Andreas before his son departs for treatment in the United States.

Asked if the family has been briefed on which US hospital Andreas will undergo chemotherapy in until a bone marrow donor is found, Mr. Vasiliou said that he has no information yet, but added that it's just a matter of a few hours.

[05] SPYROS

Mr. Kyprianou said that the substance of the Cyprus issue has come to the fore once again, after the remarks made by the Foreign Minister and the government spokesman.

Mr. Kyprianou was speaking after a meeting at his home this morning, with new Russian Ambassador to Cyprus Vladimir Pavlinov, whom he described as very knowledgeable on the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Kyprianou called for a more dynamic involvement by Russia in efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

[06] WORLD

Nine OPEC oil exporters have agreed to raise output by seven percent, even though the cartel's second largest producer Iran, has opted out of the deal, fearing a slump in oil prices.

Saudi Arabia said the deal could bring oil prices down to $20 to 25 dollars a barrel.

Meanwhile, US President Bill Clinton said the new agreement is good news for U.S. consumers and the world economy.

- - - -

The Russian duma's lower house s expected to debate a decree which newly elected president Vladimir Putin has signed extending immunity from prosecution to former President Boris Yeltsin and his family. However, the opposition Communists want the decree repealed.

- - - -

Debate begins in Turkey today on controversial constitutional reforms being pushed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to enable President Suleyman Demirel to stay on for another five years and avoid potentially divisive wrangling among his coalition allies over a successor.

- - - -

Critics have charged that police bungling may have destroyed vital evidence in one of Uganda's biggest murder inquiries in history following the death of over 700 members of a doomsday cult.

[07] WATER

Speaking on CyBC radio, Mr. Demetriades said that in proportion to its population, Nicosia is receiving less water and is paying for it at higher prices than any other district.

Mr. Demetriades said that Nicosia residents comprising a third of the island's population want to hear that there will not be any more reductions to their water supply.

On his part, Agriculture Minister Kostas Themistocleous said that efforts are underway to reduce consumer hardship either through the importation of water from Greece or other traditional sources.

He added that water will be apportioned to each district according to its needs and population size.

[08] BUSINESS

Union spokesman Melios Georgiou said that the most urgent problem faced by the businesses is the operation of large supermarkets which are able to extend their business hours.

Mr. Georgiou said that many medium size businesses have shut down due to the supermarkets and he called for government support in light of European Union accession efforts.

Mr. Christofias said these problems will be examined by his party, while he will personally discuss the issue with the Labour Minister.

[09] EXCHANGE

Volume also dropped by 3 million pounds to 14 million, six hundred thousand pounds.

[10] THEFT

The suspect was arrested yesterday while he was aboard a passenger ship on its way to Rhodes from Limassol.

Police discovered diamonds and other jewels in the suspects luggage that the owner of the "Chryso Heri" jewellery store recognized as the goods stolen from his store.

[11] QUEEN

An example comes from the Queen's visit to Australia, where an unknown assailant dared to throw a tomato against the queen as she was strolling through a park accompanied by her husband Philip.

The tomato fell two metres from the royal couple who seemed unperturbed.

Meanwhile, earlier in Sidney, an unemployed mentally disturbed man was arrested by security guards as he approached the Queen with a knife in his possession.

[12] WEATHER

Winds will be southweserly to westerly moderate, 4 beaufort, with slight seas.

Tonight will remain fine with some high clouds.

Winds will be northwesterly light, 2 to 3 beaufort, with slight seas.

The temperature will drop to 8 degrees inland, 10 on the coasts and 7 over the highest mountains.

Snow accumulation on Mount Olympus is just 10 centimetres.

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