Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] passports

[03] un

[04] poll

[05] petrol

[06] loizides

[07] accident

[08] fault

[09] weather FRIDAY 31 AUGUST 2001

[01] HEADLINES

Rauf Denktash held his first meeting earlier this afternoon with the UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus,

Cabinet has approved the merger between oil giants Mobil and Esso,

Cyprus Airways management have agreed to accept a mediation proposal in their dispute with the airline's engineers,

And two ships collided in Limassol port.

[02] passports

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou stressed that the occupation regime's efforts to alienate Turkish CYpriots from the Cyprus Republic will ultimately fail.

Papapetrou said the Denktash regime has panicked because most Turkish Cypriots have applied to the government for legal travel documents.

The spokesman added that the government will take all necessary measures to protect all its citizens, either Turkish or Greek Cypriot.

Queried about the situation during a break in his meeting with the UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus, Rauf Denktash said that this is a non-issue and repeated that there two states in Cyprus.

[03] un

During a break in the meeting, Rauf Denktash defended his decision not to take part in proximity talks because he claimed there was no common ground.

He added that he will now determine whether there is sufficient common ground to continue with the process.

De Soto has said that he would be ready to make his initial assessment following the meeting with Denktash.

A six o'clock this afternoon, the UN official will have his third meeting with President Clerides.

Sources told CyBC that nothing substantial was discussed at yesterday's De Soto-Clerides meeting.

The same sources added that President Clerides pointed out to the UN official the views of Turkish constitutional expert Bakir Tsaglar, who said that confederation, or annexation of the occupied areas by Turkey does not fall in line with the constitution's Treaty of Guarantee.

[04] poll

Respondants expressed their dismay over the economic crisis gripping the occupied areas and what they said was the non-recognition of the occupation regime.

They added that Turkish Cypriots must take their place among the world's developed countries.

[05] petrol

Cabinet's decision outlines the time frame in which the merged companies will open the new petrol stations as well as their even distribution across the island.

Cabinet also decided that the price tag on the fifteen petrol stations has to be reasonable and that the new company is obliged to abide by the existing system of importing and refining crude oil.

The new company is also bound by the same restrictions now in effect on how oil companies should operate.

[06] loizides

Cyprus Airways chairman Haris Loizides said the airline's consent was given to the minister last night.

The mechanics are expected to give their answer today before a time limit set by the Labour ministry runs out.

Mechanics union president Simos Loizou told CyBC that his union is not ready give its answer because it is waiting for clarifications from the Labour ministry on its proposal.

Speaking on CyBC radio this morning, Haris Loizides said Cyprus Airways management decided to accept for the sake of labour peace, despite some difficult conditions included in the proposal.

He added that the proposal heralds a series of measures to improve productivity which in the end will benefit both management and the mechanics.

[07] accident

A Ports Authority spokesman said due to human error, the merchant ship Kyriakos Epsilon collided as it sailed into port with another merchant vessel, the Jasmine, which was moored on the western pier.

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene because the Panamanian flagged Jasmine is partly loaded with chemicals.

The spokesman said there is no danger of any chemical leak from the ship which sustained only slight damage.

[08] fault

Affected are the areas of Kokkinotrimithia, Peristerona, Vyzakia, Kakopetria, and Pitsilioa.

The damage has also affected radio and television broadcasts from installations in Troodos.

The authority said it is working hard to repair the damage and restore service as quickly as possible.

[09] weather

Moderate sea breezes this afternoon, 3 to 4 beaufort with slight to moderate seas.

More fine conditions tonight with fog patches developing in some coastal areas.

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

Temperatures will drop to 21 degrees inland and the coasts and 18 in the highest mountains.

A reminder that the fire hazard is extreme in all forest areas.

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