Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-11-19

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Election for UN Chief do not hinder efforts for

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] Turkish Cypriot fugitive Asil Nadir plans to escape to Turkey

[04] KED and ADISOK merge to form the ''United Democrats'' party

[05] Mystery over needles in child's body

1410:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Election for UN Chief do not hinder efforts for Cyprus solution

This was stated here today by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, when asked to comment on consultations taking place for the election of a new UN Secretary-General.

Asked whether the Cyprus government will support the President of the island's Liberal party President Nicos Rolandis to the position, Cassoulides, said this will be done in the case the present UN Secretary- General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, does not stand for re-election.

Cassoulides noted that the Cyprus government is content and ''has no grievances against Boutros Ghali''.

CNA MCH/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1530:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    82.38 (-0.36)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.07 (-0.31)
Approved Investment Companies          75.29 (-0.37)
Insurance Companies                    59.80 (-0.63)
Industrial Companies                   81.41 (-0.02)
Tourist Industries                     72.09 (+0.84)
Commercial Companies                   61.90 (-1.34)
Other Companies                        74.87 (-1.66)

Trading Volume                         CYP 914121.334

CNA MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1600:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Turkish Cypriot fugitive Asil Nadir plans to escape to Turkey

According to the Turkish Cypriot daily ''Ortam'', Nadir, held a meeting in the occupied areas with the Vice President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Uluts Gurgan and Abdullah Gul, Minister of State, responsible for Cyprus Affairs.

The paper said, Nadir had asked the two whether he will be arrested or handed over to the British authorities for trial, if he visits Turkey.

Nadir jumped bail and fled Britain in 1993 to the northern Turkish- occupied part of Cyprus to avoid a trial in British courts for fraud after the collapse of his London-based fruits-to-electronics company Polly Peck.

The government controlled part of the island has been prevented from exercising its jurisdiction in the Turkish occupied areas since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

No country in the world, expect Turkey, recognises the self-styled Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus which shelters the Turkish Cypriot fugitive.

Lord Mackay of Clashfern had said that Britain intends to do anything to bring Nadir before justice. He had said that the British have tried through the good offices of Turkey to see whether the so-called authorities in the northern part of the island ''can see their way to assist in his extradition''.

Although the Turks had replied to the British application to help bring Nadir before the court, they noted that they were not responsible for the so called ''authorities''.

CNA EC/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1615:CYPPRESS:04

[04] KED and ADISOK merge to form the ''United Democrats'' party

Speaking at a press conference to announce the new party, KED President, George Vassiliou, described the decision of the two parties as ''bold'' and ''correct''

On his part, ADISOK former President, Michalis Papapetrou, who had resigned from his post when his party failed in the May 1997 parliamentary elections, said that the new party will ''venture'' to deal with issues others have not.

Papapetrou stressed that the new party will fight against corruption and nepotism.

Commenting on the ideological makeup of the new party, Vassiliou and Papapetrou said it will cover the centre as well as the right and left of the political spectrum.

Vassiliou and Papapetrou have temporarily been appointed President and First Vice President respectively of the United Democrats, while elections to the party Council will take place on December 1, 1996.

The United Democrats also announced their keen interest in the 1998 presidential elections, noting the ''successful term in office of George Vassiliou'' who served as President of the Republic from 1988 to 1993.

CNA MCH/EC/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1700:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Mystery over needles in child's body

Police yesterday opened an investigation into the case, following a report on a private TV station on Sunday night.

A police statement, issued Monday, says the Larnaca Criminal Investigations Department has opened a ''self-appointed'' investigation, as the case had never been indicted.

Welfare Department Director Loulla Theodorou told the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) today that an investigation within her Department has been ordered.

The local media give today a wide coverage on the case, noting this is the first time ever to come across such a mysterious incident in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the father of the girl has criticised on an interview with a private radio station the way the media has covered the case, noting the distress of the family because the public is lead to believe that they were ill-treating their little girl.

''The media give people the impression that the family is to blame for what has happened to our little girl'', the father said, pleading that an end should be put to

According to the Larnaca surgeon Simos Kyriakides who examined the child, who has not been named, the four needles found in her body were discovered during examinations over the past 18 months.

Kyriakides estimated that the needles, found in the child's thigh, liver, stomach and brain, had been placed there when the girl was between six and eight months old.

Two of the needles, the ones in her leg and stomach, have been removed, but the other two remain because surgery would be risky, he added.

Kyriakides said there is no problem with the child at all and noted ''she is developing normally and is completely well.''

The reporting of the case has also raised an issue of patient-doctor confidentiality.

The Welfare Department, where Kyriakides first reported the case in December 1995, has slammed him for speaking publicly. On his part, the surgeon said no confidentiality had been breached, because the family's name had not been made public.

The Department's Director told the media yesterday that the case was first reported to them by the doctor last December, after he removed a needle from the child's stomach.

He also reported that six months earlier he had removed another needle from the girl's thigh, after she had developed an infection in her leg. The needle in her stomach came to light after she developed a small lump in her abdomen.

At that point, the family was placed under the supervision of the Welfare Department and visited repeatedly by social workers who found nothing amiss, Theodorou said.

''They found a normal family environment and no problems with relationships within the family,'' she said and noted ''her parents are considered to be good people and they have another child 10 months old.''

The child was again taken to the doctor for a third needle found in her liver, and following her parents' request the girl's lower body was X-rayed but nothing else was found.

However, a few months ago, after another visit to the doctor for a bump on the head, an X-ray revealed a fourth needle, this time in her brain. The parents have also taken the child to Athens for advise on what can be done.

The family has even turned their house upside down to see if there were any needles in the child's bed but ''social workers are satisfied there was no foul play'' Theodorou said.

Larnaca Press reported yesterday that the family were very upset with the publicity given to the case and are contemplating legal action against Kyriakides for speaking to the private TV station.

A police spokesman told CNA Monday ''unfortunately, the report has been established true'' and said the investigators were asked to submit their findings the ''soonest.''

CNA AP/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article