Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-07-22

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 22 JULY 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] CHRISTOFIAS

[03] SEREZIS CYPRUS

[04] TURKS ABDUCTION

[05] KENNEDY ASHES

[06] STEFANOPOULOS SIMITIS

[07] ROLANDIS FUEL

[08] STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] CHAMBER ECONOMY

[10] CHRISTOFIAS HEALTH

[11] LOGOS SKY

[12] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

--- Government Spokesman, Costas Serezis, said today that Nicosia did not rule out proximity talks.

--- Turkish occupation troops today abducted 48-year-old Rogiros Georgiou from Limassol.

--- America's most famous political family today scattered at sea the ashes of John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife and her sister.

AND

--- Greek President, Costis Stefanopoulos, and Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, today discussed national issues and the Balkans.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS

Speaking after a meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, Mr Christofias said that both he and the President have reservations as to whether Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, would respond to this initiative.

Referring to the Greco-Turkish dialogue to begin in a few days, Mr Christofias said that his party is not against it.

He said that if there was a way to smooth relations without making any more concessions, then that would also positively affect the Cyprus problem.

Asked if he expected the dialogue to have positive results, Mr Christofias expressed reservations.

[03] SEREZIS CYPRUS

He said that if UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, proposes such talks during his forthcoming meeting in New York with President Glafcos Clerides, then the President would put the matter before the National Council for a final decision.

Mr Serezis stressed that it is the Turkish side that will determine whether talks would resume.

He said that if the Turks insist on the preconditions set by Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and the United Nations accept these positions, then the Greek Cypriot side would not take part in talks.

[04] TURKS ABDUCTION

Georgiou, who is a Canadian citizen, lost his sense of direction and was seen driving his car on the old Larnaca-Nicosia road.

Outside the village of Piroi, he was stopped and abducted by four Turkish soldiers.

Georgiou will be taken to an illegal court for entering the pseudostate without permission.

The occupation troops have confiscated his car, and the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, in co-operation with the United Nations, are making every effort to achieve his release.

[05] KENNEDY ASHES

The bodies of Kennedy, 38, his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, 33, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, 35, were found yesterday five days after their doomed plane crashed into the waters off the coast of Massachusetts.

Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the sole survivor of the family that lived in the White House from 1961 to 1963, was joined aboard the USS Briscoe by her uncle Senator Edward Kennedy, the family's patriarch, and about 10 to 15 other members of the powerful clan for the burial at sea.

Ann Freeman, mother of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette, and their stepfather, Dr Richard Freeman were also on board the USS Briscoe with other family members, a spokesman for the family said.

He confirmed that the ashes of the sisters would be scattered at sea along with those of JFK Jr., scion of the Kennedy political dynasty.

Three folded American flags and three wreaths made of red, yellow and white flowers preceded the family for the ceremony.

Kennedy was flying the plane to Martha's Vineyard with his wife and her sister as passengers on Friday night ahead of a Kennedy family wedding when it plunged into the Atlantic.

[06] STEFANOPOULOS SIMITIS

Mr Simitis told the Greek President that the European Union summit in Sarajevo will push forward new developments, so that the Autumn will be calmer that Spring, which was difficult and unpleasant.

He also spoke about two trends, the first of which is to restructure Kosovo, and the second to face the regions' problems as a whole.

Mr Simitis said that Greece favours a comprehensive approach of the problems in the Balkans.

He also said that the EU summit would be important, because the Union would decide on its policy.

[07] ROLANDIS FUEL

Mr Rolandis said that his Ministry is not examining putting prices up for the time being.

He also said that he spoke this morning with Minister of Finance, Takis Clerides, who assured him that no proposal would be put forward on this matter.

Mr Rolandis also chaired a meeting today, which decided on creating six marinas and six or seven golf courses.

[08] STOCK EXCHANGE

Dealings at the Stock Exchange went over 33 million pounds and the general price index reached 223 units.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank gave the go-ahead to the Bank of Cyprus to enter the Athens Stock Exchange.

The final decision will be taken during the second fortnight of September, at the general assembly of the Bank of Cyprus' shareholders.

[09] CHAMBER ECONOMY

Chamber President, Vasilis Rologis, told a press conference today that the Chamber has also made a similar plea to political party leaders.

He added that the main issues facing the economy and that must be tackled jointly, are the public deficit, harmonisation with the European Union and labour relations.

Mr Rologis said that strengthening the economy would in turn strengthen the negotiating position of the Republic of Cyprus.

[10] CHRISTOFIAS HEALTH

In view of his departure for London on July 31, Mr Christofias met today with President Glafcos Clerides.

Mr Christofias said that during the first week of August, some preliminary tests will be carried out, as the British law on transplant demands.

He said that the tests are to determine the identity of the donor and the receiver.

Mr Christofias thanked the President for showing interest in his health.

[11] LOGOS SKY

"Logos" will be rented out for ten years, for the amount of half a million pounds.

The decision was not unanimous.

Kyrenia Bishop Pavlos said that "Logos" should remain with the Church and become a purely religious channel.

At "Logos", the management informed the staff today about the decision.

Christodoulos Protopapas will continue to be director of the channel, but the planning of the broadcasts will be taken over by specialists from Greece.

The staff was also told that some people would be dismissed, where necessary.

[12] WEATHER

Winds will be north-westerly to north-easterly, light two to three beaufort, and will gradually turn into a moderate sea breeze of three to four beaufort.

The sea will be slight, and in the afternoon moderate on the west and south coasts.

The temperature will reach 38 degrees inland, 36 on the south coast, 31 on the west coast, and 29 over the mountains.

The fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas.

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