Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-09-01

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

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] TURKS MURDER ENCLAVED

[03] HARPAS REUTERS

[04] CLERIDES HARPAS

[05] KASOULIDES

[06] KRANIDIOTIS LGR

[07] KRANIDIOTIS MORE

[08] DENKTASH USA

[09] ARGENTINA PLANE

[10] MIDEAST TALKS

[11] MIDEAST MORE

[12] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

-- President Glafcos Clerides assured that he will make all relevant representations regarding Harpas' murder.

-- Greek deputy Foreign Minister, Yiannos Kranidiotis said the next months will be very crucial for the Cyprus problem.

-- British foreign Secretary, Robin Cook said his country has a strong interest to see the Cyprus peace talks starting and will work hard for their success.

-- Argentine firemen rushed to extinguish flames shooting out of the wreckage of a Boeing 737 passenger jet on the riverfront in Buenos Aires last night.

-- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators today ended an all-night session without a deal on reviving the stalled Wye River land-for-security agreement, but they planned to reconvene later in the day.

[02] TURKS MURDER ENCLAVED

The murder was revealed in today's edition of the Turkish Cypriot daily "Kibris", which said that around 10 thirty on Monday night an unknown person telephoned Harpas' home and asked to meet him.

Harpas left his house and returned home, and left half an hour later to meet the same person.

He was found dead yesterday at five in the afternoon in a forest area one kilometre east of Rizokarpaso.

His wife Yianoula told "Kibris" that she was the first to speak to the unknown man who spoke greek with an accent and said his name was "Mehmet".

According to the newspaper, Harpas' charred body was found in his car which was destroyed by fire.

[03] HARPAS REUTERS

Greek Cypriot Humanitarian Affairs Officer Takis Christopoulos told Reuters the Greek Cypriots had asked for one of their own pathologists to cross to the north to join the investigation but permission had been refused by the Turks.

[04] CLERIDES HARPAS

Both the president of the coordinating committee, Nicos Falas and Sotiris Harpas, son of the murdered man, said Harpas was killed by Turkish settlers.

President Clerides assured that he will make all relevant representations.

[05] KASOULIDES

The Cyprus government, he said, has an obligation to publicly state towards international fora that the occupation forces are responsible for the integrity and safety of all enclaved.

He said already an UNFICYP spokesman was called to the Foreign Ministry where the Cyprus government demanded the case be resolved and the culprits brought to justice.

Mr Kasoulides said arrangements have been made to transfer Harpas' body to the free areas for a post mortem and depending on its results the government will decide on its next measures.

[06] KRANIDIOTIS LGR

At the same time he expressed the hope that now there is a chance to lift the Cyprus problem from the current stalemate, provided powers like the US and Britain are willing to exert pressure on Turkey.

In statements to London Greek Radio, Mr Kranidiotis said during his meeting British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook they agreed that a solution of the Cyprus problem is not a prerequisite for the island's accession to the European Union.

He said he ascertained a willingness on the part of the UK to play a more decisive role in lifting the current deadlock.

He added that Greece believes that Britain should help start the bicommunal dialogue without preconditions and to help find a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the UN resolutions.

[07] KRANIDIOTIS MORE

He also said Britain's position derives from the desire of the people of Cyprus to see their island united, with an international identity.

[08] DENKTASH USA

According to a report from the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris from New York, Mr Denktash, who will be accompanied by a so called deputy "minister" will hold talks in Washington on September 6.

On September 8 he will go to New York where he will hold a meeting with Mr Annan. He will also meet representatives of the Security Council.

According to the newspaper report, Mr Denktash will insist on recognition of two states in Cyprus based on a confederation, contrary to UN resolutions on Cyprus, in order to enter talks on Cyprus.

[09] ARGENTINA PLANE

More than 80 people were feared dead out of 95 passengers and six crew members on board the flight bound for the Argentine city o Cordoba after the plane crashed in a failed take-off attempt. If the death toll is confirmed, it would be the worst civil air disaster in the country's history. The plane bounced down the runway of the metropolitan airport Jorge Newbery, tore across a busy main road and exploded into flames after burying itself in a hill on the Punto Carrasco golf course.

[10] MIDEAST TALKS

The negotiators have been trying to wrap up an agreement to end an eight-month-long peacemaking deadlock in time for a possible signing ceremony with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Alexandria, Egypt tomorrow.

A statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's office said the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel remained the main obstacle.

The U.S.-brokered Wye deal was signed last October between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and then Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who froze it two months later after handing over just two percent of the West Bank to Palestinian self-rule.

[11] MIDEAST MORE

The four would meet in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria soon after Mrs Albright's arrival from Morocco.

[12] WEATHER

Temperatures will reach 35 C inland, 32 on the south and east and 30 on the west.

Tonight the weather will be clear with thin mist forming locally. Winds will be north-westerly light, two to three beaufort and the sea slight. Temperatures will fall to 19 C inland and on the west coast, 21 on the south coast and 15 over the mountains.

The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas.

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