Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-10-07

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER 1999

[01] C OF E RULING

[02] RULING REAX

[03] NIKIPH END

[04] NIKIPH AIR

[05] HOUSE PLENUM

[06] PRESPAL MEETS

[07] AIRPORT SECURITY

[08] CSE

[09] BARONESS

[10] ROLL OVER LUDWIG?

[11] EQUADOR VOLCANO

[12] WEATHER

[01] C OF E RULING

Specifically, the Council's executive ministerial committee adopted and ratified the 1997 ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, by power of which Turkey is ordered to pay Ms Loizides 330 thousand dollars in compensation plus legal expenses, saying that the ruling must be abided by, otherwise sanctions will be imposed.

Turkey, which has some 30 thousand troops stationed in the occupied part of the island, has been steadfastly refusing to pay, arguing that it is not in any way responsible for the situation, and that the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", which only Ankara recognises, is an independent country.

[02] RULING REAX

In Nicosia, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou stated that the decision is an important step in efforts aimed at the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights decision, while at the same time it indicates the prevalence of current endeavours to bend Turkish intransigence and reach a lasting settlement in Cyprus.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou also commented on last night's Council of Europe decision, saying that its significance lies not only in its legal, but also in its political aspects. Expressing the conviction that the decision cannot but influence efforts towards a resolution of the Cyprus Issue, he further noted that Turkey must now conform with the ruling, in order to prove its desire to enter the fold of a greater Europe.

[03] NIKIPH END

Represented in today's parade were infantry and mechanised units which took part in the actual exercise, as well as Hellenic Airforce F-16 fighter jets, the Hellenic Navy's airborne wing, and National Guard Gazelle and Bell helicopters.

Speaking to reporters after the end of the parade, President Clerides expressed the conviction that the National Guard is ready and fully capable of carrying out its duty and defending the island, adding that this year's "Nikiphoros" exercise was upgraded in every respect.

The President of the Republic. accompanied by other officials, then paid a visit to the Hellenic Navy frigate "Limnos", moored at Larnaka port. Also moored at the port are the Hellenic Navy submarine "Poseidon" and the frigate "Hydra".

[04] NIKIPH AIR

En route to Cyprus however, the four F-16's which flew over today's parade were buzzed repeatedly by Turkish fighter jets within the Nicosia and Athens Flight Information Regions. The Hellenic Airforce spokesman noted that in every case, the encounter was dealt with in a calm but decisive manner.

Commenting on the same issue, President Clerides emphasised that Turkish threats played no part whatsoever in the decision not to have the Greek warplanes land in Paphos, adding that their efficiency has been well-proved.

[05] HOUSE PLENUM

In his speech, Cyprus' House President emphasised that the Greek-Cypriot side should not be asked to make any more concessions on the Cyprus Issue, saying characteristically that the people of the island have reached the very limits of preserving their national identity.

Three new deputies were also sworn in during today's session: They are Democratic Party (or DIKO) member Zacharias Koulias, who fills the seat vacated by Alexis Galanos following his resignation from the House, and Democratic Rally (or DISY) members Costas Constantinou for Paphos and Lia Georgiades for Kyrenia, replacing former deputies Averof Neophytou and Sokratis Hasikos respctively, following their appointment to ministerial posts in the most recent cabinet reshuffle.

[06] PRESPAL MEETS

In statements after a morning meeting with President Clerides, Mr Vassiliou said that Cyprus' accession may be postponed, given differing opinions among current EU member-states on the matter.

Mr Vassiliou is leaving for Estonia tomorrow, where he will attend a meeting of the six EU candidate-states. The meeting is being held within the framework of discussions concerning both individual and collective accession efforts.

[07] AIRPORT SECURITY

Following the broad-based meeting, Communications and Works Minister Averof Neophytou said that the number of access points to the airports' working areas and tarmac will be reduced, while all airport personnel and persons authorised to enter the premises will now be required to bear special passes.

Justice and Public Order Minister Nikos Koshis confined himself to saying that security at Cyprus' airports has been drastically improved, adding that it will improve even more.

[08] CSE

There was however a slight drop from yesterday's 488-unit record all-time-high general price index to 485 points, while the volume of trading showed a slight increase, reaching 23 million pounds as compared to yesterday's 22. The number of transactions processed and completed today was 3 thousand 482, in comparison to 2 thousand 400 yesterday.

Banking organisations and trading companies experienced a slight drop, while the movement of tourist organisation shares showed a significant increase in today's trading.

[09] BARONESS

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides personally accepted the 84-year-old life peer's files, handed over in an atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia for better days, something not in the least surprising, given that the Baroness had long worked faithfully and diligently for the rights of the Cypriot people.

On her part, the octogenarian Baroness noted that some of the material is well over 50 years old, and that apart from newspaper clippings, it also contains the far more important correspondence she maintained with ordinary Cypriots during the British colonial era and the ensuing struggle for independence.

[10] ROLL OVER LUDWIG?

For more than 100 years, the 51-second-long single page of music, written by the German composer in 1817, lay hidden in a private collection of papers in a house in Cornwall, southern England.

Discovered by Sotheby's last August, it's to be auctioned on December 8th and is expected to fetch between 150,000 and 200,000 pounds.

[11] EQUADOR VOLCANO

The 48-hundred-metre-high volcano literally belched a giant cloud of ash that hung over its crater, waiting for the wind to sweep it away or over the country's capital, as the case may be.

The Guagua had been under "yellow" warning since late last year, but the degree of activity and risks posed have both recently increased, forcing authorities to upgrade its status to "orange." The orange warning is one level below red, which indicates that the volcano could erupt in a matter of hours or days.

Some 2,000 villagers have so far been evacuated from farms on the slopes of the volcano, for fear of an imminent full-blown eruption.

[12] WEATHER

Generally fair conditions are forecast for tomorrow, but increasing cloud cover during the course of the day will lead to partly cloudy skies by the afternoon, with the possibility of scattered showers throughout the island. Winds in the morning will be variable light, 2-3BF, strengthening to moderate west-to-southwesterlies, 3-4BF, later in the day, on slight to moderate seas, while temperatures are not expected to exceed 29C inland and along the south and east coasts, 28C in the west, and 18C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article