Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-01-19

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

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2000

[01] HEADLINES

[02] GREEK ANKARA

[03] SWISS MODEL

[04] DENKTASH ACCUSATIONS

[05] PAPAPETROU CYBC

[06] MEMORIAL SERVICE

[07] KYPRIANOU DANGERS

[08] NEWS BRIEFS

[09] APPLICATIONS GRANTS

[10] HARD DRUGS

[11] SHIP ANCHOR

[12] SNOW ROADS

[13] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

President Clerides has said that the Swiss constitutional model has never been raised in resolution talks,

The Turkish Cypriot opposition have denounced Turkey for promoting Rauf Denktash, in the upcoming, so-called presidential elections,

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou has said there are no dangers contained in Helsinki decision regarding recognition of the occupation regime,

Church and State honoured the late Archbishop Makarios on his name day today,

House President Spyros Kyprianou will undergo open heart surgery, despite his pulminary problems,

And the government will offer grants for moving factories away from residential areas.

[02] GREEK ANKARA

Mr. Papandreou's visit is considered an historic once, because it is the first official visit to Turkey by a Greek Foreign Minister in almost 40 years.

He is also the first European Foreign Minister who travels to Turkey after the Helsinki European Union Summit.

According to CyBC sources, Mr. Papandreou will present Greek proposals regarding the new political framework over EU-Turkey relations, which include the Cyprus issue and expectations for Turkey to conform with European court decisions.

The EU Council of Ministers will also mull over this framework, as well as facilitating bicommunal contacts in Cyprus, this coming Monday.

Mr. Papandreou will signed four bilateral cooperation agreements with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, who will reciprocate the visit early next month.

The Turkish side is extending every courtesy and formality to the visit, highlighted by the high level contacts between Mr. Papandreou and President Suleyman Demirel, as well as Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.

The Cem-Papandreou talks begin tomorrow morning, while later in the day, the Greek Foreign Minister will give a lecture at Ankara University and on Friday, will travel to Constantinople, where he will be the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Patriarch Bartholomew.

[03] SWISS MODEL

President Clerides was asked by journalists to clarify whether the Swiss model is being discussed.

The President of the Republic said that the media are referring to various issues which have never been raised and which have no bearing on current talks.

Responding to the remark that the Swiss model was raised not by the media, but by a minister in his government, President Clerides said that the Minister in question did not raise the issue per se, but was only responding to comments.

[04] DENKTASH ACCUSATIONS

The charge came from Patriotic Unity Movement General Secretary, Izet Izchan, who said that the so-called elections are no different than previous ones, since conditions don't exist so that they are carried out under a democratic system.

Mr. Izchan said that his movement will contest the so-called elections with their supposed candidate, Hassan Tahsin, who was born in Ayios Theodoros in Tylliria, and who supports a federal solution to the Cyprus issue.

Another supposed candidate, is Turkish Republican Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who criticized those who interfere with bicommunal contacts.

In statements following a meeting with the coordinator of the European Union's Portuguese presidency, Mr. Talat also said that both sides on Cyprus must put aside their fears and have a positive attitude regarding the European Union.

[05] PAPAPETROU CYBC

Mr. Papapetrou noted that the European Union negotiates only with recognized states.

He also noted that the Helsinki decision has created the conditions and possibilities for the current stalemate over the Cyprus issue to be broken and to enter a new phase.

[06] MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service presided over by Archbishop Chrysostomos and attended by President Clerides and other dignitaries, was held at St. John's Cathedral this morning.

President Clerides told reporters that Archbishop Makarios left indellible void with his death.

Wreaths were also laid at the late Archbishop's tomb. Greek recording artist George Dalaras was awarded the Apostle Barnabas Golden Medal for his services to Cyprus by Archbishop Chrysostomos.

Archbishop Chrysostomos praised Mr. Dalaras' contribution to the island and said human rights will only be restituted in Cyprus, once the Turkish occupation army and the illegal settlers return to Turkey.

Accepting the award, Mr. Dalaras assured that he will continue to fight for Cyprus and noted that he has received much more than he has ever given.

[07] KYPRIANOU DANGERS

According to Democratic Party Spokesman Andreas Konstantinou, doctors have said that there is added danger in Mr. Kyprianou's case, but are certain that they can overcome any obstacles.

Examinations conducted on Mr. Kyprianou have confirmed the need to go ahead with the open heart surgery. The surgery is expected to take place tomorrow.

[08] NEWS BRIEFS

Russian forces intensified air attacks on the shattered Chechen capital Grozny and mountain gorges in southern Chechnya today, to flush out rebels putting up fierce resistance to advancing Russian troops.

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A Lebanese newspaper has quoted Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara as saying that peace negotiations cannot resume unless the United States secures an Israeli commitment to return all the Golan Heights captured in 1967.

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A Chilean plane has flown to Britain today, to whisk former dictator Augusto Pinochet to freedom if British authorities dismiss last-ditch attempts to put him on trial for torture.

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The Security Council had failed to agree on a new U.N. chief weapons inspector for Iraq after Russia, France and China opposed Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Swedish candidate.

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Turkish police who raided a house today, found the remains of five missing businessmen believed to have been kidnapped and killed by radical Islamist guerrillas.

[09] APPLICATIONS GRANTS

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism has announced that it will begin processing grant applications this coming Monday.

[10] HARD DRUGS

Speaking on CyBC television, Drug Enforcement Unit Director Christakis Katsikidis said that the turn towards heavy drugs is owed to previous marijuana use.

He added that it is for this reason that his unit is against the decriminalization of marijuana use.

[11] SHIP ANCHOR

The ship carried the name SITAREM, and was transporting lumber from Romania to Israel.

The ship dropped anchor two nautical miles off the coast at around eight last night.

The ship's crew, composed of Turkish sailors, reimbarked on its journey at around two in the morning.

[12] SNOW ROADS

The Karvouna-Troodos, Prodromos-Troodos and Platres Troodos roads are open only to cars equipped with tyre chains or have four-wheel drive capability.

[13] WEATHER

Winds will be southwesterly fresh, 5 beaufort, on rough seas.

Clouds tonight will produce more showers and some isolated thunderstorms, while snow will continue to fall on Troodos.

Winds will be southwesterly to westerly, fresh to strong, 5 to 6 beaufort, on rough seas.

The temperature will drop to 8 degrees inland and the coasts, and 2 degrees over the highest mountains.

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