Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-02-01

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

CONTENTS

TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2000

[01] HEADLINES

[02] GENEVA

[03] LAURA

[04] EXCHANGE

[05] WORLD

[06] GREENPEACE

[07] AKKUYU

[08] SPYROS

[09] DRUGS

[10] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

Euro-Parliament left party President Francis Voorts expressed surprise over suggestions by Kofi Annan that the occupation regime may be recognized,

The stock exchange rebounded slightly today, to the delight of brokers and investors,

A spokesman for Chechnya's government said all rebel fighters had left capital Grozny,

The European Commission held an emergency meeting to discuss threats by EU member countries to sever ties with any Austrian government which included the far right Freedom Party,

Greenpeace is demanding that the EU set the protection of Akamas as a condition on accession,

And House President Spyros Kyprianou will return to Cyprus this Friday.

[02] GENEVA

Mr. De Soto's meeting with President Clerides began at around 11 am local time, while the meeting with Mr. Dentkash was scheduled 45 minutes later.

In statements last night, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou denied Mr. Denktash's claims that President Clerides acknowledges seven more issues on the negotiating table, beyond the four already presented by the UN Secretary General.

Asked to comment on Mr. Annan's remarks regarding possible recognition for the occupation regime, the Government Spokesman said that Mr. Annan said nothing of concern, and nothing new.

[03] LAURA

After meeting this morning with Democratic party Acting President Nicos Cleanthous, Mr. Vourts underscored that such an eventuality would be disconserting.

He added that the Left in the European Parliament has an absolutely clear position on the Cyprus issue, which must be based on UN resolutions and the High Level Agreements.

On his part, Mr. Cleanthous expressed his satisfaction on the European Left's unwavering support for what is just for Cyprus.

Asked to comment on Mr. Annan's statements, Mr. Cleanthous said that his party's position is sadly proven to be correct that dangers lay hidden within these talks, giving Rauf Denktash the opportunity to insist on his demands for recognition.

Mr. Cleanthous added that beyond rejecting Mr. Denktash's demands, the Greek Cypriot side must raise a new chapter in the negotiations referring to Resolution 1250, while not disregarding resolution 550 which condemns divisive acts.

[04] EXCHANGE

The General Index posted a 17 point increase compared to yesterday, reaching around 586 points.

In percentage terms, that's a three percent increase, just two percent under yesterday's losses.

Volume also shot up, reaching 24 million, two hundred thousand pounds, up more than 8 million pounds from yesterday.

At the start of today's session, investors refused to begin trading for a few minutes, to protest what they called a lapse by authorities to bolster the exchange.

But Capital Gains Committee member Theodoros Philippou told CyBC that despite their pleas, not a single investor has accused anyone, including brokers, of unjustifyingly encouraging them to sell their shares.

Mr. Philippou reiterated his committee's plea to investors to uncover such cases, stressing that the committee cannot act solely on rumours.

Stock market analysts stressed the need to allow all investment companies onto the trading floor, as well as other companies, so that the recent trend over share liquidity is countered.

[05] WORLD

The main spokesman for Chechnya's separatist government, said all rebel fighters had left the region's besieged capital Grozny.

The spokesman said that the withdrawal was carried out in an orderly fashion and that rebels have been completely withdrawn from the city.

At the same time, Chechen rebels said three of their top commanders, including a nephew of the breakaway region's first president Dzhokhar Dudayev, had been killed in fighting in the past two days.

- - - -

In Brussels, the European Commission held an hour-long emergency meeting to discuss European Union members' threat to sever political ties with any Austrian government which included the far right Freedom Party, EU officials said. One official said a statement might be made later.

- - - -

Meanwhile, hope faded today for 88 passengers and crew aboard an Alaska Airlines MD-83 that plunged from 17,000 feet into icy Pacific waters but rescue workers vowed to keep searching until there was no chance of finding survivors.

- - - -

Representatives of Israel, the Palestinians, several Arab states and rich donor countries began one-day multilateral talks in Moscow today to try to improve Middle East regional cooperation.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright jointly chaired the talks, which took place under the shadow of renewed regional bloodshed.

- - - -

And finally, Northern Ireland's First Minister David Trimble said he believed that a key report given to the British and Irish government overnight had dashed hopes of an early handover of arms by IRA guerrillas.

Mr, Trimble, who has threatened to resign over the arms impasse, said he expected to hear later in the day whether Britain would intervene by suspending the province's coalition government.

[06] GREENPEACE

The demand was issued to EU Ambassador in Cyprus, Donato Kiarini, by Greenpeace Mediterranean Executive Director Mario Damato in a meeting this morning.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Damato said that despite the fact that the government has signed international conventions on protecting Akamas, the Ministerial Committee is discussing ways of scaling back the level of protection accorded to the region, so that licenses may be issued to businessmen who want to build hotels there.

[07] AKKUYU

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd, confirmed that Turkish government officials will meet later today with representatives of the three vendors bidding for the contract to build the plant, so that a winner can be announced.

According to a Canadian environmentalist organization, at least six months will be required until negotiations between the Turkish government and the winning vendor are completed.

The organization added that other anti-nuclear groups, as well as scores of Turkish citizens opposed to the plant, will intensify their protests.

The Canadian company, a Franco-German consortium, and a joint American-Japanese venture are vying for the contract.

[08] SPYROS

Doctors at Cleveland's clinic, where Mr. Kyprianou underwent open heart surgery, gave the House President the green light to travel.

Mr. Kyprianou will leave Cleveland today for New York, departing later for London where he will spend tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

According to Democratic party spokesman Andreas Constantinou, Mr. Kyprianou will stay at his home for a short while longer until he recovers fully.

Mr. Constantinou said the House President will travel from time to time to Ohio for periodical check-ups.

[09] DRUGS

Ypsilantis was arrested last night at Larnaca airport, where drugs were found in his possession.

After searching the suspect, police discovered in his underwear four packages containing some 60 grams of cocaine, hasish and ecstasy pills.

The suspect was in Holland, arriving to Cyprus via Athens.

[10] WEATHER

This afternoon will be fine with some cloudy periods.

Light snow is expexted to fall over Troodos. Winds will be northwesterly moderate, 3 to 4 beaufort on slight to moderate seas.

Tonight will continue to be fine, while snow may fall again over Troodos.

Winds will remain northwesterly moderate, 3 to 4 beaufort, on slight to moderate seas.

The temperature will drop to 5 degrees inland, 7 degrees on the coasts and two degrees over the highest mountains.

The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 40 centimetres, and 35 centimetres on Troodos square.

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