Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-06-24

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Communications Minister - Air liberalisation

[02] Mediterranean News Agencies

[03] Cypriot business delegation - USA

[04] House - Defence Budget approved

[05] Government - Port workers - Strike

1645:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Communications Minister - Air liberalisation

The development comes as a pilots' union of the national carrier, Cyprus Airways, began at midnight last night a 48-hour strike affecting around 10 thousand passengers and 32 flights.

The union had also staged a 24-hour strike on Tuesday. Ierodiakonou was speaking after a meeting at the presidential palace with Finance Minister, Takis Klerides and President of the Cyprus Airways board, Takis Kyriakides,

The minister said the cabinet firmly believes that the strike by the Pancyprian Airline Pilots Union (PALPU) is "illegal, contrary to regulations and shows indifference towards the interest of the people."

Ierodiakonou said the cabinet has also taken other decisions on the matter and drafted a policy framework but refrained from disclosing any details.

Ierodiakonou explained that "flights were liberalised and this decision will be revoked depending on developments" and the pilots' attitude.

The most profitable Cyprus Airways destinations which the government has stepped in to protect are those to London, Athens and Tel Aviv, Ierodiakonou said.

The government's policy "was and will continue to be, if the situation improves, to protect Cyprus Airways. However, if we ascertain that this irresponsible attitude continues, then the decision to go ahead with liberalisation of air transport will be finalised."

The PALPU pilots say the strike has been inevitable as the company has reneged on an agreement on the way captain vacancies in Eurocypria, the charter subsidiary of Cyprus Airways, should be filled.

The company says collective agreements signed with unions clearly state that Eurocypria pilots have priority.

CNA RM/EC/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1830:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Mediterranean News Agencies

EFE's proposal was unanimously accepted by the 8th General Assembly of AMAN, which ended here tonight.

The Tunisian News Agency, TAP, announced its readiness to organise the 10th General Assembly in June, 2001.

The Agency, which hosts the General Assembly, acts as President of the Alliance for one year.

The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) handed over here yesterday the presidency to the National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon.

CNA will act for one year as First Vice President of AMAN's Follow Up Committee.

The two-day Beirut General Assembly concluded with the adoption of the Final Statement.

CNA was represented by its Director and Chief Editor, Themis Themistocleous and George Penintaex.

Participants visited today the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament of Lebanon.

AMAN is made up of 17 full members, namely AA (Turkey), AFP (France), AMI (Mauritania), ANA (Greece), ANSA (Italy), APS (Algeria), ATA (Albania), CNA (Cyprus), EFE (Spain), JANA (Libya), LUSA (Portugal), MAP (Morocco), MENA (Egypt), NNA (Lebanon), SANA (Syria), TAP (Tunisia) and WAFA (Palestine).

AMAN has two observers, namely the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) and the International Press Service (IPS).

CNA GP/EC/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1845:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cypriot business delegation - USA

The delegation is made up of members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (KEBE), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Central Bank.

It will organise seminars in San Fransisco, San Diego, Washington and New York where Cyprus' advantages as an international business centre will be stressed.

Cypriot business people will encourage their American counterparts to expand their activities in Russia through Cyprus.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry organises annually business missions to the USA.

Last year it opened the Cyprus - American Chamber in New York last October, which is "decisively contributing in developing trade and economic relations between the two countries," a KEBE statement said.

CNA EC/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2030:CYPPRESS:04

[04] House - Defence Budget approved

The fund was amended after President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides submitted a proposal to remove provisions relating to the purchase of new weapon systems and to include a provision of a general nature.

The ruling Democratic Rally, the Democratic Party and Socialist EDEK voted in favour of the defence budget.

Left-wing AKEL deputies abstained, with the exception of one deputy who abstained.

CNA/SD/EC/MM 1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2100:CYPPRESS:05

[05] Government - Port workers - Strike

Communications and Works Minister, Leontios Ierodiakonou, together with Finance Minister, Takis Klerides and Labour and Social Insurance Minister, Andreas Moushouttas met today with the unions of the port workers.

The decision to begin an indefinite strike follows a cabinet decision last week to award port workers who would be made redundant 600.000 Cyprus Pounds worth of compensation from government funds and another 200.000 to be drawn from the salaries of workers that will remain in their posts.

A number of workers will be laid off as a surplus to requirements once the government implements plans to turn the port into a leisure harbour.

Ierodiakonou said "we have bridged our differences", adding that "tomorrow's indefinite strike must be averted."

He said the government agreed to give 700.000 CYP and an additional 140.000 through a self financing programme which the government will guarantee.

SEK union spokesman, Pantelis Stavrou said he was satisfied with the results of the meeting, adding that its outcome will be put before port workers at tomorrow's general assembly in the port town of Larnaca.

A total of 54 workers will receive compensation.

CNA FZ/EC/MM/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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