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/Only miracle can save burns victims/ THE papers covered a disparate range
of stories on their front pages yesterday, ranging from human interest
stories to the ever-present Cyprus problem.
Alithia
reported that only a miracle could save industrialist Savvas Savvides and
his 27-year-old son George, owners of the burnt out oil factory in Larnaca
industrial estate who sustained burns from the fire which broke out early
on Wednesday. Both father and son are in intensive care and in
exceptionally critical condition. A special plane came from Israel to take
the victims there but returned empty after Israeli doctor examined the two
men and said conditions were such that they could not be moved. They have
burns covering most of their bodies.
Alithia
also reports that the situation over the distribution of road tax discs is
still in chaos saying that the whole communities are yet to receive their
renewal letters and that the number of people yet to receive discs is said
to exceed 15,000. The Head of the Road Transport Department said in most
cases the addresses given were wrong.
Phileleftheros
said Britain and the US were seeking the resumption of Cyprus talks on a
broad range of issues in September. The aim is to find a collective
solution and a clear agenda and with a specific timetable. The British and
Americans hope to see progress by November. Talks will include an
international force, refugees and territory. The paper also reports that
the Labour Minister is trying to increase the monthly minimum wage by 3.5
per cent from £248 to £258 after a round of contacts with the unions. The
increase will be retroactive from April 1 and will cover some 15,000 low-
paid workers such as shop assistants. Wages of £268 given after six month
will rise to £279.
Politis
reported parliament's slap in the face to the government over its decision
to side with the EU over the Yugoslavia oil ban. After a four-hour debate
on Thursday, the parties, apart from Disy and the United Democrats, called
on the government to review its position on the embargo. The debate centred
on whether the government decision was in fact in the national interest.
Politis also reported on a Kurd now living in Germany, who claims that 775 Greek Cypriots missing since the invasion in 1974 are now buried in mass graves on the outskirts of the southern Turkish city of Adana. Communist mouthpiece Haravghi claims it has uncovered a huge scandal which involves the police releasing two British drug suspects accused of assaulting them, after the British High Commission intervened. The paper laments that after bowing to the Israelis over security at Larnaca airport and to the Americans over the Ocalan arrest, Cyprus is now showing its subordination towards the British. After a phone call allegedly from the Commission, the two suspects were charged and released and allowed to travel on a cruise to Egypt.
Machi
said May 14 would be the date for a top level meeting on defence spending.
President Clerides will hold a meeting with the party leaders and the
defence committee. Confidential talks were going on behind the scenes, the
paper said.
Simerini
details the case of the "monster" father who will pay a heavy price for
rape and incest. Four years for incest and two for unlawful sex against his
daughter who was 11 at the time. The criminal court's decision noted that
such actions harmed the family, society and the victim, and that the
deterrent sentence must be imposed.
Apoyevmatini reported
that the National Guard is ready to throw off its Nato-style uniforms for
friendlier ones. By summer 2000, they will appear in new uniforms, which
will reflect Cyprus as it is after 35 years. A National Guard officer
admitted to the House Defence Committee that today's uniforms were a copy
of American ones and were hand-downs from Greece.
© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999
