PHILELEFTHEROS “Government won’t give a cent for Pavarotti concert” The government will not give any money towards the organisation of the Pavarotti concert for July 9. Nicosia mayor Michalakis Zampelas had said the CTO would grant £100,000, but the CTO said no final decision had been made. Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades said the Ministry would not give money for the support of concerts by foreigners and that they would only issue grants to Cypriot artists to perform.
POLITIS “Those who leave the oncology centre” Dr Tina Pasalari and Dr Thanasis Bangatzounis have said that they will leave the oncology centre. Pasalari has handed in her resignation and is expected to leave in June while Bangatzounis has not yet official resigned, but according to information will not hesitate to leave if changes are not made. The doctors demand a solution to the problem of private and public sectors. They believe the workload is too much for 12 doctors are treating 6,000 patients at the centre. They believe an oncology ward should be set up at the Nicosia General Hospital, to act also as a training centre for medical students.
HARAVGHI “Good news for rehabilitation centers” Two young people who are in the rehabilitation unit in Limassol fully support the detoxification centre’s efforts to wean people off drugs. The unit began operation on February 2, and, until today, has treated two patients. Dr Andreas Demetriou expressed his hope that the unit would be a success for those who want to stop taking drugs and need help. He said the unit offered services by a trained staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurses.
MACHI “Tractors’ destination” Potato growers are planning to close roads over the following couple of days if the government does not meet their demands. According to Michalis Katsiaris, a member of the Potato Growers’ Committee, the producers have already rounded up 500 tractors to drive to Nicosia. The Agriculture Minister is expected to answer them on Monday when he will meet with the organisations. The Ministry says the demands are out of line with EU directives.
ALITHIA “Greece proposes acceptance of proposal” Greece has proposed that Tassos Papadopoulos accept Turkey’s proposal. The Cyprus problem was the epicentre of the talks held yesterday in Athens between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the Foreign Minister George Papandreou. Simitis said he spoke with Papadopoulos and said negotiations must resume after talks in New York. “We are in agreement that a solution must be found based on the Anan Plan that will ensure human rights and EU directives.”
SIMERINI “North gives false passports” Police reports show that Turks get false passports in order to travel to London from Larnaca. Two days ago, a 19-year-old Turk and a 27-year-old Turkish Cypriot were arrested at Larnaca airport for attempting to travel to UK with false passports. The Turk admitted he met someone who he paid $5,000 to get a false passport to travel to the UK.
