Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece waiting for Annan's visit with great interest

[02] US tells Turkey to address UN plan with will for compromise

[03] Britain says solution by Feb. 28, if Cyprus to join EU united

[04] Presidential elections to be held Sunday

[05] Congresspeople urge Bush to persuade Turkey over Cyprus

[01] Greece waiting for Annan's visit with great interest

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Greece waiting for Annan's visit with great interest

by Apostolis Zoupaniotis

United Nations, Feb 15 (CNA) - Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou said Athens is awaiting the visit to the region of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan with great interest.

[02] US tells Turkey to address UN plan with will for compromise

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US tells Turkey to address UN plan with will for compromise

by Demetris Apokis

Washington, Feb 15 (CNA) - US President George Bush and his National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice told Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Yasar Yakis that Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash must address the UN plan for a Cyprus settlement with a attitude of compromise and do everything possible to bring about a solution within the framework set out by UN chief Kofi Annan.

[03] Britain says solution by Feb. 28, if Cyprus to join EU united

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Britain says solution by Feb. 28, if Cyprus to join EU united

by Kyriacos Tsioupras

London, Feb 15 (CNA) - Britain believes that if Cyprus is to join the EU as a united country, a solution to its political problem must be found by February 28.

Replying to CNA questions, a Foreign Office spokesperson said ''if Cyprus is going to enter the EU as a united country, we need a deal by February 28'', adding that ''prospects after that do not adhere to the idea of another time limit in April''.

[04] Presidential elections to be held Sunday

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Presidential elections to be held Sunday

Nicosia, Feb 15 (CNA) - Cypriots go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new President who will lead them into the European Union and possibly sign an agreement for the comprehensive settlement to the long-standing Cyprus problem.

Chief Returning Officer Kyriacos Triantafyllides told a press conference here Saturday he was certain the 476,345 registered voters will vote in an orderly fashion and there would not be any problems.

Ten candidates are seeking either a re-run or a first time in office. Eight of them appeared to be independent. Among them is incumbent President Glafcos Clerides, who is seeking a limited third term.

Two candidates come from political parties. One is Tassos Papadopoulos, leader of the centre-right Democratic Party (DIKO), who is also supported by leftwing AKEL party, the largest in the Parliament, and the Social Democrats Movement (KISOS). The other is Nicos Koutsou, supported by right-wing New Horizons, the party that he leads.

President Clerides is supported for re-election by rightwing Democratic Rally party although a number of deputies belonging to this party have publicly backed the candidature of Attorney General Alecos Markides, one of Clerides' aides.

The remaining candidates are Andreas Efstratiou, a businessman, followed by lawyer Christos Iosifides, composer Adamos Katsantonis, farmer and writer Costas Kyriakou, cartoonist George Mavrogenis and civil engineer Pantelis Sofocleous.

A total of 1,076 polling stations will operate, of which 414 in Nicosia District, 323 in Limassol District, 50 in the free areas of Famagusta District, 169 in Larnaca District and 120 in Paphos District.

Two special polling stations will operate for the 406 enclaved registered to vote. They will be transported from the Turkish-occupied to the free areas to vote, and then either return to their homes or visit relatives.

Results for the presidential elections will be ready well before midnight, Triantafyllides said.

If everything goes well, he added, then final results would be ready at 2200 local time (2000 GMT).

For the first time, counting will take place at polling stations.

The cost of the elections is estimated at 3.7 million CYP if two rounds are held. A total of 10 thousand people will work during all phases of the elections.

The candidate who will secure 50% plus one vote will be declared President from the first round and the pronouncement will be made at the Interior Ministry, he said.

If no candidate secures more than 50%, then a second round will be held the following Sunday between the first two candidates.

The new President will be pronounced at the ''Eleftheria'' stadium in Nicosia at around midnight.

Polling stations will open at 0700 local time (0500 GMT) and will stay open until 1700 (1500 GMT) with an hour's break at midday.

[05] Congresspeople urge Bush to persuade Turkey over Cyprus

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Congresspeople urge Bush to persuade Turkey over Cyprus

Nicosia, Feb 15 (CNA) - Seventy-eight members of the US Congress have sent a letter to President George Bush urging the US Administration to ''undertake as a high priority and at the highest possible level, efforts to persuade Turkey to fully support'' the process for a Cyprus settlement.

According to an official press release, the letter, which was sent yesterday, gives the members of the Congress the opportunity to send a clear message on the necessity to intensify efforts to solve the Cyprus problem in the framework of a revised peace plan submitted to the two sides on the island by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in December 2002.

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