Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-02-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE - UN CHIEF`S VISIT

[02] MINISTER - WATER SUPPLIES

[03] CYPRIOT MISSION - HAITI

[04] CYPRIOTS - RATING

[01] GREECE - UN CHIEF`S VISIT

Droutsas was speaking after meeting on Tuesday in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where he explained Greece`s positions on major national issues as well as Greece`s will to help, through initiatives in its broader region and primarily in the Balkans and the Middle East.

In statements to the press after his meetings with Clinton and Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, Droutsas said his meetings were a good opportunity for us to deepen our relations with the US again, exchange views on all the issues of mutual interest, on international developments, and it gave us the chance to highlight the fact that Greece can play a role in these international developments, particularly in our immediate neighbourhood.

Replying to a question on Bans visit to Cyprus, Droutsas said that every initiative of the SG towards finding a solution to the Cyprus issue is significant and welcome. His presence in Cyprus is a very important step.

Droutsas said he hoped Bans visit will contribute towards the peace process and that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the Turkish Cypriot side appreciate how they can contribute towards a solution.

``My meeting here was also an excellent opportunity for me to reiterate Greece`s positions on the issues of particular Greek interest. On the issue of Cyprus we are again going through an important phase, in our relations with Turkey our effort for a new approach and cooperation is known, on the issue of the name of FYROM Greece`s will and desire for a solution is also known, the Greek Alternate Foreign Minister said.

It is important that the US is aware of our positions on all these issues as well, always in the framework of cooperation between our two countries, cooperation on an equal basis between two allies and partners, he added.

Referring to Droutsas meetings in Washington, State Department Spokesman Philip J. Crowley said during his meeting with Clinton and Steinberg they covered a range of issues of mutual concern between the United States and Greece, including developments in the Balkans, Cyprus, and other regional issues.

[02] MINISTER - WATER SUPPLIES

Addressing the fourth annual Water and Energy Exchange International Conference in the southern coastal town of Limassol, Polynikis said the primary objective is to secure enough quantities of potable water to cover at least the basic needs of the population and to eliminate dependency on weather conditions by installing sea water desalination plants.

Despite the construction of many surface water reservoirs since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, the dependency on rainfall still continues, he added.

The long and frequent periods of droughts, he said, have proved that storing rainwater into reservoirs only allows short-term planning and is not a sustainable long-term solution.

[03] CYPRIOT MISSION - HAITI

``We are departing for Haiti to offer medical treatment and to investigate ways to provide long-term aid to the people affected by the earthquake. The country has suffered almost total devastation and we will do whatever we can to help,`` mission coordinator Dr. Olga Sophocleous said at Larnaca Airport.

She added that the team would be travelling to Port au Prince, where it will set up base in the UN camp, be registered and advised as to where they would be working. ``We will take medicine and medical equipment with us,`` she said.

Member of the Board of Directors of the organisation Katia Christodoulou said she was travelling to Haiti as a volunteer and photo reporter, in order to record the damage. She added that the organisation would once again be travelling to areas suffering the consequences of natural disasters in order to provide assistance to the extent possible, taking into consideration Cyprus` small size.

[04] CYPRIOTS - RATING

In a question regarding their personal situation, Cypriots gave an average score of +3.1 points which was higher than the average score of the community (+2.5) on a scale of -10 to 10.

In a question about the overall situation of their country, Cypriots gave a score of -3.1 points, which was almost identical to the average score of the Community (-3). The Greeks gave the lowest score with -5.5% in the Community together with the Hungarian, while the average score of the Community was -3.

In a question what score do you give for social protection and integration policy, the average score given by the respondents in Cyprus was -0,5 compared to -0,6 which was the average score of the community. The Greeks gave the lowest score in EU (-4,1).

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