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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-05-23Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
_SUNDAY 23 MAY 99_ [01] HEADLINES-- NATO FLEW 650 SORTIES OVER SERBIA AND KOSOVO IN THE PAST 24 HOIURS, MOST OF THEM AT LOW LEVEL-- THERE HAS BEEN LIMITED DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY OVER YUGOSLAVIA WITH EU ENVOY AHHTISAARI ON HIS WAY TOMOSCOW FOR TALKS -- CLINTON WAS SEVERELY CRITICISED BY FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE KISSINGER OVER HIS BOMBING POLICIES -- RELIEF FOOD SENT TO KOSOVO REFUGEES FOUND UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION CAUSING FOOD POIIISONING --JOHANES RAU WAS ELECTED GERMANY'S EIGHTH POST WAR PRESIDENT TODAY --DEVASTATING FLOODS ARE RAGING IN MANY PARTS OF EUROPE AFTER TORRENTIAL RAINS [02] YUGO/WARNATO aircraft flew 650 sorties during the past 24 hours against Yugoslavia. Sirens in Belgrade sounded the alarm 45 minutes before midnight and explosions were heard tqo hours later. The Yugoslav Beta channel reported that the planes flew very low over the capital among the Yugoslav army antiaircraft units went into action. The attacks were mainly directed against oil installations , ammunition stores, electricity relay stations, landing fields, artillery units, tanks and other military vehicles in various parts of Serbia and Kosovo. Two months of air attacks ended today, and NATO announced that 17,000 sorties have been flown, with 10 thousand of them using the so called "clever" bombs.[03] YUGO/PEACENATO is now sending 18 thousand troops into Skopje and into Albania, but still remains divided over launching a ground offensive, There has been limited diplomatic activity over the past 24 hours with EU Envoiy Martu Ahtisaari on his way to Moscow for another round of talks with Russian and US diplomats. Obstacles between the talks between the West and Russia are centred on the time when the cease fire will be announced together with the composition of the international peace force. President Clinton again declared that the cire of the force will be from NATO and explained that the alliance will be responsible for the command, control and conditions of possible battle involvement.The Sunday Times reported that 18 thousand troops will be deployed through the Balkans within the next few weeks, and this force is considered a peace support force after an agreement is reached. Some people, however, believe this is nothing more than preparation for a land operation during the Summer or early in Autumn. Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini has strengthened the already existing German and Greek reservations stating that the possibility of any such invasion should not even be considered. [04] KLINTON/KISSINGERPresident Clinton has argued that humanity will judge the NATO operation in Yugoslavia as just, but he has come under strong criticism from former secretary of state Henry Kissinger. Clinton wrote an article for the New York times in order to defend the NATO attacks claiming that lives were saved as a result. Because, he wrote, NATO has intervened in time and with sufficient strength it has had results in saving many lives while in the end the refugees will return to their homes. Kissinger who criticises the president has different views, He accused the American president of leading the United States as well as the world into difficult paths, by weakening the country's relations with China and with Russia. At the same time a part of the American press also launches strong criticism against the US president , to the point that the question is asked, whether humanity is already on the brink of a new era of enmity between the superpowers.[05] GERMANY- Johannes Rau, a leading member of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democratic Party, was elected Germany's eighth post-war president in a vote today in the Reichstag building.Rau won the requisite absolute majority in the federal assembly with 690 votes in the second round of balloting after falling 13 votes short in the first round. Rau, 68, begins his five-year term on July 1. The office carries little executive power. [06] PETROSAn Archiepiscopal joint Church service was held today in the Evangelistria Church of pallouriotissa with Patriarch Petros of Alexandris and archbishop Chrysostomos officiating. A large number of people attended the service. Archbishop Chrysostomos underlined that faith in Christ neutralises distances, pulls down boundaries and abolishes discriminations and divisions. His beatitude also decorated Patriarch Petros with the Gold Medallion of Saint barnabas. In his reply the Patriarch referred to the close ties between the two Churches. This afternoon the Patriarch visited Macheras Monastery and laid a wreath at the Afxendiou memorial.[07] FLOODSUnprecedented floods in Central Europe have so far caused untold damage and claimed many victims. In Southern germany entire areas are under water following torrential rains that have been falling for days. Motorways have become impassable, rail schedules have been disrupted, and there are cuts in the supply of electricity. A wave of severe weather has also affected Switzerland where one tourist was buried under mountains of mud. Severe damage was also caused in Lucerne where rivers have overflowed. At the other end of the world in Pakistan, at least 80 people lost their lives and hundreds were reported missing after a cyclone hit the Southern coastal areas of the country. The Cyclone left at least 10 thousand people homeless.[08] cler agrosPresident Clerides said he is certain that the difficult struggle waged by the people of Cyprus will be won with determination and political wisdom. His message was read by Education Minister Ouranios Ioannides at the congress of the Council on the 1955-59 struggle of EOKA at Agros. The president underlined that the people opf Cyprus honour the EOKA fighters adding the hope that the younger generation would like to emulate them, and prove worthy should the fatherland call upon them to defend it.[09] LARNACA BOMBAfter the bomb planted at the oil refinery another bomb was planed at the Larnaca Court building, and police announced they are on the trail of a gang which manufactures and uses bombs. The bomb had been placed the courthouse door last night and caused only minor damage. Today police arrested two people on suspicion they were responsible, and the court ordered their detention. Last night police arrested two other persons who were caught red handed while trying to set fire to three buses. Larnaca Police Chief Savva lardis said the two recent cases as well as the bomb near the refinery appear to be connected because all the bombs were made in the same way.[10] AMATHUSOwners of real estate property in the Amathus area today staged a protest against the degrading prices paid by the government for their expropriated land. They staged a march and closed the coastal highway. They declared that they will continue the struggle for the right to used their property or for adequate compensation from the government. The struggle committee pointed out that sewage disposal lines pass through non expropriated properties and that tourist complexes have been built over archaeological sites. They also described the proposal of local authorities to construct an 'archaeological Park in the region" at a cost of three million pounds as a stark provocation.[11] EUROVISIONThe Cyprus team for the Eurovision song contest leaves for Israel this evening accompanied with the best wishes of all. The singer, Marlen Angelidou, composer George Kallis and the other vocal and dance participants, went through their last rehearsal for the Cyprus entry, "It must be Love," which has been described one of the best in this year's contest. The contest will be held on Saturday in Jerusalem and will be relayed live by the CyBC TV, and the commentary for CyBC will be given by Evi Papamichail.[12] HISTORICAL RALLYA 1972 Triumph, with only 10 penalty points, driven by Sravros Stavrou and Euripides Stavrou as co-driver was the winner in this year's Historic car Rally which terminated in Eleftheria Square this afternoon. A 1960 Volkswagen Carmen Ghia. with 37 penalty points and driven by George georgiou was second, and a 1972 MG, also with 37 penalty points and driven by Athis Philippides was third. Of the 59 starters only 52 finished the Rally. On the last leg of the event, today, drivers started from Paphos and covered 193 kilometres before finishing in Nicosia.[13] WEATHERThe weather will be mainly clear this evening with North Westerly light winds and a slight sea. Temperatures will drop to 16 C inland and on the West coast, to 18 C on the south coast and 14 C over the higher mountains. The weather will be clear tomorrow with some light high cloud. North westerly light wimnds in the morning will become Southhhhhhhherly yo South Westerly moderate in the afternoon. The sea will be slight, becoming moderate in windward areas in the afternoon. Temperatures will rise to 35 C inland, 32 C on the South Coast, 27 C on the West coast and 26 C on the higher mounatins.Today's temperatures were: Nicosia 37 C -- 19 C Limassol 32 c -- 20 C Larnaca 34 C -- 19 C Paphos 27 C -- 15 C Prodromos 31 C -- 18 C The fire hazard remains high in all forest areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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