Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-11-24

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 1999

[01] HEADLINES

[02] MINISTER INTERVIEW

[03] CLERIDES BANDLER

[04] DENKTASH PROXIMITY

[05] DEMIREL THREATS

[06] TURKEY EU

[07] WORLD BRIEFS

[08] LABOUR POLLUTION

[09] NAVY SHIPS

[10] LIMASSOL ARREST

[11] DRUG ARREST

[12] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

President Clerides met with the US Ambassador to Cyprus this morning,

Rauf Denktash seems to remain steadfast to his well-known positions,

Turkey has renewed its threats against Greece over Cyprus,

The Russian defence minister has said the Chechen capital could fall to Russian hands without a bloody fight,

New readings confirm Nemitsas foundry emmissions to exceed legal limits,

Turkish navy ships will dock on Kyrenia port as part of a military exercise,

And a 26 year-old man is in police custody for trying to smuggle into Cyprus more than 10 kilos of cannabis.

[02] MINISTER INTERVIEW

In an interview to the newspaper Politis, he said that although this cannot guarantee a solution, it is up to Athens and Nicosia to take full advantage of it.

At the same time, he stressed that the Greece will exercise its veto option against Turkish candidacy at the Helsinki European Union summit, if nothing positive develops.

Mr. Papandreou said this plateau consists of the start of proximity talks in New York, but even though this is nothing new, it is boosted by Cyprus' EU accession course, the new Greek Turkish rapprochement as a result of the recent earthquakes, and the fact that the Cyprus problem is high on the US list of priorities.

Separating any breaktrough on the Cyprus problem in New York, from the Helsinki summit, the Greek Foreign Minister said that Greece has a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of Turkey's EU candidacy so that progress can be made on the Cyprus problem and Greek Turkish relations.

Mr. Papandreou will meet with Democratic rally president Nicos Anastasiades in Athens today.

The Greek Foreign Minister arrives in Cyprus tomorrow, and will meet with President Clerides, Foreign Minister Ioannis Cassoulides and other political leaders.

[03] CLERIDES BANDLER

Mr. Bandler did not make any statements emerging from the meeting.

Sources say that the American official, who in a few days will travel to New York, sees satisfied with President Clinton's visit to Greece and Turkey.

The proximity talks are planned to begin December 3rd in New York.

[04] DENKTASH PROXIMITY

Briefing Turkish Cypriot political parties on the latest developments yesterday, Mr. Denktash said that he is going to New York for the proximity talks in a spirit of good will, in order to break the current stalemate.

He was quick to add that he is not going to New York to negotiate a solution, because direct talks are needed for that to happen.

[05] DEMIREL THREATS

According to the Turkish newspaper Hurrieyet, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel said that a forced solution on the Cyprus problem would lead to a face off between the two countries.

He added that a lasting, just and effective solution must be found to the Cyprus problem, after it the reasons why a solution has not been possible for the last 25 years are finally understood.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press meanwhile, Mr. Demirel, said that no gesture on the part of Turkey with regard to the Cyprus problem was discussed with US President Bill Clinton during his recent visit to Turkey.

When he was made aware of the US President's statements in Athens, Mr. Demirel said that the major powers cannot say one thing to Turkey and another to others.

[06] TURKEY EU

The report suggests that Turkey has made significant steps towards complete democratization and recommends expanding the trade union agreement between the European Union and Turkey.

The report also recommends 135 million Euros in financial aid to Turkey.

[07] WORLD BRIEFS

Russian Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev said he believed Russian forces battling Islamic rebels in Chechnya could capture the capital Grozny without a bloody fight and ruled out any storming of the city.

- - - -

British Agriculture Minister Nick Brown said there had been "real progress" in resolving a row over France's refusal to lift a ban on British beef but he could not say when exports might resume.

- - - -

Iraq, which has suspended oil exports, signalled it would agree to a six-month renewal of the U.N. oil-for-food program on terms similar to those currently in effect.

- - - -

Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy condemned as "very grave" Vatican criticism of Israel's decision to permit Moslems to build a mosque near the main Christian shrine in Nazareth.

[08] LABOUR POLLUTION

The readings indicate the foundry to emmit 384 miligrams per cubic metre, 84 miligrams higher than permissible levels.

Mr. Moushioutas said instructions have been issued for the plant to be temporarily shut down and for legal proceedings to begin, the same measures taken against the Ergates foundry.

The Labour minister added that readings were not taken in the past due to a lack of relevant laws and technical means.

According to new laws, foundry emmissions must be restricted to 300 milligrams from now until January, 2001.

Emmissions will have to be reduced a further 50 miligrams after that time, matching European Union standards.

Mr. Moushioutas denied that such measures will lead to foundries closing down, adding that it's completely possible for foundries to both operate and meet emmission standards at the same time.

[09] NAVY SHIPS

Some parts of the exercise, which begins today, will be conducted in the occupied areas.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, the ships will remain in occupied Cyprus until Saturday.

"Taurus 99" is being held in conjunction with another military exercise, "Barbaross 99", which began the day before yesterday and ends on Sunday.

[10] LIMASSOL ARREST

Stelios Kosta Christou was arresteed after police discovered two bullets in the car which the victims were travelling in.

Michalis Ioannou, brother of murder victim Yiorgos Ioannou, was seriously injured in the attempt.

Brothers Stelios and Christakis Costa Christou were slightly injured.

[11] DRUG ARREST

Latsia settlement resident Andronikos Andronicou was being monitored by Drug Enforcement and customs agents on his arrival to Larnaca airport after a tip off.

The agents saw Andronicou throw away a bag he was holding in a trash bin.

The bag contained more than 10 kilos of cannabis. Four more ticket stubs for trips to Amserdam Andronicou made recently were also found in his home after a police search.

Larnaca district court ordered an 8 day remand order against Adronicou to aid in police investigations.

[12] WEATHER

Winds will be westerly to southwesterly moderate, 4 beaufort, and at times strong, 5 beaufort.

The sea will be moderate to rough in windward areas.

Tonight will be mainly fine with cloudy periods and a chance of showers on the coasts.

Winds will be westerly to northwesterly moderate, 4 beaufort, with moderate seas.

The temperature will drop to 9 degrees inland, 12 degrees on the coasts and 7 degrees in the mountainous areas.

The fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas.

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article