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Monday, 23 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-02-27Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesElected president Tassos Papadopoulos held his first face to face meeting this morning with the Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash,A crunch meeting tomorrow, with the issue of territory at the forefront, and A divided U.N. Security Council today holds informal talks on a resolution authorising force against Iraq, with veto-wielding China and Russia saying weapons inspectors should be given more time. [02] Nicosia meetingElected president Tassos Papadopoulos held his first face to face meeting this morning with the Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, chaired by the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan and in the presence of outgoing president Tassos Papadopoulos. In statements, following the 45 minute meeting, the UN chiefs' special advisor on the Cyprus issue Alvaro De Soto said that tomorrow morning at ten, Kofi Anan, President Papadopoulos, Rauf Denktash and Mr Clerides, will hold a new round of talks. Tassos Papadopoulos, following the return to his political bureau, said that today's meeting was very short, because it centered around procedural matters and not the substance of the issue. Mr Papadopoulos said that they agreed on tomorrow's meeting, in which, he added, many answers will be given and many things cleared up. President Papadopoulos said that his first meeting with the Turkish-cypriot leader, was very good, civilised and human. Kofi Anan's new revised plan was already handed over to the parties and is expected to be released to the press this afternoon. The president elect said that today he will continue to study the plan with his close associates, because it is a comprehensive document with many issues of particular interest to the Greek cypriot side. Meanwhile, president Clerides has called for a meeting of the National Council at five this afternoon, to discuss Kofi Anan's plan.[03] Plan reportsImmediately following his arrival at the political bureau, president Papadopoulos began talks with the negotiating team, in the presence of Greek ambassador in Nicosia Christos Panagopoulos. According to our stations' sources, during negotiations, the Greek cypriot side will focus its attentions on the territorial aspect of the problem, and particularly the Karpass district issue, in order to safeguard the return of a large number of refugees. The settlers issue will also be brought up, as well as all aspects of the Anan document that the Greek cypriot wants to improve on.[04] Occupied bombMeanwhile in occupied Nicosia, in an evident effort to stop a mass peace rally from going ahead, the Denktash regime closed off the Inonou square, with the pretext that there had been an anonymous call warning that a bomb had been planted at the site. The organisers of the rally were faced with an unexpected sight. The square had been cordoned off and the so called security forced told people that they could not remain in the area. The rally had been scheduled to start at eleven, to demand that the Cyprus issue is solved and a reunified Cyprus join the European Union. The day was chosen to coincide with Kofi Anan's visit.[05] DenktashMeanwhile, the Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash appeared disgruntled about the issue of his regime, in statements carried by the Turkish news agency Anatoli. Commenting on yesterday's statement by the UN chief that he is expected real progress, following today's joint meeting between the leaders of the two communities, Denktash said that Mr Anan's duty is to expect progress and our duty is to defend our rights. The occupation leader said that yesterday's meeting with Kofi Anan was cordial, saying that he explained to the UN chief all the difficulties that exist and the truths that exist. Denktash added that he has not read the new Anan document, stressing however that it is made of 200 pages.[06] Solomi AnanOn eaving Hilton hotel, on the way to Nicosia airport, Kofi Anan was met by refugee Panayiota Solomi, who handed a letter, asking him to personally intervene in the missing persons issue. Mrs Solomis' husband and son have been missing since the Turkish invasion. In the letter, Mrs Solomi cites her own personal drama, stressing that as a mother and a wife she has the basic human right to know what has happened to her loved ones. On his arrival at Nicosia airport, the UN chief was met by a delegation of the Coordinating committee of Keryneia district municipalities and organisations, who also delivered a letter, stressing the need for a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue, which safeguards the human rights of all Cypriots.[07] Iraq wrapA divided U.N. Security Council today holds informal talks on a resolution authorising force against Iraq, with veto-wielding China and Russia saying weapons inspectors should be given more time.President George W. Bush, pushing the case for war, said in a nationally televised speech the departure of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein would help spread hope and democracy across the Middle East. Bush said the United States would take the lead in destroying Iraq's suspected chemical and biological weapons, and provide security "against those who try to spread chaos or settle scores, or threaten the territorial integrity of Iraq". Hours earlier, chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix said Iraq had still not made a "fundamental decision" to disarm, despite signs of increased cooperation. Blix is due to report again to the U.N. Security Council on March 7th on progress in tracking down weapons of mass destruction, which Iraq says it does not possess. [08] US TurkeyTurkey appeared set today to open its ports and air bases to tens of thousands of U.S. forces, closing the last major gap in Washington's planning for an attack on neighbouring Iraq.Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul announced Turkish and U.S. officials had struck a final agreement with the United States on military co-operation, part of a mosaic of agreements that set the scene for a parliamentary vote on allowing U.S. troops to deploy. The agreement should bolster U.S. confidence the vote will go comfortably in their favour. Parliament was due to debate at four this afternoon, probably in a behind closed the doors session, a resolution to allow 62 thousand U.S. troops to use Turkey for an assault across Iraq's northern border. Military analysts say the front, relieving a possible main invasion force from the south, could shorten any war and limit U.S. casualties. The road to a vote has been a long and tortuous one for Turkey. After months of negotiations between Ankara and Washington, a deal is close that would see Turkey gain some 24 billion dollars in U.S. grants and loan guarantees to help cushion its frail economy against the impact of a war it has long resisted. Turkey plans to send up to 40 thousand troops into a border buffer zone 20 Kilometers deep into northern Iraq. [09] TailerAn 80-year-old British pensioner has been called up by the Ministry of Defence for possible action in Iraq.The Sun reported that If he went, it would be the first time Joe Steer had seen active service since the famous World War Two battle of El Alamein in Egypt in 1942. The call-up papers came in an official government envelope and ordered Steer to report to a training camp. Steer said that he is a bit past his prime since warfare is too high-tech today and he's used to rifles A ministry spokesman told the paper the call-up was due to an administrative error. [10] WeatherIt will be partly cloudy with the possibility of local showers and possibly snow on the mountains. Winds will be light to moderate southeasterly to southwesterly, force three to four over slight seas. Temperatures will rise to 13 degrees inland, 15 on the coasts and three on the mountains. Tonight it will be cloudy, with local showers, mainly in eastern areas, and snow on the mountains. Frost is expected to form on the mountains and some of the plains. Temperatures will fall to four degrees inland, seven on the coasts and minus two on the mounains. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is one meter and fifteen centimetres, with one meter in Troodos square.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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