Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-04-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] Simitis

[03] European Union

[04] Chrysostomides

[05] Turk suit

[06] Iraq

[07] Christofias

[08] Anastasiades

[09] Kazamias

[10] weather FRIDAY 18 APRIL 2003

[01] HEADLINES

The EU expressed regret over the failure of Cyprus settlement talks,

The government said Ankara's hasn't budged an inch on the Cyprus issue,

Ankara's pledges for measures to help Turkish Cypriots remain under wraps,

Iraq's neighbouring states are gathering in Saudi Arabia to forge a common front on the country's future,

AND new legislation is in the works to change the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority's legal framework.

[02] Simitis

President Papadopoulos will welcome Mr. Simitis on his arrival at Larnaca Airport shortly after 7 this evening.

Following brief remarks at the airport, the Greek Prime Minister's motorcade will head to the capital where well-wishers are expected to line the route.

Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zambellas will greet the Mr. Simitis near the Hilton Hotel.

Formal talks between the Greek Prime Minister and President Papadopoulos will take place tomorrow morning, followed by talks with parliamentary party chiefs.

Mr. Simitis will also hold talks with House Speaker Demetris Christofias and will address a special Parliamentary sitting.

The Greek Prime Minister will meet tomorrow afternoon with leaders of Greek and Turkish Cypriot parties.

Turkish Cypriot party leaders Mehmet Ali Talat, Hussein Angolemli and Izet Izchan have already said they will meet with Mr. Simitis.

[03] European Union

In a statement, the bloc stressed that it expects that the terms of a future settlement are in line with its founding principles.

The EU said the island's accession treaty contains special provisions allowing for Turkish Cypriots to become full members after the Cyprus issue is solved.

The statement also underscores that the whole of Cyprus has joined the European Union and that bicommunal projects will carry on to build trust between the two communities.

A special programme specifically designed for the occupied north is also being prepared in collaboration with the Republic of Cyprus.

Highlighting the island's geographical location, the EU said Cyprus will play a significant role in the bloc's relations with the Middle East.

[04] Chrysostomides

Mr. Chrysostomides stressed that the Turkish side hasn't budged at all on the Cyprus issue, despite remarks by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul designed to curry favour with the international community.

The spokesman said Ankara continues to fully back Rauf Denktash.

He also expressed the government's pleasure over the signing of the island's EU accession treaty which he said has been the crowning achievement of many years of hard work.

Referring to the substance of Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' visit to the island, Mr. Chrysostomides said talks will focus on the Cyprus issue, the European Union and the package of support measures for Turkish Cypriots.

[05] Turk suit

On a tour of the occupied north, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Shener repeated that the the Cyprus issue remains a Turkish national cause.

He added that the aim of his visit is to express Ankara's full support towards the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr. Shener said Turkey doesn't recognise the island's EU accession which he claimed contravened the 1960 agreements establishing the Cyprus Republic.

Not to be outdone, Rauf Denktash relayed his anti-EU polemics to a British EuroMP.

Mr. Denktash said it's out of the question to restart settlement talks based on the Annan plan.

From the opposite side, Turkish Republican Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat said the Annan plan was a good opportunity for a Cyprus solution and accused Rauf Denktash of leading Turkish Cypriots to international isolation.

[06] Iraq

With diplomacy taking centre stage after the downfall of Saddam Hussein, the eight states were expected to discuss ties with the future authorities in Baghdad and offer verbal support for Syria, which is facing strong U.S. pressure.

With all of Iraq now under U.S and British control, pressure built on Washington to find banned chemical or biological weapons in the country, a leading justification for the war.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he did not think American teams would find the weapons unless Iraqis knowledgeable about the arms programmes told them where to look.

The regional meeting in Riyadh, the first such forum on postwar Iraq, was being attended by foreign ministers from Turkey, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt and Bahrain as well as host Saudi Arabia.

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara said he thought the meeting would call for withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.

The United States has toned down its rhetoric and Secretary of State Colin Powell said he was considering a trip to Damascus as part of a wider Middle East visit.

But a diplomatic storm could be gathering over Wednesday's call by U.S. President George W. Bush for the United Nations to lift crippling economic sanctions against Baghdad.

The US President faces an uphill battle to get them dropped quickly. The issue raises questions over who controls Iraq's oil and therefore effectively runs the country.

[07] Christofias

Mr. Christofias made the remark in his address to the Panhellenic Education Conference in Nicosia this morning.

Referring to the island's education system, Mr. Christofias said building a society founded on knowledge must have principles and values as its cornerstone.

Cyprus High School teachers' Union chief Soteris Charalambous said there's little chance of a mass influx of Greek teachers to the island, thanks to specific contract clauses.

Greek Teachers' Organisation President Nicos Tsoulias said an influx of teachers will take place in Europe because of high unemployment levels in Greece.

[08] Anastasiades

This from Disy President Nicos Anastasiades, who in a writen statement said Cypriots greet Costas Simitis with feelings of pride and hope.

Mr. Anastasiades added that Cyprus owes a debt of gratitude to Costas Simitis and the whole of Greece for their efforts in helping the island achieve an historic goal.

[09] Kazamias

Speaking on CyBC radio, Mr. Kazamias said the utility cannot continue to operate under the current legal framework.

He added that the legislation will allow the state-owned telecoms monopoly to compete in a liberalised market and to play a leading role in the sector.

Mr. Kazamias said a proposal by the previous government to de-nationalise the untility was rejected by Parliament.

Responding to Mr. Kazamias, his predecessor Averof Neophytou said everyone will realise sooner or later that the utility must be de-nationalised.

He added that the denationalisation proposal was not rejected by Parliament and that it remains on the House Communications Committee's agenda.

[10] weather

Winds will be easterly to southeasterly fresh to strong, force 5 to 6, and with rought seas.

Temperatures will reach 21 degrees inland and the coasts and 18 in the highest mountains.

More clouds tonight with some showers.

Winds will turn southwesterly moderate, force 3 to 4 and with moderate seas.

Temperatures are expected to drop to 11 degrees inland, 13 on the coasts and 9 in the highest mountains.

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