Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-10-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Headlines

[02] EU Turkey report

[03] Turkish vessel

[04] Paralimni

[05] Vlittis

[06] Hasan Cafecioglu

[07] Sener Levent

[08] Turkish Cypriot artists

[09] United Nations

[10] Russia Yukos

[11] British ship

[12] Larnaca

[13] weather Friday 31/10/03

[01] Headlines

A European Commission report says Turkey as a long way to go in implementing political and economic reforms,

A Turkish oceanographic vessel which sailed around the island has made for port,

A prominent Turkish Cypriot journalist accused Rauf Denktash and Ankara of fostering a climate of fear in the north,

AND a British cruise ship carrying hundreds of British tourists hit by a stomach bug has left the Greek port of Pireas.

[02] EU Turkey report

The 2003 Regular Report on Turkey's progress towards accession, due to be published on November 5, praises Ankara's willingness to pass reform, but makes clear implementation still lagged behind.

It said some of the reforms carry great political significance, but have produced limited practical effects with implementation being "slow and uneven."

On Cyprus, the report was upbeat about Turkey's cooperation in settlement efforts and its relations with Greece.

The report said rights abuses remained a stumbling block to Turkey's EU bid, with torture still a source of concern.

Although noting progress on international human rights conventions, the report said there were still problems executing judgments of the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey.

The report noted several positive developments on economic reform, but highlighted corruption as a continuing problem.

[03] Turkish vessel

The Turkish vessel set sail from the port of occupied Famagusta and was spotted by marine police cutters yesterday morning sailing four nautical miles off the Paralimni coastline.

Defence Ministry official Stelios Hadjicharalambous said the vessel entered the island's territorial waters only for a short time before marine police cutters arrived at the scene.

He said the ship was also escorted by National Guard patrol boats throughout its journey around the island, sailing in international waters some 12 nautical miles from Cypriot shores.

[04] Paralimni

Mr. Kakoullis is the son-in-law of Paralimni Mayor Nicos Vlittis who is under pressure to resign following allegations he abused the power of his office to enrich his family.

In a letter made public, Mr. Kakoullis attributed his resignation to what he called the distortion of facts by the media and unbearable pressure exerted by certain individuals he didn't name.

The Municipal Council also decided that a special committee composed of councillors be tasked with issuing building permits.

[05] Vlittis

Denying the allegations against him, Mr. Vlittis said the probe should also look into whether politicians have any interests in Paralimni.

He said he is unafraid and that if he's found responsible for abuse of office, then previous Councils were also responsible.

[06] Hasan Cafecioglu

Speaking on CyBC television, Mr. Kafecioglu described in detail how he was attacked by unknown assailants when they rushed into a Turkish Cypriot TV studio while he was participating in a live talk-show programme.

The Turkish Cypriot journalist, who is also a member of Mustafa Akinci's opposition Peace and Democracy Movement, said the Denktash regime has mounted a smear campaign against opposition parties.

Mr. Kafecioglu said Rauf Denktash has accused opposition parties, especially the Peace and Democracy Movement, of disrespecting the Turkish flag in order to whip up nationalistic sentiment.

[07] Sener Levent

Mr. Levent threw his hat in the political ring on CyBC television, but didn't disclose which party or coalition ticket he would be running on.

He said what's most important for him is not to clinch a seat in the European Parliament, but the fact that he will be a Cypriot candidate for Cyprus and not a Turk.

Mr. Levent is the first Cypriot to declare his candidacy for the Euro-elections.

[08] Turkish Cypriot artists

Occupation regime authorities stopped the artists from crossing over and exhibiting their work alongside Greek Cypriot colleagues who were also banned from a similar event next week in Famagusta.

The Turkish Cypriot artists said they will stage a demonstration to protest Rauf Denktash's restrictions.

[09] United Nations

The move comes after a recent spate of suicide bomb attacks against the offices of international organisations in the Iraqi capital.

According to reports, 18 staff are expected to arrive on the island over the weekend and will remain here for as long as necessary.

Another 40 employees will be transferred to a safer locale north of Baghdad.

The UN employees 4,000 Iraqis to help in aid and reconstruction efforts throughout the country.

[10] Russia Yukos

But shares remained far below their levels before the market took fright from the jailing of billionaire boss, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, on charges of fraud and tax evasion.

The confrontation, pitting 40-year-old Khodorkovsky against President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin heightened yesterday when state prosecutors froze a controlling stake in YUKOS owned by the oil magnate and his allies.

The Russian press was scathing in its criticism of the Kremlin's move.

Leading business daily Vedemosti said in an editorial that Mr. Putin should open his eyes and see that prosecutors are destroying in one day what took years to create.

The scale of the drama has triggered fears investors would pull money out of the country -- just three weeks after credit rating agency Moody's granted Russia investment grade.

Many analysts believe that what really worries the Kremlin are the political ambitions of Mr. Khodorkovsky who openly supports liberal opponents of the Russian president in parliamentary elections due in December.

Mr. Putin himself is seeking re-election in a separate poll next March.

[11] British ship

The Aurora, with 1,900 tourists and 837 crew on board, had been anchored off Piraeus and Greek officials effectively quarantined the vessel allowing no passengers or crew to leave.

Officials said 430 on board the Aurora experienced severe stomach problems.

The ship, which left Southampton on October 20 on a 17-day round trip, was scheduled to continue its voyage to Gibraltar.

The infection, identified by Greek officials as the Norwalk virus, was believed to have been brought on board by a passenger at Southampton.

Officials said the symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting and last just 24 hours before complete recovery.

[12] Larnaca

Larnaca Museum official Marinos Avraam said inside the tomb were found three skeletons, lanterns, an assortment of clay vases and other small items.

Work on General Timaya Avenue has ceased until excavations are completed.

[13] weather

Winds will be easterly to southerly light to moderate, force 3 to 4, and fresh, force 5 on the coasts.

Seas will be moderate with temperatures reaching 23 degrees inland and the coasts and 15 in the highest mountains.

Fine conditions tonight with some scattered clouds.

Seas will be moderate with temperatures dropping to 12 degrees inland, 15 on the coasts and 8 in the highest mountains.

The fire hazard is great in all forest areas.

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