Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-01-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] ANNAN CYPRUS

[03] PAPANDREOU STRAW

[04] ERDOGAN CYPRUS

[05] US GREEK AMERICANS

[06] IRAQ

[07] JAPAN BIRDFLU

[08] RAIN CYPRUS

[09] WEATHER THURSDAY 22 JANUARY 2004

[01] HEADLINES

-- The Cyprus problem is at the epicentre of discussions today in London between Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

-- In Iraq, two U.S. soldiers were killed and one was critically wounded in a mortar and rocket attack on a U.S. military base while guerrillas in a passing car fired AK-47 assault rifles and tossed a grenade at a police checkpoint near the Iraqi town of Falluja, killing three policemen and wounding five.

And

-- Japan suspended on today imports from Thailand's huge and lucrative chicken industry as the Southeast Asian nation swore it is not covering up cases of the bird flu which has killed at least five people in Vietnam.

[02] ANNAN CYPRUS

Speaking after a meeting yesterday with German Minister of Foreign Affairs Joschka Fischer, Mr. Annan said they discussed the Cyprus problem and ''the question of the reunification of the island''.

He added that he made it clear to Mr. Fischer that his good offices are still available, provided the parties show their willingness and the will to move forward and settle their differences.

Mr. Annan noted that the UN has "made proposals to the parties last year, that proposal is still on the table, and he is getting indications from all concerned that they may want to resume negotiations, but they haven't reached the stage where Mr. Annan would get involved yet''.

He added that he has heard from one of the parties and he is waiting to hear from the others, and will have the opportunity also of discussing this issue with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the next few days.

[03] PAPANDREOU STRAW

Mr. Papandreou was received by Prime Minister Tony Blair and attended a working lunch by Mr. Straw. He will then depart for Berlin to meet his German counterpart Joscka Fischer.

[04] ERDOGAN CYPRUS

In an interview with the Associated Press, he said that Ankara will continue to show a positive attitude, claiming that a solution will be found if the Greek Cypriot side shows good will.

He also said the EU believes that a solution to the Cyprus problem would help Turkey's accesion course, an issue which he will examine with US President George Bush at the White House.

[05] US GREEK AMERICANS

Headed by World Council of Hellenes President Andrew Athens, the delegation met with Undersecretary of State for political affairs Marc Grossman and Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell and US President's National Security Advisor Concoleezza Rice attended the meetings for a while.

[06] IRAQ

A U.S. Army spokeswoman said there was a mortar attack on a forward operating base near Baquba which killed two soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and critically wounded another. "Rockets were also used in the attack," she added, saying several other soldiers received minor injuries.

In another development, guerrillas in a passing car fired AK-47 assault rifles and tossed a grenade at a police checkpoint near the Iraqi town of Falluja, killing three policemen and wounding five.

A Police spokesman said as they were standing at the checkpoint they saw cars go by. A grenade was thrown by one and Kalashnikovs were fired at them. The attack occurred on a highway between Falluja and Ramadi and there were many casualties.

[07] JAPAN BIRDFLU

The suspension illustrated the potential cost of bird flu leaping to humans, which the World Health Organisation fears could lead to an epidemic worse than SARS, even though experts say it safe to eat cooked poultry and eggs.

Japan took 60 percent of Thailand's 60 billion of chicken exports last year.

In a statement, Japan's Agriculture Ministry cited Thai reports that the H5N1 avian flu virus had jumped to humans for its decision.

It said that until it becomes clear if there has been an outbreak, Japan is temporarily suspending imports from Thailand as a precautionary measure.

Thai Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said three people were being tested for the disease and the results should be known and made public by the end of the week. ISRAEL SHARON

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today he had no intention of resigning as prosecutors considered indicting him over allegations a businessman friend bribed him.

But an opinion poll suggested that if charges were brought, the former general who made a remarkable political comeback from controversy over bloodshed in Lebanon two decades ago may have little choice but to bow to public pressure and step down.

A Tel Aviv court charged property developer and political kingmaker David Appel with trying to bribe Mr. Sharon.

An opinion poll in the Maariv newspaper after Mr. Appel was indicted found that 53 percent of Israelis believe Mr. Sharon was involved in misconduct and 63 percent would want him to step down if this were proven.

The case against Mr. Appel relates to a period in the 1990s when Sharon was foreign minister and also involves the Israeli leader's son, Gilad, and vice prime minister Ehud Olmert.

[08] RAIN CYPRUS

Heavy rain is also falling over Troodos as well as sleet with near gale winds and mist.

According to CyBC correspondents in Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos , Larnaca and the free areas of Famagustarain is falling since morning and it is sometimes torrential with near gale winds .

Police announced that drivers are advised to be careful at the Rizoelia round about due to the mist and keep their car lights on.

[09] WEATHER

The sea will be rough to very rough.

Tonight it will be mainly clear with rain and local storms and possibly hail. Winds will be south-westerly strong to near gale, five to six beaufort and locally seven. The sea will be very rough to high. Temperatures will fall to eight degrees inland, 12 on the coasts and two over the mountains. The depth of snow on Mt. Olympus is 25 cm and 20 at Troodos Square.

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