Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 03-01-27

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CY pilots ground fleet

[02] British Naval Task Group to arrive

[03] Lord Hannay: extremely difficult negotiation ahead

[04] UN may present new plan very soon, says Spokesman

[05] Weather forecast for Cyprus

[06] Foreign Minister sees intensive efforts towards a settlement

[07] UN go public over new flag and anthem for Cyprus

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

[09] British envoy encouraged by work at peace talks

[10] Limassol and Larnaca hit by tornadoes

[11] Turkish Cypriots fear partition to strengthen if there is no solution

[12] Weather forces British fleet to remain in international waters

[13] State Literature Awards presented

[14] Other airlines to carry out CY flights when on strike

[01] CY pilots ground fleet

0850:CYPPRESS:01

CY pilots ground fleet

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- A 24-hour warning strike by pilots working for Cyprus Airways has forced the airline to make alternative arrangements to accommodate its passengers.

[02] British Naval Task Group to arrive

0930:CYPPRESS:02

British Naval Task Group to arrive

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- Because of bad weather the large British Naval Task Group will delay their arrival off Cyprus for a few hours, a British Bases spokesman told CNA this morning.

The Task Group comprising 15 ships led by the aircraft carrier HMS ARK ROYAL, were scheduled to arrive at 0800 local time (0600 GMT) today. The new arrival time has been set for 1200 hours.

Two landing ships logistics have already arrived at Akrotiri British Base ahead of the Task Group.

[03] Lord Hannay: extremely difficult negotiation ahead

1130:CYPPRESS:03

Lord Hannay: extremely difficult negotiation ahead

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- The month ahead is going to be a long, complex and very difficult time as far as negotiations for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus are concerned, Britain's special representative Lord David Hannay said here today.

[04] UN may present new plan very soon, says Spokesman

1200:CYPPRESS:04

UN may present new plan very soon, says Spokesman

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government believes that the UN might present the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides with a new revised peace plan ''very soon'', if indeed the UN intend to make such a move.

[05] Weather forecast for Cyprus

1310:CYPPRESS:05

Weather forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) - The Meteorological Office at Larnaca International Airport has issued the following weather forecast for Cyprus:

Tuesday and Thursday: 28/01/2003 to 29/01/2003 -------------------- The weather will be unstable with local thundery showers. The wind will prevail southwest 4 to 5 bf and the state of sea will be up to rough. The minimum temperature will range from 2 degrees over the highest Troodos peaks to 9 degrees inland and coastal areas. The maximum will range from 7 degrees over the highest Troodos range to 15 degrees inland and coastal areas. The maximum will range from 7 degrees over the highest Troodos range to 15 degrees inland and to 17 over the coastal area.

Outlook for Thursday and Friday: 30/01/2003 to 31/01/2003

The weather is expected to improve and the temperature will be on the rise.

[06] Foreign Minister sees intensive efforts towards a settlement

1400:CYPPRESS:07

Foreign Minister sees intensive effort towards a settlement

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides expects the UN peace process to be intensified in a bid to reach a negotiated settlement within the UN target date of 28 February but is uncertain about the outcome of the internal political struggle in Turkey between the establishment and the forces that want change in the country.

The minister said that the international community does not rule out a sudden change of heart of the Turkish side with regard to Cyprus and warned that a sudden policy change on the part of the Greek Cypriot side could jeopardize Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

[07] UN go public over new flag and anthem for Cyprus

1420:CYPPRESS:08

UN go public over new flag and anthem for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- With full page ads in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot press, the United Nations announced today the competitions for the design of a flag and the composition of an anthem for Cyprus, which will be part of a comprehensive settlement.

The UN announcement said the two competitions are open to all people and artists should work for free but will receive recognition through public announcement.

It said joint entries from Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are particularly welcome while entrants should bear in mind that both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as equal partners in a new state of affairs, should be able to identify with their flag and anthem.

Accordingly, it added, the flag and anthem should reflect commitment to a common future in a spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and reconciliation in an independent and united Cyprus.

It said H.E. Mr. Glafcos Clerides and H.E. Mr. Rauf Denktash, have together asked the UN to seek submissions through open public competition for the design of a flag and the composition of an anthem for Cyprus.

It is envisaged that the flag and anthem would be part of a comprehensive settlement to be submitted to separate referenda, the announcement said.

The guidelines for the flag competition are that the design should be striking, easily recognizable, pleasing to the eye and simple enough for a child to draw, the flag should be rectangular, sized 2:3 and lettering should be avoided.

Flag designs should be accompanied by a brief description of the rationale behind the concept while the publication or use of design in a public place is prohibited until after the competition has been finalised and a flag selected.

Regarding the anthem competition, the UN announcement said it is chiefly for music, and not for lyrics and if they are included, they should be in both Greek and Turkish. Among the guidelines are that the composition should be easily recognizable and the length of the composition not more than 60 seconds or less than 30 seconds.

There should be a legible copy of the score, as well as a copy of the piano score should be recorded and any lyrics must be in Greek or Turkish with an English translation provided. Anthem compositions should be accompanied by brief descriptions of the inspiration behind the composition. The use of the composition in public is prohibited until three months after the competition has been finalised and an anthem selected.

The announcement said bilateral committees comprising an equal number of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and chaired by the UN will examine the flag designs and anthem scores entered and will make recommendations by consensus to the two leaders for their consideration from among the entries received.

Entrants whose flag design or anthem composition are ultimately selected for inclusion in the comprehensive settlement will be advised by registered mail and will receive recognition through public announcement but will not receive any financial remuneration from the competition organisers.

[08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

1445:CYPPRESS:09

Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- Today's weather and temperatures for Cyprus,
according to the Meteorological Service at Larnaca International
Airport are:

Temperatures (degrees Celcius)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Station               Maximum     Minimum       Weather
(At 1200 UTC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nicosia                 15          10          THUNDERSTROM
Larnaca                 18          12          SHOWERS
Limassol                19          10          CLOUDY
Paphos                  19          13          CLOUDY

[09] British envoy encouraged by work at peace talks

1505:CYPPRESS:10

British envoy encouraged by work at peace talks

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- Lord David Hannay, Britain's special representative for Cyprus, has said he is encouraged by the intensive work that is being done in the framework of the UN-led negotiations.

He said that increased political will is needed to reach a compromise solution and invited everybody concerned to show this kind of resolve.

''I have been encouraged by the intensification of the work at both the political and technical level,'' Hannay said in a statement on departure from Cyprus, after a three-day working visit.

He said it will require ''a major effort of political will to reach the necessary compromises on the basis of the Secretary General's revised plan.''

''The British government is encouraging all concerned to demonstrate that will,'' he added.

[10] Limassol and Larnaca hit by tornadoes

1510:CYPPRESS:11

Limassol and Larnaca hit by tornadoes

Nicosia, Jan 27 (CNA) -- Cyprus was taken by surprise, as it was hit by three tornadoes here Monday in the southern coastal town of Limassol, injuring people and causing extensive damage.

Another tornado hit the south-eastern area of Larnaca, damaging roofs and uprooting trees.

The Limassol town centre looked like a bomb hit it as trees were uprooted, cars were overturned and shops and houses suffered extensive damage. Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and Electricity Authority lines were also affected.

Twenty-nine people were taken to the Limassol General Hospital with light injuries and seven were admitted for treatment.

The Ladys Mile area, filled with restaurants, was greatly affected, while newly imported vehicles in the Limassol port area were badly damaged.

Police, the Fire Department, the towns district administration and civil defence department remain on high alert.

Larnaca district also reported damage as the communities of Kiti and Pervolia were also hit by a damaging tornado.

Larnaca District Officer Kypros Matheou told CNA that the tornado damaged roofs and metal constructions and uprooted trees. No injuries were reported.

Meteorological Service Director Kyriacos Theofilou told CNA the cause of the tornadoes was the low-pressure system affecting the region.

[11] Turkish Cypriots fear partition to strengthen if there is no solution

Izcan, speaking to reporters after meeting United Democrats leader, George Vassiliou, said the Turkish Cypriot community is not dividing itself, it is uniting at this moment, behind the UN Secretary-Generals plan.

The Turkish Cypriot politician said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is trying to mobilize anti-solution forces in Turkey while a demonstration against the Annan plan will be staged in Turkey on 2 February.

We see that time is running out and that dangers are coming, said Izcan, adding the Turkish Cypriots will fight to keep their existence on this island, to live freely on this island with our head up.

These days are historical, the most important days we are going through after 1974, Izcan said, adding the Turkish Cypriot community is doing everything it can, with daily demonstrations.

On his part, Vassiliou said the Turkish Cypriots justifiably are scared that if there is no solution by 28 February, as envisaged in the revised Annan plan, they will lose the opportunity for good.

[12] Weather forces British fleet to remain in international waters

Rob Need said there are only two landing ships and one frigate off Akrotiri. The fleet went back out to sea, because weather conditions have prohibited them from doing what they were due to do today so they are doing tomorrow's programme today and then coming in to doing the storing tomorrow, he said.

The Naval Task Group comprising 15 ships is led by the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Known as the Navys flagship, Ark Royal has 1200 Royal Navy and Royal Marines embarked and will act as the Command and Control ship for the fleet. The rest of the Task Group includes the Commando Carrier HMS Ocean with 800 RN and RM personnel on board, 5 Destroyers and Frigates and eight stores and fuel tankers, which are crucial to the sustainment of the fleet for long periods.

In all approximately, 5.000 personnel drawn from all three services are serving on board the ships and in addition to other equipment on board, the Task Group has over 40 helicopters at its disposal.

[13] State Literature Awards presented

The awards were given for works published in 2001 and were presented by Education and Culture Minister, Ouranios Ioannides.

Poetry went to George Christodoulides for his book Onirotrivio while the award for best story went to Christos Hadjipapas for Eros en Kamino."

The Novel award was given to Yiannis Katsouris for his work entitled Afelestate Theie Michael", while the award for best treatise went to Nearchos Georgiades for his book entitled To phenomenon Tsitsanis.

[14] Other airlines to carry out CY flights when on strike

The development comes as the Pancyprian Pilots Union is threatening to escalate strike action if a scheduled training flight takes place on Tuesday. The pilots, members of the PASIPI trade union, do not want senior management pilots to train, oversee and monitor other pilots members of the union.

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