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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-05-24Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
_MONDAY 24 MAY 99_ [01] HEADLINES-- RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR MURATOF SAID THE GROPU OF EIGHT HAS DISAGREEMENTS OVER ITS SUMMIT FINAL DOCUMENT ON CYPRUS--THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID NOTHING HAPPENED TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT CHANGE ITS CYPRUS STRATEGY --POLITICAL PARTIES EXCEPT FOR DIKO ATTENDED A DEFENCE CONFERENCE UNDER THE PRESIDENT TODAY --NATO PLANES CONCENTRATED ON CUTTING WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES IN YUGOSLAVIA TODAY --RUSSIA IS TRYING TO FORM A NEW FRONT WITH CHINA AND INDIA IN ORDER TO STOP ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA --AND...DIFFERENCES OVER POSSIBLE LAND OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO ARE DIVIDING THE NATO ALLIES [02] MURATOF -8Different views are being expressed on Cyprus by the Group of 8 Differences are apparent in the drafting of the document on Cyprus to be adopted by the summit of the Eight in Cologne from 18 to 20 June. This is the conclusion from statements by Russian Ambassador Georgi Muratof after today's meeting with House President Spyros Kyprianou. Russia the ambassador stated, will insist that the document must incorporate a statement on the UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus. The UN resolutions, Muratof added, are the foundation of the international organisation itself, and they cannot be considered as conditions proposed by either the one or the other side.The Russian ambassador indicated that the group of 8 has not yet reached a decision on drafting its document, and he added that he cannot foretell what will happen. Muratof invited Kyprianou to attend the conference of former foreign ministers from all over the world to be held in Russia next July to discuss international developments, and the invitation was accepted. [03] SEREZISFor the government, nothing has happened to justify any change in the strategy on Cyprus, but it is prepared to discuss all issues with members of the National Council. The statement was added by Government Spokesman Costas Serezis who added that the government does have its strategy which follows its policy on the Cyprus issue. The spokesman added that those who question that such a policy exists must table the issues arising from this before the National Council .He added when these issues are tabled, then the government will explain its positions. Serezis admitted that there may ways to improve the operation of the national council but any changes to be brought about must be implemented with the agreement of all the other members. On criticism about the operation of the council, and particularly from AKEL, Serezis reiterated that such issues must be raised before the national council itself.[04] DEFENCEParties which today attended a joint conference under President Clerides committed themselves to cutting down their differences over defence matters. The meeting was attended by party representatives, the House Defence Committee, the Minister of Defence, the minister to the presidency and the chief of the National Guard. DIKO was not represented at the meeting because of protests by chairman Spyross Kyprianou that he has not been briefed sufficiently. Defence Committee Chairman EDEL MO Takis Hadjidemetriou said there had been a briefing on all aspects of the defence budget and that it is now upto the parties to take their positions. He added that a vote will be taken in the House Plenum on next Thursday or the Thursday after that. The Committee chairman added that recent experiences like that of S-300 missiles could be useful in further handling of the issue. The message he added must be that both the President of the republic as well as the parties pay special attention to defence, and this was also the purpose of today's meeting.[05] NATO WARNATO bombing attacks are now causing serious problems in the supply of water and electricity in Yugoslavia. In addition to military targets, the 554 sorties flown last night were directed at power supply plants at Novi Sad kastolac and at Nis. However instead of the bombs used until only yesterday which only caused short circuits, the NATO planes launched missiles which cause serious material damage. According to the BBC, some 70% of Yugoslavia was without power yesterday. At the same time attacks today, the 61st day of the offensive created serious problems in water supply. As of last night, hospitals, large scale bakeries and other vital services have been supplied with water by road tankers. Because of the destruction of the water supply system, Belgrade resident have access to only 10% of reserves in drinking water.[06] RUSSIA-CHINAIn an effort towards a diplomatic solution and in order to stop the attack on Yugoslavia, Russia is now attempting to form a front with China and India. In a statement after his meeting with Indian foreign Minister Yasvadh Singh, Russian special envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin warned that a possible failure of talks for a peaceful solution, would be tantamount to catastrophe. The Russian envoy added that it is extremely difficult to conduct peace talks under conditions of tension and air attacks. The Indian foreign minister added that the Kosovo problem is not just a Balkan problem but a problem of the entire world. India, together with Yugoslavia had played a pioneering role in establishment of the Nonaligned Movement during the Cold War era.[07] YUGO/WESTThe prospect of a land operation in Kosovo continues to divide the NATO allies. German defence Minister Rudolph Scharping said in Skolje that what is needed is patience and he described the air operation as a success. he added that military operations and domestic pressure against Milosevic could produce results in the future.// In London, the defender of land operations, British Defence Secretary Joe Robertson replied that patience exists, but he underlined that air operations are in their 61st day at a time when the entire world believed they would have ended much sooner.// On the other hand the Chief NATO Forces Europe said that air strikes will continue for as long as it is needed and until Milosevic complies with NATO's conditions.[08] GALANOSAlexis Galanos, Chairman of the Eurodemocratic revival Movement, said that he agrees with the government on broad lines in its efforts to harmonise the economy with the EU. The Movements delegation conferred with President Clerides today under the second cycle of the dialogue of the government with the political parties. Referring to the government proposals he said they incorporate certain imperative taxes which are related to social and balancing measures to the benefit of the weaker classes. He said he will expect the written recommendations which the finance minister will be tabling before the House Finance Committee[09] PILOTSBecause of the illness of the captain of a Cyprus Airways plane, last night's flight to Tel Aviv took place today. The Cyprus team for the Eurovision song contest arrived in Tel Aviv at dawn today via a different airline. The problem started when the captain of this aircraft informed the comopany he was ill and could not fly. His replacement also reported sick and unable to work. The result was that the plane for Tel Aviv did not take off at ten thirty at night as scheduled , but it left at five thirty this morning. The eightman Eurovision team whose tickets were even subsidised by the national carrier, was forced to travel after midnight on an El Al flight.[10] SMALL STATESThe eighth athletic tournament of European Small States opens at Liechtenstein this evening. The Cypriot athletic team, like in previous years, looks forward to winning the first position. However a decrease in the number of events, in which Cyprus was superior to the other states is not to the favour of the Cypriot athletes. The official opening ceremony was held at eight thirty this evening and competition heats will start tomorrow and will continue for five days. Cyprus will be taking place in nine events which are volley ball, table tennis, judo, squash, tennis, swimming, cycling, and track events.[11] WEATHERCloud will thicken at interval this evening, with North westerly to westerly light winds which will be moderate in windward areas The sea will be moderate in windward areas. Temperatures will drop to 19 C inland, and on the South coast, 17 C on the West coast and to 15 C over the higher mountains. Passing cloud will continue to thicken tomorrow and there is a possibility of isolated showers, mainly over the mountains and inland. Winds will be South Westerly to North Westerly light to moderate in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. the sea will be moderate. Temperatures will rise to 30 C inland, 28 C on the South coast,26 C on the West coast and 24 C over the higher mountains.Today's temperatures were: Nicosia 36 C -- 23 C Limassol 35 C -- 22 C Larnaca 37 C -- 26 C Paphos 31 C -- 18 C Pprodromos 28 C -- 18 C The fire hazard remains high in all forest areas. [12] akel propAKEL Secretary General demetris Christofias today tabled his party proposals on the tax issue. Presenting his proposals to Finance Minister Takis Clerides, Christofias said the goal of AKEL is to help the lower income brackets and those living under the subsistance level so that they can have a better life. The Minister replied that the government intends to take seriously proposals from all the political parties. The AKEL package provides for increasing of all tax exemptions for the lower income brackets, control of tax evasion, the approval of a social pension from the 60th year, extension of the unemployment benefit, extension of maternity leave, and others. It must be noted that tyhe Minister of Finance today visited the party headquarters of AKREL in order to receive the proposasls.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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