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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-06-21Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINES 21 JUNE 99-- AS THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO COMMENT ON THE G-8 DECLARATION, POLITICASL PARTIES REMAIN DIVIDED--BOTH BRITAIN AND US DIPLOMATS USED IDENTICAL LANGUAGE IN WELCOMING THE G-8 DECLARATION --THE GOVERNMENT IS HAVING SECOND THOUGHS BEFORE THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE OVER THE DEFENCE LEVY --AS THE EXODUS OF SERBS CONTINUES FROM KOSOVO THE INFLUX OF ETHNICALBANIANS CONTINUES [02] GOVERNMENT G8The government refuses to comment on the Declaration of the Eight on Cyprus, waiting first for the UN resolution under which the two sides will be called upon to come to talks.The government will take its position in accordance with the contents of this resolution. Government Spokesman Costas Serezis said that both the president of the republic and the diplomatic services worked hard towards the Group of Eight. He revealed a government request that all issues affecting the Cyprus problem be placed on the negotiations table , thus seeking a total discussion without preconditions. Answering a question that the confederation solution may also be tabled by the Turkish side, the spokesman said that confederation is not provided for under UN resolutions. Commenting on the statement of French president Chiraq that the EU does not want to accept unresolved differences, Serezis said the government wants a Cyprus solution before accession, much more than Chiraq does. [03] EIGHT/PARTIESThe Cypriot political parties have found both positive as well as negative points on the excerpt of the declaration of the Eight which covers Cyprus.AKEL, although considering that the reference of the declaration to the Un resolutions does not fully satisfy, describes the conclusion reached as a positive element. AKEL's parliamentary spokesman Andreas Christou expressed reservations over the reference to treaties and not to the high level agreements , as well as to discussion on all issues. He added that AKEL will request explanations at the National Council meeting on Wednesday. Alternate president of the United Democrats Michalis Papapetrou considered the new international initiative on Cyprus as particularly important because it originates with the Group of Eight, that it is placed under the UN, is based on the Un resolutions and sets a time limit for progress and specific results.// New Horizons President Nicos Koutsou is of the opinion that the formulation of the declaration gives Rauf Denktash the opportunity to place the confederation solution directly on the negotiations table and warns that the Greek Cypriot side must forge a specific policy on the issue. [04] CLERIDES/AMBASSADORSThe US and British ambassadors consider the declaration of the Group of 8 as positive and supporting the UN efforts.US Ambassador Kenneth Brill and British High Commissioner Edward Clay discussed the declaration at different meetings with President Clerides today. Later, and using the exact same words, they underlined that the text speaks for itself adding that an ambassador therefore has nothing to add. They both welcomed the declaration, describi9ng it as both encouraging and supportive. Clay said it will help the UN when the issue is discussed before the Security Council next week, and will also encourage the Secretary General to place more emphasis to the search for a solution. Brill said the declaration is useful and stresses the interest of the Eight for repositioning the entire negotiations process on Cyprus. Both of them rejected the negative Turkish reaction but immediately added the need to concentrate on the points that could give an impetus to the negotiations process. [05] DEFENCEThe government is considering many thoughts over the issue of the defence levy as provided in the bill which it tabled before the House of representatives.Speaking before the House Finance Committee today, finance Minister Takis Clerides proposed a cut in the enforcement of the defence levy for one year instead of until 2002, as provided by the tabled bill, and this in order to give time for an in-depth study of the issue by the parties. The finance minister also argued that a scaled levy as recommended by AKEL, will create problems because it will be connected to the income, and as a result the taxpayer can file an objection to it. It appears that the special defence levy will have to be studied once again by the political parties. [06] ROLANDISCommerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis has asked the House of representatives for two million pounds in order to organise a Miss Universe beauty pageant on occasion of the year 2,000.Meeting the House Finance Committee today, Rolandis explained why he considers such an event important. This he said is the third most important world event after the Olympic Games and the World Football Championship which could attract large numbers of tourists particularly from the United States. He added that the two million would be deducted from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, KOT. The Finance Committee decided to consider the proposal. [07] YUGOThousands of Serbs are abandoning Kosovo, while more thousands ofethnic Albanians are returning, only to come face to face with stark reality.Meanwhile the KLA signed an agreement under which they must hand in their weapons , but the three month time limit granted to them naturally raises questions. Today some 50 thousand Serbans evacuated Kosovo in the wake of some 30 thousand Yugoslav troops. Yugoslavia has also asked that borders with Albania be closed to prevent the entry of criminal gangs which are entering Kosovo unchecked in order to prey on the local population. [08] PILOTS/STRIKEThe 24-hour strike of the Pancyprian Pilots Trade Union at Cyprus Airways, starts at midnight tonightNo initiative has been put forward in any effort to avert the strike. Cyprus Airways Press spokesman Tassos Angeli said efforts are in hand to find other flights from other companies to serve as many passengers as possible, even with some delays. At the same time efforts are also in hand to find Cyprus Airways pilots who will not join the strike, in order to man certain flights. Eurocypria pilots in their statement today warned with direct measures if the Cyprus Airways in any way deviates from the collective agreement and other accords. [09] PORTUnless there is an agreement on compensation to be paid to 51 port workers, then the Port of Larnaca will be closed indefinitely.The decision was taken at an extraordinary General congress of the port workers under SEK, PEO and DREOK trade unions. The port workers oppose the governments decision to meet the compensation amount by granting 600 thousand pounds from state funds while the remaining 200 thousand pounds to be met by port workers who will be kept at their jobs. The issue is currently under discussion by an inter0-ministerial committee. [10] WEATHERThe weather will be generally clear this evening but local mist and low cloud will form on coastal areas.Winds will be Westerly to North Westerly light and the sea will be slight, becoming moderate in the West. Temperatures will drop to 21 C inland and on the coasts and to 17 C over the higher mountains The weather will continue clear with moderate sea breezes becoming strong on the South coast in the afternoon. A moderate sea on the Western coast will become rough in the afternoon on the South coast. Temperatures will rise to 35 C inland 31 C on the South and Eastern coasts, 29 C on the West coast and 27 Over the higher mountains. Today's temperatures were: Nicosia 37 C -- 19 C Limassol 31 C -- 23 C Larnaca 32 C -- 21 C Paphos 29 C -- 19 C Prodromos 29 C -- 17 C The fire hazard remains very high in all forest areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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