Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-03-23

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2000

[01] HEADLINES

[02] VERHEUGEN

[03] SPOKES EU

[04] RUSSKI CREDENTIALS

[05] CABINET DECISIONS

[06] WORLD IN BRIEF

[07] GREEN PARTY

[08] ANDREAS LEUKAEMIA

[09] SNOW/HAIL

[10] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

The Cyprus Government is not unduly concerned about the possible re-opening of EU negotiation chapters;

Russia's new ambassador to Nicosia presents his credentials at the Presidential Palace;

Vladimir Putin is set to become Russia's new president;

EU heads-of-government meet in Lisbon;

Europe's Greens hold their annual congress in Larnaka;

and...

Hail and snow lead to problems in the Paphos, Nicosia and Larnaka districts.

[02] VERHEUGEN

Speaking at Larnaka airport on his arrival to the island, Gunther Verheugen emphasised that the international community recognises only the Republic of Cyprus and its legitimately-elected government, stressing that there is no possibility of talks ever being held with the pseudostate.

Called upon to clarify what exactly he meant when he was presented as saying, while in Turkey on an official visit, that President Clerides does not represent the Turkish-Cypriot community, the visiting EU Commissioner explained that he merely expressed his sorrow over the fact that the Turkish-Cypriots do not participate in the election of the President of Cyprus, the only leader of the island recognised by the 15-nation bloc.

Expressing the hope that Cyprus will accede to the European Union as a unified state, he wrapped up his statement by saying that all current efforts aim precisely at reaching a solution by then.

[03] SPOKES EU

Referring to the matter, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said that one should not go about creating what he termed "science-fiction scenarios" over the re-opening of a chapter. At the same time he noted that while the negotiations to date do not include data deriving from the occupied areas, they do take into account Turkish-Cypriot interests, adding that any re-opened chapter is sure to close again, and promptly, following the ascertainment of common interests and goals.

In closing, Mr Papapetrou voiced the assessment that the acceptance of President Clerides' proposal by the Turkish-Cypriot community will not only constitute a mere step in the right direction, but a leap towards the island's accession to the EU and a final resolution of its political problem.

[04] RUSSKI CREDENTIALS

Speaking during the presentation, Vladimir Alexandrovitch Pavlinov noted that his country considers the commencement of direct negotiations between President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash of the utmost significance, and emphasised that the sooner this is achieved, the better.

Ambassador Pavlinov further said that his country remains a staunch supporter of current efforts towards reaching a just solution to the Cyprus Issue within the framework of a bizonal and bicommunal federation as provided for by UN resolutions, and also lauded President Clerides' proposals for the demilitarisation of the island, something which would ultimately lead to stability in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Responding, Cyprus' President noted that what has always been sought is a peaceful, fair and viable solution to the problem, and expressed the Government's sincere appreciation of Russia's efforts towards this end.

[05] CABINET DECISIONS

Meeting under President Clerides, Cyprus' Council of Ministers decided to increase this year's state funding of municipalities from the current 0.4% of tax revenue to 0.9, while further increasing to 1% as of next year.

The Cabinet also approved plans for the construction of a comprehensive road network serving the new GSP stadium just south of Nicosia, at a projected cost of some 2 million pounds to be underwritten entirely by the state.

As regards repatriating Cypriots and their obligation to serve in the National Guard, a decision was reached to revise the existing legislation so that repatriating 10-12 year-olds are provided for, who upon being eligible for induction will have to serve a mandatory 18-month military service.

[06] WORLD IN BRIEF

Russia is set to anoint former KGB spy Vladimir Putin as president in Sunday's elections, which its demoralised people hope will provide stability after years of chaos, corruption and violent upheaval. Opinion polls put the prime minister and acting president ahead of his 10 rivals, led by Communist Gennady Zyuganov. The only questions still left open are the margin of victory and whether Vladimir Putin can win enough votes to make a runoff unnecessary.

Pope John Paul today expressed heartfelt grief for centuries of Christian persecution of Jews during a deeply emotional visit to Israel's Yad Vashem memorial to the six million killed in the Holocaust. The Pontiff stopped short of the apology Israelis had sought for the silence of the Catholic Church during World War Two.

Meeting in Lisbon, European Union foreign and security policy officials urged a sweeping overhaul of the bloc's support programmes for the Balkans, saying they were being bogged down by bureaucracy. The prepared document is to be presented to EU heads-of-government during a two-day summit in the Portuguese capital which began today.

Syria will not change its demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights during a weekend summit with US President Bill Clinton. According to the director-general of the official "al-Baath" newspaper, Syria is not optimistic about chances for a breakthrough in peace talks with Israel during President Hafez al-Assad's meeting with his US counterpart in Geneva this Sunday.

And some 9,000 angry Sikh demonstrators clashed with police as they defied curfew orders in the winter capital of India's Jammu and Kashmir state. The crowd marched through Jammu brandishing swords, daggers, iron rods and sticks, and shouting slogans, in protest at the massacre of 35 Sikhs in a remote Himalayan village on Monday night.

[07] GREEN PARTY

During a press conference given today, the Federation's Secretary-General, Arnold Cassola, mentioned that the main issue on the agenda will be the contribution of southern European countries to the EU expansion process, while discussions will also be held on the forging of a Green Party joint foreign and security policy, and the strengthening of Green Parties throughout the Mediterranean.

The opening session of the three-day congress, to be held tomorrow afternoon, will be addressed by both President of the Republic Glafkos Clerides and party leaders and representatives.

[08] ANDREAS LEUKAEMIA

Towards this end, Nicosia's Karaiskakeion Foundation is awaiting the delivery of new equipment, with which the sample processing rate will be more than doubled.

Meanwhile, the head of the Foundation's Scientific Team, Dr Adamos Adamou belied reports that compatible donors have been found in London, saying that the 35 blood samples from US donors were, unfortunately, only partly-compatible. Dr Adamou did add, however, that these donors WILL be used as a last resort if all other therapy fails.

At the same time, the large response by residents of the island to the plea has led to compatible bone-marrow donors being found for an 8-year-old girl and a London Cypriot, both also suffering from leukaemia.

[09] SNOW/HAIL

The hail was particularly thick on the ground in the Koshi - Lymbia - Kornos triangle, leading to a number of car accidents and minor injuries.

The Paphos district meanwhile was, apart from a powdering of snow, also hit by torrential rains all through last night and this morning, resulting in landslides and floodings.

The Police has announced that the sudden downpours have led to particularly slippery road surfaces, and hose using them are urged to exercise caution when driving.

[10] WEATHER

Skies will clear up by tomorrow morning however, leading to generally fair conditions. Winds will be blowing from the northerly quadrant at moderate strengths, 3-4BF, on slight seas, while temperatures are not expected to exceed 17C inland and in coastal regions and 5C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

Today's max and min temps were:

Nicosia 14 - 8 Limassol 14 - 9 Larnaka 15 - 8 Paphos 14 - 9 and Prodromos 2 - minus 1C.

The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 25cm, and 15cm in Troodos

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