Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 00-08-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] GENEVA AFTERTASTE

[03] GRECOTURKISH

[04] ARMAMENTS

[05] MARIA EGYPT

[06] TOKYO GUNFIGHT

[07] LEBANON CLASHES

[08] GUINNESS

[09] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

All political parties in Cyprus are calling for a review of Greco-turkish relations, in light of the failure of proximity talks in Geneva as well as stamements made by turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem regarding the creation of two states in Cyprus,

A gunfight that broke out today, after a group of armed men burst into the office of a right-wing organisation in central Tokyo left two people dead and six wounded, and

British actor Sir Alec Guinness, whose career on stage and screen spanned more than 60 years, has died. He was 86.

[02] GENEVA AFTERTASTE

The United Nations, in cooperation with American and British mediators have already prepared the next diplomatic steps.

According to Cybc sources, UN'chiefs special advisor on Cyprus Alvaro De Soto has already prepared his new negotiating proposal for the two sides, taking into account both issues discussed with President Clerides and turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, but also matters that the two sides have discussed with mediators and are prepared to accept within the framework of a solution.

The same sources point out, that the basis of the outline prepared by the UN for the next round of talks does not follow Denktash's proposals on a confederation, but it leaves a lot to be desired by the Cyprus governmentm , who wanted an outline based on UN resolution calling for a bizonal bicommunal federation.

In light of these facts, political circles in Nicosia, consider the presence of the political leadership in the next round of talks in New York, as absolutely necessary.

[03] GRECOTURKISH

Disy leader Nicos Anastasiades called the statements a relevation, dismissing previous positive positions outlined by Mr Cem as merely occasional hypocrisy.

He said that the Greek and Cypriot political leadership must, on a common basis, evaluate the new facts, and study how the development of Greco-turkish relations, can lead to a solution of the Cyprus issue.

AKEL General Secretary Dimitris Christofias said that Turkey wants to take advantage of the good will shown by Athens, without giving anything in return, and particularly without moving an inch on its positions regarding Cyprus.

DIKO leader Spiros Kiprianou stated that the Cem statements show that Ankara is not responding positively to the Greek approach, while Social Democrat Movement Leader Vasos Lyssarides said called on the Greek government to learn a lesson from the goings on in Cyprus.

Mr Lyssarides pointed out that one-sided friendship, is really nothing else but servitude.

[04] ARMAMENTS

Mr Hasikos pointed out that the matter has not fallen by the wayside, and expressed the view that the government could not have taken drastic measures or create a crisis, exclusively over the violation of the status quo at Strovilia.

Furthermore, he categorically stated that the issue has not been abandoned, adding that there is continuous and close contact with the Greek government.

Socratis Hasikos also said that a protest letter sent to the UN Secretary-General regarding continued Turkish armaments in the occupied north of the island, constitutes a direct reply to protests made by turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash that the republic is arming.

Mr Hasikos made clear that the Cyprus republic is not going to stop defending itself, just because of the on-going talks.

[05] MARIA EGYPT

She's being held in a Port Said prison in Egypt for possession of three and a half kilos of marijuana.

Maria's mother, Aggela, and their lawyer, Iakovos Avraamides, met at noon with minister to the Presidency Pantelis Kouros.

After the meeting, Avraamides said that the government is doing everything in its power to secure and taking all necessary steps to secure a trial for Maria in Cyprus.

He was also satisfied with measures taken by the Cyprus government, that helped in some aspects of the case.

Mr Avraamides will also meet Attorney General Alekos Markides to discuss legal matters regarding the case.

Meanwhile, Marias' father, Marios, is in Port Said, waiting for an approval to visit his daughter in jail.

Tonight or tomorrow, Maria's mother will also leave for Egypt.

[06] TOKYO GUNFIGHT

Investigators believe the shootout arose from a dispute between factions of the group.

The attackers, armed with knives, were met by gunfire from the occupants of the office, which domestic Japanese news agencies said belonged to a right-wing organisation.

A fire department spokesman said two of the injured died shortly after being taken to hospital.

Of the remaining six, one was in critical condition and two others seriously injured.

Police arrested three of the attackers about an hour after the incident.

[07] LEBANON CLASHES

A Lebanese man was wounded in the left leg, said Lebanese security sources, describing the incident as the first act of violence along the Lebanese-Israeli border since 370 U.N. peacekeepers deployed near eight border villages on Saturday.

A Canadian journalist was also injured. U.N. peacekeepers, who are trying to ensure stability on the frontier, have not deployed at the Fatima Gate area near Kfar Kila town.

There is, however, a position, half a mile north of the stretch of fence.

[08] GUINNESS

His death was announced early this morning, even though it occured Saturday night, following his admittance to hospital on Thursday after being taken ill.

During his distinguished career, Guinness tackled the full gamut of acting roles, from Shakespeare to science fiction, winning an Oscar for his portrayal of a by-the-book British Army Colonel in the classic 1957 anti-war film "The Bridge on the River Kwai", and international fame in such blockbusters as "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Star Wars."

Speaking of his role as Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars", Guinness told a British magazine that he had engineered the death of his character to escape having to say, in a direct quote, "those bloody awful lines". Explaining further how he persuaded director George Lucas to have Kenobi killed off by Darth Vader, he said "I'd had enough of the mumbo jumbo."

Sir Alec Guinness... 1914 - 2000.

[09] WEATHER

Tomorrow, the fair weather will continue. Winds will eventually turn light to moderate, three to four beaufort. The sea will become rough in some coastal areas. Temperatures will rise to 39 degrees inland, 34 on the south and east coast, 31 on the west and north coast and 29 degrees on the mountains.

Fair conditions are forecast through to Friday.

Today's maximum and minimum temperatures were:

In Nicosia 39 and 23 degrees,

Limassol, 35 and 24

Larnaca 34 and 23

Paphos 31 and 20

and

Prodromos 26 and 20.

The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas.

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