Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-01-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] CHINA

[03] Lyssarides

[04] Talks

[05] Aosis

[06] House

[07] Health

[08] WORLD

[09] Turkey

[10] Churches

[11] Weather MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2001

[01] HEADLINES

Vassos Lyssarides said the next round of proximity talks could be put on hold,

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kassoulides told representatives of small island states that Cyprus will bolster friendship and cooperation once a full member of the European Union,

The Central Bank and the CSE oppose draft legislation giving wide-ranging powers to the Securities and Exchange Commission,

At least 403 people are dead and hundreds are missing in El Salvador after a massive earthquake struck the central American country,

And bank employees insist on opting out of the National Health Scheme,

[02] CHINA

Mr. Jintao, leading a delegation of high-ranking Chinese officials, was greeted at Larnaca Airport by Foreign Minister Ioannis Cassoulides.

The Chinese Vice President will meet later this afternoon with President Clerides for official talks, followed by a signing ceremony for a bilateral agreement.

The Foreign and Trade Ministers will also take part in the talks.

Mr. Jintao will meet later with House President Spyros Kyprianou, and will attend tonight a dinner in his honour hosted by President Clerides and his wife at the Presidential Palace.

The Chinese Vice-President's visit is part of a five-country tour aiming to bolster cooperation and to discuss international and regional matters.

[03] Lyssarides

Speaking after a morning meeting with President Clerides, Mr. Lyssarides said he based his vew on information he is privy to and specific indications that have surfaced.

He further noted that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has yet to extend invitations to President Clerides and Rauf Denktash, a fact which indicates that even he cannot keep to the set schedule.

However, Mr. Lyssarides added that a new round of contacts and diplomatic shuttle missions on a European and international scale may be in the offing prior to the next round.

Mr. Lyssarides' meeting with President Clerides was part of efforts to coordinate party activity on bolstering international relations as per a National Council decision.

The Kisos President said his part will do its part with a letter writing and telephone campaign abroad, but also his personal contacts with socialist leaders in Europe and the region.

[04] Talks

He added that US Presidential envoy Alfred Moses and British special Cyprus envoy Sir David Hannay had not offered a talks framework which satisfied the Turkish side.

He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side is prepared for dialogue, but is not satisfied with verbal assurances that the talks do not contain any hidden dangers.

[05] Aosis

The international conference is being held in Nicosia and aims to examine the problems faced by island states in the environment, development and energy sectors.

Mr. Kassoulides stressed the challenges faced by small states in the field of security which have not been fully addressed by the international community, and offered as an example Turkey's invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

Mr. Kassoulides also thanked island states for their consistent support of the island's reunification efforts.

[06] House

The legislation gives the Commission wide-ranging powers which provoked strong protests from Cyprus Stock Exchange and Central Bank bosses.

The legislation obligates the Company Registrar's Offices, the Central Bank the CSE board of directors and other government department to provide the Commission with any information or document it requests.

Both the governor of the Central Bank and CSE chiefs opposed the legislation, claiming that it undermines their authority.

Assessing the legislation, Finance Minister Takis Klerides noted that the Commission is empowered to take steps to moderate the sudden swings in share prices.

[07] Health

The President of the bank employees' union Etyk, Loizos Hadjicostis, suggested that the National Health Scheme will end up in failure and that's why bank employees want to opt out.

Mr. Hadjicostis said his union is prepared to take action if the Health Ministry ignores its demand.

As a first step, Mr. Hadjicostis said bank employees will hold a two-hour work stoppage Wednesday from 10:30 until 12:30.

[08] WORLD

The Israeli army completely sealed off the Gaza Strip after a Jewish settler was found shot dead, increasing tension as Israel and the Palestinians try to end nearly 16 weeks of fighting.

The army also said a curfew had been imposed on the West Bank village of Dahiet al-Bareed after Palestinian gunmen fired from there on the Neve Yaacov settlement.

An Israeli peace negotiator said yesterday political and security talks could continue in the next few days, perhaps as early as Monday, following talks at the weekend and last week.

- - - -

At least 403 people were dead, 779 injured and hundreds missing in El Salvador after a strong earthquake struck the Central American nation, setting off landslides and burying hundreds of homes.

President Francisco Flores said in a news conference that the death toll, reported by the National Emergency Committee, could go higher and that material damage was still incalculable. - - - -

- - - -

China defended its crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual movement, saying the 18-month drive condemned abroad for its ruthlessness enjoyed widespread public support and was based on Chinese law.

- - - -

Indonesian police accused rebels of launching a fresh attack in Aceh province, but locals blamed security forces for undermining a recently extended ceasefire and said many people were ready to flee the region.

Up to 30 people have been killed since Wednesday when the two sides agreed to extend by another month a six-month-old ceasefire which had been due to expire today.

[09] Turkey

Based on Turkey's penal code, a conviction on these charges carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

Parents and human rights organisations have hired lawyers to fight the charges and gain the release of the young people.

[10] Churches

The volume aims at exposing on an international scale Turkey's attempts to systematically wipe out Hellenic culture in the occupied areas.

In his address read by MP Stathis Kittis, House President Spyros Kyprianou noted that the English-language edition is a valuable tool for scholars and ordinary individuals alike who do not tolerate cultural desolation.

[11] Weather

Winds will be northeasterly to southeasterly moderate, 4 to 5 beaufort with moderate seas.

More fine conditions tonight with scattered clouds.

Winds will be norteasterly light, 3 to 4 beaufort.

The temperature will drop to 8 degrees inland, 12 on the coasts and 4 in the mountains.

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