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Monday, 30 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-01-19Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINESControversial remarks by the deputy Belgian foreign minister over extending some kind of recognition to the Turkish Cypriots have come under heavy criticism by the government and the parties,The government is studying the Belgian model of federation in conjunction with a team of experts from that country, President Clerides has not asked for a face-to-face meeting with the occupation regime leader, The government spokesman warned the National Health Scheme could be scrapped if consencus isn't reached soon, And Larnaca has signed an agreement on the relocation of its oil refinery. [02] SpokesmanGovernment Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou described statements by Belgian Deputy Foreign Minister Anemi Nates on extending some kind of recognition to the Turkish Cypriot side as misguided, disappointing, but also peculiar.Mr. Papapetrou said all that Ms. Nates mentioned prior to her departure from Cyprus did not correspond with the content of her discussions with the Cyprus government. However, he refrained from commenting further as statements from Ms. Nates are expected during her trip to Athens. [03] AnastasiadesMeanwhile, Democratic Rally party President Nicos Anastasiades described the Belgian Deputy Foreign Minister's remarks last night about recognition of the occupation regime as utterly unacceptable.Mr. Anastasiades called on the Belgian official to issue a correction and stressed that such statements only buttress Rauf Denktash's intransigence. Commenting on suggestions that President Clerides had issued an invitation to Rauf Denktash for a meeting, Mr. Anastasiades attributed the whole issue to the Belgian official's initiative to discuss federation based on Belgium's constitutional model. [04] ModelThe government is evaluating the Belgian federal model which was presented by Belgian Deputy Foreign Minister Anemi Nates during her visit to the island.Sources told CyBC that Belgian experts will analyse the four-zone Belgian federal model in a presentation to Cypriot Foreign Ministry officials. Ms. Nates indicated that her country is living proof of bicommunal compromise within a federation. Foreign Minister Ioannis Cassoulides called Ms. Nate's visit significant in light of the fact that Belgium will assume the European Union presidency in the second half of the year, at a time when accession negotiations will be entering a critical stage. [05] kourosSecretary to the President Pantelis Kouros denied Rauf Denktash's claims that President Clerides issued a plea through the Belgian Foreign Minister for a meeting with the occupation regime leader.Mr. Kouros said that President Clerides simply explained to Anemi Nates the Greek Cypriot side's position on the Cyprus issue and express his readiness and willingness to carry on with resolution efforts through dialogue. He added that the Belgian Foreign Minister may have understood that to mean an invitation to dialogue. Meanwhile, Mr. Kouros said that Alvaro de Soto is expected to arrive in Cyprus on the 28th or 29th of January after he visits Athens and possibly Ankara. [06] HealthGovernment Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou warned of huge delays and even a indefinite postponement of implementing the National Health Scheme if social partners and parties insist on renegotiating the plan.Diko declared its opposition to the Scheme, while Akel expressed reservations during a House Health Committee meeting which could spell the end of the free, universal health care plan. Mr. Papapetrou said the Scheme could be scrapped altogether and called on each side to assume responsibility for its actions. He said that Diko owes it to the public to explain its position, and added Akel expressed only reservations because it doesn't dare publicly turning down the scheme. Regarding the vital contribution of the scheme's social partners, Mr. Papapetrou said this had been the object of exhaustive negotiations over the last year and a half and if it is repeated, the health plan could be in serious jeopardy. He also criticised civil servants' union Pasydi and Bank employees union Etyk for their opposition to the plan, saying that the public shouldn't be separated into two classes when it comes to health care. [07] ClintonThe US reaffirmed their commitment to UN-lead efforts for a Cyprus solution based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation.The American position is stated in President Clinton's bi-monthlyt report on Congress on the Cyprus issue for the period of October 1st to November 30th, 2000. The report notes UN efforts for a comprehensive solution between Greek and Turkish Cypriots through a fifth round of proximity talks in Geneva. It also refers to continued diplomatic efforts by Presidential envoy Alfred Moses, State Department Coordinator Thomas Westion and US Ambassador in Nicosia Donald Bandler. The report further notes that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan invited both sides to a sixth round of proximity talks in Geneva at the end of January. [08] RefineryThe Larnaca Development Board and the town's municipal council approved a plan to relocate the oil refinery to the former chemical industry area in Vasilikos.According to the agreement expected to be ratified by the government, the refinery will cease operations in 2010 and will be relocated in 2012. Municipal Council decided to ask for an increase in the refinery's annual grant to the town from 500,000 to one million. It also approved the operation of the potato processing plant for another four years at its present location on the condition that it will later be moved to an industrial area outside the town. [09] WorldAnd now a brief look at what's making news around the world:Philippine President Estrada's embattled government crumbled after the heads of the country's armed forces and top economic ministers joined "people power" street protests demanding he resign. Estrada, whose impeachment trial on corruption charges has brought the worst political turmoil to the country since the 1986 protests that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, made no mention of resignation in an early address to the nation. - - - - The capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa remained calm after the government belatedly confirmed the death of President Laurent Kabila. Kabila's 31-year-old son Joseph has been appointed interim head of government and will oversee the 30 days of mourning decreed by the authorities yesterday. - - - - Armed Basque separatist group ETA claimed responsibility for three killings and 13 other attacks in recent months in Spain, and warned that signatories of an anti-terrorist pact could become its next victims. With the communique published in two Basque newspapers today, ETA has now claimed responsibility for all 23 assassinations for which it was blamed in 2000. - - - - Salvadoran emergency workers scrambled to control disease, fearing rotting corpses, contaminated water and overcrowded refugee camps could trigger epidemics following a deadly earthquake. Teams of psychologists -- particularly concerned about trauma in children -- also treated refugees who lost homes and loved ones when Saturday's 7.6-magnitude quake killed at least 687 people in mudslides across the tiny Central American nation. [10] WeatherCloudy periods this afternoon will produce isolated showers and in some areas thundershowers accompanied by hail and strong winds, with snow in the mountains.WInds will be mainly northeasterly light to moderate, 3 to 4 beaufort with moderate seas. It will be fine tonight with some light showers and snowfall in the mountains. Winds will be northerly light, 3 beaufort with slight seas. The temperature will drop to 6 degrees inland, 8 on the coasts and 4 in the highest mountains. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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