Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-04-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] vedrine

[03] t/c tsiakourmas

[04] bhc tsiak

[05] desal'n refutal

[06] turkey loan

[07] ukraine crisis?

[08] cyair warsaw

[09] cse

[10] tailer

[11] weather FRIDAY 27 APRIL 2001

[01] HEADLINES

Turkish-Cypriot newspapers carry editorials on yesterday's release of Panikos Tsiakourmas, while the British High Commission also issues a relevant announcement;

The excess boron content of the water produced by the newly-inaugurated Larnaka desalination plant is passed off as "negligible";

All indications are that Turkey will succeed in securing a much needed 10 billion dollar international loan.

Ukraine appears on the brink of a political and economic crisis;

Cyprus Airways inaugurates a new route;

and...

20 couples tie the knot in a mass wedding with a difference!

[02] vedrine

At a joint press conference given after the meeting, the French Foreign Minister stated categorically that a resolution of the Cyprus Issue does not, in any way, constitute a prerequisite for the island's accession to the European Union, and reiterated both his country's and the other 14 EU member-states' support to efforts towards a solution well within the framework set by the United Nations.

Hubert Vedrine also expressed disappointment at the Turkish-Cypriot leader's withdrawal from the UN-sponsored proximity talks, voicing however the hope that the decision is not an irrevocable one and that Rauf Denktash will return to the negotiating table.

In addition to the Cyprus Issue in general, today's meeting also focused on the EU candidate-states desired input to European procedures, in line with the 15-nation bloc's Nice summit decision.

[03] t/c tsiakourmas

In particular, the "Yeni Doyu" newspaper, referring to the pseudocourt's decision, mentions that the very fact that the word "guilty" appearing in the verdict was put in inverted commas indicates the court's concern over the veracity of the charges brought to bear by the occupation regime's police.

In the past, a number of other Turkish-Cypriot newspapers had voiced doubt over the alleged evidence presented, letting it be implied that Tsiakourmas had been the victim of a frame-up.

In today's editions, practically all occupied area newspapers link Panikos' release to the sentence being served in the government-controlled territories by Omer Tekogul, with "Kibris" in particular posing the question of whether President Clerides will now exercise his authority and grant an amnesty to the Turkish-Cypriot drug-runner.

[04] bhc tsiak

"We are relieved that the court in Famagusta has decided to release Mr Tsiakourmas. We are. however, dismayed by the guilty verdict reached today by the court, which appears to take no account of the evidence that Mr Tsiakourmas was illegally taken by force from the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. The court's decision flies in the face of the evidence gathered by the Sovereign Base Area Police, and presented to that court."

"As we have said all along, our first concern has been for Mr Tsiakourmas' welfare, and we are delighted that he will now be reunited with his family and friends. We very much regret that he was not allowed to see his mother during her illness. We have expressed to the family our deepest sympathy at her death."

End quote.

[05] desal'n refutal

In an announcement to this effect, it's mentioned that the high boron content reported by the media is merely 1.25 parts per million, as opposed to the 1 part per million specified in the contract.

Describing the excess amount as "negligible", the announcement also mentions that technicians are looking into the matter and that the production of water, which began on the 17th of this month, is still in its trial stages.

At the same time, the conglomerate refutes reports that it had requested a postponement of the delivery date to resolve the boron problem, adding that all its actions are being held under the supervision of the Cyprus Water Development Department and that the consumers' health was never placed at risk.

[06] turkey loan

Meanwhile, the World Bank's vice-president for Europe and Central Asia today praised efforts undertaken by Turkish Economy Minister Kemal Dervish at implementing a new post-crisis economic programme.

Speaking on German Radio, Johannes Linn said "The broad outlines are in the right direction. We share the same point of view as Mr Dervish." He further said that Turkey had already made progress in recent months in its efforts to overcome crisis, adding that external factors such as high oil prices and a weak euro were the cause of its present difficulties, and urging the G7 group of the world's richest countries to also credit Turkey, over and above the loans to be extended by the IMF and the World Bank.

Turkey abandoned its currency peg in February, leading to a financial crisis and fall of its lira by a staggering 45% since then.

[07] ukraine crisis?

According to the country's consitution, the impeachment should be followed by a dissolution of the government within 60 days.

Commenting on the situation, EU supremo Javier Solana voiced his disappointment over the development, given that the Ukrainian Prime Minister and his reforms programme both enjoyed the confidence and trust of the European Union.

At the same time, international analysts foresee that in addition to the impending political crisis, Ukraine will be plunged into an economic crisis as well.

[08] cyair warsaw

Among the passengers on the specially-booked flight were Cyprus' Minister of Communications and Works, Poland's Honourable Consul to Cyprus, and the Chairman of the Cyprus Airways Board.

The Cypriot delegation was received at Warsaw International Airport by Poland's Transport Minister and other state functionaries.

The introduction of the new route marks the scheduling of two Cyprus Airways Larnaka-Warsaw and Warsaw-Larnaka flights weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays.

[09] cse

Specifically, the All-Share Index closed at 200.58, up 3.12% from yesterday, while the overall volume of trading reached 17.8 million pounds.

[10] tailer

The bitch wore white. Her fiance was dressed in tuxedo, top hat and a green tie with violet spots. Below the waist however, he was naked.

Cynthia and Hans, both wrinkle-faced Chinese Char Peis, were one of 20 couples who tied the knot at a mass ceremony organized earlier this week in the Colombian capital of Bogota by the country's Intercontinental Canine Club. The 40 barking love-hounds were dressed for the occasion by their owners.

Club founder Frank Yepes, a dog lover who says he shares his bed with 10 puppies, dreamed up the idea of canine weddings because owners were having difficulty finding appropriate matches for their pooches.

Congratulations then and.... Many yappy returns!

[11] weather

High sparse cloud is also forecast for this evening, while increased humidity may lead to limited visibility in areas. Winds will abate to light-to-moderate northwesterlies, 3-4BF, on slight-to-moderate seas, while temperatures will drop to around 12C inland, 14C in coastal regions, and 9C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

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