Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-05-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Headlines

[02] And

[03] Kasoulides

[04] Markides

[05] Bush

[06] Turkeyrul

[07] Planes

[08] World

[09] Leukemia

[10] Meningitis

[11] Damage

[12] Weather FRIDAY 11 MAY 2001

[01] Headlines

--- Attorney General Alecos Markides has expressed satisfaction with the Court's ruling, noting that the general philosophy of the decision is that Turkey is successfully controlling the areas of Cyprus it occupies and is legally responsible for the violations committed there.

--- The recent hail and wind storms to hit Cyprus' mountainous areas have caused damage of thousands of pounds.

--- The teenager from Limassol, who had come down with bacterial meningitis, has died.

[02] And

[03] Kasoulides

The Court delivered a stinging rebuke to Turkey yestercay, finding it guilty of widespread human rights abuses arising from its 1974 invasion of northern Cyprus.

The case was brought by the Cyprus government, which argued that the 27-year-old Turkish occupation of the northern areas of the island had trampled on almost every article in the European Human Rights Convention.

The court said in a judgment passed by 16 votes to one that Ankara had violated 14 articles of the convention, including the right to life, the right to liberty and security, the right to freedom of thought and the right to freedom of expression.

Mr. Kasoulides told CyBC that this decision is especially important, because it is binding for all members of the Council of Europe, including Turkey.

He added that the ruling is fully connected with all basic aspects of the Cyprus problem and especially that of human rights.

Mr. Kasoulides also congratulated Attorney General Alecos Markides and his colleagues for the greatest legal victory of the Republic of Cyprus in the 27 years since Turkey invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

[04] Markides

Mr. Markides added that the ruling will strengthen Cyprus' negotiating position in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, through an acceptable compromise to restore human rights for all Cypriots.

He said that this was Cyprus' greatest victory since 1974, noting that the case itself was the largest in volume ever presented before a Council of Europe body.

Turkey, which is hoping to become a member of the European Union, refused to attend the hearing when it opened last year in Strasbourg, arguing that the Turkish Cypriot illegal state was an independent entity.

The European Court said Turkey should be held accountable for the actions of the northern Cypriot illegal administration, adding that it "survived by virtue of Turkish military and other support".

But the Strasbourg court upheld charges that some 170,000 Greek Cypriot refugees living in the south of the island and banned from returning to their homes in the north were deprived of rights to property, compensation and a family life.

It also ruled that by failing to investigate the fate of some 1,500 people who went missing during the Turkish invasion, Ankara had violated their "right to life"

[05] Bush

In their letter, the overseas Greeks note that this important ruling could serve as an opportunity for Turkey to take the right path towards Europe.

They add that US security interests in Greece and Cyprus, and especially the Turkish people, could benefit from accession to the European Union of a Turkey that complies with international acceptable behaviour regarding human rights and international law.

[06] Turkeyrul

The Turkish Foreign Ministry declined to comment. It said the verdict was being studied in northern Cyprus.

The court has not yet decided whether to fine Turkey and will issue a full verdict in a few months. As a signatory of the convention, Ankara must comply with the final ruling.

Turkish newspapers gave little coverage to the European Court verdict, only one major daily, Zaman, splashing it across the front page under the headline "Turkey condemned".

[07] Planes

Ten fighters violated the flight regulations in the Athens FIR and on seven occasions violated the airspace between Lesbos and Kastellorizo.

In all cases, the Turkish planes were identified and contained by Greek fighters.

[08] World

- - - -

US Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed a controversial independent report on Middle East violence and said it could provide the basis for a new initiative for peace in the region.

- - - -

US arms expert Paul Wolfowitz opens talks in Moscow today on President George W. Bush's missile defence shield, his toughest destination on a European mission to marshal support for the scheme.

- - - -

A limited US missile shield, one that will not trigger an arms race, will be offered to America's allies if the technology is successful.

- - - -

The UN war crimes prosecutor expressed confidence that US efforts to get Yugoslavia to hand over former President Slobodan Milosevic for trial in The Hague would produce results soon.

- - - -

The Dalai Lama, visiting the city that will host the Winter Games in February, said that China should only be allowed to stage the 2008 Olympics if the award would advance the cause of human rights.

- - - -

Asia's struggling developing countries on called on the world's major economic powers to play their part in boosting the flagging global economy to prevent another regional financial crisis.

- - - -

Twelve people were shot and more than 100 were treated for injuries after protests against a steep bus fare price hike turned ugly.

[09] Leukemia

The drug, Gleevec, helped about 90 percent of patients in early stages of chronic myeloid leukemia, a disease that causes a potentially lethal overproduction of white blood cells.

Gleevec, a once-a-day pill, is the first in a new class of drugs that strike a specific target believed to cause cancer. The precise attack is designed to spare healthy cells and produce fewer side effects than other medicines.

[10] Meningitis

Fourteen-year-old Andreas Asriotis from Limassol, who had come down with bacterial meningitis, has died.

The boy, who was being treated at Limassol Hospital since May 1, was on a respirator in the intensive care unit and had been clinically dead for several days.

[11] Damage

The four agricultural organisation of the island in a common statement said that the damage in most cases is total, as vineyards, seasonal fruit groves, such as cherry ones, as well as several vegetable plantations have been destroyed.

Growers are devastated and are facing serious financial problems.

[12] Weather

Winds will be southwesterly to westerly, moderate, four beaufort, and at times along the south coast strong, five beaufort.

Seas will be moderate in windward areas.

Tonight, there will be fine mist and low clouds, mainly after midnight.

Winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly, light, two to three beaufort, over slight seas.

Temperatures will drop to 13 degrees inland, to 15 along the coast, and to 8 over the mountains.

The fire hazard is high in all forest areas.

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