Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-11-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] CLERIDES

[03] WESTON

[04] loizidou

[05] afghans

[06] wto

[07] poutin

[08] markides

[09] land

[10] veterans

[11] weather FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2001

[01] HEADLINES

US State Department Special Cyprus coordinator Thomas Weston repeated that there is no other settlement than a bizonal, bicommunal federation,

European Council General Secretary Walter Svimmer said Turkey has no other option than to comply with the ruling on the Titina Loizidou case,

US Warplanes pounded Taliban front lines in Afghanistan with renewed ferocity,

AND the Russian Embassy in Nicosia refrained from confirming press reports that Vladimir Putin will visit the island next month.

[02] CLERIDES

Prior to the meeting, the President will attend a luncheon with representatives from the five UN Security Council permanent member states.

Meanwhile, UN spokesman Fred Eckhart refrained from commenting on Rauf Denktash's invitiation to President Clerides for face-to-face talks.

Eckhart said Denktash's invitation was not directed at the United Nations and that he had no comment on the matter.

Referring to the Denktash invitation, government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said President Clerides is ready to meet Rauf Denktash in Nicosia at any given moment, provided that the occupation leader will have agreed beforehand to return to UN-sponsored talks.

[03] WESTON

Weston made the remark when asked to comment on Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's reference to confederation.

The US official added that such remarks are being made for years now by Ankara and Rauf Denktash, sometimes helpful and at other times anything else but helpful.

He noted that the settlement process is proceeding not according to whichever statements, but through established diplomatic routes.

Speaking after an hour-long meeting with President Clerides in New York, Weston expressed optimism that a way will finally be found to move forward towards a Cyprus settlement.

Asked if the time has come for the US to exert more pressure on the Turkish side in order to restart stalled settlement talks, Weston admitted that the observation was completely correct.

He added however, that the US will carry on with its diplomatic efforts so that the desired goal of a comprehensive settlement that is lasting and just is reached.

[04] loizidou

At the same time, however, He made clear that for the time being, there are not thoughts of ejecting Turkey from the Council if it continues to refuse compliance.

Svimmer made the remarks in response to questions by the Cyprus Weekly during a press conference following a a council of ministers meeting in Strasbourg.

Svimmer said it is clear that the Council of Europe's decisions must be respected and that there is no choice but compliance, even if some countries appear reluctant at the beginning.

He said he is hopeful that Turkey will comply since, in his words, Ankara is always willing to seek out compromise.

[05] afghans

With the U.S.-led war on Afghanistan in its 34th day, witnesses said police in neighbouring Pakistan shot dead three pro-Taliban protesters denouncing government support for the war and backing a general strike called by Islamic parties.

In the United States itself, U.S. President George W. Bush gave the jittery nation a pep talk, telling Americans to get on with their lives despite a deadly anthrax germ warfare attack and urging them to use their "eyes and ears" to thwart global terror.

A spokesman for the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance said opposition fighters were six kilometres from the Mazar-i-Sharif airport, the most important in northern Afghanistan.

There was no independent confirmation of the advance but the capture of the city would be a major prize because it also straddles crucial supply routes between neighbouring Uzbekistan and the capital Kabul.

[06] wto

Fearful of attacks linked to its war on terrorism, the United States dispatched a helicopter ship and two other vessels carrying 2,100 marines to the sparkling waters off the energy-rich peninsula.

The marines nearly outnumbered the 2,641 delegates meeting for five days of talks called by the World Trade Organisation.

Conference venues, hotels and other facilities were under heavy scrutiny with x-ray scanners and metal-detectors guarding entrances across the complex.

Security fears led to speculation last month that the long-planned conference could be switched elsewhere. Those fears returned on Wednesday when guards shot dead a Qatari man after he opened fire on a local airbase used by U.S. warplanes.

WTO officials said they were optimistic agreement could be reached on an agenda for negotiations despite a rich world-poor world divide and disagreements on issues ranging from farm subsidies to drug patents.

[07] poutin

An embassy spokesman told CyBC that Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation by President Clerides to visit the island, adding however, that he does not know the exact date that the visit will take place.

The newspaper Politis carried today a report that the Russian president is expected to visit the island accompanied by a large delegation, for official talks this coming December.

[08] markides

Referring to remarks by the House Foreign and Legal Affairs committee that the creation of the unit should be omitted from the provisions of the new anti-terrorism bill, Markides said the government will redouble its efforts to convince the parties of the need for such a unit.

Speaking on CyBC radio this morning, the Attorney General said by setting up the anti-terrorism unit, Cyprus will demonstrate its willingness and determination to combat the financing of global terrorism.

He added that such a move will counter Turkish propaganda which is bent on tarnishing the island's image in order to scupper its accession to the European Union.

[09] land

The court renewed the remand order against Nicosia real estate agent Demos Demosthenous for another four days.

Demosthenous is suspected of involvement in the September 15, 2000 sale of land in the Tylliria area to a specific investiment company for 972,000 pounds - some 30 percent greater its appraised value.

Court heard that during the actual transaction, Demosthenous impersonated an agent of a non-existent company.

Also in custody for the same case are Kato Pyrgos village community leader Krinos Theoharous, community council member Andreas Savva, real estate agent Costas Constantinou and Land Registry Office officials Michalis Kalathas and Kostas Makaritis.

[10] veterans

Addressing the memorial service, Acting President of the Republic Demetris Christofias praised the contribution of ovre 30,000 Cypriot volunteers who fought in World War Two.

Christofias noted that Cyprus ranks first in the world in terms of voluntary participation in both world wars.

He added that volunteers paid a heavy price, as thousands of Cypriots were taken prisoner and more than 600 are buried in 49 cemetaries of 18 different countries.

[11] weather

Winds will be souteasterly to southwesterly moderate, 3 to 4 beaufort, with slight seas.

More fine conditions tonight with the possibility of some isolated showers mainly on the coasts.

Winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly light, 2 to 3 beaufort, with slight seas.

Temperatures will drop to 12 degrees inland, 14 on the coasts and 8 in the highest mountains.

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