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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-01-24Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPresident Clerides yesterday held a ninety minute meeting with Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, within the framework of direct settlement talks,Denktash stated that he will sign an agreement for the solution of the Cyprus problem if it is based on equality between the two communities, The Cyprus government has made representations to the American embassy in Nicosia, over a reception it organised in the occupied territories, A bomb killed Elie Hobeika, a former Lebanese minister and leader of a pro-Israeli militia involved in the 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and A British traveller was so fed up when the train buffet ran out of food that he used his mobile phone to get a "curry in a hurry" delivered to his carriage. [02] Clerides DenktashPresident Clerides yesterday held a ninety minute meeting with Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, within the framework of direct settlement talks that started on the 16th January. The issue of authority was at the centre of discussions. According to our stations' sources, the Greek-cypriot side stands firm in its position of discussing ways of developing and organising the Cyprus republic into a bizonal bicommunal federal state. The same sources say that the Turkish side insists on the creation of the so-called new partnership and two states, on a confederal states. Greek strategy seems to aim at securing the possibility of discussing all aspects of the Cyprus problem, but without giving Rauf Denktash the possibility of maintaing a fruitless dialogue for a long time. Following yesterday's talks, President Clerides, foreign minister Ioannis Casoulides and government officials held a meeting at the presidential palace to evaluate the results of the talks so far. Greek ambassador in Nicosia, Christos Panagopoulos also attended. This morning, president Clerides began briefing political leaders on the talks, starting with AKEL General Secretary Dimitris Christofias.[03] Denktash talksRauf Denktash stated that he will sign an agreement for the solution of the Cyprus problem if it is based on equality between the two communities. The turkish-cypriot leader said that he will reject any proposal that would make Turkish-cypriots a minority. Denktash was speaking in occupied Nicosia, following yesterday's meeting with President Clerides. Commenting on reports regarding the creation of a United States of Cyprus, he said that there were mere rumours.[04] Papa PiqueGreek foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou held talks yesterday in Athens with his Spanish counterpart Hose Pique, whose country holds the presidency of the European Union. At the top of the agenda was the Cyprus problem and Common European and defence policy. In statements, following the meeting, Yiorgos Papandreou said that he had briefed Mr Pique on the direct settlement talks being held and both expressed the hope that they will bear fruit.[05] US dinnerThe Cyprus government has made representations to the American embassy in Nicosia, over a reception it organised in the occupied territories. According to reports in the turkish-cypriot press, American ambassador Donald Bandler held a reception in occupied Nicosia on Tuesday, on the occasion of inaugurating a new embassy building in the occupied territories. Rauf Denktash, the so-called Turkish ambassador in the occupied territories Hayiati Giuven and Turkish military officials, were among the guests. In a statement yesterday afternoon, the American embassy said that it has maintained offices in north cyprus, as it refers to the occupied territories, for a long time. The reception, it is stated, was merely on the occassion of inaugurating the new offices.[06] Florakis theftIn ten days, all commanding officers at the Linou area, where National Guard weapons were stolen last week, will have been replaced. National Guard Commander Evangelos Florakis said that strict instructions have been given to increase security in all outposts, with the use of high tech equipment. However, he added, not all outposts can be equipped accordingly, due to heavy cost.[07] Michos FlorakisMeanwhile, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou stated that there was never an issue of Florakis resigning over last week's incident. Papapetrou said that the Commander of the National Guard enjoys the full support and confidence of President Clerides and defence minister Socratis Hasikos. According to some reports, lieutenant-general Florakis, had made his resignation available to Hasikos, following the Linou incident.[08] Mideast wrapIsrael today voiced new fears that a regional conflict could flare in the Middle East after the first cross-border attacks in more than three months by Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas backed by Syria and Iran. In a separate incident that could inflame tempers, a blast killed Elie Hobeika, leader of a pro-Israeli militia involved in the 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon's Sabra and Shatila camps. At least three other people were also killed and another three wounded in the blast as the former Lebanese minister was leaving his Beirut home. Among the dead were two of Hobeika's bodyguards. Hobeika commanded the Christian Lebanese Forces militia, which carried out the massacre of Palestinian refugees at the Sabra and Shatila camps after Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Meanwhile, after Hizbollah fired rockets and mortar bombs at Israeli military positions for the first time since October, Israel sent warplanes on raids into southern Lebanon last night. Israeli security forces have been on high alert since a Palestinian gunman killed two Israeli women and wounded 14 other people in a shooting spree in Jerusalem on Tuesday.[09] Bush defencePresident Bush outlined plans for the biggest rise in U.S. military spending in two decades to fund a protracted campaign to wipe out global terrorism, as captured American al Qaeda fighter John Walker Lindh arrived home to face justice. But tribal rivalries threatened to complicate the daunting development task as the country struggles to emerge from decades of conflict. Visiting the southern city of Kandahar, FBI Director Robert Mueller told CNN that data gleaned from prisoners and from documents had prevented attacks on U.S. facilities. As the United States expanded its war on terrorism beyond Afghanistan, Bush said he would propose a 48 billion dollar boost in military spending for the 2003 financial year, the biggest rise in two decades.[10] Napa BombsAyia Napa police are investigating a case of illegal possession of smoke bombs. Two such bombs were found in a car owned by Mavrikios Zouvani Mavroudis, 28, from Paralimni. Around three thirty in the morning, Mavroudis was stopped by police, who searced his car. He was arrested and put in custody.[11] Meat SpinachMeat lovers may one day worry a little bit less about their fat intake thanks to Japanese scientists who say they have produced healthier pork by breeding pigs implanted with spinach genes. Akira Iritani, the research team leader, professor of genetic engineering at Kinki University in western Japan said that this is the world's first success in breeding mammals with plant genes. Iritani said his group had put spinach genes into the fertilised egg of a pig and planted it in the mother. Iritani said their meat would be "more healthy" than normal pork although it was too early to say whether it could be considered as healthy as spinach.[12] TailerA British traveller was so fed up when the train buffet ran out of food that he used his mobile phone to get a "curry in a hurry" delivered to his carriage. Deke Primo had a brainwave on the Edinburgh-to-London express after he had queued in vain for a meal. He phoned ahead for a takeaway to be delivered at the next stop. Primo told the Sun it was like a military operation. The Al-Fazal diner in the central town of Peterborough rose to the challenge and delivered a piping hot tikka masala. Primo and his daughter enjoyed a feast -- much to the envy of their fellow travellers. He said that there were dozens of hungry people all around and the smell of curry was torture to them.[13] WeatherIt will be mainly clear this afternoon, with patchy cloud expected to bring rain, mainly on the mountains. Winds will be light northeasterly, three beaufort, over moderate seas on the north and eastern windward areas. Temperatures will reach 16 degrees inlandand 18 on the coast. Tonight it will remain mainly clear. Winds ill be light northeasterly three beaufort, over moderate seas on the north and eastern windward areas. Temperatures will fall to three degrees inland, seven on the coast and zero on the mountains. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 50 centimetres, with 30 in Troodos square.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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