Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-11-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] Alvaro

[03] Markides

[04] Verheugen

[05] Kasoulides

[06] Denktash

[07] Weston

[08] Turkey gov

[09] Iraq

[10] Weather TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2002

[01] HEADLINES

--- Attorney General Alecos Markides said that great efforts were being made to fully analyse the Annan plan, so that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to discuss every single detail when called upon to negotiate.

--- New Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said today the country's president had asked for changes to the cabinet list he submitted to him this week for approval.

And

--- U.N. chief arms inspector Hans Blix and a team of about 30 experts began their first full day of work in Iraq today, paving the way for a mission to search for weapons of mass destruction.

[02] Alvaro

He stressed that time is pressing and the clock is ticking.

However, he noted that he did not wish to exert unnecessary or unjustified pressure on the two sides.

Mr. de Soto said Kofi Annan submitted his plan at a specific point in time, because he considered that it was rights.

However, he expressed reservations as to whether the favourable circumstances would exist after the Copenhagen European Council.

Mr. de Soto was speaking to reporters last night after President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides handed him the reply of the Greek Cypriot side on the Annan plan.

The response was given within the timeframe set by the UN Secretary General.

Mr. de Soto said the United Nations expected to have the Turkish Cypriot reply and the commitment to negotiate in good faith yesterday.

Asked how easy it would be to make amendments to the Annan plan, Mr. de Soto said the UN Chief submitted his proposals in order to encourage the two sides to press on with negotiations.

He clarified that it was indeed possible to make amendments and noted that it was up to the two sides to decide.

[03] Markides

Mr. Markides told CyBC that many points needed to be clarified.

He said everything would be placed before the National Council for discussion.

Mr. Markides added that so far two meetings have been held with the United Nations group and that clarifications have been requested.

He also said the replies are being analysed and that the Greek Cypriot side will decide whether they are satisfactory or whether further clarifications are needed.

[04] Verheugen

He added that this was the most likely event.

According to an Athens News Agency report, Mr. Verheugen was speaking last night at a dinner in Brussels hosted for the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU member states.

Among other issues, the Ministers discussed the Cyprus problem in the light of the UN chief's peace plan, and Turkey's European Union accession course.

Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou has said he asked his EU counterparts to help towards strengthening the dynamic for solving the Cyprus problem, created by Kofi Annan's plan, and towards having positive results before Copenhagen.

Mr. Papandreou added that he briefed his counterparts on the views expressed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to Athens.

He also briefed his counterparts on the outcome of talks between the governments of Greece and Cyprus on the Annan plan, noting that for the Greek Cypriot side the plan is a basis for negotiation.

Mr. Papandreou noted that if there changes were made, the plan could lead to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[05] Kasoulides

Mr. Kasoulides told CyBC from Brussels that the aim of the Greek Cypriot side was that on the day of the decision for Cyprus' accession, the island would be reunified or a decision would have been made in this direction.

He added, however, that there were certain factors affecting the feasibility of this goal, such as the health of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, the absence of a government in Turkey, and the political will and intentions of the other side.

Mr. Kasoulides, who had a series of meetings in Brussels with officials, including Gunter Verheugen and Javier Solana, said they welcomed the Greek Cypriot side's willingness to discuss the plan.

[06] Denktash

The Greek Television's correspondent in New York quoted official sources as saying that the wound from Mr. Denktash's open heart operation became infected.

The Turkish Cypriot leader's personal physician said there was no cause for concern and that the infection would be overcome in a few days.

[07] Weston

US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston is expected to visit Ankara today.

Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus Lord David Hannay will be arriving on the island tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Affairs Ministry sources said a meeting is scheduled to take place today in Ankara with Cyprus on the agenda, focusing on the Annan plan.

The meeting will be attended by many Turkish ambassadors, including those in Washington, London, Athens and the United Nations.

[08] Turkey gov

Gul played down the significance of the move but it was a reminder that the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which traces its roots to two banned Islamist parties, must tread carefully to avoid upsetting the fiercely secular establishment.

The AKP, which rejects the Islamist label and says it is a modern conservative party, unveiled its approved cabinet on Monday after sweeping elections this month.

Gul said President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had asked for some changes to the list the party originally presented. But Gul played down its importance.

[09] Iraq

U.S. President George W. Bush said he was going to a NATO summit in Prague seeking support for his hardline policy against Iraq, and for shifting the alliance's mission toward fighting against terrorism.

Bush indicated he would be making no request for NATO military help against Iraq at the Thursday and Friday summit.

If military action were needed, Bush said he would consult NATO members "and everybody will be able to make the decision that they're comfortable with".

Bush has repeatedly urged "regime change" in Iraq, meaning the overthrow of Saddam, Iraq's president, and has vowed to wage war if necessary if Baghdad fails to disarm. Iraq denies having weapons of mass destruction.

The advance team of U.N. inspectors arrived in Baghdad yesterday after a four-year absence.

[10] Weather

Winds will be easterly to southeasterly, light to moderate, three to four beaufort, over slight to moderate seas.

Temperatures will reach 27 degrees inland, 26 along the coast, and 18 over the mountains.

Tonight will be clear.

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

Temperatures will drop to 9 degrees inland, to 12 along the coast, and to 10 over the mountains.

The fire hazard is very high in all forest areas.

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