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Saturday, 21 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-12-05Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesAn unexpected last minute glitz overturned developments around the issue of the replies of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to the second letter by the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan,The Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who underwent heart surgery in October, was rushed to hospital and discharged one hour later, stating that he felt well, European Commission President Romano Prodi proposed an ambitious federalist constitution for the European Union, seeking wide new powers for his EU executive and rejecting an appointed "president of Europe" and "Pretty Woman" star Richard Gere's animal magnetism has won him the unwelcome accolade of being declared the year's worst celebrity waffler by Britain's Plain English Campaign. [02] Letter glitzAn unexpected last minute glitz overturned developments around the issue of the replies of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides to the second letter by the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan. As a result President Clerides was forced to withdraw its reply, that was handed over last night. After meeting early this morning with the President of the Republic, Attorney General Alekos Markides announced that the two sides had handed their replies simultaneously around midnight. However, some time later, in a written statement, President Clerides said that the Turkish Cypriot side, citing technical problems, did not submit its reply. Following this development, the President asked the UN chiefs' advisor on the Cyprus issue, Alvaro De Soto, to immediately hand back the Greek cypriot sides' reply. De Soto arrived at the Presidential palace and did just that. It was the Peruvian diplomat that had contacted the President early this morning, saying that the Turkish cypriot side had not submitted its reply because of a problem with a fax machines, and that it would do so in the next few hours. Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou expressed regret over the whole incident, saying that it is left to everyone, but particularly the Secretary General, to draw their conclusions from the Turkish sides' behaviour. He also made clear that Greek cypriot policy will not be differentiated, and will utilise all circumstances to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus issue.[03] DenktashThe Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who underwent heart surgery in October, was rushed to hospital and discharged one hour later, stating that he felt well. He added that he doesn't know when he will return to Cyprus, adding that this will depend on his doctors. Denktash adopted a hardline stance regarding the United Nations' desire to achieve a solution before Copenhagen, saying that he cannot believe what everyone also does. Commenting on Kofi Anan's statement that he dreams of a united Cyprus in Europe, the occupation leader said that he disagreed, claiming that there are two states in Cyprus.[04] Christofias councilThe members of the National Council will not be accompanying President Clerides at the Copenhagen EU summit on the 12th of December. House president Dimitris Christofias said that the decision was reached at this mornings' meeting of the leaders of representatives of parliamentary parties. Earlier, Democratic rally president Nikos Anastasiades had stated that he is going to Copenhagen to take part in a meeting of European Popular parties.[05] Alekos GrossmanAttorney General Alekos Markides stated that in yesterday's meeting with President Clerides, American undersecretary of state for political affairs Mark Grossman noted the opportune time for simultaneous solution of the Cyprus issue, the republics' accession to the European Union and Turkey getting a date for accession talks at the Copenhagen summit. In statements to our station, Markides added that the American official also pointed that such a time may never present itself again. According to the Attorney Geeral, President Clerides reiterated that there's nothing one can do with the noose around their neck, adding that some provisions in the Anan plan need to be renegotiated.[06] Akel presserMeanwhile, left wing party AKEL announced that because of Turkish delaying tactics, there can be no settlement on the 12th of December, therefore the Cyprus republic should proceed with the accession, without any reservations. AKEL general secretary Dimitris Christofias stressed that negotiations should continue intensively after Copenhagen, with the goal of reaching an agreement the soonest possible.[07] Prodi EuropeEuropean Commission President Romano Prodi proposed an ambitious federalist constitution for the European Union, seeking wide new powers for his EU executive and rejecting an appointed "president of Europe".In proposals to the Convention drafting a constitution for an enlarged EU by next June, Prodi called for future Commission presidents to be elected by the European Parliament, giving them a democratic legitimacy independent of member states. He proposed creating a single EU foreign minister, to be entitled "secretary of the Union", who would be a member of the Commission answerable initially both to member states and to the Commission president. The Commission proposals also called for the extension of majority voting to most areas of EU policy including justice and home affairs but not defence, and for greater legislative and budgetary powers for the European Parliament. [08] Iraq wrapIraq accused U.N. arms inspectors of being U.S. and Israeli spies and helping Washington prepare for possible war on Baghdad, but the United States cooled any talk of imminent military action.It was not immediately clear whether Iraq planned to take any action against the inspectors or whether it was simply an escalation in a war of words with Washington over U.S. accusations that Baghdad has weapons of mass destruction. The inspectors suspended searches today and tomorrow because of a Muslim holy period. So far they have found nothing untoward, apart from some old artillery shells containing mustard gas that the U.N. already knew about. Iraq said it would go ahead with a planned declaration to the U.N. Saturday that would cover its biological, chemical, missile and nuclear technologies, but stressed again it had no weapons of mass destruction. The U.N. had set a Sunday deadline for the declaration. Baghdad's statement was another message of defiance to U.S. President George W. Bush, who insists Iraq does possess weapons of mass destruction and has threatened war if necessary to disarm it. U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a leading Bush administration hawk on Iraq, dismissed any suggestion that Iraq's declaration to the U.N. would in itself trigger a U.S. decision on military action. World oil prices fell two percent on his words. [09] Australia firesThousands of firefighters and home owners armed with garden hoses battled bushfires around Sydney on Thursday as helicopters flew blindly in the black smoke dumping tonnes of water on flames.Strong winds bringing dry air from the outback fanned the fires for a second day, threatening to realise fears that this year's drought, the worst in 100 years, will see the island continent of 20 million suffer its worst bushfire season. Thick black smoke billowed over Australia's largest city as dozens of bushfires roared through semi-rural suburbs, destroying at least 20 homes, and leaving one man dead. The gusty conditions and temperatures of around 30 Celsius saw 60 fires that began on Wednesday suddenly flare up again, stretching firefighting resources to the maximum. There are more than 75 fires in New South Wales state. [10] Tailer"Pretty Woman" star Richard Gere's animal magnetism has won him the unwelcome accolade of being declared the year's worst celebrity waffler by Britain's Plain English Campaign.Once voted the World's Sexiest Man, Gere on Wednesday carried off the campaign's Foot in Mouth award for 2002's most baffling celebrity quote after comparing himself to a giraffe in a newspaper interview. He joins a select band of previous winners including British chancellor Gordon Brown, soccer manager Glenn Hoddle and artist Tracey Emin. A letter about a house policy won an insurance company one of the campaign's Golden Bull prizes for gobbledegook. But charity Help the Aged, Newcastle City Council and the Daily Mirror newspaper all won awards for their clear writing. [11] WeatherIt will be cloudy this afternoon, with the possibility of rain in some areas. Winds will be southeasterly force four to five, over moderate seas. Temperatures will reach 21 degrees inland and on the coast and 11 on the mountains. Tonight it will be cloudy with the possibility of rain. Winds will be light easterly to northeasterly, force three over slight seas. Temperatures will fall to 10 degrees inland, 13 on the coast and 6 on the mountains.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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