Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 02-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] TURKEY EU

[03] PAPAPETROU

[04] CYBC PARAGRAPHS

[05] DENKTASH

[06] DE SOTO

[07] EU POLAND

[08] BANK OF CYPRUS/STRIKE CCARDS

[09] CYBC

[10] WEATHER FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER 2002

[01] HEADLINES

-- UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, is developing intense diplomatic activity in Copenhagen in a last minute effort to see a development on the Cyprus problem.

-- UN officials descibed as "black humour" Tahsin Ertorgluloglou's imminent visit to Copenhagen.

-- European Union leaders came under strong pressure today to offer better terms to Turkey and Poland as they headed for a landmark summit to seal the expansion of the 15-nation bloc into eastern Europe, and -- Israeli forces killed a Palestinian gunman in the Gaza Strip today as he tried to attack a Jewish settlement before dawn.

[02] TURKEY EU

"I cannot accept the paragraph on Turkey. There is great discrimination here," a Turkish official quoted Mr. Gul as telling British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a telephone call.

Mr. Gul reportedly said there is an act of prejudice against Turkey, , and there needs to be great efforts to correct this. Clear sentences and words should be put into the draft to remove uncertainty.

Apparently angered by reports of criticism by French President Jacques Chirac of Turkish negotiating tactics, Mr. Gul was quoted as saying: "The real blackmail is what Chirac has done. I am very disappointed that Chirac has influenced and directed the meeting."

[03] PAPAPETROU

In statements to CyBC, Mr. Papapetrou said everything will depend on the way Turkey will react to the EU 's position that in December 2004 it will examine whether it fulfils the criteria for accession and accession negotiations can start for the country.

Mr. Papapetrou said we do not know if this position satisfies Turkey or it will set off more reaction and developments. However he said Turkey's accession procedure will be judged on its stance on Cyprus, because it is a fact the two are associated. Referring to the contacts in Copenhagen, Mr. Papapetrou said the UN, the Americans,the British and others are working hard to achieve a Cyprus settlement. It is also evident that the European Union supports the Annan plan for a settlement as a basis for negotiations.

[04] CYBC PARAGRAPHS

The first paragraph contains the proposal of the Danish presidency to the 15 in the event the Cyprus problem is solved.

Here, the 15 welcome the agreement of the leaders of the two sides in Cyprus for an overall settlement, which was secured in Copenhagen on December 13. They also welcome the committment of the two parties to complete the Foundation Agreement based on the Annan plan, by February 28, 2003 so that a comprehensive settlement can be submitted in a referendum for March 20th, 2003.

The European Union is committed to adjust the conditions of the settlement in the accession treaty, according to the principles which the EU was founded on.

It also allocates 273 million Euro for the northern part of Cyprus, so that it can adjust with the acquis communautaire. It also provides for a continuation of the Treaty of Guarantee.

Cyprus intends to demilitarise and its participation in the European Policy of Security and Defence will be in accordance with the conditions of the Foundation agreement.

The second paragraph contains the proposals of the Danish presidency in the event there is no settlement to the Cyprus problem.

In such case, it says, Cyprus will be accepted as an EU member state but the European Council will clearly indicate its preference to the accession of a united Cyprus. It also expresses satisfaction over the committment of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to continue negotiations with an aim to secure an agreement by February 28 based on the Annan plan. It also notes that the next few weeks offer a unique opportunity for an overall settlement to the Cyprus problem.

[05] DENKTASH

Mr. Denktash, who has had two heart operations recently, was admitted to an Ankara hospital yesterday. EU officials had hoped he might travel to this week's EU summit to sign a framework deal to reunite the divided island of Cyprus -- a move that would strengthen Turkish demands for a date to start EU accession talks.

His doctor, Dervis Oral, said today checks ruled out suspicions of an infection in his chest cavity.

Mr, Denktash said this week he would negotiate with Greek Cypriots on the U.N. plan but needed time.

[06] DE SOTO

The new amendments were give to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's representative, Tahsin Ertogrouloglou.

The new changes are being examined by the National Council during a meeting in Copenhagen on the sideline of the European Council to decide on Enlargement.

The National Council meeting was attended, for a short period, by Greek Prime Minister COstas Simitis.

According to CyBC's correspondent, Yiannis Nicolaou, with the new amendments, the Turkish Cypriot side looses more on the territorial issue and gains on the sovereingty issue.

Under negotiation is also the issue of the Turkish settlers.

The CyBC correspondent, quoting reports, said there was a great conflict between Turkey's ruling Justice and Development party leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Mr. Ertogrouloglou because the former is pressing the Turkish Cypriot to agree to a Cyprus solution because Turkey did not achieve what it wanted from the EU.

Mr. Ertogrouloglou meanwhile, threatened that if Cyprus becomes a member of the EU then all talks on Cyprus will end.

[07] EU POLAND

Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller met his Danish counterpart Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Copenhagen to demand an additional two billion euros for the 10 candidates hoping to close accession talks today and to join the EU in 2004.

Denmark, the current EU president and summit host, said the extra money was not there and urged Poland and other applicants to strike a quick deal so as not to let haggling over cash spoil celebrations on ending Europes Cold War-era division.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said enlargement was "unthinkable" without Poland, which accounts for more than half of the newcomers' combined population of 75 million.

The EU aims to conclude accession talks on Friday, the final day of its Copenhagen summit, with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia so that they can join on May 1, 2004.

[08] BANK OF CYPRUS/STRIKE CCARDS

Meanwhile, all credit card transactions will stop as of midnight tonight due to the strike at the JCC credit card payment centre.

ATMS are excluded from the measure.

[07] CYBC

[10] WEATHER

Temperatures will reach 11 C inland, 14 on the coasts and two over the mountains.

Tonight, there will be increased cloud and frost will form inland, and in semi-mountainous and mountainous areas.

Winds will be northwesterly to north-eastelry light, two to three beaufort and the sea slight to moderate. Temperatures will fall to two degrees inalnd, four on the south and east coast, six over the west and north and minus two over the mountains.

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