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Friday, 27 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-01-07Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>[01] HeadlinesAttorney General and candidate for the presidency Alekos Markides, will remain as chief negotiatior of the Greek-cypriot side, in the technical committees set up to discuss legal issues following a settlement of the Cyprus problem,Turkish foreign minister Yasar Yakis called on the United States to offer their support in solving the Cyprus issue, The British government is poised to mobilise troops and reservists for a possible war against Iraq, as the United States builds up its troop presence in the Gulf AND An anti-terrorism squad raided the home of a Danish family after mistaking a light-hearted message on their answering machine for a hostage alert. [02] Markides staysAttorney General and candidate for the presidency Alekos Markides, will remain as chief negotiatior of the Greek-cypriot side, in the technical committees set up to discuss legal issues following a settlement of the Cyprus problem. President Clerides made the decision, which he announced to Mr Markides, at a meeting this morning. The Attorney General stated following the meeting that he had told the President he was ready to continue with his duties if he wanted him to and the reply was that he should keep his position as negotiator, despite his candidacy for the Presidency. Markides said that this development will hinder his election campaign, adding however, that the Cyprus problem and Cyprus, have to come first. When asked if he had discussed with the President, whether he should remain as Attorney General, Mr Markides said that this issue will clear up tomorrow at his press conference. Meanwhile, the members of the two technical committees set up, met this morning in the buffer zone, at Nicosia airport.[03] Yakis HurrietTurkish foreign minister Yasar Yakis called on the United States to offer their support in solving the Cyprus issue. In an interview to the Turkish daily "Hurryiet", Yakis said that his country has not negotiated the Cyprus problem with the United States in return for any logistical or other assistance his country might offer, in the event of war against Iraq. However, the Turkish foreign minister noted that Ankara made clear to Washington that if there is no solution by the 28th of February ir the 16th of April, that Cyprus will sign the Accession Treaty to the European Union, the United States have to offer their support in reaching a settlement.[04] Shwimmer CleridesThe General Secretary of the Council of Europe Valter Shwimmer met this morning with President Clerides and agreed that there is a window of opportunity to solve the Cyprus issue. In statements following the meeting, Shwimmer said that President Clerides, briefed him on current developments in the Cyprus issue as well as the reasons which led him to run for re-election for a third time, but only for a limited period of 16 months. The European official stressed that the acceptance of Cyprus as a member state of the European Union, is a great success by President Clerides, adding that he is thrilled by the fact that the President want to utilize the time left until the signing of the accession agreement, in order to seek a solution of the Cyprus problem. Shwimmer also held talks with foreign minister Ioannis Casoulides and house president Dimitris Christofias.[05] Turkish CypriotsTwo thirds of Turkish cypriots support the Anna plan, according to a gallup by Turkish cypriot daily "Kibris". The greatest percentage of people in favour of the plan is those living in occupied Morphou. What is surprising, is the fact that the majority of the occupation army, is also in favour of the plan. At least 83 percent of the occupation army supports the plan, along with 78 percent of the so called police and so-called civil servants in the occupied territories. The gallup covered the period 27th December and third of January, with the sample being one thousand one hundred and ninety four people, over 18.[06] Iraq troopsThe British government is poised to mobilise troops and reservists for a possible war against Iraq, as the United States builds up its troop presence in the Gulf.Defence Minister Geoff Hoon is due to travel to Turkey tomorrow and is expected to make an announcement to parliament on troops before his departure on Tuesday, officials said. Defence sources say he will put up to 7 thousand reservists on notice as well as mobilising frontline troops and ships. Britain backs U.S. accusations that Iraq was developing weapons of mass destruction and has been a staunch ally behind U.S. determination to force Iraq to disarm or face war. The United States is preparing to double the 60 thousand troops it already has in the Gulf. In a speech to British ambassadors in London later today, Prime Minister Tony Blair will emphasise Britain's support of Washington come what may. And while ministers insist war is not inevitable, Blair will say leaving Saddam Hussein unchecked is not an option. In a pre-planned move, but one that will heighten speculation over war, a Royal Navy task group led by the Ark Royal carrier and including a submarine and a destroyer will set sail for the Far East this weekend. The group will take part in joint military exercises with allies that have been planned for a long time, although the ships will pass through the Gulf en route. [07] Turkey IraqTurkey has granted the United States permission to inspect its ports and airbases ahead of a possible attack on neighbour Iraq, military officials were quoted as telling a parliament committee today.A team of 150 U.S. officials is expected in Turkey later today to inspect the facilities, which may be needed in any U.S.-led war with Iraq, local press reports said on Tuesday. The five and a half hour meeting, held behind closed doors in Turkey's capital Ankara, was attended by Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, two military generals and members of parliament's foreign relations committee. According to Turkish daily Sabah, The U.S. may request passage through Turkey for up to 80 thousand U.S. troops if it launches a major land war against President Saddam Hussein's regime. Turkey is a close NATO ally of the United States but is dragging its feet on pledging formal backing if Washington goes to war over Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction. Diplomats say the conflict could cost Turkey between four and 15 billion dollars in lost tourism revenues and investment. [08] North KoreaNorth Korea, locked in a bitter row with Washington over its nuclear arms programme, may have obtained a small amount of plutonium at the facilities it reactivated last month.According to a document distributed to the 35 member countries of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, there was a strong possibility that North Korea had acquired a small amount of plutonium since it removed seals from the facilities in late December, the Japanese agency said. The U.N. nuclear watchdog said in the document that the amount of nuclear material was too small to produce a nuclear bomb but was enough to produce a so-called "dirty bomb" which could scatter radioactive material when detonated. Kyodo also quoted IAEA sources as saying that North Korea was believed to have produced plutonium at the reprocessing plant in the early 1990s. [09] Al Qaeda letterA new letter purportedly written by senior al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri urged Muslims to continue a "jihad" to kill Americans and other "enemies of God"."By God, do not stop the new Muslim souls said the letter, received by lawyer Montasser al-Zayat and published in the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat. Zayat confirmed he had received the letter claiming to be from Osama bin Laden's right-hand-man through the internet on Monday and given a copy to the newspaper for publication. Zawahri is the founder of the Egyptian Jihad group, which alongside the militant al-Gamaa al-Islamiya fought a 1992-1997 campaign to topple the government of President Hosni Mubarak. [10] Weather IndiaThe death toll from a two-week cold wave gripping northern India rose to nearly 120 today as temperatures fell to near freezing in some places.Most of the victims were homeless pavement dwellers and beggars, authorities said. Every winter, dozens of people die of exposure in northern India when temperatures plunge at night. Weather officials saw little immediate chance of warmer weather and said the cold snap was nothing unusual. [11] TailerAn anti-terrorism squad raided the home of a Danish family after mistaking a light-hearted message on their answering machine for a hostage alert."We have been taken hostage by two children. Hurry. Help us after the beep. Now!" the Danish daily Politiken quoted the message as saying. But police in the Copenhagen suburb of Gladsaxe and worried friends, who alerted the authorities on Saturday, thought the message said: "We have been taken hostage WITH two children". Two police cars were despatched and surprised neighbours watched as policemen cordoned off the area. Police had entered the house but the officer in charge told Politiken it had turned out to be a false alarm. Weather It will be mainly fine this afternoon, with patchy clouds. Winds will be moderate northeasterly to southeasterly, force three to four, over slight to moderate seas, in eastern windward areas. Temperatures will reach 21 degrees inland and on the coast and 10 on the mountains. Tonight it will be mainly fine, with fog expected to form in some areas. Winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly force three, over slight seas. Temperatures will drop to nine degrees inland, eleven on the coast and five on the mountains. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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