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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-01-13Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesThe UN chief's special advisor on the Cyprus problem Alvaro De Soto, returns to the island early this afternoon, to hold talks with the two sides, as part of his efforts to achieve a settlement by the 28th of February,On the election front, Democratic Rally, DISY leader Nikos Anastasiades called on everyone to embrace President Clerides' unity proposal, Presidential candidate Alekos Markides atated that he does not foresee a solution of the Cyprus issue in the near future, AND U.S. troops being deployed to the Persian Gulf region would not be ready for a full-scale war against Iraq before late February or early March because of logistical complications involved in putting a large fighting force into place. [02] Alvaro CyprusThe UN chief's special advisor on the Cyprus problem Alvaro De Soto, returns to the island early this afternoon, to hold talks with the two sides, as part of his efforts to achieve a settlement by the 28th of February. De Soto will hold a press conference at around three thirty this afternoon, at the Ledra Palace hotel. An hour later he is expected to meet President Clerides and later on, the Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. De Soto held talks with Turkish officials in Ankara last Friday and on the 16th of January he is travelling to Athens.[03] Ecevit TurkeyMeanwhile, former Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit, launched a bitter attack on the government of his country, accusing them of being ignorant of the history of Cyprus and therefore falling into the trap of individuals or groups seeking a solution of the Cyprus issue. Ecevit made particular reference to foreign minister Yasar Yakis, saying that the more he learns about the Cyprus issue, the more he alligns himself with Rauf Denktash's positions. The former Turkish prime minister, said that Denktash devoted his life to the freedom of Cyprus. According to Ecevit, Turkish cypriots have more rights than Greek-cypriots, whose government, he claimed, has never been permament, because it has violated the constitution of 1960 and international agreements.[04] Anasta cybcOn the election front, Democratic Rally, DISY leader Nikos Anastasiades stated that people are demanding the reunification of the island and its entry to the European Union, and called on everyone to embrace President Clerides' unity proposal. In statements to our station, Anastasiades said that his party's decision to support Glafkos Clerides is a historical duty, given developments in the Cyprus issue. Anastasiades noted that this is not the time for bickering with socialist party KISOS and their presidential candidate Yiannakis Omirou whom his party had initially supported. He added that DISY treated KISOS honourably and he supported the continuation of dialogue between the two parties.[05] MarkidesPresidential candidate Alekos Markides atated that he does not foresee a solution of the Cyprus issue in the near future. Markides said that there is not the least of indications that Turkish policy on the Anan plan has changed or that it has shifted on any negotiating points. In statements to our station, Markides said that his own conclusions are that next week Rauf Denktash will return to the negotiating table with the same intransigent stance, as before the submission of the Anan plan.[06] Omirou tonightAnother presidential candidate, KISOS leader Yiannakis Omirou stated that at eight twenty five this evening he will make an important five minute statement on the presidential elections. It will be transmitted live from CyBC ONE. An extraordinary meeting of the party's politburo will be held at five thirty, to review developments in the election arena. The meeting is underlined by reports that KISOS is planning to rejoin the alliance with left wing party AKEL and centre DIKO.[07] SalesWinter sales officially kicked off today. According to the Ministry of Commerce, only clothes, shoes, house appliances and furniture are included. Sales end on the first of March.[08] Iraq wrapU.N. arms inspectors will demand answers from Iraq this week to burning questions that could spark a U.S.-led war against Baghdad, as Washington more than doubles its troops in the Gulf region to 150 thousand.The two top U.N. inspectors, Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, will travel to Baghdad next weekend to confront Iraqi officials over what they say are a big gaps in Iraq's declaration that it does not have any arms of mass destruction. They told the U.N. Security Council last week that while searches in Iraq so far had not uncovered "smoking guns", or hard evidence, Baghdad had left a "great many questions" unanswered. Washington has signalled that if Iraq does not provide satisfactory answers, this could be deemed non-cooperation under U.N. resolutions and therefore a trigger for war. Saudi Arabia put out peace feelers over Iraq yesterday as a British minister signalled fresh unease in Prime Minister Tony Blair's government on joining a possible rush to war by Washington. The United States announced new troop deployments amid signs in Europe and the Middle East that many states were increasingly nervous about war breaking out and wanted all other options explored. Jordan warned of suffering throughout the Gulf region. [09] War delayU.S. troops being deployed to the Persian Gulf region would not be ready for a full-scale war against Iraq before late February or early March because of logistical complications involved in putting a large fighting force into place.Citing Pentagon officials, a report in the USA Today said the timing of a possible U.S. invasion to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had been pushed back from mid-February mainly because of the complexity of putting a large ground force into the field and getting it geared up for war. A Pentagon spokesman was not immediately available for comment on the report. USA Today reported that another factor contributing to the delay in the timetable for a possible war was Turkey had not agreed to host some 80 thousand U.S. troops who would particcipate in an invasion of Iraq. According to the report, the delayed timetable contributed to the Bush administration's willingness to accept extending U.N. weapons inspections beyond Jan. 27, -- the date when U.N. inspectors are scheduled to give a formal assessment of Iraqi compliance with U.N. disarmament demands. [10] N KoreaThe top U.S. envoy for Asia said that Washington was willing to talk to communist North Korea and would even address its energy shortages if the nuclear crisis could be resolved.While Washington insists it is not prepared to negotiate new terms to resolve the standoff, Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, visiting South Korea, indicated the U.S. government had not abandoned pre-crisis plans to help the impoverished North. Kelly's task is complicated by rising anti-U.S. sentiment in the South, where increasing numbers of people are taking a critical look at the half-century bilateral relationship and are keen for more of a say in policy on the Korean peninsula. South Korean President Kim Dae-jung said dialogue with the North was key. [11] Milo illSlobodan Milosevic's trial was halted again today after the former Yugoslav president complained of feeling unwell.Judge Richard May told the Hague war crimes tribunal that Milosevic, who has been on trial for genocide and crimes against humanity since last February, would be examined by doctors who would then report back to the court. Milosevic's landmark trial has been repeatedly interrupted by the former Serbian strongman's bouts of ill-health. [12] Tailer"Just Married," a new lowbrow comedy about a hellish honeymoon, ended the three-week reign of the "Lord of the Rings" sequel at the North American box office.Two other movies also entered the top 10, both after playing for several weeks in limited runs: Denzel Washington's directing debut "Antwone Fisher" rose six places to No. 9, and the Nicolas Cage comedy "Adaptation" jumped nine to No. 10. Amid a continuing dearth of notable new releases, ticket sales for the top 12 films slid almost 19 percent from last weekend to 88.6 million dollars. "Just Married," starring "That '70s Show" goofball Ashton Kutcher and real-life girlfriend Brittany Murphy, bowed with 18 million dollars for the three days beginning Friday. As awards season gathers pace, with Oscar nominations unveiled on February 11 -- the studios are busy building buzz for their prestige pictures rather than churning out new films. Weather There will be light showers this afternoon. Winds will be moderate southwesterly, force four, over slight seas. Temperatures will reach 18 degrees inland, 20 on the coast and 13 on the mountains. Tonight it will be partly cloudy, with the possibility of light showers. Winds will be light westerly force three early in the evening, later turning moderate force four, over moderate seas. Temperatures will fall to 11 degrees inland, 14 on the south and west coast and five on the mountains. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |