Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] Tassos

[03] Hannay

[04] Vassiliou

[05] Denktash

[06] Turkey

[07] chinese

[08] Brothers

[09] English

[10] weather FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2003

[01] HEADLINES

Britain's Cyprus envoy Lord David Hannay arrives to the island tomorrow to boost UN-led settlement efforts,

Rauf Denktash accused Alvaro de Soto of setting up traps for him and the Turkish Cypriot community,

Ankara said there is mutual understanding in talks with the US administration over opening Turkey's military facilities to US troops,

AND police are investigating the attempted murder of two Chinese students by two compatriots.

[02] Tassos

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Papadopoulos said Alvaro de Soto did ask him to firmly state his position on the talks in light of UN Chief Kofi Annan's planned visit to the island next week.

Mr. Papadopoulos also denied that there were any references to changing the terminology of the UN settlement bluprint.

Regarding suggestions that details were kept from President Clerides in the face to face talks, Mr. Papadopoulos said even if there was such a case, he would not make it public.

The president-elect added that when he asked Mr. De Soto if a revised UN plan would be submitted, the UN official repeated this will be the case if and when Kofi Annan decides to do so.

[03] Hannay

According to British High Commission spokesman Stuart Sommers, Lord Hannay will convey the message in his contact here of the need for a Cyprus settlement and that Britain believes that the next few days until February 28 are crucial.

Mr. Sommers said it's possible that Lord Hannay will remain on the island until the 26th of this month when UN chief Koffi Annan is due to arrive.

The spokesman added that Lord Hannay will not take part in Mr. Annan's round of talks, but will meet with UN Cyprus envoy, Alvaro de Soto.

Asked to comment on the start of a Greek-Turkish dialogue on security matters in a post-settlement Cyprus, Mr. Summers said all that remains is an agreement on the number of troops that each country will deploy on the island.

[04] Vassiliou

Speaking after a meeting this morning with President Clerides, Mr. Vassiliou said any new plan will attempt to strike a balance between Greek and Turkish Cypriot positions.

He added that some cannot carry on dismissing the UN plan as disastrous and refusing to discuss it, and have to understand that it is the will of the international community.

Mr. Vassiliou said if Turkey accepts the plan, the Greek Cypriot side will find itself in a terrible dilemma.

He also described UN chief Koffi Annan's visit to Ankara prior to his stops in Athens and Nicosia as crucial.

[05] Denktash

He also criticised Ankara of cutting him out of discussions on the Cyprus issue.

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, Mr. Denktash described as unacceptable, the UN officials' efforts to exert what he called "pressure" on the Turkish Cypriot side for a Cyprus solution.

Mr. Denktash added that the UN official must recognise that it's impossible to negotiate the Cyprus issue by leaving out the Turkish Cypriots.

He also criticised Mr. De Soto of not bringing him up to speed on his contacts in Ankara.

The Turkish Cypriot leader also said Ankara is concealing all that was discussed during Mr. De Soto's visit there.

[06] Turkey

Turkey has postponed a parliamentary vote on opening its bases and sea ports as it seeks billions of dollars in financial aid from its close ally the United States to buttress its fragile economy against the shock of a possible war.

Washington has expressed frustration over delays on the opening of bases that would serve as staging points for a northern front in any war on Iraq.

Analysts say the United States could shorten a war and reduce the number of U.S. casualties by invading northern Iraq as well as the south.

Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara wants a formal assurance the U.S. Congress will act quickly to release financial aid.

[07] chinese

Another Chinese student was found in the car with stab wounds.

Police are searching for a fourth Chinese student who is believed to have been the second victim, but managed to escape from the car.

The vehicle was stolen and bore number plates belonging to another car in Paphos.

Police found in the car two knives.

It's reported that the Chinese men claimed they were students at a Nicosia college, but speak virtually no English.

They also claimed that they lost their way while heading to Larnaca.

[08] Brothers

Andreas Synesis, the eldest brother of the two missing men said the family posted the reward for any credible information that will help police solve the mysterious disappearance.

Yesterday, Justice Minister Alecos Shambos said police believe that foul play is most likely behind the disappearance and noted that police have few clues to go on.

Meanwhile, the search for the missing men continued today with police coming the old quarry between Kofinou and Alaminos village, as well as the coast between Zygi and Mazotos.

[09] English

The family of Stefan Schelze was unable to transfer him to a hospital in his native Manchester due to the heavy financial costs involved.

Mr. Savvides told CyBC this morning that he has make all the arrangements to transfer the man to a Manchester hospital on a Cyprus Airways flight with an escorting doctor.

At the same time, the state will cover the costs the man ran up at Paphos General Hospital which Mr. Savvides estimated at several thousand pounds.

[10] weather

Winds will be westerly moderate, force 4 to 5, with moderate seas.

Temperatures will reach 12 degrees inland, 14 on the coasts and 0 in the highest mountains where frost is expected.

More clouds tonight with the chance of light showers.

Winds will be westerly light to moderate, force 3 to 4 with slight to moderate seas.

Temperatures will drop to 4 degrees inland, 7 on the coasts and minus three in the highest mountains.

Snow accumulations on Mount Olympus is 45 centimetres, and 35 centimetres on Troodos square.

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