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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-02-28Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINESPresident Papadopoulos and Rauf Denktash have agreed to travel to the Hague on March 10 to give their answer on whether they agree to hold separate, simultaneous referenda on the third version of the UN settlement blueprint,President Papadopoulos said the National Council will convene to decide what the Greek Cypriot side's answer will be at the Hague, Rauf Denktash said he still needs to consult with Ankara on the development, Tassos Papadopoulos will be officially sworn in as the island's fifth president at the House of Representatives this afternoon, The new cabinet will be unveiled at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, AND Iraq will reportedly comply with UN demands to destroy its medium-range missiles. [02] AnnanUN Secretary General Kofi Annan announced that President Tassos Papadopoulos and Rauf Denktash have accepted his invitation to travel to The Hague on March 10 to give their final answer on whether they agree to hold separate, simultaneous referenda on March 30 on the third version of the UN settlement blueprint.Mr. Annan made the announcement after an hour-long meeting with the Mr. Papadopoulos, Rauf Denktash and outgoing President Glafcos Clerides at the disused Nicosia airport this morning. The Secretary General also urged both leaders to arrive at The Hague having completed what he called "all necessary internal consultations and processes" so that their response on March 10 is definitive. Mr. Annan described the meeting as constructive. [03] PapadopoulosSpeaking after the meeting, President Papadopoulos said the island's top decision-making body, the National Council, will study the Annan plan up until the March 10 deadline in order that the Greek Cypriot side has a clear idea of what it wants.President Papadopoulos said although the UN Secretary General awaits an answer on March 10, the Greek Cypriot side still has the option to say not to the referendum. The President played down suggestions that his acceptance to travel to the Hague is a sign that the Greek Cypriot side will say yes to a referendum, saying all that was agreed today was to meet again with the UN chief. He added that no new meetings between himself and Rauf Denktash has been definitely scheduled, although this will be discussed between the two sides. President Papadopoulos revealed that Rauf Denktash said at today's meeting that he's considering holding a referendum in the occupied areas prior to the UN-brokered referendum on March 30. [04] DenktashMeanwhile, Rauf Denktash repeated that he and President Papadopoulos have agreed to travel to The Hague on March 10 to give their reply to the UN Chief on whether they agree to hold referenda on the UN blueprint.Mr. Denktash said he needs to consult with Ankara, but avoided replying to questions whether he will continue opposing the UN plan. [05] CleridesSpeaking before the meeting with Kofi Annan, outgoing President Glafcos Clerides said a decision on the referendum will be taken once the National Council convenes.He added that the decision will be made public only after the National Council meeting. Glafcos Clerides said he is taking part in talks out of duty and that the Presidential powers will be transferred this afternoon to Tassos Papadopoulos who will carry on with discussions. [06] PowellUS Secretary of State Colin Powell said he will speak with UN chief Kofi Annan in the coming days to find ways of encouraging both sides on Cyprus to shift their positions so that a settlement can be reached.He said the US administration is ready to help in any new developments. Mr. Powell added that he was personally briefed by Kofi Annan yesterday on the latter's contacts in Cyprus. Speaking at a joint press conference with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Colin Powell said he reiterated to Kofi Annan that the US continue to support his efforts towards a Cyprus settlement. [07] PapadopsTassos Papadopoulos will be officially sworn in as president of the Republic of Cyprus at four this afternoon in a special ceremony at the House of Representatives.Following the ceremony, he will address the House and receive congratulations from the House president and deputies. Later, he will go to the Presidential Palace where outgoing President Glafcos Clerides will hand over executive power. CyBC will broadcast the ceremony live. [08] KarayianA spokesman for Tassos Papadopoulos said the make-up of the new government will be announced at eight tomorrow morning.The spokesman added that new cabinet members will be sworn it at 10:30. The ceremony will be followed by an informal cabinet meeting. President Papadopoulos will then lay a wreath at the foot of the statue of Archbishop Makarios on the grounds of the Presidential Palace. At noon, the new President of the Republic will receive congratulations from the diplomatic corps, and later in the day, will greet political leaders and other officials. On Sunday, President Papadopoulos will host an open house at the Presidential Palace for the public. [09] youthsNicosia District Court issued a four day remand against two teenagers suspected of being involved in the beating of an Apoel fan at Nicosia's GSP stadium last Sunday following the Omonia-Ethnicos football match.Police have also arersted a 20-year-old man from a Nicosia District village in connection with the same case. According to a police announcement, the 20-year-old appears to have admitted to taking part in the attack. He was formally charged and released. The arrests come after a pledge by Police Chief Tassos Panayiotou to crack down on football-related hooliganism. [10] IraqIraq will reportedly comply with United Nations demands that it destroy its al-Samoud 2 missiles and could begin dismantling the weapons tomorrow.Reuters news agency quotes senior Iraqi sources confirming that Baghdad had sent a letter to Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix saying it would obey his order to destroy the missiles. The sources said the demand was unjust and "seemed to have political aims", but added that the destruction of the missiles "could start" tomorrow. U.N. arms inspectors say the missiles' range exceeds the 150 km limit set in U.N. resolutions, and Mr. Blix gave Iraq until March 1 to begin destroying the missiles and most of their components. The United States dismissed the Iraqi letter and pressed on with preparations for a war against Iraq, deploying a sixth aircraft carrier and B-2 stealth bombers. Asked about the reports, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a news conference in Madri that "this is not time for games." [11] weatherMostly fine with scattered clouds this afternoon.Winds will be easterly moderate, force 3, to 4, with slight seas. Temperatures will reach 15 degrees inland, 17 on the coasts and 5 in the highest mountains. More fine conditions tonight with light, northeasterly winds, force 2 to 3 and with slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 4 degrees inland, 6 on the coasts and minus two in the highest mountains. Mainly fine again tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 16 degrees inland, 18 on the coasts and 5 in the highest mountains. Snow accumulation on Mount Olympus is over one metre. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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