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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-03-19Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesThe Iraqi crisis is nearing a dramatic climax, with the US attack on Saddam Hussein imminent. The top U.S. naval commander in the Gulf told sailors today that war on Iraq was "very likely" to start within a couple of days,Two hundred and eighty thousand American and British troops are poised for action, with an unexpected sandstorm in the Kuwaiti desert delaying their plans, Meanwhile, at the 11th hour, Turkey agreed to put a motion to parliament today allowing for the overflight of U.S. aircraft to Iraq, The government today appeared optimistic that if the war in Iraq is short, it will be little felt on the Cyprus economy and the consequences can be overturned, within this year. and The winds of war with Iraq blew away some of the glamor of Oscar's red carpet, setting the stage for a night of somber sartorial splendor instead of Hollywood's traditional night of fashion glitz. [02] Iraq wrapThe Iraqi crisis is nearing a dramatic climax, with the US attack on Saddam Hussein imminent. The top U.S. naval commander in the Gulf told sailors today that war on Iraq was "very likely" to start within a couple of days. Vice Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of the Fifth Fleet, told the crew of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf, that it very likely that within a couple of days jets are going to be going off the front of the USS Abraham Lincoln. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia proposed exile for Saddam as a last-ditch effort to avert war with the Iraqi parliament saying that it is "unthinkable" for Saddam to leave country. American and British troops in Kuwait, prepared for the invasion, in the Kuwaiti desert, despite a sandstorm which part of the desert. George W.Bush and his main ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, have amassed 280 thousand troops in the region to kill or capture Saddam and overthrow his government in an enterprise that has created diplomatic schisms across the world. Ground forces are expected to push into Iraq during or just after a short, intense aerial bombardment, but U.S. commanders say weather could play a role in the timing of any attack. The United States said about 45 countries, privately or publicly, supported its intention to oust Saddam by force.[03] Turkey UNMeanwhile, at the 11th hour, Turkey agreed to put a motion to parliament today allowing for the overflight of U.S. aircraft to Iraq. Ankara had also agreed with Washington that Turkish troops will be allowed into northern Iraq during any U.S. invasion to set up a buffer zone against an exodus of Iraqi refugees to Turkey, government spokesman Cemil Cicek said. The foreign ministers of France, Russia and Germany today headed to New York for a U.N. session at which chief arms inspector Hans Blix will spell out what Iraq must do to prove it has disarmed. The ministers are expected to use the meeting, going ahead despite the withdrawal of arms inspectors from Iraq, as a forum to denounce the planned U.S. invasion.[04] Israel IraqPrime Minister Ariel Sharon said today there was little risk of Iraq hitting Israel with missiles during any war in the Gulf, but reassured Israelis that the armed forces were ready for the worst.Israel has prepared a multi-billion dollar missile-killer system developed after the 1991 Gulf war when 39 conventional Iraqi Scud missiles hit it. Ordinary citizens armed themselves with plastic sheeting and duct tape worth about 15 dollars, the basics for sealing a room at home against chemical or biological agents in accordance with a government order issued on Wednesday. Israeli media said the public could soon be advised to unpack government-supplied gas masks and try them on, or be told to carry them wherever they go once U.S.-Iraqi hostilities erupt. [05] Iraq EUThe European Union remained as divided as ever over Iraq after U.S. President George W. Bush's ultimatum to President Saddam Hussein to leave the country within 48 hours or face war.As the countdown ticked to military action, current EU president Greece and the executive European Commission appealed for last-minute peace efforts at the United Nations and called on the 15-nation EU to surmount its differences. The EU has been deeply divided over the Iraq crisis, with Britain, Spain and Italy backing the tough U.S. stance towards Baghdad, while France and Germany have spearheaded international opposition to military action. Acknowledging the damage caused by the crisis, External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten said: "There is an awful lot of broken crockery on the floor." British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw did not attend the Brussels meeting, staying at home to defend the use of force in a tough parliamentary debate amid cabinet resignations and a revolt by members of the ruling Labour Party. Only Britain among EU states is likely to be directly involved in the fighting. [06] Iraq FranceFrench Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said today he was "shocked and saddened" by remarks by British officials suggesting France had scuppered a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq.Villepin urged his British counterpart Jack Straw to reject in the strongest terms any suggestion France was to blame for the failure of efforts by the United Nations to convince Iraq to disarm through peaceful means. British Prime Minister Tony Blair castigated French leaders yesterday r what he called their misguided and profoundly dangerous stand that ultimately benefited Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. [07] Cyprus warThe government today appeared optimistic that if the war in Iraq is over in a short period of time, it will be little felt on the Cyprus economy and the consequences can be overturned, within this year. Speaking before the house refugee committee, finance minister Markos Kyprianou added however, that if there is a protracted war, then the repercussions will be much greater, and it will take at least two years to recover. Mr Kyprianou added that the Cabinet will convene tomorrow to study measures on how best to deal with the situation.[08] Iacovou BritishMeanwhile, foreign minister Yiorgos Iacovou stated that under the terms of the Treaty of Establishment, the British have the right to use Cyprus air space and airports at any given moment and in any way they see fit, even for military purposes. Commenting on the American request for logistical aid during the war in Iraq, Mr Iacovou said that the issue will be discussed tomorrow, at a meeting of the cabinet. He noted that as far as the use of civilian airports is concerned, there are some technical difficulties, adding however that the whole matter is not technical but political. The American request, the foreign minister said, will be looked into, with the best interests of Cyprus in mind and also taking into consideration, the positions of various countries, including Greece. Washington has requested from the Cyprus government to build on a previous deal, which dealt with the war on terrorism, so that it covers the impending war on Iraq.[09] Poos CyprusOver to the Cyprus issue, where the European parliaments' foreign relations committee approved the report on the issue by the rapporteur for Cyprus Jacques Poos. The report was passed with 57 votes in favour, while one deputy voted against and two abstained. In his report, Mr Poos, blames the Turkish side and the Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on the deadlock in efforts by the UN Secretary General to achieve a solution of the Cyprus issue. He also suggests the unhindered accession of Cyprus to the European Union. Mr Poos particularly refers to Rauf Denktashs' insistence for recognition of his illegal break away state, noting that the Turkish cypriot leader does not want Cyprus to become a member of the EU, before Turkey does.[10] TailerAnd finally,The winds of war with Iraq blew away some of the glamor of Oscar's red carpet, setting the stage for a night of somber sartorial splendor instead of Hollywood's traditional night of fashion glitz. Oscars organizers announced that at the stars request they have toned down the red carpet arrivals process where Hollywood's most glamorous actresses show off their spectacular gowns -- not to mention diamonds as big as the Ritz. The organizers said they would bar interviews or photographs on the carpet, preventing the stars from posing for pictures or talking to television reporters. Meanwhile, the buildup to the Oscars has been a war for some stars -- reducing swelling and redness on their faces and bodies resulting from such glamour-boosting surgical procedures as "armpit botox," "live fill," "cheek lifts," and liposuction. [11] WeatherIt will be partly cloudy this afternoon, with the possibility of rain and thunderstorms. Winds will be strong, westerly to southwesterly, force five, turning very strong, force six, over rough seas. Temperatures will reach 17 degrees inland and on the coasts and six on the mountains. Tonight it will be mainly fine, with the possibility of light showers and snow on the mountains. Winds will be strong westerly to southwesterly, force five to six over rough seas. Temperatures will fall to six degrees inland, 10 on the coasts and zero on the mountains. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 30 centimetres and 15 on Troodos square.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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