Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-06-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] headlines

[02] Boucher

[03] Chrysostomides

[04] Kisos

[05] Erdogan

[06] Demos

[07] kids

[08] Prisons

[09] rape

[10] Iraq

[11] Iraq2

[12] mideast

[13] weather FRIDAY 13/6/03

[01] headlines

The US administration remains fixed on restarting stalled Cyprus settlement talks, although the government has received no word of a new American initiative,

Turkish Cypriot demonstrators want Rauf Denktash to open more checkpoints to and from the occupied north,

The government is willing to consider releasing inmates on a case-by-case basis to alleviate overcrowding at the Central Prisons,

AND US troops have killed nearly 100 Iraqis in renewed fighting.

[02] Boucher

This from US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, as Foreign Minister George Iacovou holds contacts in Washington and UN headquarters.

Mr. Boucher made the remark at a press briefing yesterday when asked if the US pushing for settlement talks to restart.

Mr. Boucher said he's been saying this for three months now and it still holds true today.

US State Department Cyprus Coordinator Thomas Weston touches down at Larnaca airport this afternoon on a mission to sound out both sides on restarting talks.

[03] Chrysostomides

Replying to reporters' questions, Mr. Chrysostomides said President Papadopoulos intends to fly to New York to address the UN General Assembly meeting, but no firm date has been set for the trip.

Asked about the economic fallout from the possible implementation of the Annan plan, Mr. Chrysostomides said the President has given instructions for a full and thorough report on the matter.

[04] Kisos

Speaking at a party conference in Larnaca, Mr. Omirou said the country's "anachronistic" military establishment is trying to export the domestic crisis to divert the attention of the Turkish people.

Mr. Omirou said Turkey is turning against the European Union itself by continuing to occupy part of the island and its belligerence towards neighbour Greece.

[05] Erdogan

Mr. Erdogan said Greece is sending armed Greek planes to intercept unarmed Turkish ones, something, he claimed doesn't contribute to positive developments.

Referring to Cyprus, the Turkish Prime Minister claimed that everyone was caught by surprise when travel restrictions were partially lifted on the island and that Greece appeared apprehensive.

Mr. Erdogan linked Greek-Turkish relations to upcoming elections in Greece, saying that statements are being made for domestic consumption.

[06] Demos

Turkish Cypriots yesterday staged a protest to demand freedom of movement to and from Zodia and Morphou through area checkpoints.

The protest was organised by a coalition of Morphou groups under the slogan, "if you don't open the gates, we will."

Similar demonstrations will be held every Thursday at different villages.

[07] kids

In a unanimous vote, Parliament decided to grant 200 pounds for one-child families, 400 for two kids, 1,200 for three and 600 pounds for each child for families with four.

The basic allowance will be given to all families with kids under 18 as well as to families with sons serving in the National Guard and with university students.

[08] Prisons

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said overcrowding at the island's only correctional facility is not owed solely to inmates serving sentences for reneging on debt payments.

He said there's a willingness on the government's part to study each case seperately to determine if a pardon can be granted to alleviate the problem.

Mr. Chrysostomides said two renovated wings at the prisons slated to be opened by the end of the summer will help in solving the issue.

[09] rape

The youths, aged 17 and 19, were arrested last month after the victim told police that she was bungled into their car by force as she was standing outside a Paphos nightclub.

She accused the two of taking turns raping her in a remote area of the Akamas.

The teenagers, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, told the court that they simply talked to the girl.

They will remain in police custody until their trial.

[10] Iraq

It said in a statement the assailants fired anti-tank weapons at a tank patrol in the town of Balad.

Tanks fired back, killing four Iraqis.

Armoured vehicles backed by helicopter gunships pursued the rest of the group, killing 23.

[11] Iraq2

One U.S. soldier was wounded in the attack that was launched on Thursday and was still in progress.

The 101st Airborne Division and special operations units were involved in the raid that began with an air strike on the camp, 150 km northwest of Baghdad.

A US army spokesman said an American helicopter was shot down in the operation on Thursday, but the two-member crew were rescued unhurt.

It was the first time a U.S. helicopter had been shot down since major combat operations in the Iraq war ended.

U.S. officials blame the attacks on Saddam loyalists, but locals say some are linked to rising anger at the way U.S. troops behave during searches and raids on houses.

[12] mideast

With his peace "road map" threatened by Israeli-Palestinian violence that has killed 38 people in two days, President George W. Bush planned to send a veteran U.S. diplomat to Israel this weekend to try to stem the bloodshed.

In the latest violence, gunmen fired at an Israeli car near the Jewish settlement of Neve Tzuf in the West Bank, wounding two women, one of them seriously.

Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Zeev Boim told Army Radio that the government owes it to its citizens to wage a "war to the bitter end" against Hamas because no one else will do it.

But a poll in an Israeli daily found 67 percent of Israelis wanted what the survey termed the "assassination policy" to stop, at least temporarily, to give new Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas a chance to grow stronger.

[13] weather

Winds will be southwesterly to southeasterly light to moderate, force 3 to 4 and with slight seas.

Temperatures will reach 35 degrees inland, 31 on the southern coast, 28 on the western coast and 27 in the highest mountains.

Fine tonight with fog patches and low cloud developing in some areas.

Winds will shift northwesterly to northeasterly light, force 2 to 3 with slight seas.

Temperatures are expected to drop to 19 degrees inland, 21 on the coasts and 16 in the highest mountains.

A reminder, as always, that the fire hazard is great in all forest areas.

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