Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-06-20

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Friday 20/06/2003

[02] headlines

[03] Titina 1

[04] Loizidou 2

[05] Loizidou 3

[06] Titina 4

[07] EU Summit

[08] Papadopoulos

[09] Mideast

[10] Gas blast

[11] Weston

[12] Klosson

[13] Refinery

[14] Bishop

[15] weather

[01] Friday 20/06/2003

[02] headlines

The government is pleased with Ankara's decision to compensate Titina Loizidou for denying her use of her property in occupied Kerynia,

European leaders meeing in Halkidiki turned their attention today to an EU draft constitution and to underline their commitment to fighting the spread of WMD,

President Papadopoulos wants Cyprus to work closely with the EU to combat illegal migration,

AND US Secretary of State Colin Powell vowed that the US would "blast through" those behind recent violence scuppering a Mid-east plan.

[03] Titina 1

Speaking from Halkidiki, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told CyBC radio that Ankara's decision is a significant political step.

However, Mr. Chrysostomides remained guarded over possible stalling tactics by Ankara on how and when it would pay 300,000 pounds the European Court of Rights ruled Turkey owed Loizidou.

The government spokesman noted a Turkish official's remark that the compensation would be paid by October, before a Council of Europe meeting on human rights.

He added that the government is monitoring the situation closely in tandem with Rauf Denktash's efforts to gain recognition of his courts.

Mr. Chrystostomides said the most important outcome is that the right of ownership is acknowledged by Turkey, one more step forward taken by the country after yielding to European political pressure.

[04] Loizidou 2

Also speaking to CyBC, Mr. Demetriades said his client retains the right to ownership and should freely travel to occupied Kerynia to enjoy her property.

Mr. Demetriades said the decision opens the door to restore the rights of others who are in Titina Loizidou's position, adding that he's hopeful a similar Court ruling will be made against Turkey this summer.

[05] Loizidou 3

Speaking from Strasbourg, she said the decision proves that human rights principles and Court rulings can be implemented.

She also described as significant the fact that the 1996 ruling which not only provides for monatery compensation, but also free and unfettered access to her property in occupied Kerynia.

[06] Titina 4

Leading daily Kibris reports that another 3,000 cases filed by Greek Cypriots against Turkey are still pending at the European Court of Human Rights.

Opposition Afrika carried the front-page banner headline, "After the opening of the gates, Turkey takes a second step in Cyprus".

In an op-ed piece, Afrika editor-in-chief Shener Levent writes that with its decision, Ankara admits that it is responsible for everything that happens in the occupied north.

He goes on to say that Ankara also accepts that Rauf Denktash's regime is not a legal state, that Turkey effectively controls the north and that Greek Cypriot property there belongs to its rightful owners and not to Turkish Cypriots.

Right-wing Volkan reports that Turkey agreed to compensate Loizidou on the condition that all other cases pending against it are dropped and that Greek Cypriots seek legal recourse in Turkish Cypriot courts from now on.

[07] EU Summit

The leaders also planned to underline their new priority to fighting the spread of weapons of mass destruction with warnings to North Korea and Iran over their nuclear programmes.

The leaders were set to describe the proposed constitution in their final statement as "a good basis for starting" inter-government talks on a new EU treaty in October.

No country now opposes plans for a long-term European Council president, replacing the current rotating presidency, as well as an EU foreign minister.

The draft summit statement endorsed a first embryonic European security strategy drafted by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and vowed to work actively for peace alongside the United States in the Middle East -- fighting terrorism and its sources of funding.

The leaders agreed yesterday to spend 140 million euros to keep illegal immigrants outside the bloc's expanding external frontiers.

They are also ready to match a U.S. pledge of $1 billion next year to a global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

[08] Papadopoulos

Addressing European Union leaders in Halkidiki yesterday, President Papadopoulos said the island faces serious problems with illegal migration primarily from countries in the eastern Mediterranean and Turkey.

The president said agreements have been signed with Italy, Lebanon and Syria on stemming the flow of migrants from those countries, while a separate agreement with Britain aims at stopping illegal migration through the Bases.

He said illegal migration is an international problem and that patrolling the eastern Mediterranean is beyond the island's capabilities.

President Papadopoulos said the government looks forward to working closely with the European Union to share the financial burden.

[09] Mideast

Mr. Powell, on a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories to try to salvage the U.S.-backed "road map", said a surge of bloodletting had re-energised Washington's peace efforts.

The American official, who also met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem, said he would press Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas not just to reach a ceasefire deal with militants but to eliminate their capacity to attack Israelis.

He was intent on refocusing both leaders on commitments they made at a June 4 peace summit with U.S. President George W. Bush in Jordan in which they affirmed a peace "road map" that envisions the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.

[10] Gas blast

Officials at the Koran college said 23 students and teachers had been in the building in the central town of Kayseri when it fell in. Suspicion centred on reports of a gas explosion.

Rescuers had already pulled 13 students alive from the rubble of the dormitory and school, which offered courses in Koranic studies.

[11] Weston

According to the Turkish Cypriot press, the American official said the views of both sides converge to a great degree and that he agreed to cooperate with Mr. Gul.

He described the talks as constructive, adding that all facets of the Cyprus issue were discussed including confidence-building measures.

[12] Klosson

Speaking after talks with Kissos leader Yiannakis Omirou this morning, Mr. Klosson said the Cyprus issue now gains an added dimension given the island's accession to the European Union.

On his part, Mr. Omirou said the Greek Cypriot side is ready to re-start settlement talks, but given new developments, the Annan plan needs to be amended.

[13] Refinery

Speaking to reporters, the workers said they were hired on April second of this year and were let go today without getting any compensation.

The workers said they will seek legal advice on how to protect their rights.

[14] Bishop

Speaking to CyBC this morning, the Bishop said he respects the decision, as long as the Church is governed effectively.

Regarding restoration work on Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the occupied Karpass Peninsula, Bishop Chrysostomos said he agrees with studies that recommend tearing down down guest rooms built early last century on top of the Church which have no archeological value and threaten the integrity of the entire structure.

[15] weather

Sea breezes will be moderate, force 4, with slight to moderate seas.

Temperatures will peak at 36 degrees inland, 32 on the southern and eastern coasts, 29 on the western coast and 27 in the highest mountains.

Fine conditions will carry through tonight with fog and low cloud blanketing some parts of the island until early morning.

Winds will be northwesterly light, force 2 to 3 with calm seas, while temperatures are expected to drop to 23 degrees inland, 21 on the southern coast, 19 on the western coast and 17 in the highest mountains.

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

Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article