Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-06-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] headlines n 26/6

[02] tassos gul

[03] turkey colonisation

[04] simitis bush all

[05] petrol meet

[06] mideast truce no

[07] iraq attack

[08] sars greece no

[09] murder arrests

[10] tailer n 26/6

[11] weather n 26/6 THURSDAY 26/6/03

[01] headlines n 26/6

The Cyprus Issue is touched upon during yesterday's EU-US summit;

Efforts are underway to prevent an announced petrol station strike;

Hopes of a Middle East truce are fading;

US forces come under attack in Baghdad;

The SARS scare which hit Greece appears to have been just that;

Three individuals are arrested in connection with this week's murder of a 50-year-old livestock producer;

and...

Have keys, will travel.... but how?

[02] tassos gul

The statement was made by none other than President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos in answer to questions posed by reporters. He further said that he does not know if the claims are true, pointing out that while the only body entitled to reach such a decision is the European Court of Human Rights, adding however that such a decision would be contrary to previous ones issue by the same Court.

As regards the conditions set by Mr Gul for the paying of damages to displaced Kyrenia resident Titina Loizides, President Papadopoulos said that Turkey may well state her refusal to pay, but that such a positioning would entail an explanation, on the part of Turkey, to the European Court.

[03] turkey colonisation

During the interview, Mr Gul was also called upon to comment on the Council of Europe's report on the bringing-over and establishment, in the occupied areas of Cyprus, of settlers from mainland Turkey, but carefully avoided answering the essence of the question and instead proferred the claim that Turkey's 1974 invasion of the island was carried out in line with the existing Treaty of Guarantee.

In the occupied areas themselves meanwhile, Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash tried to divert attention from the issue, saying that all reports concerning what he described as "the alleged colonisation of the island" come from Turkish-Cypriots opposed to his regime, further accusing them of being "foreign agents". Making particular reference to Alpay Durduran's Movement for Patriotic Unity, Mr Denktash said that it's members should be ashamed, given that every slice of bread they eat comes to them directly through the assistance offered by Turkey.

[04] simitis bush all

The statement was included in the content of a press conference given late last night in Washington DC by Greek Prime Minister and outgoing holder of the six-month rotating EU-Presidency Costas Simitis, following yesterday's European Union - United States summit.

Prime Minister Simitis went on to note that he mentioned to President Bush the need for negotiations to resume on the basis of the Annan Plan, even though he pointed out that changes would be necessary following Cyprus' accession to the EU, since for the Plan to be functional within the Union's operating framework, amendments adapting it to the new givens would have to be made. "For all this to be achieved," the Greek Prime Minister emphasised, "the Turkish side's attitude needs to change."

In closing, Mr Simitis added that George W. Bush is well aware of this, and has already called on Recep Tayyip Erdogan to take the necessary steps, while he also pledged to resume efforts towards this end.

[05] petrol meet

In statements to our station this morning, Mr Lilikkas said that while contacts among all parties involved had been continuing, he himself had never called a meeting to discuss the issue, adding that if the station owners had accepted his proposal for the holding of an independent study into the matter, so that he in turn could submit a relevant proposal, then a meeting for today would have been arranged in any case.

It has not been made known however if today's meeting is being realised on these conditions.

The Minister of Commerce industry and Tourism will also be meeting with oil company representatives later today.

[06] mideast truce no

Hamas added however that it will be reaching its final decision on the matter within the next few days, after considering all developments and the continued Israeli aggression.

Reuters News Agency meanwhile has reported that within the scope of a new US effort to salvage the peace process, White House National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice will be visiting the Middle East over the weekend.

[07] iraq attack

The blast was yet another sign that hit-and-run attacks against US and British forces are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated, and could pose a serious challenge to the coalition trying to rebuild Iraq after Saddam Hussein's fall.

Witnesses said a Humvee military vehicle was hit in the 9 a.m. or 05-hundred GMT attack on a road leading to Baghdad airport in the Amiriyah neighbourhood, leading to an undisclosed number of US casualties. An Iraqi civilian car carrying electricity workers was also damaged in the attack, with one occupant being killed and another badly wounded. Three passers-by were also wounded.

No responsibility had been claimed by the time of us going on air, but Qatar-based al-Jazeera television said yesterday that it had received a statement from a group calling itself Mujahidoo al- Ta'ifa al-Mansoura or Muslim Fighters of the Victorious Sect, saying that it was responsible for several attacks on US forces in Iraq.

[08] sars greece no

Hospital authorities however announced that as a precaution, the individual will continue to be ministered to in a hypobaric chamber and will be monitored on closed-circuit TV for another two weeks.

[09] murder arrests

The two, aged 25 and 28, were arrested late last night, while yesterday afternoon had also seen the arrest of another, 29-year-old man, with all three being led before the Limassol District Court today for the issuance of a remand order.

The killer or killers had lain in wait for 50-year-old Paphitis near his livestock fold, and had shot him six times.

[10] tailer n 26/6

According to a recent job posting on its website at <www.cia.gov>, "The Central Intelligence Agency is seeking locksmiths to work with the best minds in the country while performing a mission critical to our nation."

Locksmiths, who in cloak-and-dagger lingo are called technical operations officers, are needed for such tasks as to "familiarize non-technical people with technical capabilities; do hands-on work; and travel worldwide."

The skill to fabricate lock parts is also considered an asset for prospective CIA locksmiths, as the posting goes on to mention that "Knowledge of electronic and manual safe lock servicing, electricity, and alarms is ideal. Knowing how to operate machinery to fabricate lock parts and tools will be beneficial."

In addition, applicants must be willing to travel domestically and overseas.

So, for those interested, the website, once again, is <www.cia.gov>

[11] weather n 26/6

Generally fair conditions are also forecast for this evening, even though mist and low cloud will form in areas. Winds will abate to light northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on smooth to slight seas, while temperatures will drop to 23C inland, 21C in the south, and 19C in the west and on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

A reminder that the fire hazard is very high in all forest areas.

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