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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 03-10-02Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] Headlines lunchTurkish prime minister Tayip Erdogan stated that the accession of southern Cyprus, as he called the republic, to the European Union, and not the whole island, is opposed to the Copenhagen political criteria,Two bills calling for a rise in the price of petrol and cigarettes, are being brought this afternoon, before the house of representatives for approval, Guerrilla attacks in Iraq today killed three U.S. soldiers within a few hours, as Washington pressed on with diplomatic efforts to garner help in stabilising the volatile nation AND A reclusive order of Irish nuns has opened itself up to the outside world for the first time by launching an Internet site to spread the good news. [02] Iacovou De SotoForeign minister Yiorgos Iacovou returned to New York yesterday after taking part in the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. Mr Iacovou discussed the prospects of the resumption of settlement talks, with the UN's special advisor on the Cyprus issue, Alvaro De Soto. According to diplomatic sources, cited by the Athens news agency, a possible resumption of talks, is thought to be in the cards following the illegal elections in the occupied territories next December. The same sources say that all reports point to the desire of the United Nations and Washington for Rauf Denktash to be removed from his position as negotiator.[03] Erdogan CyprusTurkish prime minister Tayip Erdogan stated that the accession of southern Cyprus, as he called the republic, to the European Union, and not the whole island, is opposed to the Copenhagen political criteria. In statements, at a reception following the first autumn session of the Turkish parliament, Tayip Erdogan added that Ankara asks of its European friends not to have double standards. He also said that the Turkish side has done what it had to do, while also posing the question of Greece recognising the pesudostate in the occupied territories. The Turkish prime minister stressed that while Turkey, as a guarantor power opened up its border, as he called the dividing line, after forty years, Greece has not done the same with the citizens of the illegal pseudostate. Regarding the Anan plan, Tayip Erdogan said that it can form a framework for a solution, but its positive and negative points, need to be re-evaluated. Speaking at the same function, the chief of staff of the Turkish armed forces, General Aitats Yalman, stated that the Cyprus issue is of vital importance to Turkey, adding that the country stands by Rauf Denktash's side.[04] Islamic conferenceThe organisation of the Islamic Conference recognises the legal government of the republic of Cyprus, expressing support to its policy and calling the election of President Papadopoulos, a victory. The conclusions are included in a report on the Cyprus issue, by the General Secretary of the organisation, Tynesian Abdoualhed Belkeziz. According to the Turkish news agency, the pesudostate reacted strongly to the report and asked that it is withdrawn, because it could only have been issued by the conference of the Greeks around the world and not by the Islamic conference. The Turkish cypriot dailies refer to the development as an open support of the Greek cypriots by Islam. In the final communique of the foreign ministers of the Islamic conference, support is expressed for the just, as it is said, struggle of the Turkish cypriot people and the Anan plan.[05] Petrol risesTwo bills calling for a rise in the price of petrol and cigarettes, are being brought this afternoon, before the house of representatives for approval. They were approved this morning by the Cabinet and will be discussed this afternoon, at a meeting of the leaders and representatives of parliamentary parties. Following that, there will be a discuss in the house finance meeting, which will submit a report to the House. According to our stations' sources, the government is pushing through a rise of two cents a litre for crude oil and also a significant rise in the prices of cigarettes. These actions are part of the framework of tax reform and for the harmonisation with the acquis communitaire.[06] Cyprus unemployedCyprus has the lowest level of unemployed out of the new EU member states and is second best out of the 25 countries. According to a report by Eurostat, the EU's statistical services, the level of unemployment in Cyprus last August, was 4 point 4 percent, while the average in the new member states for the same month, was 14 point 5. For the EU as a whole, unemployment was at eight percent, while in the Eurozone, it was 8 point 8 percent. In Greece, it has been 9 point 2 percent since last June.[07] Iraq fightingGuerrilla attacks in Iraq today killed three U.S. soldiers within a few hours, as Washington pressed on with diplomatic efforts to garner help in stabilising the volatile nation.A U.S. Army spokesman said a soldier from the 4th Infantry Division was killed last night in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on a convoy driving through the hostile town of Samarra, in the heart of the restive "Sunni triangle" region. A female soldier from the same division was killed earlier yesterday and three soldiers were wounded when guerrillas detonated a remote-control bomb as a convoy drove past in deposed dictator Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit. The attacks brought to at least 84 the number of U.S. soldiers killed in action since Washington declared major combat over on May 1, according to Pentagon figures. The United States is seeking a new resolution giving the United Nations a broader mandate in Iraq, and hopes this will persuade reluctant allies to provide more troops and cash to share the burden of policing and rebuilding Iraq. [08] Mideast QuartetThe Palestinian Authority today appealed to world powers steering Middle East peacemaking to stop Israel going ahead with plans for new barriers deep inside the West Bank.Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said letters to the "Quartet" -- the United States, Russia, European Union and United Nations -- called for urgent action after Israel approved a major new phase of the controversial project. Israel says it is trying to seal out suicide bombers and protect Jewish settlements built on occupied land in the West Bank. Palestinians call it a new "Berlin Wall" that grabs land they want for a future state and undermines peace moves. Washington, which has threatened to deduct part of the cost of the barriers from 9 billion dollars in loan guarantees, shied away from public criticism of the Israeli decision but said it would continue discussing its concerns with Israeli officials. Palestinians were alarmed at Israel's estimate that new sections of the barrier would leave towns and villages with 60,000 inhabitants on the Israeli side. [09] TailerA reclusive order of Irish nuns has opened itself up to the outside world for the first time by launching an Internet site to spread the good news.The Poor Clare nuns, who take vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, say the information superhighway will help them bring comfort to those in need of spiritual guidance. They usually communicate with visitors, and even family members, by talking through iron bars at their closed monastery in Galway, western Ireland. The Web site, www.poorclares.ie, depicts the nuns baking altar bread at the monastery and suggests daily prayer ideas. Its launch coincides with the 750th anniversary of the death of St Clare, founder of the order and patron saint of television. [10] Weather lunchLocal showers and isolated thunderstorms will fall throughout the day. Winds will be light to moderate, force three to four, and variable force five in the thunderstorm areas, over slight seas. Temperatures will rise to 28 degrees inland, 27 on the coasts and 19 on the mountains. Tonight, patchy clouds are expected to bring light showers, mainly on the eastern coasts, but later on the weather will be fine. Winds will be light northwesterly to northeasterly, force two to three over slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 16 degrees inland, 18 on the coasts and 12 on the mountains.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |