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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-04-28Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPresident Papadopoulos today held talks in Athens with Greek prime minister Costas Caramanlis, with the result of the referendum and the strategy to be followed topping the agenda,The Security Council will discuss the result of the referenda in Cyprus at a meeting this afternoon, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed Turkish membership of the European Union, saying in a newspaper article that allowing it to join would help to bridge the gap between Europe and the Islamic world and Nearly 20 years after recording the ground-breaking charity album "We Are the World", producer Quincy Jones is at it again, -- assembling an all-star ensemble concert to raise money for children's centres in war-ravaged cities. [02] Tassos KaramanPresident Papadopoulos today held talks in Athens with Greek prime minister Costas Caramanlis, with the result of the referendum and the strategy to be followed topping the agenda. In a joint press conference following the talks, he expressed warm thanks to the Prime Minister and his government for its support during difficult and crucial times for the Republic of Cyprus. Asked whether a December deadline has been set to achieve a solution, President Papadopoulos said that its impossible to set deadlines for such issues. He added that a solution is not just dependent on the good will of the Greek-cypriot side, but many other contributory factors, that can't be predicted.[03] KaramanlisGreek prime minister Costas Caramanlis reassured of his support to the struggle of the people of Cyprus and stressed that the goal remains the reunification of Cyprus and a settlement based on the Anan plan, which gives the people of Cyprus the necessary feeling of security. Mr Caramanlis said that the Greek government will coordinate its efforts with the Cyprus republic towards the goal of reaching a viable and workable solution of the Cyprus issue, based on the Anan plan. The Greek prime minister welcomed the intention of the Papadopoulos government to take new measures to support the Turkish cypriots. Referring to the result of the referenda, Costas Caramanlis made clear that the will of the people of Cyprus has to be respected[04] Security CouncilThe Security Council will discuss the result of the referenda in Cyprus at a meeting this afternoon. The open discussion is expected to start at five thirty, with representatives of countries involved in the Cyprus issue, also taking part. Deputy UN Secretary General, in charge of political affairs, Sir Kieran Prendergast, will brief the body on the result of the referenda and Kofi Anan's intentions. Following that, the members of the Council will consult behind closed doors and an announcement will be read by the President of the Council. Britain has drawn up a draft statement, however certain members, including Russia, have expressed opposition to some of its wording. According to reports by the Cyprus News Agency, Britain is attempting to get the Anan indirectly adopted, with a reference to financial support measures for the Turkish cypriots.[05] Blair TurkeyBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed Turkish membership of the European Union, saying in a newspaper article that allowing it to join would help to bridge the gap between Europe and the Islamic world.In a front page commentary released ahead of publication in Le Monde daily later today, Blair also defended his decision to call a referendum in Britain on the EU constitution. He expressed the belief that Turkey, as soon as it meets the membership criteria, will add a new dimension to the Union. Last month British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said encouraging Turkish membership of the European Union, which expands to 25 members on May 1st, could be crucial in reaching out to moderate Islam as part of the war on terror. [06] FallujaU.S. air strikes and shelling wrecked 10 homes in the besieged Iraqi town of Falluja overnight and damaged many more.Ambulances made it into the northern Golan district at daybreak, but the casualty toll was still unclear after what residents called the worst battle since a truce two weeks ago. As the bombardment shook the ground across the city of 300 thousand, the United Nations envoy for Iraq was warning of the dangers of continued fighting and urged a settlement in Falluja. Saddam Hussein was spending his 67th birthday in a secret jail, his first since his capture in December after eight months on the run from the invading Americans. April 28 used to be a public holiday for Iraqis and witnesses said U.S. patrols seemed to have been stepped up in other Sunni Muslim towns north and west of Baghdad, Saddam's home region and a bastion of support. [07] Afghan plotAfghan police have arrested 58 militants suspected of plotting attacks in the capital, including a possible al Qaeda fighter, and seized explosives in a series of raids this month.In the latest raid this morning, about 15 km north of Kabul, two rockets were found and 16 men were arrested, suspected of plotting to move weapons into Kabul. News of the arrests comes two days after the commander of the 6,500-strong NATO-led peacekeeping force in Afghanistan said a "spring offensive" by militants in the south may have spread to Kabul following the arrest of insurgents with specific targets. [08] Thai deadA total of 107 attackers and five soldiers have been killed in a day of fighting between Thai security forces and Muslim youths in the troubled south.The clashes mark a sharp escalation in four months of violence in the troubled region, home to a separatist rebellion in the 1970s and 1980s. [09] Peace ArtistsAnd finally, Nearly 20 years after recording the ground-breaking charity album "We Are the World", producer Quincy Jones is at it again, -- assembling an all-star ensemble concert to raise money for children's centres in war-ravaged cities."We Are the Future" will be held in Rome on May 16th at the Circus Maximus, site of the city's ancient chariot races. At a luncheon this month at his Bel Air, California, home, Jones said the 4 1/2-hour concert to support his Glocal Forum will be unprecedented in its worldwide diversity, with among others, L.L. Cool J, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Angelina Jolie, Andrea Bocelli, Oprah Winfrey, and artists from many other countries, including Iraq. Apparently not invited is pop star Michael Jackson, although Jones declined to directly answer why. Jackson, a key figure in recording "We Are the World", is currently charged with child molestation, with authorities holding his passport. Organisers expect that the concert will generate enough money to build six children's centres in war-torn and impoverished cities and fund their annual costs. They said each centre would cost about 1 million dollars a year to operate. [10] WeatherClear skies are forecast for this afternoon, with patchy clouds, expected to bring isolated showers later in the day. Winds will be light to moderate, southwesterly to northwesterly, force three to four, over slight seas. Temperatures will reach 26 degrees inland, 24 on the south and east coasts, 22 on the west coast and 16 over the mountains. Tonight it will be mainly fine, with thin mist expected to form in some areas. Winds will be light northwesterly to northeasterly, force two to three over slight seas. Temperatures will fall to 12 degrees inland and on the coasts and seven over the mountains. The fire hazard is high in all forest areas.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |