Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] EUROPE CELEBRATIONS

[03] IACOVOU ACCESSION

[04] SECURITY COUNCIL

[05] UN SEC COUNCIL

[06] IACOVOU DIFFICULTIES

[07] IRAQ

[08] PACE DECISION

[09] MOLIVIATIS

[10] AMERICAN ARRESTS

[11] WEATHER FRIDAY 30 APRIL 2004

[01] HEADLINES

-- Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou described tomorrow's accession of Cyprus to the EU as very significant date in the island's history, noting that a lot of efforts were made to reach this result.

--The UN Security Council respects the outcome of the referenda in Cyprus on a UN plan for a settlement but shares the disappointment of UN chief Kofi Annan that efforts to reunite the island did not succeed.

-- A former officer of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard said today he was forming a military unit to stabilise the Iraqi town of Falluja in agreement with besieging U.S. forces.

[02] EUROPE CELEBRATIONS

At Eleftheira Square in Nicosia, at 4 in the afternoon there will be traditional dancing and singing as well as groups and choirs. Events will culminate at night with a concert by Cypriot born Anna Vissi. The concert will be aired live from CyBC2. At midinight, President Tassos Papadopoulos will address the people and then there will be the hoisting of the EU flag and a fireworks display.

Similar events will be held in all free towns of the Republic.

[03] IACOVOU ACCESSION

Speaking to CyBC, Mr. Iacovou said the people of Cyprus have the right to enjoy the day.

[04] SECURITY COUNCIL

In a press statement read to the reporters by the Council President after deliberations on the Cyprus problem, the Security Council reiterates its strong support for a comprehensive settlement, and looks forward to the Secretary General's forthcoming report in response to which the Council will need to give full consideration to the implications of the outcome of the referenda.

Replying to questions, Pakistan's Permanent Representative of Pakistan, said the statement was a weak text, noting that some wanted other references while others did not.

In its press statement, the Security Council says it ''takes note of the outcome of the referenda held in Cyprus on 24 April on the Comprehensive Settlement on the Cyprus Question. The Council respects the outcome of both referenda.''

''The Security Council shares the UN Secretary General's disappointment that efforts since 1999 to reunify the island have not succeeded and regrets that an extraordinary historic opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue has been missed,'' it adds.

It also ''reiterates its strong support for an overall political settlement in Cyprus'' and expresses its ''deep appreciation for the committed and sustained efforts of Secretary General Kofi Annan and his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto, in the implementation of the good offices mission, entrusted by the Security Council.''

''The Security Council looks forward to the Secretary General's forthcoming report in response to which the Council will need to give full consideration to the implications of the outcome of the referenda.''

[05] UN SEC COUNCIL

Responding to questions after reading out yesterday a press statement issued after a meeting of the Security Council and invited to say why the first draft statement was not adopted, Mr.Pleuger said ''the Security Council has decided to make this statement through the Presidency.''

[06] IACOVOU DIFFICULTIES

Referring to the regulation approved by the Council of Ministers of the EU regarding the status of the Green Line, Mr. Iacovou said it was very good but there are some dangers which however can be addressed.

On the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, he said both the Greek and Cypriot delegations made intense efforts and managed to avoid unpleasant developments.

Regarding the press statement issued by the UN Security Council, Mr.Iacovou said efforts to secure a presidential statement with an austere context failed.

[07] IRAQ

Jasim Mohamed Saleh, who a relative said was chief of staff of a Republican Guard brigade, told Reuters the force would help Iraqi security forces bring order to the town, so U.S. forces would not be needed. He did not say who would make up the unit.

Mr. Saleh said they have now begun forming a new emergency military force to help the forces of the Iraqi Civil Defence Corps and the Iraqi police in completing the mission of imposing security and stability in Falluja without the need for the American army, which the people of Falluja reject.

Meanwhile, unknown assailants critically wounded a member of a local Iraqi governing council after raking his car with gunfire north of Baghdad.

Najah Hamdoush, a Communist Party official and member of the local governing council in Baquba, 65 km northeast of Baghdad, was shot in the face during the attack late last night.

Insurgents battling the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq have repeatedly targeted members of local governments established in coordination with the U.S. military.

[08] PACE DECISION

The resolution was adopted with an important amendment, which was submitted by the Cypriot and Greek MPs. The amendment overturns a reference that invited Turkish Cypriots to participate in all Council of Europe works without a right to vote and irrespective of the delegation from the Republic of Cyprus.

[09] MOLIVIATIS

Mr. De Soto also met opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou.

[10] AMERICAN ARRESTS

The three men who were arrested are aged between 43, 46 and 34.

[11] WEATHER

Tonight the weather will be clear with high cloud and local thin mist and low cloud. Winds will be north-westerly to north-easterly light, two to three beaufort and the sea calm. Temperatures will fall to 11 C inland, 13 C on the coasts and nine over the mountains.

The fire hazard remains high in all forest areas.

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