Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-05-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] CHECHEN FUNERAL

[03] IRAQ CONVOY

[04] IRAQ TAPE

[05] AFGHAN DEAD

[06] SPOKESMAN MEER

[07] SPOKESMAN WASHINGTON

[08] UN CYPRUS

[09] KALLINIKOS END

[10] WEATHER MONDAY 10 MAY 2004

[01] HEADLINES

-- A U.S. Marine convoy entered Falluja for the first time in more than a month today, testing a shaky truce with insurgents in Iraq's most rebellious town.

-- At least seven Afghans were killed when gunmen attacked a customs post in the southeast of the country.

And

--Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said the EU Green Line regulation refers to the movement of european tourists but there is no mention on the issue of entry.

[02] CHECHEN FUNERAL

The 52-year-old former Muslim cleric, Moscow's recent hope in mostly Muslim Chechnya but a turncoat for Chechen rebels, was assassinated today when a bomb exploded at a ceremony in the capital Grozny to celebrate the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany.

Among the six others who died were a Reuters reporter, an eight-year-old girl, a close aide of Kadyrov and two bodyguards.

More than 50 people were wounded, including the commander of Russian forces in the region, General Valery Baranov.

Mourners flooded heavily guarded roads to Tsentoroi, the base of Kadyrov's clan 50 km southeast of Grozny.

Funeral ceremonies are expected to last three days.

[03] IRAQ CONVOY

Marines, accompanied by Iraqi security forces entrusted with eventually taking over security, arrived at the mayor's office in the town centre in armoured vehicles and Humvees without incident.

But the calm in Falluja has not eased the fears of Iraqi security forces, who worry they will suffer the fate of hundreds of their comrades killed by insurgents for cooperating with the Americans.

U.S. Marines are manning checkpoints with Iraqi security forces in key areas of Falluja while maintaining positions within striking distance of the town, keeping open the option of another offensive if the truce collapses.

U.S. forces laid siege to Falluja last month after four American contractors were killed and mutilated in the town. Hundreds of Iraqis died in fighting between U.S. Marines and insurgents.

The Americans have entrusted former Iraqi general Muhammad Latif to take charge of security in Falluja once his forces prove they can handle the task.

[04] IRAQ TAPE

The tape showed a group of masked men, some holding automatic rifles, and one man reading a statement which said that all workers in foreign and Arab companies in Basra, especially Kuwaitis, are targets for killing and kidnapping.

[05] AFGHAN DEAD

The gunmen were loyal to a regional warlord, Fateh Khan, who was among those killed in the weekend attack in the Orgun district of Paktika province.

A government team was heading to the area to investigate, he said.

Factional turf battles have occurred in several parts of Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001, complicating President Hamid Karzai's efforts to unite a country racked by 23 years of war.

More than 700 people have been killed, most of them in the south and east of the country since last August, the bloodiest period since the Taliban's fall.

The attacks have largely been blamed on Taliban and security concerns prompted Karzai to delay landmark elections from June to September, despite the presence of of thousands of U.S.-led troops and NATO-led peacekeepers.

[06] SPOKESMAN MEER

He also said the EU will not allow legalisation of the occupied ports and airports.

The Spokesman was commenting on yesterday's statements made by the head of the Commission Representation on the island, Adrian Van der Meer that the EU does not favour the imposition of fines against Europeans who cross into the free areas from the occupied north, even if they had arrived illegally on the island.

Mr, Chrysostomides said that Mr. Meer might have expressed a personal opinion, noting that the regulation requires the consent of the Republic of Cyprus.

He also said that the freedom of movement will not be prohibited but the offence of illegal entry will not be crossed out.

[07] SPOKESMAN WASHINGTON

Mr. Chrysostomides will address the topic "Cyprus and the next steps". The discussion will also be attended by State Department Coordinator for Cyprus, Thomas Weston and Undersecretary Marc Grossman.

In Washington, Mr. Weston will also meet members of the Congress and the House of Representatives.

[08] UN CYPRUS

The sources said this will happen because already there is an atmosphere of disapproval by France and Russia created by statements made by Deputy Secretary-General Sir Kieran Prendergast after the result of the referenda in Cyprus and Alvaro de Soto's handling of the negotiations.

[09] KALLINIKOS END

Born on 5th of May 1904, Theodoulos Kallinikos was one of the most creative personalities in the field of byzantine and popular music.

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, in a statement, expressed regret over Kallinikos death, stressing that for half a century he had faithfully served the Church of Cyprus and contributed to byzantine and popular music.

[10] WEATHER

Winds will be south-westerly to westerly moderate, four beaufort and the sea moderate. Temperatures will rise to 31 C inland, 28 C on the south and east coast and 25 over the west and mountains.

Tonight it will remain clear with local cloud. Winds will be westerly to north-westerly moderate, three to four beaufort and the sea moderate. Temperatures will fall to 14 C inland, 15 C on the coasts and 14 over the mountains. The fire hazard is high in all forest areas.

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