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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-06-03Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesKofi Anan's report on the Cyprus issue is laced with inaccuracies, is the first response of President Papadopoulos,The UN Secretary General points out that his plan is the only foreseeable basis on which Cypriots can achieve a settlement, OPEC today met in Beirut to nail down the details of an output increase of as much as 11 percent in a bid to topple oil prices from 40 dollars a barrel and Flights to and from British airports resumed today after a glitch at the main air traffic control centre temporarily grounded all planes. [02] Anan CyprusIn his report on the good offices mission for the Cyprus problem, out last night, Kofi Anan leaves a window of opportunity for a future solution on the basis of his plan. He underlined that a courageous and determined political leadership in both communities is needed to reach a settlement. He also stressed the role of Greece and Cyprus so that a determined negotiation will take place and people will be convinced for the need to compromise. The UN Secretary General points out that his plan is the only foreseeable basis on which Cypriots can achieve a settlement, he notes however that since the referenda on the 24th of April lead to deadlock, he does not see any basis, at the moment, for assuming a new initiative. Mr Anan critisized the Turkish cypriot leader Rauf Denktash over hie negative stance in the referendum, in contrast to Mehmet Ali Talat who was in favour of the yes vote. According to the report, the situation on the Greek cypriot side was much more complex, since President Papadopoulos called on the people to reject the plan with a thunderous NO, claiming that it would lead to the dissolution of the republic of Cyprus. The UN Secretary General expressed his surprise for the Presidents' stance and said that he became concerned because in his televised message he seemed to reject many basic aspects of the plan. Kofi Anan expressed the view that the televised speech did not accurately reflect the content of the plan. He also rejected the argument that Greek cypriot concerns were ignored in the plan. The UN chief praised the Turkish cypriots, saying that their YES vote removed the last reason that might have existed for their isolation. However, he did point out that any recognition of the pseudostate clearly goes against Security Council resolutions and efforts to achieve a settlement.[03] Tassos KofiPresident Papadopoulos will discuss the Anan report, at a meeting with the UN Secretary General, scheduled for six this afternoon, Cyprus time, in New York. Following the meeting, the President of the republic will hold a press conference which will be carried live by CyBC one. Commenting on the UN chiefs' report, the President of the republic said that it is inaccurate on many facts. President Papadopoulos also disagreed with Mr Anan's positions on the talks, the procedure followed and his evaluation of the positions of the two sides. In statements to our reporter in New York, President Papadopoulos said that it was baseless for Kofi Anan to say that the desicion of the Greek cypriots to reject the plan, means that they reject a solution.[04] Reports infoAccording to diplomats who spoke to our station on condition of anonymity, the UN chiefs' report indeed contains many inaccuracies and distorting of facts. President Papadopoulos is expected to respond to these inaccuracies, during his meeting with Kofi Anan later today. The president of the republic will also respond in writing to Kofi Anan, in a document to be delivered to him at a later stage.[05] Egypt CyprusEgyptian foreign minister Ahmet Maher said that the Organisation of the Islamic Conference recognizes only one state in Cyprus and Greek and Turkish cypriots should be represented in the Organisation under its umbrella. In statements to the Turkish Anatolia news agency, he also said that Egypt, irrespective of the failure of the referenda, supports the reunification of Cyprus, therefore efforts towards this goal, should continue.[06] Energy OPECOPEC today met in Beirut to nail down the details of an output increase of as much as 11 percent in a bid to topple oil prices from 40 dollars a barrel.Ministers from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are considering raising the crude output quotas by up to 2.5 million barrels a day. OPEC's biggest producer Saudi Arabia is pressing for an increment at the top end of the range. Kuwait said it expected Riyadh to get sufficient backing to push through a deal on that scale. Fearing a price collapse, Tehran is proposing a two-stage deal that would bring a maximum of 1.5 million barrels a day now with the option of more to come at a subsequent meeting later in the summer. Concerns about political instability in Saudi Arabia were inflamed on Saturday by a deadly attack by Islamic militants in the Saudi oil city Khobar. The details of OPEC's final agreement are unlikely to make much difference to actual supplies from the cartel that controls more than half the world's oil exports. That's because group output already is at least 2.3 million over existing formal limits of 23.5 million barrels. [07] Britain flightsFlights to and from British airports resumed today after a glitch at the main air traffic control centre temporarily grounded all planes.A spokesman for British Airways said flights resumed at London's Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport, but there was a huge backlog of traffic. A spokeswoman for Manchester airport in northern England said the system crashed at just after eight in the morning Cyprus time. A BA spokesman earlier blamed the problem on computers at the Swanick air traffic control centre. The computer system there was several years behind schedule being brought into service in January 2002 and has suffered several problems since then. Just months after the 600-million-pound centre at Swanick in Hampshire went operational there were reports that air traffic controllers were being plagued by "ghost" data on their screens making it hard to identify real aircraft. [08] Greece strikeSome Greek government and private sector employees today went on a 24-hour strike, causing flight cancellations but Olympic officials said the stoppage would not affect preparations for the Games in August.Striking workers on short-term contracts accused successive governments of "holding them hostage" and breaking campaign pledges to offer them permanent posts. Nine flights of national carrier Olympic Airlines were cancelled and major tourist attractions, such as the Acropolis in the capital, were closed. Preparations for the Olympics in Athens are running to a tight deadline with the Games just over two months away. [09] WeatherFine weather is forecast for this afternoon, with some patchy clouds forming in some areas. There is the possibility of light showers. Winds will be westerly to southwesterly moderate force four, turning strong force five in windward areas, over slight seas. Temperatures will reach 31 degrees inland, 27 on the south coast, 24 on the west coast and 21 on higher ground. Tonight, it will be generally fine, but thin mist and low clouds will form in some areas. Winds will be light westerly to northwesterly, force two to three, over slight seas. Temperatures will drop to 17 degrees inland and coastal areas and 11 on higher ground. The fire hazard is high in all forest areas.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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