Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Headlines

[02] Unficyp

[03] Europarliament elections

[04] Campaigning ends

[05] Costas Karamanlis

[06] Ronald Reagan

[07] Cement shortage

[08] Akkelidou

[09] Ray Charles

[10] Euro 2004

[11] Weather FRIDAY 11 JUNE 2004

[01] Headlines

Irish and Czechs are voting today in Europarliament elections,

While the campaign curtain drops here tonight ahead of Sunday's poll,

The Greek Prime Minister will convince the world community to give Cyprus settlement efforts one more try,

AND world leaders will gather in Washington for Ronald Reagan's funeral services.

[02] Unficyp

According to the Athens News Agency correspondent in New York, Council members agreed last night on a British draft resolution to renew the peacekeeping force's mandate for another six months.

The agreement came after the US appeared to have dropped their proposal to extend the force's mandate to only three or four months.

Cyprus News Agency sources hinted that Washington may abstain from the vote as part of their wider policy on peacekeeping missions.

The resolution is expected to reaffirm earlier Security Council decisions and renew UNFICYP's mandate until December 15.

It will also include a recommendation that UN Chief Kofi Annan re-evaluate's the force's structure, composition and mission in three months time.

[03] Europarliament elections

The Czechs will become the first people from behind the old "Iron Curtain" to cast their votes in 25 years of European Parliament elections when their polls open at noon GMT.

In Ireland, voters also face a referendum on citizenship which has sparked a debate about race.

The government wants a "yes" vote, allowing it to withdraw the automatic right to Irish citizenship enjoyed by all children born on Irish soil.

Opponents say the government's proposal is mean-spirited and some say it is racist.

And in Northern Ireland, the IRA's political wing Sinn Fein is expected to win its first European Parliament seat in the province.

The elections are seen less as a barometer of pan-European opinion than as a mid-term verdict on national leaders.

By Sunday, Europeans from Lisbon to Latvia will vote for the expanded 732-member European Parliament based in Strasbourg.

The British and Dutch kicked off the ballot yesterday.

The Dutch centre-right government suffered a setback as provisional results showed that it has dropped seats.

Britain's poll looked as if it had turned into a protest against Prime Minister Tony Blair for supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Results from local elections, held at the same time at the European polls, showed the ruling Labour Party trailing in third behind the main opposition parties.

[04] Campaigning ends

That means any paid or unpaid advertisement relating to the elections is strictly prohibited.

This includes the distrubution of any flyers and leaflets, the writing of slogans or the raising of banners.

In a statement, Chief Returning officer for the European Elections Lazaros Savvides said any violators are liable to a six-month prison term or a fine, or both.

Any public gatherings or speeches regarding the elections are also prohibited both tomorrow and Sunday.

[05] Costas Karamanlis

Speaking to a private TV channel in Athens, Mr. Karamanlis defended his government's handling of March settlement talks in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Mr. Karamanlis said his administration's role at the talks was to back up the Cyprus government.

He said the Greek Cypriot side succeeded in removing permanent exemptions from European law and ensured that the island's people would exercise their right to vote in a referendum pressure-free.

However, the Greek Prime Minister conceded that the international community does feel let down that a golden opportunity has been lost.

[06] Ronald Reagan

It is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of international dignitaries in several years.

U.S. President George W. Bush will deliver a 15-minute eulogy in a setting that allows him to bolster his claim to be Mr. Reagan's political heir as he faces a tough fight for re-election in November.

One of Mr. Reagan's staunchest allies, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher will attend.

She recorded a message in advance that will be played to the congregation because her frail health prevents her from speaking.

Other dignitaries planning to attend include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who crossed swords with Mr. Reagan at summits in the 1980s. .

After the funeral, Mr. Reagan's body will be flown back to California for burial on the grounds of his presidential library.

[07] Cement shortage

Spokesman Andreas Fotiou said cement producers can't service the market because of the shortage.

He urged the everyone involved to move quickly to resolve the problem because it affects the entire construction industry.

Mr. Fotiou said time is costing contractors money and the longer the delay, the greater the building costs.

Concrete producers are suggesting that cement exports are curbed and to import more of the building material from neighbouring countries.

[08] Akkelidou

She said the purchase of heart monitoring devices and the creation of a new intensive care unit at the hospital are already in the pipeline.

Mrs. Akellidou made the remarks on a tour of the Hospital where she chaired a meeting with officials looking into how the facility and its services can be improved.

[09] Ray Charles

Charles, hailed as "The Father of Soul" and best known for such hits as "Georgia On My Mind" and "Hit the Road Jack," died at his Beverly Hills home.

Charles overcame poverty, blindness and heroin addiction to lay the foundation for soul music and become one of America's most beloved entertainers.

The legendary entertainer made his last public appearance on April 30, turning up in a motorized wheelchair for a ceremony dedicating his longtime recording studio in Los Angeles as an historic landmark.

Charles earned 13 Grammy Awards during his career, including a lifetime achievement honor in 1987.

[10] Euro 2004

CyBC has gained exclusive rights to broadcast all 31 matches, with 27 games being shown on CyBC's second TV channel, and four on the first.

Tomorrow's first day of the championship will see Portugal take on Greece in the inaugural match at 7:00 pm, while Spain will take on Russia at 9:45.

Both matches will be shown on CyBC 2.

[11] Weather

Sea breezes will be moderate, force 4, and seas will be slight.

Temperatures will reach 33 degrees inland, 31 on the coasts, 27 in the west and 23 in the highest mountains.

More fine conditions tonight with the change of some light fog in the early hours.

Northerly winds will be light, force 2 to 3, with calm to slight seas.

Temperatures will drop to 20 degrees inland and the coasts, 19 in the west and 15 in the highest mountains.

A reminder that the fire hazard is extremely high in all forest areas.

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