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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-09-02Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HEADLINES-- Russian authorities today ruled out for now the use of force to end the standoff at a southern Russia school where armed men have seized about 350 children and adults.-- Russian President Vladimir Putin has cancelled his scheduled trip to Turkey today because of the hostage crisis. -- For the first time since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus hundreds of Greek Cypriots, led by the Bishop of Morphou, attended this morning a church service, at the holy church of Agios Mamas, in the northwest of the island. And -- Israeli forces blew up two large apartment blocks in the Gaza Strip today, destroying the homes of hundreds of Palestinians, two days after suicide bombers killed 16 people in Israel. [02] RUSSIA SCHOOLRussian authorities today ruled out for now the use of force to end the standoff at a southern Russia school where armed men have seized about 350 children and adults."There is no question at the moment of opting for force. There will be a lengthy and tense process of negotiation," Valery Andreyev, head of the FSB security service in North Ossetia province, told journalists. He said they were ready for a meeting with the hostage-takers and pledged to do all they can to free the children. Mr. Andreyev said that he expected a paeditrician, chosen as a negotiator, to enter the school soon to have direct contacts. Paediatrician Lev Roshal, who helped negotiate the release of children in a Moscow theatre siege in 2002, says gunmen refused offers to deliver food and water, but says the children are fine. Gunmen sever telephone contact at 2300 GMT. U.S. President Bush condemned those responsible and told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the US stand with the Russian people". A White House spokesman says Washington will provide assistance if asked. At a special meeting requested by Moscow the U.N. Security Council condemned the gunmen "in the strongest terms" and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Official tallies of the number of hostages varies between 120 and 400. The number of the attackers is estimated between 17 and 40. The heavily-armed gang, in what appeared to be a Chechen rebel operation, stormed into the school in Beslan in Russia's North Ossetia province early yesterday and seized about 350 children and adults hostage. They are seeking the release of fellow fighters seized in June during a guerrilla raid on the neighbouring territory of Ingushetia. [03] PUTIN TURKEYRussian President Vladimir Putin today called off a planned visit to Turkey.A Kremlin spokeswoman said Mr. Putin had postponed his trip, which was due to have started today. She gave no reason, but the Kremlin leader clearly felt he could not leave Russia while the hostage-taking at a school in North Ossetia province was unresolved. [04] MAMAS TODAYFor the first time since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus hundreds of Greek Cypriots, led by the Bishop of Morphou, attended this morning a church service, at the holy church of Agios Mamas, in the northwest of the island.Bishop Neofytos, accompanied by about 15 clergymen, prayed and sang hymns to celebrate the name day of the saint, in a somber atmosphere befitting the occasion. In another development, last night, a Turkish Cypriot platform fighting for the reunification of Cyprus, ''This land is ours'', organised a rally in Morphou to press on with its demand for a political settlement. ''Peace cannot be prevented in Cyprus,'' said one banner and participants in the rally, including political party leaders and many Greek Cypriots, called on Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to resign. [05] MAMAS LAST NIGHT''We left young, we have returned here almost old'', Morphou Bishop Neofytos told a packed church of St. Mamas in the Turkish occupied town of Morphou last night and called on everyone to abandon fanaticism and nationalism and unite.In his oration during the church service in the Turkish occupied church of Agios Mamas, the Morphou Bishop, who initiated the idea to reoperate the church to celebrate the saint's name day, for the first time after the 1974 Turkish invasion, said "we have come to open a window of prayer". "Step by step they (the people) are showing that there are no last chances. A great proof is today's vespers, which was made possible with the help of inspired Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots", Bishop Neofytos added. Rightwing Democratic Rally President Nicos Anastasiades said he was moved to be present at the St. Mamas church service tonight. He expressed the view that gradually the conditions which will allow everyone to seriously contemplate to overcome their reservations, will be created and the road to the island's reunification will open. Former President of the Republic and President of the United Democrats said he was deeply moved to attend the service, adding that the pilgrims' presence sends the message that "saints know no borders". Leftwing AKEL parliamentary spokesman Nikos Katsourides was not allow by the occupation authorities to cross into the north and attend the Morphou ceremony, because he did not show his European style identity card. He stated that he was not a holder of such a card. Morphou Mayor Charalambos Pittas described the event as an ''opportunity for the voice of the people of Morphou to be heard throughout the world''. Speaking before the service, he said he had mixed feelings because this was his first trip to Morphou following the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the island's northern third. Selfstyled premier of the illegal regime Mehmet Ali Talat visited the courtyard of the St. Mamas church, adding that he wanted to say "hello" but did not want to make any political statements because of the religious service inside the church. He wished everyone success, as well as peace and prosperity. [06] DUTCH MINISTER-- Dutch Minister for European Affairs Atzo Nicolai said last night that the Cyprus issue has an international aspect and that is why the UN is involved, while the EU as such does not pay a principal role in finding a solution to the issue but has its responsibilities, namely financially assisting the Turkish occupied north and promoting direct trade.In statements after being received by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, the Dutch Minister said the two had a fruitful meeting and although they have different views on the Commission regulation for direct trade with the Turkish occupied north, they agreed on finding ways to improve the situation towards a solution to the problem. [07] MIDEASTIsraeli forces blew up two large apartment blocks in the Gaza Strip today, destroying the homes of hundreds of Palestinians, two days after suicide bombers killed 16 people in Israel.The army, carrying out its biggest Gaza incursion in weeks, said the operation in the Khan Younis refugee camp targeted twin five-storey buildings used by Palestinian militants for attacks on Israeli soldiers and settlers. Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Khan Younis, saying it would bring an escalation of violence. [08] TURKEY IRAQTwo Turkish truck drivers in Iraq have been found killed on the side of a road north of Baghdad.The body of another man, possibly also Turkish, was found next to them without any identification cards. The drivers, aged 53 and 42, were found near the village of Jalsiya, about 90 km north of Baghdad. The area is a centre of Sunni Muslim insurgents fighting U.S. forces. Attackers have killed scores of people on Iraq's highways since the U.S.-led invasion last year. [09] FISCHER TURKEYGerman Foreign Minister Joscka Fischer said Turkey is not mature enough to enter the European Union and it is aware of it.He also said that Turkey will be able to accede perhaps after 10 or 15 years. In an interview published today in Bild newspaper, he added that Turkey must actively continue with reforms. [10] UGANDA BUILDINGAt least five construction workers were killed in Uganda when a half-finished three-storey hotel they were working on collapsed.Twenty-one people also believed to be working on the hotel were rescued after the building, in a complex about 18 km from the capital Kampala, crashed down yesterday. More were believed to be trapped in the rubble. Officials said that at least five were confirmed dead, but they suspect there may be others. Officials from the Ministry of Housing had launched an investigation. Last week, a new classroom collapsed at a primary school near Kampala, killing two people. [11] WEATHERThis afternoon, the weather will be clear with some local cloud. Winds will turn to moderate sea breezes, three to four beaufort and the sea slight and locally moderate on the south coast.Temperatures will reach 35 C inland, 31 C on the south and east coast, 30 C on the west and 25 over the mountains. Tonight the weather will be clear but locally thin mist and low cloud will form and the sea will be calm to slight. Temperatures will fall to 20 C inland, 22 C on the coasts and 16 over the mountains. The fire hazard remains extremely high in all forest areas. Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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