Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] headlines

[02] erdogan cy

[03] borell recognition

[04] coreper eu turkey

[05] snow us flights

[06] israel reshuffle

[07] potato solution

[08] tailer

[09] weather THURSDAY 2 DECEMBER 2004

[01] headlines

A US Senator condemns the possible eventuality her country proceeding with direct flights to and from the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus;

Israel's prime minister is to approach the rival Labour Party in an effort to save his government from collapse;

Iraqi guerillas fire a mortar barrage into central Baghdad, killing at least one person;

The problems faced by the island's potato-producers appear to have come to a happy end;

and...

Environmentally-conscious mobile phone users can now discard their old devices with a clean -- or green -- conscience!

[02] erdogan cy

Specifically, and speaking on Turkish television, Recep Tayip Erdogan stated that there is absolutely no question of the Cyprus Republic being recognised by this month's EU summit.

"If," he went on to say, "on December 17th Turkey's expectations are met and accession negotiations begin, then all that can be discussed, but until then there is no such eventuality."

At the same time however, the Turkish prime minister sought to veil his country's intentions in a cloud of mystery, saying that Ankara will proceed with a surprise diplomatic action on the Cyprus Issue after the EU summit, "with everything," he added, depending on the December 17th decision."

[03] borell recognition

In making his statement, the Europarliamentary president, who is today realising an official visit to Ankara, reiterated a long-standing position that Turkey cannot possibly sit at the same negotiating table with someone she does not recognise.

[04] coreper eu turkey

The first draft was discussed at the EU Permanent Representatives' or Coreper level yesterday, with Cyprus' delegate Nikos Emiliou requesting the recognition of the Republic by Ankara.

At the same meeting, France and Austria pressed on with their efforts to find a third alternative to either the rejection of Turkey's accession bid for the time being or the initiation of accession negotiations aimed at full integration, even though nothing was decided upon.

The new set of draft conclusions will be ready by Monday, and will be discussed again on Wednesday.

[05] snow us flights

In the letter dated November 29th, Ms Snowe further stresses that as a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, it came to her attention that in late October, two officials from the TSA ''conducted an inspection of the airport at Tymbou, Cyprus," adding that ''This action apparently comes in the wake of other US measures related to possible flights into the Tymbou airport and the airport of Lefkoniko, also in the occupied territory.''

She also noted that the US administration has contacted the International Civil Aviation Organisation -- the ICAO -- about access to these illegally operated airports, and that in May 2004, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency designated these airports with official US government identifiers.

In closing, and citing Security Council resolutions 541 and 550, the Senator from Maine also mentioned that ''Flights into the occupied northern part of Cyprus, without the consent of the Republic of Cyprus, are inconsistent with these international standards'', underlining that this position was taken by the ICAO when contacted by US officials earlier this year.

[06] israel reshuffle

Justice Minister Yosef Lapid said Sharon had dismissed his Shinui party shortly after it defied him by voting against the 2005 state budget in a first reading in parliament, with a spokesman for the prime minister adding that ruling Likud would be approaching the Labour party as well as smaller religious factions in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the government.

In statements just this morning meanwhile, Ariel Sharon himself said, in a direct quote, that he has "no choice but to officially attempt to broaden the coalition with the Labour Party and religious parties."

[07] potato solution

The proposal includes a government-slated subsidy of 3.2 million pounds instead of the 3.7 originally demanded, with the potato-growers saying that in reaching their decision, they took into account the overall situation. In the relevant announcement, they also mention that the financial assistance will enable the producers to receive compensation for some of their toil and still remain in business.

Prior to the potato-growers' acceptance, the proposal was seen in a favourable light by the PEK, EKA and Agrotiki agricultural organisations.

[08] tailer

Well, British scientists seeking to protect the environment have designed a biodegradable mobile phone cover that breaks down in soil when discarded and sprouts a flower from a seed embedded inside the case.

Researchers at the University of Warwick in central England said the novel device, made from a specially-designed polymer, is a boon for the environmentally sensitive.

With millions of mobile phones being thrown away every year as the industry churns out new models, Kerry Kirwan from the University of Warwick was quoted by Reuters as saying "It's a real novelty in the phone industry and consumers are happy because they feel they are doing something for the local environment."

Designers have reassured the wary user that the seed, implanted in a tiny transparent window, only germinates when the phone cover is discarded.

So, instead of "saying it", one can now "phone it with flowers"!

[09] weather

Generally fair conditions are also forecast for this evening, with skies this time marked by passing cloud, and the possibility of light mist forming in areas. Winds will abate to light northeast-to-northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on slight seas, while temperatures will drop to 9C inland, 11C in coastal regions, and 4C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

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