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Monday, 30 December 2024
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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 05-02-11Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesPresident of the republic Tassos Papadopoulos today requested clarifications from the UN Secretary General, on whether he will launch an initiative on the Cyprus issue and if he accepts substantive changes on the plan,The United States remain firmly committed to achieving a settlement of the Cyprus issue, as American deputy secretary of state Mark Grossman stressed last night, during an event organized by the American-Turkish federation in New York, More than 400 people are missing in a remote area of southwestern Pakistan after heavy rains caused a large dam to burst, sweeping villagers into the Arabian Sea and Prime Minister Tony Blair put economic well-being at the heart of Britain's general election campaign as he unveiled six pledges at the start of his Labour Party's last rally before an expected May vote. [02] Tassos AnanPresident of the republic Tassos Papadopoulos today requested clarifications from the UN Secretary General, on whether he will launch an initiative on the Cyprus issue and if he accepts substantive changes on the plan. The president of the republic said that a statement by Kofi Anan, in which he noted that President Papadopoulos should put his disagreements in writing, is not objective, but he will study the statements further. As he explained, he does not consider the reference by Kofi Anan to declarations by Turkish prime minister Tayip Erdogan as objective, when he is telling only the Greek cypriot side to submit written proposals and suggestions. Neither has Mr Erdogan, he added, submitted such proposals, nor did he hear the General Secretary to ask the Turkish side to do so. The President of the Republic also said that the second issue that one needs to look into, is the purpose of submitting these proposals, what Kofi Anan intends to do after that and whether he intends to launch an initiative. President Papadopoulos stressed that the arbitration syndrome should be abandonded and the two sides concentrate on substantive negotiations.[03] Iacovou AnanMeanwhile, foreign minister Yiorgos Iacovou ruled out the possibility of the Greek Cupriot side submitting its proposals on the Anan plan, in writing. Commenting on the UN Secretary General's statements, Mr Iacovou noted that Kofi Annan, is very well aware of the changes that the Greek Cypriot side wants and these changes have been codified, recorded and submitted to him, at the end of his previous initiative. No one, he added, should expect that the President of the Republic will sent an official letter, without knowing what role Mr Anan is going to play. The foreign minister expressed the view that the the Secretary General was surprised by the question on Cyprus, following a meeting with British foreign minister Jack Straw in London and that's why he gave that particular answer. He also did not rule out the possibility that Kofi Anan is sounding out prospects of a new initiative, within the framework of his good will mission, but without including arbitration and time frames.[04] Grossman CyprusThe United States remain firmly committed to achieving a settlement of the Cyprus issue, as American deputy secretary of state Mark Grossman stressed last night, during an event organized by the American-Turkish federation in New York. Mr Grossman reiterated his regret about the rejection of the Annan plan, saying that an historic change was lost for a viable and enduring settlement of the Cyprus problem. The American official stressed that today, Turkey has greater confidence and is more prepared than it was to solve pending problems with Greece, Cyprus, human rights and religious freedoms.[05] Pakistan damMore than 400 people are missing in a remote area of southwestern Pakistan after heavy rains caused a large dam to burst, sweeping villagers into the Arabian Sea.At least 20 people were confirmed dead after the 485-foot-long Shakidor Dam burst late last night near Pasni, a remote village in Baluchistan province. Between 400 and 500 people are still unaccounted for. A province official expressed fears that some of the missing may have been swept into the sea, though others might be taking shelter in homes or surrounding areas. More than 1,200 villagers have already been pulled alive from the waters by troops, helicopters and boats sent to the area. Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, the top spokesman for President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, refused to speculate on how many people may have died. Witnesses described seeing trucks and tankers swept out to sea. The Shakidor dam was built in 2003 to help with irrigation in the area. But it was unable to cope with more than a week of heavy rains. [06] Iraq shootingGunmen opened fire on customers in a bakery in eastern Baghdad this morning, killing at least eleven people.The gunmen drove up in two cars and then burst into the bakery. The motive for the attack was not known. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld flew into Iraq to inspect U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces and said they must accept responsibility for defeating the country's insurgents. Rumsfeld arrived before dawn at an airfield outside the northern city of Mosul. It was his eighth visit to Iraq and came seven weeks after his Dec. 24 Christmas eve visit with U.S. troops. He told soldiers that the Jan. 30 elections had been a good day for Iraq, but that there were still challenges ahead. [07] Britain elexPrime Minister Tony Blair put economic well-being at the heart of Britain's general election campaign as he unveiled six pledges at the start of his Labour Party's last rally before an expected May vote.Hoping Britain's economic stability and prosperity will help win a third term, Blair began a whistle-top tour of the nation with a photo opportunity beside London's River Thames to unveil his first election promise: "Your Family Better Off." Finance Minister Gordon Brown, widely seen as Blair's rival for power and probable successor, also attended in a show of unity before the Labour Party's three-day Spring Conference. The opposition Conservatives say Brown has over-borrowed, kept taxes too high and failed to turn round Britain's creaking public services despite massive spending. [08] Weather lunchIt will be cloudy this afternoon, with the possibility of scattered showers and light snowfalls on mountainous and semi-mountainous regions. Winds will be light northeasterly to southeasterly, force three, turning force four in some areas, over slight seas and moderate seas in the afternoon, in windward areas. Temperatures will rise to ten degrees inland, 13 in coastal areas and zero over the mountains. Tonight, local showers are expected, with snow expected on the mountainous and semi-mountainous regions. Winds will be light northerly to northeasterly, force three, turning moderate force four in windward areas, over moderate seas in windward areas. Temperatures will drop to two degrees inland, four in coastal areas and minus four over the mountains. Frost is expected to form in some areas. The depth of snow on Mount Olympus is 95 centimetres, with 75 in Troodos square. All roads to Troodos are open, but slippery.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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