Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 05-06-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] UNFICYP TONIGHT

[03] ERDOGAN

[04] DEKO SERDAR

[05] EU BARROSO

[06] QUAKE CALIFORNIA

[07] QUAKE CALIFORNIA

[08] AUSSIE IRAQ

[09] IRAQ KIRKUK

[10] TELETHON CONTRIBUTIONS

[11] WEATHER WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE 2005

[01] HEADLINES

-- Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan has said he believes in the UN Secretary-General's good will and expressed the view that Kofi Annan will take all necessary steps on Cyprus.

-- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has called for a pause in the ratification of the European constitution, saying that prudence was advisable after it was rejected by French and Dutch voters.

And -- A major earthquake off the coast of northern California briefly sparked fears of a tsunami last night, but officials quickly cancelled a warning as the danger receded and damage appeared minimal.

[02] UNFICYP TONIGHT

The adoption of the report through a resolution is expected to be unanimous. Nevertheless some members may take the floor to explain their vote.

According to the final draft resolution, the Council reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution 1251 and subsequent resolutions.

Diplomatic sources said that there is a more extended reference to ''the two sides'' in this draft resolution than in the previous ones, while the tendency for further decrease of the force and its amendment to an observers force is obvious.

The draft resolution calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore the military status quo in Strovilia which existed there prior to 30 June 2000.

[03] ERDOGAN

In an interview with turkish TV network NTV, Mr. Erdogan said Mr. Annan is working on the report which his deputy Sir Kieran Prendergast submitted following his visits to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara.

He said within this framework, Mr. Annan will see what the Security Council can do for Cyprus.

Furthermore, he said there is communication with Greece which is trying to contribute to the Cyprus problem and that on the 3rd July he will meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlos at Emvros during the laying of the foundation of the pipeline for natural gas.

Regarding the protocol, expanding Turkey's customs union agreement with the ten new member states including Cyprus, Mr. Erdogan said Ankara will sign it but its ratification will be delayed because because the Turkish National Assembly will be on holiday from 1st July until 1st October.

Invited to comment on reports that Cyprus has asked to set up a diplomatic representation in Turkey, Mr. Erdogan said such request cannot be met if all so called embargoes against Turkish Cypriots are not lifted.

[04] DEKO SERDAR

DEKO spokesman Andreas Constantinou told Cyprus News Agency that the meeting was arranged in the framework of the contacts which the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties have. He said that the DEKO officials crossed to the north without any formalities or showing official documents of the Republic of Cyprus.

[05] EU BARROSO

Mr. Barroso said "one cannot honestly say the constitution is dead" although it was clear European unity was no longer an issue that inspired voters.

"Maybe prudence is the best solution," he said late last night, according to France 3 television. "I advise a pause. In the meantime, the two priorities are economic growth and employment."

Mr. Barroso said the EU did not have a "Plan B" or any "magic solution" to guide it forward. The 25-member bloc will hold its next six-monthly summit on Thursday and Friday amid major differences about its long-term budget.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for a pause in the ratification process after talks with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris yesterday.

It is unclear how many of the 13 countries that have not yet ratified or rejected the charter will go on with the process with polls showing dwindling public support.

France and Germany have insisted ratification should go on but current EU president Luxembourg has indicated it was considering some kind of breathing space rather than face more referendum defeats.

[06] QUAKE CALIFORNIA

A major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit at 0250 GMT today, 146 km west of Crescent City, California, a rugged coastal community scarred by a deadly tsunami in 1964.

Emergency officials initially issued a warning that a tsunami could hit anywhere from California's border with Mexico all the way up to Canada, but then lifted that warning.

The devastating December tsunami in Asia that killed 160,000 people further heightened awareness and worry about such a natural disaster in places such as Crescent City.

The 7.0 quake at sea also set off at least one other earthquake north of San Francisco, a minor 3.9 seismic event just minutes later 28 miles (46 km) northwest of Santa Rosa, California, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

[07] QUAKE CALIFORNIA

A major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit at 0250 GMT today, 146 km west of Crescent City, California, a rugged coastal community scarred by a deadly tsunami in 1964.

Emergency officials initially issued a warning that a tsunami could hit anywhere from California's border with Mexico all the way up to Canada, but then lifted that warning.

The devastating December tsunami in Asia that killed 160,000 people further heightened awareness and worry about such a natural disaster in places such as Crescent City.

The 7.0 quake at sea also set off at least one other earthquake north of San Francisco, a minor 3.9 seismic event just minutes later 28 miles (46 km) northwest of Santa Rosa, California, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

[08] AUSSIE IRAQ

He said Mr. Wood was recovered a short while ago in Baghdad in a military operation which was conducted by Iraqi forces, in cooperation in a general way with force elements from the United States.

Mr. Howard told the Australian Parliament that Mr. Wood was now safe and well under the protection of Australian troops in Baghdad.

Douglas Wood, a 63-year-old engineer married to an American woman, has been held hostage since early May, when a two-minute video of him was delivered to news agencies.

Iraqi militants had warned Australia to begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq or they would kill him.

Australia's conservative government, a staunch U.S. ally and among the first to join the war on Saddam Hussein's Iraq two years ago, refused to give in to the militants' demands.

A new contingent of 450 Australian troops has recently been deployed to southern Iraq to provide security and to train the Iraqi army, taking Australia's total troop numbers in and around Iraq to about 1,400.

[09] IRAQ KIRKUK

The detainees have been abducted by police and security units led by Kurdish political parties and sometimes with the knowledge of U.S. forces, the report said, citing government documents and families of the victims.

The newspaper said it had obtained a confidential State Department cable addressed to the White House, Pentagon and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that raises concern about the unlawful detentions and transfers.

Kirkuk is claimed by three ethnic groups -- Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen -- and has seen an alarming increase in violence and tension, officials say.

[10] TELETHON CONTRIBUTIONS

It is estimated that a total of 147 thousand pounds were collected during the tv marathon and the road fundraiser. Contributions can still be made at the numbers 22 392608 and 99657181.

[11] WEATHER

Tonight it will be clear with light westerly winds, force two to three. The sea will be calm to slight. Temperatures will fall to 16 C inland, 17 C on the coasts and 12 over the mountains. The fire hazard remains very high in all forest areas.

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