Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 99-05-27

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

CONTENTS

THURSDAY 27 MAY 99

[01] HEADLINES

[02] MILOSEVIC INDICTMENT

[03] MOSCOW AGREEMENT

[04] NATO STRIKES

[05] INDIA - PAKISTAN

[06] SPOKESMAN CY

[07] HARMONISATION

[08] HOTELS STRIKE

[09] ECOLOGISTS CONFERENCE

[10] LADYBIRDS ATTACK

[11] WEATHER

[01] HEADLINES

Tensions increase between India and Pakistan;

The Cyprus Government does not share the concern voiced yesterday by House President Kyprianou over a confederal solution to the island's problem;

The EU-harmonisation process is proceeding according to schedule;

Hotel employees throughout Cyprus held a six-hour work stoppage today;

and...

Representatives of European and Mediterranean Green movements gather in Cyprus for a three-day conference.

[02] MILOSEVIC INDICTMENT

Louise Arbour, Chief Prosecutor at the Hague-based United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, told a news conference that the tribunal also indicted four other Serb political and military leaders: Serb President Milan Milutinovic, Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic, Yugoslav armed forces chief of staff Aragoljub Ojdanic and Serb Interior Minister Vlajko Stojiljkovic.

Diplomats and analysts say the tribunal's move could complicate the search for a political solution to the Kosovo crisis, while some commentators maintain that the indictment may increase pressure from within NATO for a ground offensive to drive Serb forces out of Kosovo rather than make any deal with someone charged as a war criminal.

[03] MOSCOW AGREEMENT

Russia's special Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin was originally scheduled to fly to Belgrade for further contacts today, but aides said his departure could be delayed by "complicated" peace talks in Moscow with US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and Finnish President Marti Ahtisaari, acting on behalf of the European Union.

At the conclusion of the talks, the Finnish President headed on to Bonn to brief German leaders, while unconfirmed reports also presented Strobe Talbott as having left for the same destination.

[04] NATO STRIKES

The most recent NATO strikes were carried out against a range of Serb military targets in Kosovo, while throughout Yugoslavia alliance planes attacked four ammunition dumps, as well as four television and radio transmission sites and other military supply and ordinance targets.

[05] INDIA - PAKISTAN

The nuclear-armed rivals gave different accounts of the downing, with Pakistan claiming that it downed the two planes after they violated its airspace, and India saying that one aircraft developed engine failure and that the other was shot down by a missile while trying to locate the first one's pilot.

The air attacks have cranked up tension between the two nuclear-armed countries, which have twice gone to war over Kashmir since they both gained independence from Britain in 1947. Since 1990, the two have been locked in a diplomatic tussle over a Moslem revolt in the two-thirds of Kashmir ruled by India, with New Delhi claiming that Islamabad is fomenting the rebellion.

[06] SPOKESMAN CY

The statement was made today by Government Spokesman Costas Serezis, who added that all information available to the current administration far from concurs with Mr Kyprianou's claims, but rather seems to promote a federal solution.

Mr Serezis ended any discussion of the matter by saying that the Clerides administration is well aware of differences among the G8 countries concerning the content and timing of any initiative, and is dealing with the situation in a calm and collected manner.

[07] HARMONISATION

In relation to today's approval, the Republic's chief EU-negotiator, George Vassiliou, said that the chapters pertain to the free movement of capital, financial and monetary union, employment and social policy, and energy.

As regards the chapter on Joint Foreign Policy and Political Security, Mr Vassiliou noted that the matter was discussed by the EU-presidium last year and it was agreed that it remain open for all candidate-states.

[08] HOTELS STRIKE

In relevant announcements, the island's two largest trade unions called on the employers to review their stance and attend a dialogue aimed at reaching a mutually-acceptable solution to problem, while at the same time the Pancyprian Hoteliers Association condemned the work stoppage and requested an emergency meeting with the President of the Republic in order to discuss measures for the avoidance of what it described as "potentially unpleasant developments in the island's tourist industry".

The normal operation of the island's hotels was not affected by today's stoppage, since skeleton service staff remained on duty at all times.

[09] ECOLOGISTS CONFERENCE

Matters on the agenda include the European Union's southwards enlargement, the Yugoslav Issue, and the prospective EU-accessions of Cyprus, Malta and Turkey.

Also participating in the conference are delegates from the Europarliament's Green Party and the European Federation of Greens.

[10] LADYBIRDS ATTACK

They may be small, they may be insignificant, but the lowly ladybird is the last viable hope for Los Angeles arborists, who have put their faith in the little insect to wipe out an infestation of Australian fleas known as psyllids that are attacking California's eucalyptus trees.

Officially known as Redgum Lerp Psyllids, the undesirable Australian immigrants are believed to have arrived in California a year ago in cargo ships, and now the west coast US state is infested with them.

Park officials are hoping that the two-million ladybirds let loose this week will employ all their insectid wiles to devour the psyllids and stop them from defoliating eucalyptus trees across the state.

So, if perchance you come across a lowly ladybird, think twice before doing anything rash!

[11] WEATHER

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