Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 04-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] derogations backdrop

[03] final eu text

[04] alvaro sigs

[05] talat serdar

[06] koulentis murder

[07] tailer

[08] weather FRIDAY 26 MARCH 2004

[01] HEADLINES

The Turkish-Cypriot delegation to the talks voices its satisfaction over ptogress achieved;

Investigations into Wednesday night's triple homicide in Paphos are continuing;

and...

Some call them set phrases, some call them cliches. Stay tuned...

[02] derogations backdrop

As reported by our on-the-scene correspondent Yiannis Nikolaou, intense behind-the-scenes activity is being observed in Brussels over the Turkish side's demands for permanent derogations from the aquis communautaire, with the United Nations and EU circles working on a relevant text to be tabled for discussion back at Buergenstok.

Always according to our correspondent, even though an effort is being made to present any derogations as temporary in that their validity would concern only "transitional periods", the various paragraphs of the text essentially renders them permanent.

At the same time, European Union circles are reported to be working on a second text which would satisfy Turkey's demands for any settlement of the island's long-standing to form part of the bloc's primary law, with the Greek-Cypriot side appearing disturbed over the developments, given the apparent efforts to handle Cyprus' accession in a different manner than that of all other EU member-states.

[03] final eu text

Analytically, the text notes that the European Council lends emphasis to and continues to strongly support the UN Secretary-General's efforts to help the two sides grab this historic opportunity for the striking of a comprehensive Cyprus settlement based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, while it also greets the European Commission's desire to help the two sides reach a solution within the framework of the aquis communautaire, and also praises the Commission's offer to organise a Cyprus Issue donors' conference in Brussels on April 15th.

The text further expresses the strong conviction that a just, viable and functional solution IS possible prior to May first, and calls on all sides to make a solid committment to successfully conclude the current negotiations with the help of Greece and Turkey.

In closing, the European Council voices its stalwart preference that May first sees the accession of a united Cyprus, and expresses its willingness to integrate the terms and conditions of such a settlement on the basis of the principles governing the establishment of the European Union itself.

[04] alvaro sigs

Specifically, our colleague in Buergenstok, Stella Michail, notes that through this document, the UN is attempting to procure the signatures of both the Greek- and the Turkish-Cypriot side, as well as involving the European Union, the Council of Europe and Greece and Turkey in the entire effort.

In reaction, sources close to the talks note that the seeking of signatures falls outside the scope of last month's New York agreement, which simply provided for any final settlement plan to be sent to referenda.

The information has also been corroborated by our on-the-scene Brussels correspondent, who who said that in order to sidestep Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's failure to attend the Buergenstok talks, a suggestion is being made to change the reference to "the signatures of the two communities' elected leaders" to "the signatures of the two sides".

The latest document has been brought to the attention of President Papadopoulos, while back in Buergenstok, the island's National Council also dealt with the matter both last night and this morning during meetings chaired by House Speaker Demetris Christofias.

[05] talat serdar

Mr Talat further spoke of "intensive morning to night consultations" with UN officials, adding that his aim is to bring about a "YES" in the planned referenda.

At the same time however the illegal statelet's head-of-diplomacy and occupation regime leader's son Serdar Denktash, stated that if the talks do not produce agreement on the points sought after by the Turkish-Cypriot side, then both he and what he described as "his government" will do everything in their power to procure a "NO" response.

[06] koulentis murder

Speaking to our Third Radio Channel, he described the crime, in which three Russian nationals were apparently bludgeoned to death, as "horrifying and heinous", adding that it was probably committed by foreign elements, even though he stressed that nothing can yet be ruled out.

Deputy Chief Koulentis further noted that the perpetrators appear to have left behind significant evidence, and that Interpol Moscow has been asked to provide information on the victims and on anything which could assist the Cyprus police in its efforts.

He also disclosed that the police is in posession of information according to which one of the victims had come under investigation by Moscow authorities in connection with criminal activities but was subsequently cleared.

The two male victims had jointly registered a number of offshore companies in Cyprus, one of which concerned the foreign investment sector, and had never given police cause for concern.

[07] tailer

The fact of the matter is that at the end of the day there is nothing, like, value-added about using cliches 24/7: with all due respect, according to John Lister of the "Plain English Campaign" programme, it's not awesome, it's annoying and even downright irritating, with readers or listeners, when coming across these tired expressions, starting to tune out and completely missing the message -- assuming there is one.

So... People who busily "touch base" or talk about "ballpark figures" and "bottom lines" are not "singing from the same hymn sheet," but quietly driving others to distraction, with a particular bugbear being the constant use of "like" as a form of punctuation.

Lister also said that they had expected geographical variations in their canvassing of 70 English-speaking countries around the world, but the same phrases appeared to be universally annoying, with some other named-and-shamed cliches including:

-- blue-sky thinking -- it's not rocket science -- crack troops -- between a rock and a hard place -- I hear what you're saying -- and... bear with me.

And on that note, bear with me for today's weather...

[08] weather

Generally fair conditions are forecast for this evening, with skies however continuing to be marked by patchy cloud, and mist also expected to form in areas. Winds will abate to light northeast-to-northwesterlies, 2-3BF, on smooth to slight seas, while temperatures will drop to around 10C inland and in the north and east, 12C in the south and west, and 11C on the higher reaches of the Troodos mountains.

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