Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 05-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] HEADLINES

[02] PRESIDENT BRUSSELS

[03] ERELI CYPRUS

[04] SPOKESMAN ERELI

[05] THEODORU USA

[06] HOUSE REPORT

[07] BRITAIN WEATHER

[08] IRAQ

[09] EU BAG

[10] SPOKESMAN CY

[11] CARNIVAL BEGINS

[12] WEATHER THURSDAY 3 MARCH 2005

[01] HEADLINES

-- US Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli avoided paralleling Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon with Turkey withdrawing its occupation forces from Cyprus.

-- The government considers illogical a democratic country such as the US to ignore the fact that the Annan Plan was not accepted by the majority of the people of Cyprus.

-- Many areas of Britain have been hit by icy conditions after temperatures fell as low as -5C overnight. And

-- Carnival festivities begin today with Grand Carnival entering the town of Limassol, the centre of the celebrations.

[02] PRESIDENT BRUSSELS

He was speaking after a working breakfast with Belgium's Prime Minister Gi Verhofstat, adding that there is no indication as to what Ankara intends to do.

The President said that in all his contacts in Brussels, he has ascertained that the EU remains firm in the European Council decision of last December that Turkey must sign the protocol before 3rd of October and that the sooner it does this the less problems it will have in the future.

He also confirmed that a Turkish delegation which visited Commission officials yesterday in Brussels cited legal issues in an attempt to secure a postponment of signing the protocol, but did not explain what the problems were.

On his meeting with Mr. Verhofstat, President Papadopoulos said it centred on the Cyprus problem, efforts for a more active involvement of the EU in a new round of talks on Cyprus and the substance of the two regulations for Turkish Cypriots pending before the Commission.

[03] ERELI CYPRUS

Invited yesterday to comment on Democratic Rally leader Nikos Anastasiadis statement where he rejected Mr. Ereli's remarks about Turkish transfer U.S. weapons in Cyprus as unacceptable, Mr. Ereli repeated that there has been no transfer of weapons.

To a question that Mr. Anastasiadis stated that in case Cuba invades and occupied Miami, would the Americans allow Cuba to transfer more forces, like in the case of Turkey to Cyprus, Mr. Ereli replied no.

Quoting Mr. Anastasiades, the reporter said if Cuba occupied Miami, would the Americans allow the use of the illegal airports and seaports, as in the case of Turkish occupying forces in Cyprus. The american official claimed "we're dealing with one set of realities and you're talking about a completely different set of unrealities".

To a remark why the US is asking then Syria to leave Lebanon and not Turkey to leave Cyprus, Mr. Ereli replied "next question", adding he did not accept the parallel.

Mr. Ereli said there is a plan for Cyprus, the Annan plan which the US believes that it addresses the problem of the long division of that island.

He called on all parties that want to see a resolution of the Cyprus problem endorse and support the plan.

[04] SPOKESMAN ERELI

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides, commenting on US Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli's statements said that the result of the referendum should be respected.

He also said it was unfair that the large presence of US armament in areas illegally occupied by another country, is considered by the US legal, while the presence of several US armament in the Greek Forces on the island is considered illegal.

[05] THEODORU USA

He told Cypriot media in New York that the report is full of inaccuracies, false information and distortions.

Mr. Theodorou said that with references to the occupied ports and airports, the Americans completely disregard the occupation.

The justice minister is in New York where he addressed the Committee for Women's status.

[06] HOUSE REPORT

Following the debate on the topic, which was not on today's agenda, deputies will approve a relevant resolution.

[07] BRITAIN WEATHER

The Met Office warned of icy conditions on roads in south-east, central and northern England, as well as in the eastern counties, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Motoring organisations warned drivers to take extra care after snow and ice created hazardous driving conditions.

The wintry weather came after heavy snow caused severe travel disruption in parts of southeast England, in particular Kent, and Scotland yesterday.

More than 300 schools were shut in Kent and Sussex yesterday after heavy snowfall. In Scotland, almost 80 schools were closed.

[08] IRAQ

A police source said the car bombs exploded just outside the heavily guarded ministry in central Baghdad, part of a guerrilla campaign to stall the formation of the new government expected to be named in the next few weeks.

Insurgents also struck at gas supplies, blowing up a pipeline that feeds a major power station and much of a country that suffers frequent power and fuel shortages.

Iraqi politicians are engaged in protracted horse trading to fill top posts in the government, creating a new political landscape that has raised concern over sectarian tensions.

A Shi'ite alliance won a slim majority in the Jan. 30 polls, gaining power after decades of Sunni domination under Saddam Hussein. The alliance has chosen Islamist Ibrahim al-Jaafari as its candidate for prime minister. But interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi is bidding to keep his job.

The Kurds, who came second in the elections, are in a powerful negotiating position and are seen as kingmakers.

[09] EU BAG

Police used a remote-controlled robot to take the black bag out of the building and blow it up on a sealed-off section of a normally busy avenue.

Security guards at a building shared by two European committees alerted police when a man left the bag at the entrance after being refused entry because he did not have proper identification.

Asked whether the briefcase had a bomb, a police officer at the scene expressed his doubts.

[10] SPOKESMAN CY

He said the government does not agree with the way the board is handling issues and is in continued contact with the board especially on the issue of the 22 chief stewards.

The whole issue will be examined during the next cabinet meeting, the Spokesman added.

[11] CARNIVAL BEGINS

In Limassol, the procession will start at 7pm outside the Town Hall with fireworks to the rhythm of the mambo. It will culminate in an outdoor dance in Heroes Square. The Ariones choir will be performing in Heroes square from 7pm.

The children's carnival parade will take place on Sunday, March 6 in Anexartisias Street while the Grand Parade will take place on Makarios III Avenue on March 13 with the participation of 65 floats and participating groups.

In Paphos, the carnival will start at 5pm and culminate at the Medieval castle.

[12] WEATHER

Winds will be south-westerly to north-westerly moderate, force four and locally force five, reaching near gale on the north and west coast, force six.

The sea will be moderate and rough in windward areas. Temperatures will reach 22 C inland and on the south coast, 20 C on the west and 12 over the mountains.

Tonight the dust and weather conditions will gradually clear. Winds will be westerly moderate to strong, force four to five becoming near gale, force six. The sea will be moderate to rough on the west and north coast. Temperatures will fall to eight degrees inland, ten on the south and east coast, 13 C in all other coastal areas and 3 over the mountais.

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