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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 01-12-18
From: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>
CONTENTS
[01] Headlines lunchtime
[02] National Council
[03] Hannay contacts
[04] Turkish plan
[05] Dhali infection
[06] Weather Europe
[07] Afghan wrap
[08] Drugs arrests
[09] Gambling arrests
[10] Arson attempt
[11] Weather lunchtime
TUESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2001
[01] Headlines lunchtime
The National Council convened this morning to evaluate the latest
developments in the Cyprus problem,
British special representative for the Cyprus problem Lord David Hannay
was accepted this morning by President of the Republic Glafkos
Clerides,
A fatal combination of an early cold snap, alcohol, poverty and old
age has already pushed weather-related deaths in parts of eastern
Europe above the total for the whole of last winter,
The whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted man,
remained a mystery as U.S. and Afghan forces hunted his routed
fighters in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan
and
Canadian police, taking advantage of sweeping new anti-terrorism
legislation, arrested Santa Claus on the grounds that he had a beard.
[02] National Council
The National Council convened this morning to evaluate the latest
developments in the Cyprus problem, in light of the upcoming direct
talks between President Clerides and Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash scheduled for the sixteenth of January. The last session had
been held on the fifth of December, right after the meeting between
President Clerides and Rauf Denktash, in the presence of the UN chief's
special advisor on the Cyprus problem Alvaro De Soto, and prior to the
official dinner held in occupied Nicosia, with President Clerides
attending. The specific content of the last meeting was not disclosed.
The only details made public were that the overall political strategy
was discussed, and particular decisions were reached.
[03] Hannay contacts
British special representative for the Cyprus problem Lord David Hannay
was accepted this morning by President of the Republic Glafkos
Clerides. They held a working breakfast. Responding to a question on
whether his comments yesterday on a new partnership in Cyprus
constitute a new British approach or simply a slip up, Lord Hannay
referred to an informal document drawn up by the UN Secretary General,
which spoke of a new partnership that will come out of the solution of
the Cyprus problem and lead Cyprus to the European Union. At around
eleven he crossed over to the occupied areas and met with
Turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. He also met leaders of Turkish
cypriot parties. During contacts with political leaders yesterday, the
British diplomat had said that the talks will take place on a give and
take basis and did not rule out the possibility of a solution within
six months. Around three this afternoon, Hannay will hold a press
conference at Ledra Palace near the buffer zone in Nicosia.
[04] Turkish plan
According to the Turkish cypriot daily Kibris, considered to be
pro-Denktash, in case the talks between President Clerides and Rauf
Denktash talks continue, the United States will gradually implement a
plan they have drawn up for a solution of the Cyprus problem.
According to the paper, Washington have prepareda three dimensional map
of Cyprus, outlining all the details of their plan.
[05] Dhali infection
A technical glitch at the pump room of the waste processing plant in
the Nicosia district village of Dhali, led to the flooding of the
manhole, creating a serious infection risk for the Yialias torrent.
The main waste viaduct as well as the pumproom are very near the
torrent banks. Dhali mayor Nikos Nikolaou said that the problem has
been temporarily dealt with, but there is a danger of the pipe breaking
down, causing a major environmental spill. Nikolaou has asked the
government to transfer the duct away from the Yialias banks. He said
that the waste spill is small, so far, but microbiological checks will
be carried out to make absolutely sure that the situation is under
control.
[06] Weather Europe
A fatal combination of an early cold snap, alcohol, poverty and old
age has already pushed weather-related deaths in parts of eastern
Europe above the total for the whole of last winter. The cold spell
has taken its toll on the Mediterranean, too, with rare snowfalls
south of the Alps, heavy storms and widespread flooding. As in
previous years, the main cause of death in eastern Europe has been
excessive drinking, with hundreds of victims succumbing to exposure in
the open after failing to find their way home from binges. Russia's
capital Moscow has already counted 221 dead this winter. Poland, has
counted 135 weather-related deaths so far. In neighbouring Lithuania,
over 20 people have died in the cold snap of recent weeks and 21 in
Latvia, with alcohol again a major culprit. Heavy snow falls in
southeastern France last week forced the closure of several motorways,
causing heavy traffic congestion. In Italy, snow coated parts of the
southern region of Naples for the first time in over 15 years and
temperatures fell below zero on Sicily. Floods have also struck
Turkey's Mediterranean coast, leaving five people dead. Snow storms,
gale-force winds and heavy rain also swept across Greece, forcing the
closure of all northern Greek airports, and all schools in northwestern
Greece.
[07] Afghan wrap
The whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted man,
remained a mystery as U.S. and Afghan forces hunted his routed
fighters in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan. President Bush vowed
to catch Islamic militant Osama bin Laden "when the dust clears" from
a cloud of conflicting reports on his whereabouts. Pashtun forces are
preparing to attack a mountain redoubt where Taliban leader Mullah
Mohammad Omar is believed to be hiding with 500 men, and want to hang
him. On the diplomatic front, the man designated to head the interim
government that will take power in Afghanistan this week met with the
former Afghan king for talks to smooth the way for the exiled
monarch's return. In London, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain
would contribute up to one thousand five hundred men to an
international peace force for Afghanistan and it was prepared in
principle to lead such a force.
[08] Drugs arrests
Two people were arrested last night in Nicosia, for possession of
cannabis. The two men were arrested around eleven, in possession of
ten grams of cannabis. Early today, one of the suspects handed over
another one and a half grams, that he had stashed away in his car.
[09] Gambling arrests
Another sixteen people were arrested for gambling last night in areas
of Nicosia and Larnaca. Ten of them were arrested at the Olympiakos
club in Nicosia. Police confiscated one thousand sixty five pounds and
three hundred playing cards. Six people were arrested at the Larnaca
district village of Pervolia. All sixteen were charged in writing and
released.
[10] Arson attempt
Arsonists targeted a car about an hour past midnight, in Larnaca. The
car, owned by Loukas Sotiriou, 24, was parked outside the Medusa
apartment building. The fire broke out at the front part of the
vehicle, but was put out, before causing serious damage.
[11] Weather lunchtime
It will be cloudy this afternoon, with the possibility of rain and
thunderstorms, while sleet or even snow is expected to fall on the
highest reaches of the Troodos mountains. Winds will be moderate to
strong, southeasterly to southwesterly, five to six beaufort, over
moderate to rough seas. Tonight it will be cloudy with local showers
and the possibility of sleet or snow falling on the highest reaches of
the Troodos mountains. Winds will be moderate to strong, westerly to
northwesterly, four to five beaufort, over moderate to rough seas.
Temperatures will fall to six degrees inland, 10 on the coast and three
on the mountains.
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