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Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English, 05-04-18Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation at <http://www.cybc.com.cy/>CONTENTS
[01] HeadlinesMehmet Ali Talat was elected the new leader of the Turkish cypriots last night ending almost four decades of complete domination of community politics, by Rauf Denktash,The government said that it is evaluating the new political situation in the occupied territories, with the election of Mehmet Ali Talat and what an effect this will have on developments in the Cyprus issue, Cardinals in Rome held a solemn Mass praying for divine inspiration this morning, hours before locking themselves away from the world to elect a successor to Pope John Paul the second and Oil prices extended a losing streak today, falling briefly to an eight-week low under 50 dollars, as growing supplies outweighed worries of rising global demand. [02] Talat elexMehmet Ali Talat was elected the new leader of the Turkish cypriots last night ending almost four decades of complete domination of community politics, by Rauf Denktash, who had entered into negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus issue, with all the presidents of the republic of Cyprus, since Archbishop Makarios. Talat won an outright victory from the first round of voting, security 55 point 5, against 23 of Dervis Eroglou, president of the National Unity party and 13 point 2 for Mustafa Arapagioglou, the candidate of the Democratic Party. In his victory speech, Talat said he is lending a hand of peace to President Papadopoulos and the Greek-cypriots, so that they can fight together for the reunification of Cyprus and the solution of the political problem. He further added that he is prepared to meet with the President of the republic at any time. For the time being, Talat said, he is the only one who was invited the President of the republic to a meeting, so he is waiting for a response. Mehmet Ali Talat called on the international community to end the so-called isolation of the Turkish cypriots and the UN Secretary General to launch a new initiative that will lead to the resumption of settlement talks. Following the announcement of the final results, thousands of Talat supporters, gathered to celebrate at the Inonou square, in occupied Nicosia.[03] Government TalatThe government said that it is evaluating the new political situation in the occupied territories, with the election of Mehmet Ali Talat and what an effect this will have on developments in the Cyprus issue. Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides expressed the hope that under Talat, the Turkish-cypriot leadership will respond to the challenge of contributing to finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue. Mr Chrysostomides noted that going against what was considered his so called pro-solution stance, Mr Talat rejected a series of trust building measures, proposed by the government of the republic. Mehmet Ali Talat, the government spokesman further added, had led an unprecedented campaign of illegal sale of Greek cypriot properties in the occupied territories, while the number of settlers has considerably increased. Referring to the possibility of a meeting between President Papadopoulos and Mehmet Ali Talat, the spokesman said that this will depend on the course of events, adding that any negotiations must be held under the auspices of the United Nations.[04] Anastasiades TalatDISY president Nikos Anastasiades said that the Talat statements were encouraging and send a message that the Greek cypriot side is worth pursuing in practice. Mr Anastasiades noted that Talat has been firm in his positions and added that instead of creating a climate of cold relations, what's needed is the creation of prospects for an honest dialogue, so that Turkish cypriots realize that what Greek cypriot don't really want to change the philosophy of the bizonal bicommunal federation. Nikos Anastasiades stressed that a bold step was needed on behalf of President Papadopoulos, as leader of the Greek cypriot community, to have an informal meeting with Mehmet Ali Talat, in order to convey the message of honest Greek cypriot intentions.[05] Talat EuropeThe European Commission, through its office in Cyprus, said that it expected Mehmet Ali Talat's victory to create positive prospects for a resumption of settlement talks, under UN auspices and expressed the readiness to actively support all efforts and play a more active role. The United States consider Talat's victory as a confirmation of the Turkish Cypriot peoples' commitment to reunify Cyprus. The State Department deputy spokesman Adam Irilai assured that the American government will continue to support the UN Secretary General's efforts to reach a settlement which will be acceptable by a majority in both communities.[06] Tassos PraguePresident of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, heading a government delegation to the Czech republic, held official talks this morning, in Prague, with his Czech counterpart Vatslav Claus. This morning he was officially welcomed to the country in an impressive ceremony at the Czech capital's medieaval castle. The president of the republic arrived in Prague yesterday. He laid a wreath at the capital's military cemetery, where Greek and Turkish cypriots, killed during the second world war, are buried side by side.[07] Pope electionCardinals in Rome held a solemn Mass praying for divine inspiration this morning, hours before locking themselves away from the world to elect a successor to Pope John Paul the second.The Mass in St. Peter's Basilica was led by 78-year-old German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's doctrinal chief who is seen by some as a leading candidate for the papal throne. All of the 115 cardinal electors under the age of 80 who will enter the conclave joined older cardinals, bishops, priests, nuns and simple faithful in united prayer for the outcome of the conclave. The conclave, a unique election mixing ancient ritual with ultra-modern technology was due to start at about 4:30 in the afternoon local time, five thirty in Cyprus. In a process dating back to medieval times, the "Princes of the Church" will shut themselves in the Sistine Chapel and other restricted parts of the Vatican, emerging only when they have chosen the first new pontiff of the third Christian millennium and the 264th successor to St. Peter. If the conclave resembles previous ones, the cardinals will need several days and repeated votes to reach a majority. Many say the new pope should be from the developing world, where more than two thirds of the faithful live. Europe has only one quarter of the world's Catholics but half the cardinals in the conclave. [08] Oil PricesOil prices extended a losing streak today, falling briefly to an eight-week low under 50 dollars, as growing supplies outweighed worries of rising global demand.U.S. light crude traded as low as 49.66 dollars a barrel, the lowest since Feb. 22, before recovering to 50.20, down 29 cents from Friday's close. Brent crude in London was down 51 cents to 51.10 dollars a barrel, after losing 59 cents on Friday. U.S. crude oil prices have fallen around 14 percent from an all-time peak of 58.28 hit two weeks ago, driven by swelling crude stocks and signs of a sharper-than-expected decline in China's oil demand growth. Oil's slide has made it less likely that OPEC producers, which control half of global exports, would increase supplies before ministers are due to meet in June. [09] India PakistanDeclaring their peace process irreversible, nuclear rivals India and Pakistan today agreed to open up the militarised frontier dividing Kashmir, capping a successful visit to New Delhi by President Pervez Musharraf.In a significant coming together, Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said they would work towards a "soft border" in Kashmir, opening meeting points for divided families and boosting trade, travel and cooperation across the frontier. But while the agreement on the approach was a breakthough, there was, as expected, no major progress towards a final solution on Kashmir, at the heart of half a century of hostility and which almost sparked a fourth war in 2002. The joint statement said terrorism would not be allowed to derail peace efforts and clearly warned Islamic separatists fighting Indian rule that neither side would tolerate attacks on a just-launched bus service uniting the divided Himalayan region. [10] WeatherIt will be cloudy this afternoon, with the possibility of scattered showers. Winds will be moderate to strong, easterly to southeasterly, moderate to strong, force four to five, over moderate seas. Temperatures will reach 25 degrees inland, 23 in coastal areas and 21 over the mountains. Tonight it will be generally fine, with patchy cloud. Winds will be light southwesterly to northwesterly, force two to three, turning moderate force four in western coastal areas, over slight seas. Temperatures will drop to ten degrees inland, 13 in coastal areas and nine over the mountains.Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |