Cyprus: Ban calls for decisive steps towards final settlement after intensive talks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) joins hands with Greek and Turkish Cypriot Leaders Demetris Christofias (left) and Dervis Eroglu. UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeThe latest round of United Nations-facilitated talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities aimed at the reunification of Cyprus have ended in New York after ?robust and intensive? discussions, Secretary-Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for a decisive move to reach a final agreement.

Mr. Ban, who attended the talks between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, on Monday and Tuesday, said ?limited progress? was achieved during the meeting.

He also reminded both parties that the process is Cypriot-owned and Cypriot-led.

?The UN is not here to impose solutions upon the sides,? MrI have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks to which they agreed.. Ban told reporters at UN Headquarters, adding that the two sides had come to the meeting to make an effort to resolve the main challenges in the process ? the issues of the election of the executive, property and citizenship.

?In terms of next steps, I have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks to which they agreed,? said Mr. Ban, whose Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will brief the Security Council later today on the talks.

?I will be providing a report to the Security Council on the status of the negotiations at the end of February [and] at the end of March I will seek a review of the process from my Special Adviser.

?If his report is positive, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May,? said the Secretary-General.

He stressed that, at this stage of the talks, even maintaining the momentum and continuing negotiations in an intensive manner is not sufficient. ?I have urged the leaders to make decisive steps to move to a final agreement,? he added.

?The United Nations remains convinced that it is in the interest of all Cypriots to reach a durable settlement,? he said.

In 2008, both sides agreed to work towards ?a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.? The partnership will comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.

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UNESCO urges maritime restrictions for World Heritage Sites in Italy

Venice and its Lagoon. Photo: UNESCO

The United Nations agency tasked with safeguarding the world?s cultural heritage called on Italy today to restrict maritime access to its most culturally and ecologically sensitive areas, including the lagoon city of Venice.

In the wake of the recent Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urged the Italian Government to quickly develop alternative plans for seafaring traffic around the World Heritage site of Venice.

The Northern Italian city is a renowned tourist destination and is visited by almost 300 large cruise ships each year.

On 13 January, the hull of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia was torn open after it ran aground off the coast of Tuscany?s Giglio Island. According to media reports, 15 people died and at least 18 are still missing. The ship was also carrying a reported 2,400 tonnes of fuel, prompting widespread concerns about a potential environmental disaster.

?The tragic accident reinforces longstanding concern over the risk that large cruise liners pose to sites inscribed on UNESCO?s World Heritage List, particularly the Venice Lagoon and the Basin of San Marco,? wrote Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO?s Assistant Director-General for Culture, in a letter to the Italian Ministry of the Environment.

Mr. Bandarin, who was writing on behalf of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, also expressed the agency?s condolences for ?the tragic loss of life? caused by the accident and praised the efforts of rescue teams and the local population in dealing with the disaster?s aftermath.

The regular cruise liner traffic in Venice has contributed to damaging the fragile structure of the city, according to the agency. The massive ships cause water tides that erode the foundations of buildings and contribute to polluting the natural environment of the surrounding lagoon.

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UN maritime official calls for probe into cruise ship incident off Italian coast

IMO Secretary-General-elect Koji Sekimizu. Photo: Imo.un

A senior United Nations official today called for a thorough investigation into the incident involving the Costa Concordia cruise ship that ran aground off the coast of Italy over the weekend.

?In the centenary year of the Titanic, we have once again been reminded of the risks involved in maritime activities,? Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said in a speech to the agency?s Sub-Committee on Stability, Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety.

Mr. Sekimizu expressed his condolences to the families oI would like to urge the Flag State administration to carry out the casualty investigation covering all aspects of this accident and provide the findings to the IMO.f those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that occurred on Friday near Giglio Island.

Six people reportedly died and at least 16 are missing after the Costa Concordia?s hull was torn open after it ran aground. A total of 4,200 passengers and crew were on board the vessel, according to media reports.

?Causes of this accident are still not yet established,? noted Mr. Sekimizu. ?We must wait for the casualty investigation and should not pre-judge or speculate at this stage.

?I would like to urge the Flag State administration to carry out the casualty investigation covering all aspects of this accident and provide the findings to the IMO,? he added.

Mr. Sekimizu voiced his appreciation to the Italian Coast Guard for their rescue operations over the night of the accident, adding that the IMO must not take this accident lightly.

?We should seriously consider the lessons to be learnt and, if necessary, re-examine the regulations on the safety of large passenger ships in the light of the findings of the casualty investigation,? he stated.

The IMO, based in London, is the UN specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

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UN tribunal welcomes arrest of former member of Serb paramilitary forces

Radovan Stankovic, a former member of Serb paramilitary forces. Photo: ICTY

The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s welcomed the arrest of Radovan Stankovic, a former member of a Serb paramilitary unit who faces multiple charges for crimes against humanity.

Mr. Stankovic was arrested over the weekend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than four years after he escaped from prison in May 2007.

?Today?s apprehension of Stankovic is significant for the victims of the grave crimes he has been convicted for,? said Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

?I hope that this arrest reflects an increased commitmenToday?s apprehension of Stankovic is significant for the victims of the grave crimes he has been convicted for.t of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the process of bringing to justice those responsible for the grave crimes committed on their territory in the early 1990s.?

Mr. Stankovic was first indicted by the ICTY, which is based in The Hague, in 1992. He was then transferred by the Tribunal to Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2005, where he was convicted to 20 years in prison by the State Court for war crimes, including the rape and enslavement of Muslim women and girls. However, he escaped from prison in Foca two years after his sentencing.

Since then, the ICTY had repeatedly called for his arrest and emphasized the importance of apprehending him to make progress in bringing those responsible for war crimes in the region to justice.

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UN-facilitated talks between Cypriot leaders begin in New York

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (back to camera) greets Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders Demetris Christofias (centre) and Dervis Eroglu (right) at Greentree Estate in Manhasset, New York. UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities as they began two days of United Nations-facilitated talks on reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation.

This is the fifth time that the Secretary-General is present at talks between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, as they continue the negotiations begun in 2008.

Ahead of the talks, Mr. Ban said he looked forward to ?a productive meeting and concrete progress? during the two-day session being held at the Greentree Estate on Long Island.

The UN-facilitated talks are aimed eventually setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot constituent states of equal status.

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Ban looks forward to �concrete’ progress at upcoming meeting of Cypriot leaders

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias (left) and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu (right). UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon is looking forward to ?concrete progress? when the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders meet in New York next week to discuss reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation, his spokesperson said today.

The meetings on Monday and Tuesday between Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, will be the fifth time the Secretary-General will be present at the United Nations-facilitated talks.

?The Secretary-General looks forward to a productive meeting and concrete progress,? said a statement issued by his spokesperson, which added thHe believes that with political will and firm commitment the two leaders can and should reach a much-needed settlement on Cyprusat the UN chief has conveyed his expectations to the two leaders.

?He believes that with political will and firm commitment the two leaders can and should reach a much-needed settlement on Cyprus,? it added.

The UN-facilitated talks began in 2008 with the aim of eventually setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot constituent states of equal status.

Earlier this month, the Secretary-General?s Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, told reporters in Nicosia that Mr. Christofias and Mr. Eroglu will continue to make efforts to reach agreement on core issues, including governance and power-sharing, property rights, territory and citizenship.

The UN has maintained a peacekeeping mission (UNFICYP) in Cyprus since 1964 after an outbreak of inter-communal tensions.

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Greece, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia wrap up UN-mediated talks

Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. UN Photo/Paulo FilgueirasRepresentatives of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have wrapped up two days of United Nations-mediated talks on the dispute over the official name of the latter country, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General announced today.

Matthew Nimetz said the discussions in New York were helpful and focused on the optimal way to move the process forward in a constructive manner. He added that he was given firm assurances that each Government is sincere in its interest in finding a solution and that they fully respect the UN process.

A UN-brokered interim accord in 1995 details the differences between the two countries over the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It obliges both Athens and Skopje to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General to try to reach an agreement, but so far they have not succeeded.

Mr. Nimetz met separately with Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece and Ambassador Zoran Jolevski of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the two days. Both sides presented the positions of their respective Governments on the name issue as they stand at the present time.

He said he will consult further with the representatives regarding arranging a visit to the two capitals to continue the discussions.

?As we move forward, I have asked the parties to demonstrate their commitment to the resolution of their difference by promoting a positive atmosphere through their actions and public statements,? he stated.

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UN officials mourn passing of former Turkish Cypriot leader

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits the buffer zone in Cyprus and crossed to the north via Ledra Street in February 2010Top United Nations officials have voiced sadness at the passing of Rauf Denktash, the former Turkish Cypriot leader who died on Friday in Nicosia.

Mr. Denktash was a “long-serving and historic” Turkish Cypriot leader with whom the UN had a long relationship in the framework of UN-facilitated talks for the reunification of Cyprus and related to its peacekeeping responsibilities on the island, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

The Secretary-General, his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, and his Special Representative for Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim, expressed their condolences to the family of Mr. Denktash as well as to all Turkish Cypriots.

Mr. Downer and Ms. Buttenheim described the former leader as “a pre-eminent figure” whose dedication to the Turkish Cypriot community was steadfast through decades of leadership.

They reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to reaching a comprehensive solution on Cyprus for the benefit of all Cypriots.

The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities are set to continue efforts to reach agreement on core issues when they meet in New York later this month for talks aimed at reunifying the island.

Cyprus was among several issues discussed today between Mr. Ban and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey during their meeting in Beirut, where the Secretary-General is currently on an official visit. They also discussed the situation in Syria, as well as Iran.

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Raquel’s performance on Dodi Princess postponed to February 3

The much anticipated ‘Candle in the wind’ performance of buzzing Ghanaian songstress, Raquel on the famous Dodi Princess Cruise Boat has been postponed from the advertised January 27 date to February 3. The performance on the famous Volta Lake had to be postponed for a week due to technical challenges.

Tickets purchased for January 27 will still hold for the February date and tickets are still available for 60 GHC(inclusive of food and drinks) and are available at YFM, HITZ FM, TEMA COMM 7 SHELL and ROYAL RICHESTER HOTEL. The Management of the singer and organizers of the event have apologized for the inconvenience, assuring guests of an even better experience on the new date.

Guests will get up close and personal with the singer as she performs her hit songs ‘Odo’, ‘This Is Me (Sting In A Tale)’, ‘Sweetio’ and many more.Guests will also be treated to an entrée of delicious and tasty food and drinks, as they enjoy an hour of musical intimacy with Raquel and De Genius Band. After the music, food and drinks, it would be time to shake it off on the dance floor alongside special guest artists at the After-Party inside the Dodi Princess Club.

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Mensah Available For Guinea Game

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John Mensah

Courtesy::African OriginTravels/Royal Oasis Gh. Ltd

There is a refreshing wind blowing in the camp of the Black Stars and that has heightened optimism among the playing body and the technical team alike.

It has now emerged from the quarters of the team’s doctor that team captain John ‘The Rock’ Mensah will miss just a game- the Ghana-Mali on Saturday- as a result of the red card offence he committed in Ghana’s opening game against Botswana last Tuesday.

The Black Stars captain, according to team Doctor Percy Annan, suffered a slight injury-muscle contusion, and not muscle tear as was widely speculated.

And indications are that the defender is responding to treatment-making him a possible first team player when Ghana take on Guinea in their last group game on Wednesday.

“John is doing well, by way of recovery. It is not muscle tear as people speculated, rather it is a muscle contusion, a condition which rules him out for a short period,” Doctor Annan told this writer in an interview.

“The good news is he will be available for the Guinea game fully fit on Wednesday,” the doctor added.

  Mensah suffered the muscle contusion injury in his attempt to slide a Botswana forward which led to his exit in the 66th minute in their Group ‘D’ opener.

 From Kofi Owusu  Aduonum,Franceville,Gabon