Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 97-10-25

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Saturday, October 25, 1997

CONTENTS

[01] Markides does not rule out candidature

[02] Bases jail Cypriot brothers

[03] Cyprus-based British teacher to face child sex abuse questioning

[04] Policeman charged over massive marijuana haul

[05] Lawyer says Simellides lying

[06] Court told of sting to catch Turkish Cypriot smugglers

[07] Matsakis fury over politicians' bodyguards

[08] Koshis: we might be creating criminals

[09] 1,500 illegals deported since January

[10] Koshis promises to probe electioneering claim

[11] Contaminated potatoes made it to the market

[12] Bikers plan memorial to Dherynia victims

[13] Miller: no quick fix on Cyprus

[14] Nicosia walls 'could collapse with the first rain'

[15] Holy skull comes to Cyprus

[16] One interview too far

[17] Apollonas need point to go top

[01] Markides does not rule out candidature

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Alecos Markides has not ruled out running as a candidate in next year's presidential elections.

Surprise comments made by Markides yesterday concerning the elections fuelled speculation about a possible `third candidate' for a new Disy-Diko pact in 1998.

Far from denying that he was contemplating standing as a candidate, Markides confirmed he had been approached but said he would not make further comments for the time being.

"It's no secret that in recent days many people suggested I think about running as a candidate," Markides said.

He said these people came from all political spectrums. "I thanked them all, " Markides added before categorically stating he would not comment further on the issue.

His comments came as a surprise because when previously asked about his possible presidential aspirations, Markides said he would not stand if President Clerides wished to run for re-election.

Clerides has not yet announced his candidature but is expected to make hid decision known by the end of this month.

On Tuesday his partner in government, Diko leader Spyros Kyprianou, who intends to stand for President, served notice on the ailing coalition.

During the following days speculation rose about a possible third candidate for a new Disy-Diko alliance.

In the current situation, with each of the main parties putting forward their own candidates, none is likely to be able to bring the candidate of its choosing to power alone.

[02] Bases jail Cypriot brothers

TWO GREEK Cypriot brothers were jailed by the British bases yesterday for six and nine months respectively on nearly 20 counts, including assault.

Other offences relating to incidents which occurred last April included causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage and illegally constructing a building without a permit.

Trachoni resident Angelos Panaretou, 32, was given a six-month sentence and fined £380 while his brother Nicos, 36, received a nine-month sentence and a fine of £300.

The defence entered a plea of mitigation telling the court the effect a heavy sentence would have on the families of both men.

In his summing up, the judge said he had taken the mitigating circumstances into account and added he had no doubt that both brothers had been affected by "powerful influences" acting with little regard for the consequences that their actions would have on them and their families.

The brothers received their sentence in silence, unlike earlier appearances in the bases courts when they were surrounded by belligerent relatives and protestors.

The trouble began in April when father-of-five Angelos was remanded for illegally constructing a building. During his court appearance, Nicos, family members and anti-bases protestors staged a demonstration which turned violent when scuffles broke out with bases police.

Following yesterday's court ruling, the Panaretou brothers were led away to serve their sentences. Demonstrators who had supported their case and been present at the April clashes were noticeably absent.

Limassol deputy and anti-bases lobbyist Marios Matsakis who had earlier supported the brothers was surprised to hear they'd been jailed but had no plans to visit them.

"The Panaretou brothers refused any help from me," he said. "I won't be visiting them, but that doesn't mean I recognise the bases court."

Relatives of the brothers said yesterday they would refuse to recognise the court's decision and would appeal to the authorities of the Republic to do something.

[03] Cyprus-based British teacher to face child sex abuse questioning

A BRITISH teacher and former Catholic priest faces questioning in the UK about child sex abuse allegations after he was arrested in Cyprus by local police.

Police yesterday named the suspect as 46-year-old Norman Kelly Bulloch, from Dundee, who is suspected of having sexually abused children in his care while teaching in Scotland between 1971-1976. An international arrest warrant had been issued against the man.

The allegations by some of his former pupils only came to light last year, when Bulloch was already living and working in Cyprus.

According to a close friend, Bulloch is a former Catholic priest who officially left the priesthood several years ago.

Cyprus police were tipped off about his whereabouts by British Interpol in London.

Two British Interpol investigating officers arrived in Cyprus two days ago after local police traced Bulloch to an international private grammar school in Limassol.

"After receiving a message from Interpol in London we located and arrested the suspect in Limassol where he was teaching at a private school. We believe he was employed there for some time," said Cyprus police spokesman Glafcos Xenos yesterday.

According to sources at the school, Bulloch was beginning his sixth year there as a teacher in English and maths.

The source described Bulloch, a bachelor, as a "very popular member of staff."

Xenos said Bulloch was arrested last Friday and kept in custody for a week, but had not been charged because he willingly agreed to fly back to the UK for questioning when the British detectives arrived.

It is understood the Scottish authorities had already prepared extradition papers for Bulloch's return.

"Extradition procedures were not necessary because the suspect was willing to fly back for questioning regarding the case," said Xenos.

This meant that extradition procedures were by-passed and Bulloch arrived in London yesterday afternoon from Larnaca airport, accompanied by two Metropolitan police officers.

Xenos said the allegations concerned "unnatural sexual conduct with underage pupils in Scotland."

[04] Policeman charged over massive marijuana haul

TWO FORMER special policemen and four other men were yesterday charged in connection with a massive marijuana haul a month ago.

The Larnaca District Court referred the case to the Assizes, which will convene in Larnaca on November 20.

Axed special officers Loukas Kakkouris, 31, and Andreas Flourentzou, alias Kattos, 24, from Latsia outside Nicosia, were re-remanded till their trial. Kyriacos Constantinou, known as Glykas, 25, from Latsia, Nicos Nicolaou, alias Maou, 20, from Yeri near Nicosia, Andreas Charalambous, alias Koros, 23, from Nicosia and Afxentis Afxentiou, 20, from Yeri, were released on £10,000 bail each on condition they surrender their passports. The six were charged with conspiracy to smuggle narcotics, drug smuggling and possession. Kakouris, Flourentzou, Constantinou and Nicolaou were also charged with conspiring to push drugs in Nicosia.

The trial is centred around a drug seizure at Larnaca airport on September 24, which police described as the biggest ever of marijuana destined for the local market. Nicolaou was arrested on arrival on an evening flight from Amsterdam after police said they found seven-and-a-half kilos of marijuana in his hand-luggage.

Police believe the two special policemen were the 'brains' behind a drug trafficking ring, taking advantage of their postings at Larnaca airport to facilitate the smuggling of drugs by Nicolaou. The district court heard that police had information Kakkouris and Flourentzou had arranged for another three kilos of marijuana to be brought over from Amsterdam by Nicolaou between August 25 and 27.

Sixty-two witnesses are expected to appear for the prosecution during the trial.

[05] Lawyer says Simellides lying

DEFENCE lawyer Efstathios Efstathiou yesterday accused the chief prosecution witness in the Fanieros trial of lying to the court.

Efstathiou, defending the three Aeroporos brothers accused of attempted murder, continued to try and discredit the testimony of chief witness Tassos Simellides, 28, during a second day of cross-examination.

The lawyer repeated his claims that Simellides, already convicted for his involvement in the crime, was misleading the court.

Efstathiou went as far as to say that Simellides had also "deceived" his previous lawyer and former Attorney-general Michalakis Triantafyllides.

Triantafyllides withdrew his services, saying he had been duped into believing his client took no part in the drive-by shooting of Antonis Fanieros outside his gambling club on May 29.

This followed a press statement by the respected lawyer which claimed he had been assured of his client's innocence. Simellides later confessed to police on June 13.

Simellides denied suggestions by Efstathiou that he had given his consent for Triantafyllides to make such a public announcement on his behalf.

"I put it to you that everything you said verbally to police when you were first arrested and later in your initial statement is quite different to testimony given to this court," said Efstathiou.

Simellides had initially denied any involvement but later confessed to police, also implicating the three accused Aeroporos brothers - Panicos, 25, Andros, 30, and Hambis, 30.

Simellides conceded that up to June 13 he had denied any involvement in the shooting, but that his statement and court testimony were "the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

Efstathiou said that, if need be, Triantafyllides would be called to the stand to give evidence on the matter.

The Assizes court in Nicosia was later shifted to Limassol, under heavy police guard, where Simellides re-enacted his escape from chasing police after the shooting.

[06] Court told of sting to catch Turkish Cypriot smugglers

The court heard that butcher Mustafa Veli, 33, and Osman Konotoz, 41, a shepherd, both from Louroujina, were arrested on Thursday after a sting operation involving Greek Cypriot police officers.

They were arrested between Athienou and Lymbia around 9.10pm.

Police allegedly found a pistol and 19 bullets in their possession at the time of their arrest.

Investigating officer Kyriacos Ioannou told the court that under the sting operation the two suspects were to be given an advance payment of £15,000 by two undercover policemen posing as arms buyers to supply them with a number of guns and 170 animals.

Ioannou said that Veli, in a voluntary written statement on his arrest, had confessed to smuggling, and allegedly revealed the names of Greek Cypriot accomplices.

Police received information about the smuggling in July and set up a sting operation involving the two Turkish Cypriots.

During their arrest, the Turkish Cypriots had pleaded with police for their 'livelihood'. "We're poor and this is our work," one of them said.

Justice Minister Nicos Koshis yesterday described the arrests as a "serious blow" to gangs illegally trafficking goods from the occupied areas.

[07] Matsakis fury over politicians' bodyguards

MORE than 150 policemen are employed guarding politicians and other individuals, despite promises to cut down the size of police guards and save scarce manpower resources.

The revelation was made by independent deputy Marios Matsakis, who told the House Finance Committee yesterday he would not approve one cent from the 1998 budgets of the Justice and Public Order Ministry unless police stopped wasting valuable manpower resources.

"We can't have only eight policemen on the anti-drugs force in Paphos and dozens of others guarding politicians," he said.

Matsakis - waving a letter from the director general of the ministry George Anastassiades dated October 15 - said the ministry had reneged on promises to cut down on the number of policemen detailed to politicians.

He said the issue had been reviewed by a police safety committee which had recommended some cuts. And he complained that an ad-hoc parliamentary committee set up on the same issue a year ago had still not been convened.

Deputy police chief Stefos Zavros said some cuts had been made, but did not specify when.

The letter from Anastassiades indicated otherwise.

"Until this moment, there has been no reduction in the guard of any political figure because the issue is a political one and must be discussed by the relevant Minister and party leaders," the letter said.

Matsakis insisted on clarifications. Other deputies said the issue should be settled by police experts - on the basis of the specific safety needs of each politician.

Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis said the issue of politicians' guards had been one of the first he faced when he took over his duties.

"I told colleagues there that this was an important issue but not a priority. Our priorities are organised crime, drugs and smuggling. I said 'let's stop this thing here and study ways to reduce the size of the guards'."

Apart from police officers guarding serving ministers, official documents show that 33 policemen are employed in protecting the building of the House of Representatives and its president Spyros Kyprianou. George Vassiliou, a former president, had 13, Yiannakis Matsis and Nicos Anastassiades - former and current presidents of Disy have five each, Demetris Christofias of Akel has 11 and Edek president Vassos Lyssarides has 18. Alexis Galanos, former House president has two, as does former Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides and former Interior Minister Christodoulos Veniamin. Deputy Nicos Pittocopitis has one.

[08] Koshis: we might be creating criminals

A FEW members of the prison service either help convicts contact collaborators or turn a blind eye to such action, Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis said yesterday.

He was replying to deputies' questions about his earlier statement that organised crime had contacts with criminals serving in Nicosia central prison.

Koshis said he was worried by such contacts. It was this that had prompted him to make the original statement direct to prison wardens during a recent visit to the prison.

He was careful to clarify that he was speaking about isolated individuals within the prison service.

But he revealed that when the civil servants union had objected to his remarks, his response had been to warn them that he had more to say, only it would scare the public.

The remarks came during the House Finance Committee's meeting on the Justice Ministry's budgets for 1998 in which considerable time was spent discussing the state of the prison.

Prison director George Anastassiades said living conditions in Nicosia prison compared favourably with most prisons in Europe, while security was at higher levels. There have been no escapes for seven years, he added.

The increase in the prison population made lack of space a problem and a comprehensive plan to expand the prison and build new wings was now in the process of being implemented.

Asked whether there were plans to establish a separate prison for young offenders, Anastassiades said numbers were too small to justify a separate prison.

What was needed was a separate wing. "But, as in society, they have to build up the defence mechanism to resist bad influences," he said.

Anastassiades said the number of repeat young offenders was down, adding that repeat offenders in general tended to be petty crooks and thieves imprisoned for a short period.

Koshis said society had to find a way to keep minor offenders, especially the young, away from serious offenders and if possible out of prison.

"We have to admit that there is a risk that we might be creating criminals. We put someone in prison who has done something minor and he comes out a criminal," he said.

[09] 1,500 illegals deported since January

SOME 1,500 foreigners have been deported and 198 employers reported since January as part of a concerted bid to stamp out the illegal employment of foreigners.

But Justice and Public Order Minister Nicos Koshis acknowledged the problem remained acute. He told the House Finance Committee during yesterday's examination of his ministry's budget for 1998 that the police faced a hard task in rooting out the problem.

"We have weaknesses trying to find them, people cover employers who have illegal workers and they just send them along to someone else," he said.

This only prompted Diko parliamentary spokesman Tassos Papadopoulos to suggest making employers pay social security contributions for illegal workers, irrespective of whether these were still in Cyprus.

Making employers caught red-handed with illegals pay contributions from the date the workers first came to Cyprus would act as a deterrent, he said.

Edek deputy Takis Hadjidemetriou, who raised the issue in the committee, agreed. And he said he was concerned not only about the problem of illegal workers - estimated at more than 10,000, but about the conditions of their detention.

He also raised the problem of asylum seekers - and those who could not find a country to accept them.

Koshis said illegal foreign workers were detained in police cells and then deported. A few have occasionally been placed in prison.

"Where we have a problem is with asylum seekers or others whom no country will accept. And it will get worse if their numbers rise," he said.

[10] Koshis promises to probe electioneering claim

The claim, without details, was made by Akel deputy Kikis Kazamias during yesterday's meeting of the House Finance Committee.

Challenged by Disy deputy president Panayiotis Demetriou either to present facts or to stop making empty claims, Kazamias said he would give his information to Koshis on the promise the informant was not punished with an unfair transfer. Kazamias also asked the minister make public the results of his inquiry.

[11] Contaminated potatoes made it to the market

A GOOD part of the 22,000 kilos of Austrian potatoes containing harmful levels of pesticides have already been sold to the unsuspecting public.

Quantities of the produce were on sale in Nicosia fruit-markets yesterday but were later seized and destroyed by health authorities. The chief importer, Limassol fruit-market owner Polycarpos Kattasiis, faces six months in jail or a £2,000 fine or both.

Health Minister Christos Solomis told reporters on Thursday that potatoes imported from Austria had been deemed unsafe when tests had shown they contained three times the acceptable level of a particular chemical substance, present in pesticides.

He said that a container bearing the potatoes had been shipped into Limassol Harbour on October 8 where government health inspectors had taken samples for testing. From the moment the results showed dangerous elements to be present, he said, they automatically brought into operation a law which prohibits the circulation of any produce bearing harmful substances.

Kattasiis, who had imported the potatoes, allegedly removed them from his storeroom in Limassol Harbour where health inspectors had placed them and put them on sale at his fruit-market. The unsold potatoes from the contaminated batch were seized by health inspectors on October 14 - four days after the unfavourable test-results. By then, most of the batch had already been sold.

According to health inspector Melanthios Demetriades, however, storing the contaminated potatoes for about a week before consumption lessened the dangers.

Plans to use the potatoes as seed by farmers drew grave warnings from the Council of Cypriot Potato Trade. It stated that seed from such potatoes could spread harmful diseases not naturally present on the island, with dire consequences for the Cypriot potato crop.

Deep anxiety was also expressed by the Consumers Union which called upon the competent authorities to destroy the potatoes.

[12] Bikers plan memorial to Dherynia victims

THE ANTI-occupation ride by bikers which is planned for November 15 also hopes to raise cash towards a memorial museum for Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou.

The Cyprus Motorcyclists Federation (CMF) has already produced a scale model of the memorial and presented it at a press conference in Nicosia yesterday.

CMF president George Hadjicostas said they had no idea yet where the memorial - estimated at £250,000 - would go.

"We want to build it as close as possible to where Isaac and Solomou were killed," he said.

The two Greek Cypriots were killed within days of each other in August last year, Isaac, 24, beaten to death in the buffer zone in Dherynia during an aborted bikers ride and Solomou, 26, shot by Turks in the same area three days later following Isaac's funeral.

Paralimni, where the two lived, is also a possibility, since building the memorial in the buffer zone is highly impractical.

The CMF plans for statues of both men to grace the ground floor of the memorial building - Isaac depicted on a motorbike and a statue of Solomou on a flagpole, depicting how he was shot while trying to remove a Turkish flag.

Upstairs in the "Ionic Column", the history of Cyprus will be depicted, the CMF said.

Screenings of the death of the two men could also be shown on film.

Hadjicostas said the memorial was not being built to promote revenge but to remember their deaths.

On the November ride which begins in Greece on the eight of the month and culminates in Cyprus on the anniversary of 'TRNC independence', Hadjicostas said his bikers intended to stay far away from any signs of trouble.

The ride is due to begin in Dherynia and travel via Larnaca to Nicosia's Eleftheria Square. Several other demonstrations are also due to take place on the same day organised by students and refugee organisations.

[13] Miller: no quick fix on Cyprus

Thomas Miller said finding a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem was a top US foreign policy objective, but warned that the key to a breakthrough would be slow and steady progress.

Miller was speaking on Thursday afternoon before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations as President Bill Clinton's nominee to receive the rank of ambassador.

"Finding a just and lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem is a top US foreign police objective," Miller said.

He warned, however, that the Cyprus problem "is not amenable to either quick fixes or instant results". The search for a settlement "is a process in which slow and steady progress may be the key," he added.

Miller said he was well aware of the difficulties since he had been involved in the issue for nearly 20 years, noting that "with the support of Congress I will try to make a difference".

"I can see new opportunities to move closer towards ending intercommunal strife on Cyprus," Miller said.

He said he would work closely with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, presidential emissary on Cyprus Richard Holbrooke and Assistant State Secretary Marc Grossman.

"One important factor in the Cyprus equation is the application by Cyprus to join the EU," Miller said.

He added that the US also supported a closer relationship between the EU and Turkey, saying this too could have a positive impact on the overall atmosphere of a settlement process.

Miller said he was pleased hat President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had agreed during his visit to discuss security issues for the first time ever on a face-to-face basis under UN auspices.

[14] Nicosia walls 'could collapse with the first rain'

The first heavy rainfall could make parts of the walls fall apart, said Sophocles Hadjisavvas, Acting Director of the Antiquities Department.

Hadjisavvas told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) the department had written to Unficyp asking for assistance to save the part of the walls which are in the Green Line and under UN jurisdiction.

In particular there is concern about the walls near Paphos Gate, just under the controversial Turkish Cypriot playground on the Roccas Bastion.

The Greek Cypriot side believes the park is a cover for a military installation.

"Part of the wall which is in the UN-controlled zone is falling apart and will collapse with the first heavy rainfall," Hadjisavvas said.

He said the Antiquities department was willing to restore this part of the wall, provided Unficyp safeguarded the security of the workers.

Or else, he said, the UN should restore the walls themselves.

The Nicosia walls were built by the Venetians in 1567.

Hadjisavvas said restoration work on the fortifications began in 1995 when the capital hosted the European Cultural Month.

Over the past two years work has been stepped up with funds from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Around £287,000 were spent to restore the fortifications last year while £300,000 has been made available for 1998.

[15] Holy skull comes to Cyprus

The holy relic, belonging to the Orthodox church's most recent saint (he died in 1932), was brought over by Bishop Amvrosios of Paronaxia to be used in the blessing of the recently built church dedicated to the saint outside Xylotymbou.

[16] One interview too far

The tragic incident occurred when the 54-year-old appeared before camera to explain why trees had to be cut down in a road-widening scheme on the Nicosia village thoroughfare.

[17] Apollonas need point to go top

Top club Anorthosis, ahead of Apollonas on goal difference, do not play until Sunday when they are away to Alki. Of course a draw would be no cause for celebration as it would mean the end of the Limassol side's 100 per cent record.

On current form, Apollonas should have no trouble taking all three points today. They have won four out of four while Salamina, who will be without Stoic and Nicolaou, have lost their last two games.

Last weekend, after they were crushed 4-1 by Ethnikos, some fans called for the sacking of Serbian coach Karalic, and they will not take kindly to a third successive defeat.

The battle of the Ethnikoses - Ashia and Achna - who have never met before in their history, takes place in Nicosia at the Kykkos stadium today. The refugee Ashia club is still looking for its first point in the first division.

They may be able to get something out of the game although Achna with the greater experience and the on-song Mousic, who scored a first half hat- trick last Saturday against Salamina, should have the edge.

Omonia, who struggled to defeat Evagoras at home last Saturday may be in for a hard time at Dherynia where they meet an Anagennisis side, who are desperate for points.

Omonia have been a sorry sight this season. Disjointed and incoherent, their performances have been jeered by the fans. Coach Andreas Michaelides has been unable to instill any fluency in his side's game, although he believes he will get things right in the end.

If he does not find an intelligent organiser for midfield, it is doubtful his side's problems would be resolved very fast.

Anagennisis have won one and lost four so far but this is an improvement on last season when they took no points from their first seven matches. Today they could take the three points against this nondescript Omonia side.

The other Nicosia side, Apoel, will be hoping to wipe away the embarrassment of last Saturday's 3-2 defeat by 10-man Aek, by beating Apop in Kyperounda. The match is being played in the mountains because of Apoel's three-match home ban.

If the two sides produce anything as exciting as last season's 5-4 win for Apoel no-one will be complaining. Apoel's defence is suspect - it has conceded seven goals in four games - and will be further weakened by the absence of the suspended Constantinou and injured Costa.

Apop, on the other hand, have made one of their best starts to the season, and had they not conceded an unfortunate injury-time equaliser against Ael last Saturday, they would be level on points with Apoel. Summer signings from Anorthosis Sasa Jovanovic and Arsene Michailovic have been scoring regularly for the Paphos side and could exploit the weakness in the Apoel defence.

Once a home side, Paralimni now seem only able to win away games. They will be looking to make it three away wins in a row today when they go to Limassol for a clash with Ael, looking for their first home win of the season.

Finally, second from bottom Evagoras, who gave Omonia a fright last weekend, will be hoping to score their first win at home to fourth-placed Aek.

© Copyright 1997 Cyprus Mail

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article