Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 98-03-01

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

Sunday, March 1, 1998

CONTENTS

[01] Bank faces sexual harassment claim

[02] New cabinet sworn in

[03] Work with me, Clerides appeals to Denktash

[04] Not what the doctor ordered

[05] Less money laundering in Cyprus, says US

[06] Buffer zone picnics 'not a good idea'

[07] Role of the Net

[08] Woman burnt alive

[09] Raufmann hits 8 past Anagennisis

[01] Bank faces sexual harassment claim

THE BANK of Cyprus faces an unprecedented sexual harassment suit involving a claim for damages running into six figures, the Cyprus Mail can reveal.

There have also been allegations of a cover-up, which the bank denies.

Informed sources say that more than £200,000 in damages will be sought in a civil action brought by a £1,000-a-month Bank of Cyprus employee against the company and one of her superiors in a case concerning "persistent verbal sexual harassment".

Sources close to the woman say the suit could be filed at Nicosia District Court as early as next week.

"This is a unique case, because no case of sexual harassment has been contested in the courts before. We are suing for a six-figure sum," said a source close to the woman.

The only previous sexual harassment case involved a female tourism employee who was awarded £4,000 last year, but that case was heard by an industrial tribunal and was uncontested.

The employee alleges that she was persistently harassed by her boss, and that when she complained to higher levels of management at the bank they tried to hush it up.

Sources speaking for the woman said two other female employees who had allegedly suffered similar harassment from their boss supported her complaint.

The Cyprus Mail has seen documentation that the bank's disciplinary committee convened to discuss the allegation. Although the alleged culprit was asked to attend the meeting, the woman who made the complaint was not, according to the aggrieved party.

"I have evidence the committee met and that the woman was told her boss had received a 'verbal caution' about his behaviour. They thought the case was closed, but this was an injustice. They made a deal with the accused because he had friends high up," said an ally of the woman.

Sources at the Bank of Cyprus deny that any disciplinary measures were taken, and they say the woman did not submit her complaint in writing, as requested.

"A verbal complaint of sexual harassment was put forward, then withdrawn later on, then put forward again," said a bank source.

"We asked on four separate occasions for the complaint to be put in writing, but so far the other party has not complied."

The bank argues that a complaint can only be fully investigated once it is in writing, to enable those accused to defend themselves.

"The alleged culprit has written to the bank denying that anything took place. He is calling for disciplinary measures against the woman."

Sources at the bank told the Cyprus Mail this was the first complaint of sexual harassment it had received: "The Bank of Cyprus is a fair and large employer; it takes the dignity of women very seriously."

The bank also denies rumours that it offered any money to the woman to stop her from going public with her accusation.

"Let me state categorically that there was no cover-up, no offer was made, and there were no negotiations, nor will there be negotiations," said the bank source.

Sources close to the woman say she never withdrew her complaint and that a written statement was not made because the bank had already decided on a course of action.

During the Cyprus Mail investigation, reliable sources alleged that a "substantial financial offer" was made to the woman.

But the bank believes the woman is engaged in a campaign to secure a large settlement.

"There have been various threats against the bank to settle, and this is scandalous," said a source for the company.

The barrage of claim and counter claim highlights the strength of feeling the allegations have produced, and both parties now seem on course for a lengthy legal battle the like of which Cyprus has never seen before.

[02] New cabinet sworn in

THE NEW cabinet was sworn-in yesterday, with posts going almost exclusively to those who helped President Clerides' re-election on February 15.

The only exceptions were the Defence and Education Ministries, which went to Edek choices.

There were no surprises as the names of the 11 ministers were finally made known yesterday, days of speculation having already arrived at the eventual line-up.

But the day was not without political squabbling, with New Horizons leader Nicos Koutsou, smarting at his exclusion from the cabinet, speaking about broken promises.

He had been in the running for the Health Ministry but was pipped at the post on Friday night by the man Clerides's Disy party wanted - Christos Solomis.

Solomis was one of five Disy ministers to return to their posts, the other four being Yiannakis Cassoulides (Foreign Affairs), Christodoulos Christodoulou (Finance), Leontios Ierodiakonou (Communications) and Nicos Koshis (Justice).

Defence went to Edek Vice-chairman Yiannakis Omirou, while the new Education Minister is former teacher Lycourgos Kappas, chosen from a list of possibles submitted to the president by Edek leader Vassos Lyssarides on Thursday.

Diko rebels Dinos Michaelides and Andreas Moushioutas, who incensed their party by backing Clerides in the elections, were rewarded with the Interior and Labour ministries respectively, the same posts they held before Diko abandoned the coalition government late last year.

The Agriculture Ministry went to United Democrats (UD) general secretary Costas Themistocleous. Nicos Rolandis, whose Liberal party merged with Disy earlier this week, secured the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

Christos Stylianides, of the movement for political renewal, was named as new Government Spokesman, replacing Manolis Christofides. Christofides is expected to secure another government post.

Pantelis Kouros retains his position as Under-secretary to the President.

Clerides had invited all parties to take part in government, upholding a pre-election pledge he made to Edek, but communist Akel and centre-right Diko - who backed main challenger George Iacovou in the elections - declined.

After the 12.30pm swearing-in at the Presidential Palace, Clerides called on his new cabinet to work together despite their varied party affiliations. In statements afterwards, the ministers duly promised to do so.

Earlier in the day, Koutsou picked up where he had left off on Friday night after his exclusion from the cabinet had become obvious.

He alleged that Clerides had promised his minority party a ministry and said the president's offer of a deputy Education Minister post did not cut the mustard. He also accused Disy of elbowing New Horizons aside.

He said Clerides had gone back on his promise to form a multi-party government, describing the cabinet as a Disy-Edek reserve.

Disy leader Nicos Anastassiades responded to the charges immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

"What was said about the president's credibility was both unfortunate and untrue; the same goes for what was said about the Disy leadership," he said.

"What matters is not whether you are a minister or a deputy minister, what matters is that you participate in a broad-based government," Anastassiades said.

"There were objective, not political, reasons why Mr Koutsou did not get the ministry, as he well knows," he added.

The Disy leader said the invitation for New Horizons to participate in government with a non-ministerial post still stood.

In a written response, New Horizons dismissed Anastassiades' claims that Koutsou's exclusion had not been politically motivated. It also called on Edek to reconsider its participation in the Clerides government.

[03] Work with me, Clerides appeals to Denktash

PRESIDENT Clerides sent a message of reconciliation to Turkish Cypriots after being sworn in for a second five-year term yesterday.

"We all belong here equally and we must learn how to live together again," he said in an inaugural speech before a packed House of representatives in Nicosia.

"Both Greek and Turkish Cypriots have suffered much: we have harmed each other. The mistakes of the past, made by all of us, have been paid for dearly," Clerides said.

"We must now think of the future, and bequeath to future generations an inheritance of peace and unity, not an inheritance of confrontation and conflict," the 78-year-old president said.

He made a personal appeal to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to co- operate as a fellow Cypriot for the good of Cyprus.

"Let us work together for our common homeland," he urged Denktash. "Let us begin the process of creating a new Cyprus for a new century. It is our duty, and the best gift we can give to our children and grandchildren - to all Cypriot children."

Among the audience was George Iacovou, the candidate Clerides beat by some 6,500 votes on February 15 to secure re-election as president.

Rebel Diko deputies expelled from the party for backing Clerides' re- election bid sat not on the centre-right party's benches but with the United Democrats instead.

President Clerides made extensive reference to the prospects for a Cyprus settlement, citing international initiatives, the anticipated resumption of UN-led talks, and the EU accession process as reasons for optimism.

"A solution of the Cyprus problem is not such a difficult matter, provided there is goodwill on all sides," he concluded.

He said the key was a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation on a demilitarised island.

But he nonetheless defended the Republic's right to reinforce its arsenal, with specific reference to the controversial order for Russian-made S-300 ground-to-air missiles.

"Strengthening our defence and acquiring a satisfactory air defence capability" would "avert the military option as a method of solving differences", Clerides told the House.

He took a swipe at the US and Britain for opposing the S-300 order: "Those who want to see a reduction of military forces must not ignore the Cypriot people's right to a sense of security," he said.

On a more positive note, Clerides said the EU's desire to see Turkish Cypriots participate in accession talks would not be hard to realise.

"If there is the necessary political will on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, ways for joint participation in accession talks are not difficult to find," he said.

Clerides also called on all political parties to work with him in "the correct handling of our national issue".

After his speech, Clerides stood flanked by House President Spyros Kyprianou and House Usher Marios Matsakis for the assembled deputies and dignitaries to file past and shake his hand.

[04] Not what the doctor ordered

PATIENTS visiting the Kaimakli clinic are having to go further afield for their prescriptions because a government pharmacist is refusing to work in the Nicosia suburb.

For several weeks, those visiting the outpatients clinic - most of them pensioners - have had to take their prescriptions either to the Aglandjia clinic or the Nicosia general hospital in order to get the medicines they need.

The Cyprus Mail has learned that the dispensary at Kaimakli has shut because its regular pharmacist was transferred - and that her appointed replacement is refusing to work in Kaimakli.

The clinic has refused official comment, but sources there confirm the situation.

They say the doctors and nurses who work at the clinic are "fed up" with the situation.

"One doctor saw as many as 40 patients a few days ago and 38 of them had bronchitis and needed prescription medicines," the source said.

He added that all these people had to go elsewhere and that many of them were obviously too old or immobile to go by themselves.

"They have to go home and wait for relatives to come and bring them their medicines," the source said.

"But they are the ones who have to protest. We have (protested) but it's useless. Unless they protest nothing will be done."

Asked why the dispensary has been closed, the sources said the replacement pharmacist "does not want to come here".

One Kaimakli resident who went with flu symptoms earlier in the week said: "It was totally ridiculous. I have no car and the reason I went there is because it's within walking distance, and I was feeling pretty miserable."

The resident - who did not want her name used - said that instead of being able to get some medicine quickly before going home she ended up paying for a taxi to the General Hospital and back "just to pick up a few antibiotics".

"I can't imagine how difficult it must be for older people," she said.

Eftychios Kkolos, director of the Pharmaceutical Services at the Health Ministry, was unavailable for comment either at his office or at his home.

[05] Less money laundering in Cyprus, says US

MONEY laundering activities in Cyprus have lessened significantly over the past two years, according to the US State Department.

In its latest International Narcotics Control report, the State Department, which only two years ago blasted Cyprus over money laundering, now says such illegal activity on the island has been reduced.

Its previous report accused Cyprus of being a possible hot-bed of laundering of funds controlled by the Russian mafia. It placed the island among its high-risk areas along with the US itself, Britain, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, Thailand, Turkey, the Netherlands, Colombia and other countries.

"Despite the passing of new laws, the priority for Cyprus is being raised from medium-high to high, reflecting the US belief that Cyprus is a high risk area for money-laundering," the report said at the time.

But the latest report praises the Central Bank for its anti-laundering efforts, which it calls "encouraging".

"Cyprus' efforts in this area have reduced money laundering activity, and there has been a fall-off in detected illicit financial activity on Cyprus over the past two years," the new report said.

It also said there is no evidence of senior or other officials "facilitating the production, processing or shipment of drugs or the laundering of drug-related assets".

"The government's aggressive advances on the anti-money laundering front and its excellent co-operation on drug law enforcement during 1997 warrant US government optimism for even stronger bilateral co-operation in 1998," the report said.

It warns, however, that the country's success as an offshore centre makes it vulnerable to international money laundering activities.

The State Department said it will continue to monitor the government's efforts to prevent the use of the offshore sector for money laundering.

[06] Buffer zone picnics 'not a good idea'

Green Monday signals the beginning of Lent in the Greek Orthodox church, and is a traditional day for families to picnic in the countryside.

Over the past several years groups have gone to picnic in the 180-km long buffer zone, and the UN has said it fears for their safety.

A spokesman at Unficyp said that not only are citizens in danger from unmarked landmines inside the buffer zone, but many do not also realise the consequences of approaching Turkish forward positions in UN-controlled areas.

A man was killed by a landmine explosion last year near the buffer zone when he went to find his dog. More recently a vehicle driven by two UN soldiers was badly damaged by another unmarked landmine.

In October 1996 Petros Kakoullis, 58, a retired fireman, was shot dead by Turkish soldiers in the buffer zone after he entered the area while out gathering snails.

Police also warned yesterday of the dangers of drinking and driving over the holiday weekend, and said they would be carrying out breathalyser patrols between 3pm and 9pm tomorrow.

[07] Role of the Net

The Euro-Med Net '98 conference will take place at the Nicosia Hilton between Wednesday and Saturday.

The event is organised by the University of Cyprus in association with the Communications Ministry.

[08] Woman burnt alive

Savou Hadjistyli was kneading dough in the utility room of her home in Peristerona village outside Nicosia when the accident happened. Her body was found by her husband at 8am, police said.

[09] Raufmann hits 8 past Anagennisis

GERMAN STRIKER Rainer Raufmann set a new scoring record yesterday as he netted eight times in Omonia's 10-1 mauling of second from bottom Anagennisis.

After yesterday's scoring spree, Raufmann, the league's top marksman, took his goal tally for the season to 24 in 17 games and helped reduce the goal difference that separated Omonia from top of the table Anorthosis from 10 to three.

Anorthosis had a more difficult task, eventually beating third from bottom Alki 3-1, on a day that saw six games produce a feast 32 goals.

Third-placed Ethnikos Achna extended their unbeaten run to 14, after defeating their namesakes of Ashia 2-0. An injury-depleted Apollonas stayed in fourth thanks to a 2-0 home win over Salamina who had two foreign players limping off in the first half.

A headed goal in the last minute of the game by Charalambous clinched a 4-3 win for Apoel over Apop in Paphos. Finally Paralimni once again failed to win at home, having to settle for a 3-3 draw with Ael despite leading by 3- 1 at one stage.

Raufmann had completed his hat-trick against Anagennisis within 24 minutes, his third goal coming from the penalty spot. The penalty was given for a handball by Panayiotou, who was sent off. The German scored two more before the interval.

After the break, Gitanov and Kaiaphas managed to get on the scoresheet, before Raufmann resumed goal service. He hit another three to complete a memorable afternoon and a remarkable record, even though it was achieved against very weak opposition.

Tomic, returning to his side after suspension put Anorthosis in front after 13 minutes but Alki levelled with a bizarre goal on the stroke of half- time. Yiatrou shot at goal from the halfway line, and the ball rebounded off the bar, hit keeper Panayiotou and went into the net.

Vesco Michailovic restored Anorthosis' lead before the half-time whistle, scoring with a direct free kick. He got scored again from the penalty spot for his 16th goal of the season.

Salamina, who were missing three first choice players through suspension, saw Kovasevic and then Stoic limp off with injuries in the Limassol game, before Iosiphides gave Apollonas a first half lead.

Ten minutes before the end, Salamina's Louca was sent off for a second bookable offence, and in the last minute Apollonas' captain Pittas converted a penalty kick to settle the game.

Ethnikos Achna's top scorer Dragoslav Mousic, found the net twice in the opening 12 minutes (the first from the spot) to put the clash beyond Ashia's reach. Mousic has got 15 goals this season.

Paralimni looked to be coasting to their second home victory of the season when they took a 3-1 lead early in the second half with goals by Economou and Oudmandzuridze (two); Demetriou had scored for Ael.

Two goals by Neophytou in the 58th and 65th minutes secured a point for Ael, who stay in seventh place, above Paralimni on goal difference.

Apop performed a heroic comeback in Paphos where at one stage they had trailed by 3-1, but were sunk by a last minute goal. Ioannou, Boboutsudes and Satchas scored for Apoel, with Charalambous getting one for the home side.

A Jovanovic penalty and a Stephanou strike levelled the score before Apoel's Charalambous dealt the killer blow in the final minute.

Aek and Evagoras were to play later last night.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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