Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 98-04-14

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

Tuesday, April 14, 1998

CONTENTS

[01] 'Turkish Cypriots may have been Pyla vandals'

[02] Cyta and bank argue over satellite venture

[03] Solution 'must be under UN mantle'

[04] Passport crackdown under fire

[05] Speculation on defence issues 'unhelpful'

[06] Pre-poll tax pledge will be honoured

[07] Crash kills grandmother

[08] Late wife reports husband missing

[09] Banks called to account on bill charges

[10] Ten degrees hotter than usual

[11] Sophie the sheep shanghaied from shelter

[12] Bank of Greece upgrades Cyprus operation

[01] 'Turkish Cypriots may have been Pyla vandals'

TURKISH Cypriots themselves may have been behind the defacing of the bust of Ataturk in the mixed village of Pyla last week, a newspaper in the north has said.

According to Yeniduzen the spraying of the bust with blue paint on the eve of a pilgrimage by 1,300 Turkish Cypriots to the south was not a coincidence.

A Turkish flag was also removed from near the bust in the centre of the mixed Greek and Turkish Cypriot village during the incident last Wednesday.

At the time the government said any suggestion the attack had been carried out by Greek Cypriots was "nonsense".

Yeniduzen said the possibility that Turkish Cypriots were behind it could not be ruled out.

"Are we to blame the Greek Cypriots for the assassination of (journalist) Kutlu Adali or the planting of bombs at the offices of Turkish Cypriot political parties?" the newspaper asked.

It criticised Turkish Cypriots who tried to use the Pyla incident to show that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could not live together in peace.

Unficyp condemned last week's vandalism, saying it "was not in keeping with the generally peaceful and friendly atmosphere in Pyla".

Although there have been problems between villagers in recent months these have related to infrastructural problems rather than politically motivated attacks.

The last political incident took place around four years ago, and involved an attempt by visiting Greek Cypriots to the mixed village to remove a Turkish flag.

[02] Cyta and bank argue over satellite venture

A ROW has erupted between the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) and the Development Bank over a Cyta-Matra Marconi joint venture for the promotion of satellite link-ups.

The Development Bank is sceptical about the viability of the proposed partnership between Cyta subsidiary Digimed and the Anglo-French company to set up satellite operations outside Cyprus.

Bank representative Loukas Louka told the House finance committee yesterday that Matra Marconi had so far failed to reveal the overall cost of the project - in which Digimed is to have a 15 per cent stake. The cost of the joint venture is estimated at about $850 million.

Louka said a similar venture the bank was considering with American firm Hughes would prove less costly. He also told the committee that Hughes had more experience than its Anglo-French competitors in the satellite field.

Cyta Chairman Michalakis Zivanaris retorted by branding the Development Bank position "irresponsible".

He said Digimed had so far committed only to participating in a feasibility study for the satellite project, and nothing more.

"The study will indicate both to Cyta and the government to what extent the system is the one we seek," Zivanaris said.

The semi-governmental organisation's contribution to the continuing $8 million Digimed-Matra Marconi feasibility study is $2 million, but this spending has yet to be approved by the House.

Zivanaris said the government should be presented with feasibility studies for both joint ventures and decide between them.

"Let the Development Bank go ahead and do its own study so the government has two studies to choose from," he said.

Communications Minister Leontios Ierodiakonou made it clear that the government had yet to decide on whether Cyta should participate in the venture. He was otherwise non-committal in his statements.

"The government supports the policy that Cyprus will enter into the business of offering satellite service systems, but this must be done within parameters defined by our financial capabilities and we must move forward with steady and measured steps," Ierodiakonou said.

The Finance Ministry is now expected to decide whether to approve the $2 million for the Digimed-Matra Marconi feasibility study or not.

[03] Solution 'must be under UN mantle'

THE GOVERNMENT will agree to any negotiation process leading to a settlement provided it is within the United Nations process and does not undermine the legality or status of the Cyprus republic.

This categorical position was set out yesterday as the press speculated that the United States was pushing for Dayton-style talks to hammer together an agreement.

US State Department Co-ordinator Tom Miller is due in Nicosia immediately after Easter. President Clinton's high-profile envoy on Cyprus Richard Holbrook is expected in early May, and some reports have suggested he will bringing invitations for the two leaders.

The National Council meets tomorrow, with the agenda covering "strategy and tactics" on the Cyprus issue as well as an Edek proposal for a Council of National Policy.

Sunday's authoritative Athens weekly To Vima said the US was preparing the ground for a Dayton-style international conference on Cyprus. It said the Cyprus government would not reject such a development, but that it would impose conditions.

The newspaper also quoted Miller as saying Dayton and Camp David were the results of "special circumstances". The US diplomat said the experience could prove useful for Cyprus in the future, but added that where things stood now, he did not consider such comparisons "useful".

Also on Sunday, Russia's ambassador in Nicosia Georgy Muratov said the report of a Dayton-style meeting was "hypothetical". Moscow had no such information, he said.

Muratov said the UN Security Council, not the US, has the upper hand on the Cyprus problem, and he expected the Cyprus issue to be discussed in the Security Council in a month.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides was yesterday bombarded with questions on whether the government would agree to a Dayton-style meeting or whether it would participate in a four-party conference (the two communities, Greece and Turkey).

"The government is ready to participate in any procedure aimed at a settlement of the Cyprus problem. However it is not ready to take part in any procedure which undermines the legality of the Cyprus republic or its status," Stylianides said.

The form of the talks should remain as an inter-communal dialogue and fall within the good offices mission of the UN secretary-general, he added.

Stylianides said historical examples did not scare the government, provided its legality was not called into question.

Asked about reports of a possible Russian initiative, Stylianides said any initiative based on UN Security Council resolutions was to be welcomed.

He could not comment on reports that the Cyprus issue will be discussed in the Security Council next month. But he said any Security Council debate would help persuade Turkey to abandon its negative stance.

[04] Passport crackdown under fire

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday criticised plans by the regime in the north to penalise Turkish Cypriots who obtain Cyprus passports.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said all Turkish Cypriots are considered to be citizens of Cyprus and "may hold passports of the Republic".

The Turkish Cypriot regime has announced the approval of a bill which bans 'TRNC' citizens from holding passports or identity cards issued by the Greek Cypriot side.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, 'Deputy Prime Minister' Serdar Denktash, son of the Turkish Cypriot leader, said the draft bill now only needs to be ratified by 'parliament'.

The bill provides for the imposition of fines for Turkish Cypriots holding Cyprus Republic passports, and gives them 90 days to hand them in.

The penalty for those who do not comply include heavy fines and up to six months' imprisonment.

Denktash said such actions were common in other countries, but added that the banning of the identity cards would not affect those who received pensions from the Greek Cypriot side.

Recent press reports in the north claimed that some 3,000 Turkish Cypriots, including 13 politicians, held Cyprus passports caused an uproar in the occupied areas.

According to the government more than 2,000 Turkish Cypriots have obtained Cyprus Republic passports since 1988.

Authorities said all the passports have been issued since 1988, mainly from the Cyprus High Commission in London.

Because the 'TRNC' is not internationally recognised, Turkish Cypriots encounter problems when travelling abroad.

They use Turkish passports but there are fewer visa restrictions on Cyprus government passports, a fact which has pushed many Turkish Cypriots into obtaining them.

Only Britain, France and the US accept Turkish Cypriot documentation as sufficient proof of identity, but Britain has also recently imposed visa restrictions on those travelling from the north after an upsurge in arrivals seeking political asylum.

[05] Speculation on defence issues 'unhelpful'

Spokesman Christos Stylianides was responding to questions on a television report on delays in the repair of a National Guard radar aerial by the French company which supplied it.

The television station which ran the story said there was already a two- month delay. It said a similar radar had been sold to Turkey and installed on the Pentadaktylos mountain range, and speculated the delay may be deliberate.

But the spokesman dismissed the report as groundless. "I repeat the long- standing position of the government that issues of defence and national security should not feature in such a way in the public limelight, particularly when information is not complete or firm," he said.

The Defence Ministry said the problem which had arisen with the repair and installation of the aerial was a purely technical matter, not deliberate.

[06] Pre-poll tax pledge will be honoured

"The government is true to its pre-election pledge not to impose new taxes. There are various studies centring on the issue, they are under examination and there are proposals, but there is no decision from the Council of Ministers," he said.

Asked to clarify, Stylianides said the studies focused on the longer term.

[07] Crash kills grandmother

Stephani died instantly. Her husband was seriously injured.

Two passengers in Pepos' vehicle were also hurt.

[08] Late wife reports husband missing

According to a police announcement, Kyriakou Katsiami, from the Livadia estate outside Larnaca, reported that she had not seen her 55-year-old husband Anthoullis since August 13 last year.

Kyriakou told police her husband had not contacted his family since his disappearance, and she believed he might be abroad.

Police added that the missing man was also wanted for a number of unpaid court fines and asked anyone who had any information to come forward.

Anthoullis is described as 1.75 metres tall and of average build.

[09] Banks called to account on bill charges

It said the charge has particularly hit low-income people and pensioners who have no reason to have bank accounts.

The association has sent an official protest letter to Banks Association Chairman Christakis Panjaris, asking him to intervene on behalf of the consumer.

The Bank of Cyprus is now charging non-account holders 25 cents to pay bills at its branches, while the Popular Bank is charging 26 cents.

[10] Ten degrees hotter than usual

"This sort of phenomenon is experienced every three or four years," Meteorological Service director Cleanthis Philaniotis said.

The normal maximum day-time temperature for this time of the year is 24 degrees centigrade, but the mercury shot up to 35 degrees at mid-day in Nicosia yesterday, Philaniotis said.

On Sunday the temperature reached 35 degrees centigrade, and on Saturday 33 degrees.

He said the heat was caused by the presence of warm air masses from the south.

"Temperatures will start dropping, but gradually, as from Wednesday," Philaniotis predicted.

[11] Sophie the sheep shanghaied from shelter

SOPHIE the sheep has been shanghaied from the Cyprus Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) shelter, and it is feared she may now be destined for the dinner table after all.

Sophie's dramatic tale first came to the public eye at the beginning of February, after she was taken in by CSPCA president Toulla Poyiadji.

The animal had been found wandering in Nicosia, and after appearing in a TV piece about the shelter was immediately claimed by local restaurant The Syrian Friendship Club as their runaway Ramadan repast.

But without proof of ownership, Poyiadji refused to hand the sheep over, and Sophie remained at the shelter.

But on Saturday at 8am, when she went to feed Sophie, Poyiadji found someone had cut a hole in the fence and that the sheep was gone.

The police were called, and they questioned labourers working nearby, but the workmen were unable to help. National guardsmen at a nearby post, however, said they had seen a car drive up and stop at around 10.30 on Friday night. It remained there for about eight minutes before driving off again, and may be connected with the incident.

Poyiadji fears that after surviving the Muslim feast day, Sophie may now have been kidnapped by someone intent on turning her into an Easter meal.

Sophie is very friendly, Poyiadji said yesterday, adding that she had become very attached to the sheep, which would bleat in greeting when she went to feed her.

Anyone who knows anything about the incident should contact either the police or the CSPCA on 02-350530.

[12] Bank of Greece upgrades Cyprus operation

Group Vice-chairman Theodoros Pantelakis told a Nicosia news conference the bank currently has 23 branches in Cyprus, occupying 45 per cent of the sector. In 1997 it had an operating profit of £543,000, more than doubling 1996's £256,000.

The first three months of 1998 have shown a further 14 per cent increase.

Future plans for a Nicosia mutual capitals handling company, in coalition with Interamerican and the Shakolas Group, were also mentioned.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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