Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 98-05-23

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

Saturday, May 23, 1998

CONTENTS

[01] 'Cab driver went drinking after killing tourist'

[02] Rights activists welcome gay law

[03] Ministers decide cruise focus for Larnaca port

[04] Soldier arrested in UK on Cyprus rape charge

[05] Paralimni motorway by 2000

[06] Government crackdown on foreign workers

[07] Smoking kills 500 a year in Cyprus

[08] Accusations fly over Andre fiasco

[09] Government welcomes Security Council stance

[10] Greens plan Limassol car park protest

[11] American movies flood the market

[12] Extra time for HTI students to take exams

[13] Women appeal across the divide

[14] Crash woman found in hospital

[15] Two die in car crash

[01] 'Cab driver went drinking after killing tourist'

THE CONFESSED killer of a French tourist went boozing while his victim lay dead in the boot of his taxi and later took in a strip-show after dumping the corpse down a 100-foot well, the Limassol assizes heard yesterday.

Taxi driver Kyriacos Andreas Zanas, 36, from Kiti village outside Larnaca, has pleaded guilty to murdering 49-year-old Jacqueline Françoise Chomik after picking her up from Larnaca airport on Christmas day last year.

The prosecution, summing up the case against the taxi driver yesterday, told the court Zanas had shot Chomik with his double-barrelled hunting gun following a "disagreement" on the way to her Limassol hotel.

Zanas apparently told police Chomik began shouting at him in French, a language he does not understand, and then grabbed at his collar. Zanas "saw red" at this point and drove off the highway onto a dirt track in the Moni area and told Chomik to get out of his cab, the prosecutor stated, quoting from a statement Zanas made to police after his arrest.

Zanas then got out of the cab and shot Chomik in the stomach, the court heard. According to the statement, Zanas then fired the second barrel, missed, re-loaded and shot her in the stomach, again, and face.

He than put her bloodied body in the boot of his cab and drove back to Larnaca airport, the court heard. There he met up with a taxi-driver friend and went to a party at the home of another colleague, the prosecution said.

After four hours of drinking he left the party with his friend and told him of the body in his car boot, the court heard. The two men then drove to the village of Xylotymbou, about 30km from Larnaca, and dumped Chomik's body down a dry well, the prosecution said.

The two friends then drove to a Nicosia cabaret to enjoy a floor-show, the court heard.

Zanas was arrested on February 7 after the DNA blueprint of blood stains discovered on his cab was found to closely match that of Chomik's relatives. Police say that on February 8, a month after Chomik's disappearance, Zanas led them to a well near Xylotymbou where the victim's body was discovered.

Another Larnaca airport taxi driver, 38-year-old Panicos Andreou, alias Shioferos, has been charged with helping Zanas dispose of the body. Shioferos has pleaded not guilty to charges of being an accessory after the fact.

Zanas' lawyer Andreas Andreou, pleading for a lenient sentence yesterday, told the court his client fled the country after the incident but was then driven by guilt to return and eventually admit to the killing.

Andreou said the shooting was not premeditated, and asked the court to take into account the fact that Zanas had a drug habit and psychological problems. A psychiatric report showed he had a disturbed personality and had difficulty controlling his impulses, the court heard.

The lawyer added that Zanas had three children from two different marriages.

The court is to sentence Zanas on June 4.

[02] Rights activists welcome gay law

THE PASSAGE of a long-delayed bill decriminalising homosexuality was given a cautious welcome by local human rights campaigners yesterday.

The Pancyprian Association for the Protection of Human Rights expressed concern about last-minute provisions included in the controversial bill in an attempt to dampen the objections of the Church and many deputies and to ensure smooth passage through the plenum on Thursday.

These changes to the bill were designed to ensure homosexuality was not "encouraged". They outlaw advertising for gay partners or "indecent proposals", and provide for stiff sentences for sex offenses of a homosexual nature, it was revealed yesterday.

"It does not escape our attention that there has been a parallel outlawing of general and ill-defined actions... and that heavy sentences are threatened under the new law," an association statement read.

The association warned it would "act accordingly" if a study of the adjustments proved they constituted a violation of human rights. The Green party also expressed concern about the last-minute changes, saying they included "harsh" sentences.

Both the greens and the association nonetheless welcomed the bill.

"At last, even if for the wrong reasons, the House has acted to it make possible, even if late in the day, for Cyprus to harmonise itself with Europe and the rest of the world on human rights issues," the association stated.

House president Spyros Kyprianou said on Thursday the bill had been passed in order to avoid "serious consequences" for Cyprus's relations with Europe.

The bill was approved just eight days ahead of a Council of Europe (CoE) deadline for Cyprus to comply with a 1993 European Court of Human Rights ruling to decriminalise homosexual relations. The decriminalisation bill was tabled soon after the 1993 ruling but a vote had been postponed repeatedly, with deputies loathe to show public "support" for homosexuality. Cyprus could have faced expulsion from the CoE for failing to meet the May 29 deadline.

Decriminalisation was also welcomed by the United Democrats party -- which had consistently supported the controversial bill -- as a show of respect for human rights.

The party stated in an announcement that it was satisfied that "populism and demagogy had not managed to put Cyprus at huge political risk."

[03] Ministers decide cruise focus for Larnaca port

DEVELOPMENT of Larnaca port will focus on servicing cruise ships and expanding the marina as well as catering to minor cargo traffic such as potatoes and wheat.

The Council of Ministers reached a decision on the future of Larnaca port yesterday, adopting the suggestions of a study by the Development Bank. Apart from expanding the marina and passenger services, the government proposes to develop the areas surrounding the port and connect the expanded port area with the rest of the city, creating a larger coastal zone.

The developments will be completed in three phases. The first phase, expected to last 15 months and run to a cost of £20.7 million, will concentrate on the construction of two berths for Ro Ro ships in the southwestern section of the port, construction of a new wharf and passenger terminal, and the removal of cranes and cargo warehouses.

The next phases involve the expansion of the northern jetty, the construction of new jetties for the anchoring of cruise ships and buildings relating to passenger traffic.

Regarding development of the surrounding areas, the Council of Ministers decided on the expansion of the Finikoudes zone as far as the port; the promotion of building complexes, and the creation of public squares, car parks and public buildings.

Ministers concluded in accordance with the Development Bank study that there is an increased demand for cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean and that Cyprus should be creating the appropriate structures to benefit from it.

The study also stated that the project was economically viable and could attract funding from various sectors.

The Cabinet appointed a committee made up of the Ministers of Finance, Communication and Works, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and Labour and Social Insurance to compile a report on how the works should proceed.

Larnaca port workers held a protest outside the Presidential Palace on Wednesday calling on the government not to go ahead with the expected decision to turn Larnaca port into a passenger terminal -- a decision they fear will put them out of work.

[04] Soldier arrested in UK on Cyprus rape charge

The soldier, identified as Kevin Melia, 27, also faces allegations of at least two indecent assaults and up to 28 indecent exposures in Cyprus.

Melia served with the 380-strong British contingent in Nicosia until he was sent home after a female colleague claimed he had assaulted her within the UN compound.

An investigation was subsequently carried out by the Royal Military Police serving with Unficyp, and the soldier was flown back to the UK in early November 1997.

Military sources said the soldier was first detained in Cyprus on November 3, 1997, shortly after the alleged incident took place.

Lance Bombardier Melia was on a six-month tour in Cyprus, serving with the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.

He is being detained at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

[05] Paralimni motorway by 2000

A meeting at the Presidential Palace yesterday morning presided by President Glafcos Clerides and attended by the Ministers of Finance, Interior and Communication and Works, by deputies from Famagusta, the mayors of Paralimni, Ayia Napa and Dherynia and representatives of the service sector, decided on a time-frame for the long-awaited road.

The road will be a dual-carriageway and will run from Pyla to Protaras.

Communication and Works Minister, Leontios Ierodiaconou, said after the meeting that "there were two main decisions made regarding the project. The first specifies that the construction of at least two lanes from Pyla, Xylotymbou and Ormidhia should be finished in time for summer next year and be in use by May 1999; the second calls for construction on all other sections to be then accelerated so that the entire project will be completed by May 2000."

The minister added that the government would be in constant contact with the communities in the areas affected, so that any problems that arise can swiftly be solved.

Paralimni Mayor Nicos Littis, who has in the past called on the government to get on with the motorway construction, expressed satisfaction with the time-frame, stressing that the project was of vital importance for tourism and agricultural development in the area.

[06] Government crackdown on foreign workers

Work permits will not be renewed or issued in the construction industry because 1,000 Cypriots are out of work, while 1,200 foreigners are employed in the sector, the government said yesterday.

And police have been instructed to crack down on illegal employment in the building industry.

The Labour Ministry is also urging unions to report any employer who might be harbouring illegal workers.

Furthermore, the government will not issue work permits in the health sector to foreigners wanting to join the nursing profession.

Private clinics have been warned not to hire non-Cypriots as professional nurses.

The restrictions do not apply to EU nationals.

And in line with the tough stance, the Agriculture Ministry said it also was determined to carry out stricter controls and checks on seasonal employment in the fields.

From now on, farmers must produce greater proof that they need seasonal foreign workers for specific tasks, the ministry said.

[07] Smoking kills 500 a year in Cyprus

A statement issued yesterday by the Cyprus Greens revealed that the number of annual deaths due to smoking in Cyprus was five times higher than deaths caused by car accidents.

According to paediatrician Nicolaos Matsianiotis and pathologist Charalambos Roussos, 548,000 Europeans die every year because of smoking and 17 per cent of deaths caused by lung cancer are of non-smokers who are exposed to passive smoking.

The Greens argue that "the Cyprus community lets cigarette companies bask in their profits while their friends and family die slowly." They stress that "nicotine is a drug and the promotion of smoking, particularly to young people, reaches the boundaries of criminality."

The Greens further point out that although the House of Representatives has adopted a law banning smoking in public places they do not even apply it within the House itself. They argue that Larnaca airport is the only airport in Europe where "all the cafeterias cater only to smokers with ash trays on every table -- usually full of cigarette butts."

The Greens Party concluded by calling on the government to enforce the existing law relating to smoking in public places by banning smoking within the House and committee rooms and by authorising police to enforce the law in other public places.

[08] Accusations fly over Andre fiasco

PETER Andre's management may not even bother suing local promotions company Seif after the company issued advertisements blaming them for the singer's concert cancellation, as they feel Seif has discredited itself by its own actions.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, the singer's agent Paul Fitzgerald said Seif's credibility had been "blown out of the water" by their actions, and it may therefore not even be worth taking legal action over the advert's claims.

The advert, which appeared in the local press yesterday, accuses Fitzgerald of being "unprofessional", and says he "misrepresented" himself as Andre's agent.

It also says Seif has grounds for taking legal action against Fitzgerald's company Concorde.

Fitzgerald said his management company, Concorde International Artistes Ltd, had been in operation for 18 years, representing acts such as Boyzone and The Prodigy, and had never been questioned in this manner before.

The Andre concert, scheduled for last night, was cancelled after it was discovered that the Eleftheria stadium venue was already booked for a basketball game, and that there were alleged irregularities in the payment schedule on Seif's behalf. The concert had already previously been postponed and Andre's management was unwilling to sanction the change of venue offered by Seif for the concert to go ahead.

Last week, Andre gave an interview on Limassol's Sky FM radio station, in which he said Seif were squarely to blame for the debacle. But he added he would love to perform in Cyprus once a reputable promoter was found.

Fitzgerald said a decision would probably be taken about legal action on Monday.

Seif were unavailable for comment yesterday.

[09] Government welcomes Security Council stance

Thursday's Security Council statement was a blow to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, who -- smarting at the EU's decision to start accession talks with the government -- had demanded recognition of his 'Turkish Republic of Norther Cyprus' as a pre-condition for his return to negotiations. The break-away state is recognised only by Turkey.

"Yesterday's answer from the Security Council to Denktash's unacceptable pre-conditions concerning the continuation of talks on the basis of intercommunal negotiations helps our handlings greatly," government spokesman Christos Stylianides said.

He described the Security Council statement as "significant, especially in the face of continuing Turkish intransigence."

"The position expressed by the Security Council is a position which strengthens us to continue our efforts for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem," Stylianides said.

[10] Greens plan Limassol car park protest

In a statement issued yesterday, the Ecological Movement said its members and local residents would picket the site in a protest beginning at 9am, to complain about the traffic chaos they claim the car park will bring to the city.

But Limassol municipality hit back at the Green claims, with Town clerk Christos Michael claiming Limassol desperately needed the car park to solve its huge illegal parking problems.

The streets were, he said, lined with illegally parked cars, and this was simply because anyone coming into the centre of the town, be it to shop or visit the post office, water board or any other official building had to park somewhere.

The municipality, he added, had looked at other possible solutions, but had found the car park to be the best solution.

Pedestrianisation and busses as suggested by the Greens had been considered, he said, but were not felt to be viable because of the prevailing car culture in Cyprus. Mass re-education would be needed to implement this solution, he concluded.

Michael also refuted claims that the municipality had not studied the environmental situation around the site, saying they had had the possible impact studied both by local and overseas specialists, including experts from France, Spain and the United States.

The cost of the car park, he added, was expected to reach about £500,000, and not £1 million as alleged by the Greens. The multi-storey parking lot will be built by a private company.

[11] American movies flood the market

The banned film was David Cronenberg's Crash, but in general 1997's films seem to be less offensive than those released the previous year, as just 24 films were rated '3', or suitable for adults only, down from 51 in 1996. The vast majority of films, 117, were considered suitable for all, up form 80 in 1996, while 69 were issued with the intermediate '2' category, as opposed to 55 in 1996.

No films have been banned so far this year, though the full frontal male nude scene at the end of the Oscar-nominated Boogie Nights caused much consternation at the censorship board. The film was, however, passed intact.

The report also noted that America still provided the vast majority of films released on the island -- 194 -- followed by Britain, trailing with just seven. Three French films were shown, while Yugoslavia, Australia and the Czech Republic, this year's only newcomer, supplied one each. Local productions numbered three, up on 1996's one.

The total number of films shown last year is also up on 1996, when just 164 were shown, though 1996 saw films from a broader range of countries, with representatives from Greece, Italy, Sweden, Holland and Vietnam.

In 1997, the public were offered more dramas (142) than any other genre, though comedy came in second with 55. Ten animated features were released, and four musicals.

[12] Extra time for HTI students to take exams

Labour Minister Andreas Moushiouttas said yesterday that he had suggested the students have an extra week of lessons, and then take the exams at a date which has yet to be arranged.

The students have agreed to this proposal and all that remains is for the Academic Committee to approve the measures. It is expected that this will happen on Monday.

The agreement will moreover waive truancy regulations, which would have seen picketing students forfeit their certificates if they took more than a certain number of days off lessons.

[13] Women appeal across the divide

The demonstrations will take place between 12 noon and 2pm today. They will take place at the same time as a symbol of unity.

Women's organisations from both sides will be reading a common statement expressing their sadness at the continued segregation of the two communities and calling for peace for the sake of children and the nation.

This is the first time such an event is organised in Cyprus. International Women's Day for Peace was declared in 1995 at the International Women's Conference in Beijing.

Cyprus Women's Movement (POGO) representative, Mellia Avraam, told the Cyprus Mail that POGO was in constant telephone contact with Turkish Cypriot Women's organisations, and women from both sides wrote today's statement together.

[14] Crash woman found in hospital

The woman was a passenger in the BMW driven by Dimitris Tsangarides when it crashed with a light van driven by Christos Mitas. Mitas' passenger, Nicos Koni, was killed. The accident happened at around 5.15 am near Zygi.

It is thought that the foreign woman, who sustained head injuries in the crash, may have been taken to the clinic by a passing driver.

Larnaca traffic police are investigating the accident. None of the victims were wearing seatbelts.

[15] Two die in car crash

Three people were injured, one seriously.

Marios Varvarkastanis, 14, was a passenger in a black Mazda driven by Kyriacos Klitou, 22. Both were killed instantly after a head-on collision with a pick-up truck driven by Nectarios Antoniou, 17, who was seriously injured.

According to police, the Mazda collided with the pick-up as Klitou went to overtake a Honda driven by Nicolas Demetriou, 25, whose father Socrates Demetrious, 57, was a passenger in the car. The Honda also crashed, but neither man was seriously injured.

All five of those involved in the accident are from Paliometocho. The accident occurred at around 7pm.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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