Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 99-07-21

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

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

CONTENTS

[01] CY heading for new crisisBy Jean ChristouCYPRUS Airways (CY) appeared to be heading for a new crisis yesterday as relations between staff and management sank to a new low.Developments in the wake of Sunday's series of flight delays -- which affected some 600 passengers -- indicate the airline and its pilots are heading for a new bust-up.Commenting on the developments, one industry insider said yesterday: "They have all gone mad".An announcement by pilots’ union Pasipy said that it has initiated a civil action against Cyprus Airways and its spokesman Tassos Angelis for slander.The situation is also being compounded by a developing row between those said to be involved in creating problems for the company and the remainder of the airline's staff.A statement issued by a group of fed-up CY employees condemned the behaviour of some of their colleagues as "selfish and irresponsible".It accused a faction within the staff of jeopardising the future of the some 2,000 families employed by the airline, and called on those "who are part of the comedy" to stop."We would like to express our frustration about the irresponsible behaviour of certain colleagues, pilots and cabin crew who by their actions embarrass not only themselves but also their profession by their selfishness," the statement said. "Their colleagues' patience has run out, and now they face the anger of those who are not ready to sink to such depths of irresponsibility."While no one has said outright that pilots or cabin crew were behind Sunday's delays, which were initially due to technical problems, it has been strongly hinted that both parties exacerbated the situation by refusing to work extra time and by stand-by stewards calling in sick. Pilots have denied this was the case.But as many as 20 cabin crew members are said to have called in sick over the past several days, and the allegation is that the pilots -- who recently had a spate of illnesses themselves -- were behind the cabin crews' actions.Another incident yesterday saw a delay of two hours on the Larnaca-Athens flight, again due to technical difficulties, Pasipy said in a statement, adding that its members were not to blame.Pasipy, which staged two strikes last month in a row over promotions in the national carrier's charter firm Eurocypria, last week warned that if the government does not fulfil its promise to go ahead with talks on the future of the airline, its members would be prepared to strike again.An investigation is under way into Sunday's delays, Cyprus Airways said yesterday, but declined to comment further.But Pasipy said that instead of launching an investigation into the actions of staff, that CY should launch an investigation into why the company's planes keep breaking down. Not for the first time, it questioned the airline's safety standards.In their statement Pasipy blamed management for CY's ills, blaming spokesman Angelis in particular."Tassos Angelis is trying to damage the pilots and Pasipy chairman Chris Christodoulou with his information campaign directed mainly at young journalists by using them to carry out his catastrophic work," the union said.It said the union has already initiated legal action against Angelis and the company. "It's time now for the public to see the dirty game which is being played and which the public is paying for."Communications and Works Minister Leontios Ierodiaconou also joined the fray yesterday, warning that the government would speed up air liberalisation with Greece, one of only three profitable CY routes.Ierodiaconou said that the latest series of incidents involving Cyprus Airways staff was damaging both to the future of the company and to the island's tourism."An investigation is being carried out and I can't take a position, but I can say is that an unhealthy situation exists in the company," he said.The Minister repeated the cabinet's decision to speed up air liberalisation, particularly from Greece which is currently operated by means of a bilateral agreement between CY and Olympic Airways."We will soon start negotiations with the Greek government and when other airlines are allowed to fly it is expected that fares will be reduced," he said.Full liberalisation is not expected to come about until Cyprus joins the EU, it is hoped in 2002. As long as it is not constantly plagued by industrial unrest, this would give CY time to become more competitive.

[02] Gangland hit-man does a runner from Limassol courthouse

[03] Cyprus division ‘an affront to civilised society’GREEK Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday called the situation in Cyprus "an affront to the international community, to Hellenism and every notion of civilised society". He was echoed by President Costis Stephanopoulos, who called the continuing Cyprus problem "an indication of the decadence of the civilised world".In a statement marking the July 20 anniversary of the invasion 25 years ago, Simitis said that Greece would remain a guarantor of Cyprus’ security. He appealed to Turkey to understand that it was in its own interests to find a lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem.British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook yesterday told Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels that talks between the two communities on Cyprus should take place without preconditions. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkey demand recognition for the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ before the resumption of intercommunal negotiations.Meanwhile, outgoing American Ambassador Kenneth Brill yesterday said that the US was determined to make every effort to get a comprehensive Cyprus problem negotiating process under way this autumn.Speaking after a farewell meeting with Clerides, Brill said that the US was engaged in a serious process and remained focused on the goals set out by the G8."The work we are involved in is not a publicity exercise or a public relations exercise, but an exercise in serious quiet diplomacy that is not going to take place in public," he said.Russian Ambassador Georgy Muratov said Moscow continued to support Cyprus and had "never been indifferent to the tragedy of the Cyprus people".He said that Russia would take full advantage of its role as a permanent member of the Security Council to promote a fair solution to the Cyprus problem.The ambassador said that the G8 had encouraged the UN to take an initiative on the Cyprus issue and that Russia, as a member of the Security Council, had played a direct role in this.While making it clear that he was not making particular reference to Turkey, Muratov said that countries which continually ignored international opinion were usually dealt with in an effective way.

[04] Events across the globe to mark anniversaryTHERE WERE events across the globe yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.In London’s Parliament Square and outside the Capitol in Washington, thousands linked hands to form human chains in protest at the continuing occupation, while in Cyprus the anniversary was marked by the sounding of sirens, vigils and church services.The UK-based Lobby for Cyprus co-operated with all the major British refugee associations to arrange for their human chain outside the Houses of Parliament, and a protest later in the day outside the Turkish embassy in London. At a similar event in Washington, co- sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute, members of human rights organisations, church groups and the Hellenic community also formed a human chain, and speeches were made by Senate members and the US House of Representatives.Participants later marched along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and held a vigil in Lafayette Park, opposite the home of the US president.There was also a ceremony hosted by Governor George E Pataki in the Governor’s New York office. Community leaders, dignitaries, foreign and domestic government representatives and Greek Orthodox clergy gathered to listen to speeches about the invasion. Governor of California Gray Davis also held a ‘Day for Peace in Cyprus’, calling for a solution to the Cyprus problem.Yesterday the island itself awoke to the sound of sirens, and events to commemorate the day began at 8.30am, when President Glafcos Clerides attended a ceremony held at the Timvou burial site of many of those killed during the invasion. Last night, the President unveiled a plaque dedicated to the missing and the fallen, and a vigil was staged outside the British High Commission and American Embassy.In Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square, campaigners collected signatures on a petition demanding information about the 27 children who are among the missing. The petition will be sent to Unicef.Today relatives of missing persons will stage a vigil at the Ledra Palace checkpoint at 8.30 tonight. A petition will be delivered to United Nations representative in Cyprus Dame Ann Hercus and to the embassies of permanent members of to the UN Security Council.

[05] Ecevit rules out unitary state in CyprusTURKISH Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday ruled out the possibility of Cyprus ever becoming a unitary state."Our desire is for the Greek Cypriot community to put aside delusions of returning to the past and focus on living side by side as neighbours, as two separate independent states," he said.Ecevit was in the occupied north for yesterday’s celebrations to mark 25 years since the Turkish invasion, which he ordered as Prime Minister in 1974.Just after dawn, wreaths were laid on behalf of Ecevit and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash near the landing sites on the beaches of Kyrenia while celebrations in occupied Nicosia focused on a show of military strength.A march-past including units of the 35,000-strong Turkish forces on the island was held while Ecevit told a cheering crowd that the security of the `TRNC’ was vital to Ankara."Nobody should try to test the strength of the Turkish army again: nobody should test the resistance of the Turkish nation to pressure," he said.Referring to the invasion, Ecevit said he had no choice but to send in the troops in 1974. "Turkish Cypriots would have been annihilated.... it would have been the biggest genocide since the Second World War, Greece and Cyprus would have achieved Enosis(union with Greece), " he said.Ecevit’s hardline comments come at a time when the international community is launching one of its biggest-ever initiatives in an effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. He is himself due in Washington in September, one month before the two sides are expected to meet at the request of UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan.The Turkish side is resisting the move unless talks are held on the basis of two separate states leading to a confederation, rather than the bizonal, bicommunal federation sought by the international community.If a confederation doesn’t happen, there are two options, Ecevit said. The first is that the current situation on the island becomes permanent . The second, if pressures increase, is that ties between Turkey and the ‘TRNC’ are consolidated "to whatever degree is necessary".On Monday Turkey and the breakaway regime signed a new accord to create a ‘joint economic zone’.Ecevit said the ‘TRNC’ had survived despite the pressures of world boycotts and embargoes, while Turkish State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said the agreement would make it easier for Turkish Cypriots to obtain residence, employment and property rights, and investment opportunities in Turkey.Under the accord the ‘TRNC’ would offer similar opportunities to Turkish citizens, he said."Our goal is to quickly provide for and deepen the relationship between the two communities of the two nations by creating a joint economic zone," he said.

[06] Market in new reach for the sky

[07] Cyprus and Russia launch high-tech joint ventureBy Anthony O. MillerCYPRUS and Russia yesterday launched an ambitious joint venture to develop state-subsidised high-tech industries on the island in emulation of America's ‘silicon valley’, Commerce, Industry & Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis said.The formal kick-off occurred in a meeting in his office yesterday with Russian Ambassador Georgy Muratov, Rolandis said."The plan is -- this is not, of course, exclusive for Russia -- that Cyprus entrepreneurs will co-operate with Russian scientists in the field of high technology... so that we can produce the inventions and the products that we are aiming at," he said."We are not limiting the spectrum at all; it's open-ended. There could be ventures in whatever (telecommunications, medicine, electronics, computers) as far as we consider it to be high- technology," Rolandis said.Cyprus and Russia plan to hold a seminar in Moscow sometime in October or November: "We shall do something similar in the case of Israel as well, at which we shall try to introduce our own businessmen to the Russian scientists, or the Israeli scientists," he said.Rolandis said he expects to receive applications emerging from these seminars by the end of this year, or early 2000. Applicants, either foreign entrepreneurs or corporations, will apply to a committee that will include members from a number of ministries, he said.Those applications that are approved will receive a Cyprus government subsidy to locate in "the incubator" of industrial research parks on the island."The plans are to establish a whole industry of high technology, along the lines of Silicon Valley," Rolandis said. "If we work correctly, after a few years high- technology will take over the traditional industry (of Cyprus), because this is the industry of the future.""Russia, I believe, will be the main participant in this programme." It has the advantage, the minister said, in that "they have the know-how, but they lack the marketing arm. Cyprus, for them, is an excellent choice to pursue high-technology.""The high- technology of Israel was created in exactly the same way: Russian Jews who emigrated from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s to some extent created the high-tech industries of Israel," Rolandis said. "So essentially we are repeating the exercise.""I think that with the contribution of Russian scientists, and scientists of other countries -- and probably the US and Cypriots abroad who are interested... we shall manage to build a high-tech industry" in Cyprus, he said.Rolandis said he had already discussed the plan with Israel and received expressions of interest. "Of course, the difference between Israel and Russia, is Israel is quite advanced already" in high-tech manufacture.

[08] Britain complains about rape case reporting violations

[09] Another legal hurdle for murder trialTHE Aeroporos murder hearing in Nicosia is embroiled in more technical legal procedures as a third ‘side trial’ gets under way today.After the criminal court yesterday ruled that a police statement given by suspect Zoe Alexandrou, 53, was admissible, another ‘trial within a trial’ will take place over the validity of her second police statement.Although the defence wanted Alexandrou's first police statement struck off, the court ruled that no judges’ rules were violated and the statement was given voluntarily.A second statement she made after her arrest, following Hambis' murder on December 16, is now being examined.Since the prosecution has only called 20 of its 120 witnesses and given the slow pace of procedings the hearing could continue for several more months to come.Hospital cleaner Alexandrou and her cabaret owner brother Sotiris Athinis, 43, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.Of the three accused of murdering Hambis, 35-year-old waiter Prokopis Prokopiou has already confessed to the killing and will be sentenced at a later date.Policeman Christos Symianos, 35, and special constable Savvas Ioannou, alias Kinezos, 33, have pleaded not guilty to the murder.The trial continues today.

[10] Greens see red over police ‘slaves’

[11] Ukraine's Privatbank latest IBU in Cyprus

[12] Anti-allergy drug Hismanal withdrawn

[13] Cool cats and hot dogs need shades

[01] CY heading for new crisisBy Jean ChristouCYPRUS Airways (CY) appeared to be heading for a new crisis yesterday as relations between staff and management sank to a new low.Developments in the wake of Sunday's series of flight delays -- which affected some 600 passengers -- indicate the airline and its pilots are heading for a new bust-up.Commenting on the developments, one industry insider said yesterday: "They have all gone mad".An announcement by pilots’ union Pasipy said that it has initiated a civil action against Cyprus Airways and its spokesman Tassos Angelis for slander.The situation is also being compounded by a developing row between those said to be involved in creating problems for the company and the remainder of the airline's staff.A statement issued by a group of fed-up CY employees condemned the behaviour of some of their colleagues as "selfish and irresponsible".It accused a faction within the staff of jeopardising the future of the some 2,000 families employed by the airline, and called on those "who are part of the comedy" to stop."We would like to express our frustration about the irresponsible behaviour of certain colleagues, pilots and cabin crew who by their actions embarrass not only themselves but also their profession by their selfishness," the statement said. "Their colleagues' patience has run out, and now they face the anger of those who are not ready to sink to such depths of irresponsibility."While no one has said outright that pilots or cabin crew were behind Sunday's delays, which were initially due to technical problems, it has been strongly hinted that both parties exacerbated the situation by refusing to work extra time and by stand-by stewards calling in sick. Pilots have denied this was the case.But as many as 20 cabin crew members are said to have called in sick over the past several days, and the allegation is that the pilots -- who recently had a spate of illnesses themselves -- were behind the cabin crews' actions.Another incident yesterday saw a delay of two hours on the Larnaca-Athens flight, again due to technical difficulties, Pasipy said in a statement, adding that its members were not to blame.Pasipy, which staged two strikes last month in a row over promotions in the national carrier's charter firm Eurocypria, last week warned that if the government does not fulfil its promise to go ahead with talks on the future of the airline, its members would be prepared to strike again.An investigation is under way into Sunday's delays, Cyprus Airways said yesterday, but declined to comment further.But Pasipy said that instead of launching an investigation into the actions of staff, that CY should launch an investigation into why the company's planes keep breaking down. Not for the first time, it questioned the airline's safety standards.In their statement Pasipy blamed management for CY's ills, blaming spokesman Angelis in particular."Tassos Angelis is trying to damage the pilots and Pasipy chairman Chris Christodoulou with his information campaign directed mainly at young journalists by using them to carry out his catastrophic work," the union said.It said the union has already initiated legal action against Angelis and the company. "It's time now for the public to see the dirty game which is being played and which the public is paying for."Communications and Works Minister Leontios Ierodiaconou also joined the fray yesterday, warning that the government would speed up air liberalisation with Greece, one of only three profitable CY routes.Ierodiaconou said that the latest series of incidents involving Cyprus Airways staff was damaging both to the future of the company and to the island's tourism."An investigation is being carried out and I can't take a position, but I can say is that an unhealthy situation exists in the company," he said.The Minister repeated the cabinet's decision to speed up air liberalisation, particularly from Greece which is currently operated by means of a bilateral agreement between CY and Olympic Airways."We will soon start negotiations with the Greek government and when other airlines are allowed to fly it is expected that fares will be reduced," he said.Full liberalisation is not expected to come about until Cyprus joins the EU, it is hoped in 2002. As long as it is not constantly plagued by industrial unrest, this would give CY time to become more competitive.

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[02] Gangland hit-man does a runner from Limassol courthouse

POLICEMEN yesterday found themselves chasing a gangland criminal across city streets after he did a runner from Limassol court.

Police shouts for "help" could be heard above the clatter of lawyers and clerks going about their business when Christakis Charalambous fled the courthouse after a guilty verdict.

Seconds before he fled Charalambous was heard shouting "I'm innocent, I'm innocent!" to the three-bench Criminal court.

"During the break he was being led out of the court when he escaped and ran out into the streets, but we got him later," a police spokesman told the Cyprus Mail.

There were red faces all round when Charalambous -- who had just been found guilty of attempted murder in a suspected gangland hit -- slipped through the fingers of the police's crack anti-terrorist unit.

As the 35-year-old was being led away to the court canteen during a brief recess, he made his dash for freedom before police officers could handcuff him.

Eyewitnesses said they saw Charalambous race out of the court, across the grounds and out into the street as police officers gave desperate chase.

To ensure the attempted murderer was brought back to justice as soon as possible a reported 20 patrol cars were involved in the ensuing manhunt.

Eventually the man was recaptured after managing to spend just 20 breathless minutes of freedom on the streets of Limassol. He was found some 400 metres away from the court building.

Charalambous was found guilty of attempting to murder cabaret owner Evangelos Christodoulou, 35, who was shot twice outside his club in Heroes Square in Limassol last August 22.

He was spotted at the scene soon after the shooting.

Because of yesterday's unforseen delay the court delayed sentencing the accused until today.

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Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[03] Cyprus division ‘an affront to civilised society’GREEK Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday called the situation in Cyprus "an affront to the international community, to Hellenism and every notion of civilised society". He was echoed by President Costis Stephanopoulos, who called the continuing Cyprus problem "an indication of the decadence of the civilised world".In a statement marking the July 20 anniversary of the invasion 25 years ago, Simitis said that Greece would remain a guarantor of Cyprus’ security. He appealed to Turkey to understand that it was in its own interests to find a lasting settlement to the Cyprus problem.British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook yesterday told Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels that talks between the two communities on Cyprus should take place without preconditions. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkey demand recognition for the self-declared ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ before the resumption of intercommunal negotiations.Meanwhile, outgoing American Ambassador Kenneth Brill yesterday said that the US was determined to make every effort to get a comprehensive Cyprus problem negotiating process under way this autumn.Speaking after a farewell meeting with Clerides, Brill said that the US was engaged in a serious process and remained focused on the goals set out by the G8."The work we are involved in is not a publicity exercise or a public relations exercise, but an exercise in serious quiet diplomacy that is not going to take place in public," he said.Russian Ambassador Georgy Muratov said Moscow continued to support Cyprus and had "never been indifferent to the tragedy of the Cyprus people".He said that Russia would take full advantage of its role as a permanent member of the Security Council to promote a fair solution to the Cyprus problem.The ambassador said that the G8 had encouraged the UN to take an initiative on the Cyprus issue and that Russia, as a member of the Security Council, had played a direct role in this.While making it clear that he was not making particular reference to Turkey, Muratov said that countries which continually ignored international opinion were usually dealt with in an effective way.

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[04] Events across the globe to mark anniversaryTHERE WERE events across the globe yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.In London’s Parliament Square and outside the Capitol in Washington, thousands linked hands to form human chains in protest at the continuing occupation, while in Cyprus the anniversary was marked by the sounding of sirens, vigils and church services.The UK-based Lobby for Cyprus co-operated with all the major British refugee associations to arrange for their human chain outside the Houses of Parliament, and a protest later in the day outside the Turkish embassy in London. At a similar event in Washington, co- sponsored by the American Hellenic Institute, members of human rights organisations, church groups and the Hellenic community also formed a human chain, and speeches were made by Senate members and the US House of Representatives.Participants later marched along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and held a vigil in Lafayette Park, opposite the home of the US president.There was also a ceremony hosted by Governor George E Pataki in the Governor’s New York office. Community leaders, dignitaries, foreign and domestic government representatives and Greek Orthodox clergy gathered to listen to speeches about the invasion. Governor of California Gray Davis also held a ‘Day for Peace in Cyprus’, calling for a solution to the Cyprus problem.Yesterday the island itself awoke to the sound of sirens, and events to commemorate the day began at 8.30am, when President Glafcos Clerides attended a ceremony held at the Timvou burial site of many of those killed during the invasion. Last night, the President unveiled a plaque dedicated to the missing and the fallen, and a vigil was staged outside the British High Commission and American Embassy.In Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square, campaigners collected signatures on a petition demanding information about the 27 children who are among the missing. The petition will be sent to Unicef.Today relatives of missing persons will stage a vigil at the Ledra Palace checkpoint at 8.30 tonight. A petition will be delivered to United Nations representative in Cyprus Dame Ann Hercus and to the embassies of permanent members of to the UN Security Council.

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[05] Ecevit rules out unitary state in CyprusTURKISH Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday ruled out the possibility of Cyprus ever becoming a unitary state."Our desire is for the Greek Cypriot community to put aside delusions of returning to the past and focus on living side by side as neighbours, as two separate independent states," he said.Ecevit was in the occupied north for yesterday’s celebrations to mark 25 years since the Turkish invasion, which he ordered as Prime Minister in 1974.Just after dawn, wreaths were laid on behalf of Ecevit and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash near the landing sites on the beaches of Kyrenia while celebrations in occupied Nicosia focused on a show of military strength.A march-past including units of the 35,000-strong Turkish forces on the island was held while Ecevit told a cheering crowd that the security of the `TRNC’ was vital to Ankara."Nobody should try to test the strength of the Turkish army again: nobody should test the resistance of the Turkish nation to pressure," he said.Referring to the invasion, Ecevit said he had no choice but to send in the troops in 1974. "Turkish Cypriots would have been annihilated.... it would have been the biggest genocide since the Second World War, Greece and Cyprus would have achieved Enosis(union with Greece)," he said.Ecevit’s hardline comments come at a time when the international community is launching one of its biggest-ever initiatives in an effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. He is himself due in Washington in September, one month before the two sides are expected to meet at the request of UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan.The Turkish side is resisting the move unless talks are held on the basis of two separate states leading to a confederation, rather than the bizonal, bicommunal federation sought by the international community.If a confederation doesn’t happen, there are two options, Ecevit said. The first is that the current situation on the island becomes permanent . The second, if pressures increase, is that ties between Turkey and the ‘TRNC’ are consolidated "to whatever degree is necessary".On Monday Turkey and the breakaway regime signed a new accord to create a ‘joint economic zone’.Ecevit said the ‘TRNC’ had survived despite the pressures of world boycotts and embargoes, while Turkish State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said the agreement would make it easier for Turkish Cypriots to obtain residence, employment and property rights, and investment opportunities in Turkey.Under the accord the ‘TRNC’ would offer similar opportunities to Turkish citizens, he said."Our goal is to quickly provide for and deepen the relationship between the two communities of the two nations by creating a joint economic zone," he said.

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[06] Market in new reach for the sky

"MY OPINION is that the market is crazy," was all that Adonis Yiangou of Expresstock had time to say to the Cyprus Mailyesterday. "I am really sorry, but I have a lot of work and no time at all."

Yiangou was speaking several hours after share prices reached for the sky once again, this time with a leap of 4.91 per cent on a volume worth, in a Cyprus context, a breathtaking £37.62 million -- an all-time record.

The all-share index stood at 212.83, a record close that took gains in the past nine sessions to a whopping 24.83 per cent.

Earlier on the day, Cyprus Stock Exchange Chairman Dinos Papadopolous warned against anyone trying to talk the market down, saying it should be left to its own devices. "It is the symbol of market economy," he told the Mail.

But he also had some advice for anyone getting into the market in the hope of making a fast buck but knowing next to nothing about the stocks they are buying. "People should be careful with their investments and seek professional advice," he said.

Papadopolous said the only anxiety he felt over the market's meteoric rise in recent weeks was that brokerages were struggling to cope with the massive amount of backroom paperwork in view of the dramatically increased volumes on the bourse.

He said the stock exchange, like the brokerages, had to recruit a substantial number of personnel on a temporary basis in order to cope with the administrative workload to prevent delays in processing transactions.

In yesterday's trade, the Bank of Cyprus went up by 46 cents to close at £8.97 with a volume worth £5.31 million as investors continued to buy the stock in the run-up to its two-for-one split due next month.

The Popular Bank did not do too badly either on the day, moving up by 24.50 cents to close at £4.82, while the Hellenic Bank continued its impressive run with a 22.50 cent appreciation that took it up to £6.52.

The three banks attracted a combined £10 million, accounting for 27 per cent of the day's entire trade, while the banks' sub-index rose by 5.37 per cent.

The Popular Bank warrants also rose by 39.50 cents to close at £6.48, while those of the Bank of Cyprus moved up by 8.50 cents to close at £5.49.

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Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[07] Cyprus and Russia launch high-tech joint ventureBy Anthony O. MillerCYPRUS and Russia yesterday launched an ambitious joint venture to develop state-subsidised high-tech industries on the island in emulation of America's ‘silicon valley’, Commerce, Industry & Tourism Minister Nicos Rolandis said.The formal kick-off occurred in a meeting in his office yesterday with Russian Ambassador Georgy Muratov, Rolandis said."The plan is -- this is not, of course, exclusive for Russia -- that Cyprus entrepreneurs will co-operate with Russian scientists in the field of high technology... so that we can produce the inventions and the products that we are aiming at," he said."We are not limiting the spectrum at all; it's open-ended. There could be ventures in whatever (telecommunications, medicine, electronics, computers) as far as we consider it to be high- technology," Rolandis said.Cyprus and Russia plan to hold a seminar in Moscow sometime in October or November: "We shall do something similar in the case of Israel as well, at which we shall try to introduce our own businessmen to the Russian scientists, or the Israeli scientists," he said.Rolandis said he expects to receive applications emerging from these seminars by the end of this year, or early 2000. Applicants, either foreign entrepreneurs or corporations, will apply to a committee that will include members from a number of ministries, he said.Those applications that are approved will receive a Cyprus government subsidy to locate in "the incubator" of industrial research parks on the island."The plans are to establish a whole industry of high technology, along the lines of Silicon Valley," Rolandis said. "If we work correctly, after a few years high- technology will take over the traditional industry (of Cyprus), because this is the industry of the future.""Russia, I believe, will be the main participant in this programme." It has the advantage, the minister said, in that "they have the know-how, but they lack the marketing arm. Cyprus, for them, is an excellent choice to pursue high-technology.""The high- technology of Israel was created in exactly the same way: Russian Jews who emigrated from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s to some extent created the high-tech industries of Israel," Rolandis said. "So essentially we are repeating the exercise.""I think that with the contribution of Russian scientists, and scientists of other countries -- and probably the US and Cypriots abroad who are interested... we shall manage to build a high-tech industry" in Cyprus, he said.Rolandis said he had already discussed the plan with Israel and received expressions of interest. "Of course, the difference between Israel and Russia, is Israel is quite advanced already" in high-tech manufacture.

Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[08] Britain complains about rape case reporting violations

THE BRITISH High Commission has lodged an official complaint with the Press Ethics Committee over the publication of the initials of a 16-year-old alleged rape victim.

Two Greek language newspapers on Monday printed the initials of the young British tourist who reported she was raped by a British soldier near Oroklini early on Sunday.

The soldier was remanded for six days on Monday by the Larnaca court.

The publication of the girl's initials comes within weeks of the same two newspapers, Phileleftherosand Alithia, identifying a British woman who claimed she was raped in Limassol.

That woman's claim subsequently turned out to be false, but several newspapers had already identified her before the court decision. Their reports were based on a police bulletin in which she had been named in full.

At the time the newspapers and TV stations which had also identified the convicted father of an incest victim had been censured for the series of blunders by the Press Ethics Committee and the Union of Journalists.

The High Commission also complained at the time to the police chief.

Both police and the newspapers in question apologised for their "mistake" and promised it would not happen again.

In the latest incident, police did not identify the woman, but the Larnaca press agency from whom the papers received their information discovered the girl's initials and published them in a communique to the press.

"We have complained to the two newspapers and we are considering taking the matter further," the British High Commission spokesman said.

"The press code says they can't publish any information which might lead to the identification of the alleged victim, and this is what they have done."

The Family Violence Centre says the consequences of publishing names or identities of alleged victims can be catastrophic for the person invloved.

The High Commission spokesman said both newspapers have again apologised for their behaviour and said it would not happen again.

Phileleftheros

"We are very very sorry. It was a stupid thing to do, but it was not done intentionally and we will do what we have to do to set it right and to make sure it does not happen again," he said.

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Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[09] Another legal hurdle for murder trialTHE Aeroporos murder hearing in Nicosia is embroiled in more technical legal procedures as a third ‘side trial’ gets under way today.After the criminal court yesterday ruled that a police statement given by suspect Zoe Alexandrou, 53, was admissible, another ‘trial within a trial’ will take place over the validity of her second police statement.Although the defence wanted Alexandrou's first police statement struck off, the court ruled that no judges’ rules were violated and the statement was given voluntarily.A second statement she made after her arrest, following Hambis' murder on December 16, is now being examined.Since the prosecution has only called 20 of its 120 witnesses and given the slow pace of procedings the hearing could continue for several more months to come.Hospital cleaner Alexandrou and her cabaret owner brother Sotiris Athinis, 43, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.Of the three accused of murdering Hambis, 35-year-old waiter Prokopis Prokopiou has already confessed to the killing and will be sentenced at a later date.Policeman Christos Symianos, 35, and special constable Savvas Ioannou, alias Kinezos, 33, have pleaded not guilty to the murder.The trial continues today.

[10] Greens see red over police ‘slaves’

In a statement issued by the Greens yesterday, the police were accused of "using unnecessary force" while Pantelis Metaxas was "legally taking pictures".

Metaxas was detained by Limassol police for two hours and then released after having his film confiscated.

The Greens have demanded a full apology and claimed the police were acting as "slaves", behaving in a "submissive manner towards the British imperialists on the island".

The incident took place early yesterday when a British Bases annual maintenance supply ship docked at Limassol port to unload heavy vehicles, ammunition and defence stores like tentage and camp-beds.

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Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[11] Ukraine's Privatbank latest IBU in Cyprus

The bank, Ukraine's third largest with the second biggest retail network, is the first financial institution from the former Soviet republic to open an overseas branch, according to Alexander Dubilet, Privatbank's chairman.

Addressing a news conference, he said it took his bank more than four years to obtain its Cyprus licence.

"It (the bank) will strengthen links between Ukraine and Cyprus in the fields of tourism and services," he said.

Phidias Pilides of PricewaterhouseCoopers, which sponsored the bank's bid to operate on the island, said the bank was expected to begin operations in a little more than a month's time.

Privatbank, which services 320,000 individuals, joins 33 international banking units and four representative offices of foreign banks in Cyprus.

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Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[12] Anti-allergy drug Hismanal withdrawn

Hismanal (astemizole) 10mg, is being voluntarily taken off the market by its maker, US-based Janssen Pharmaceuticals, "for financial reasons," the importer said.

"There is no danger to anyone," a spokeswoman for the importer said.

Since the drug's approval in 1988, new adverse-reaction data has required several labelling changes and warnings, Janssen said, and since other antihistamines are available the medicine is being withdrawn.

Patients who have been taking Hismanal for allergy symptoms are advised to ask their doctors for an alternative medication.

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Wednesday, July 21, 1999

[13] Cool cats and hot dogs need shades

SHADY surroundings, good ventilation and plenty of clean water have been prescribed by the government Veterinary Services for protecting animals from the summer heat.

They issued a warning this week to pet owners and those who raise animals to be especially sensitive to their furry friends’ welfare because of the high temperatures and humidity.

The announcement said that sweltering weather lowered farm animals' productivity, meaning that chickens, for example, would probably be laying fewer eggs.

The heat and humidity also make animals more susceptible to disease, the Veterinary Services warned.

Caged birds and fish are especially susceptible, and these animals will probably die if left unattended.

Cats congregating under cars and dogs barely able to wag their tails at passers-by are a common sight in summer. Sheep and cows search out any available shade.

A Paphos Animal Welfare representative told the Cyprus Mailthat animals allowed to wander freely will inevitably find their own shade, but that tethered creatures should also be looked after.

It was particularly important for animals to have 24-hour access to fresh water, and "obviously not be left to sit in hot cars".

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1999

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