Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 01-06-23

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

From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cyprus-mail.com/>

Saturday, June 23, 2001

CONTENTS

[01] Rolandis unveils grand marina plan

[02] Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

[03] Markides plays down concerns of status of the bases

[04] Cyprus appeals to Annan to call talks soon

[05] New blaze breaks out in Episkopi

[06] Government scientists to test radiation levels from British aerials

[07] Bank employees threaten escalation of strike action

[08] Cancer appeal maid to be deported

[09] Stelios joins the billionaires' club

[01] Rolandis unveils grand marina plan

MINISTER of Commerce and Tourism Nicos Rolandis yesterday announced the planned construction of four new marinas, bringing the total on the island to six.

"This is a big day for Cyprus tourism," noted Rolandis, who sees yacht docks as a vital part of plans to upgrade local tourism. Marinas are understood to be one of the minister's "pet projects." Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Ayia Napa, Protaras and Saint Raphael are the earmarked sites for the marinas.

Rolandis told a news conference that the government had announced tenders for the construction of the marinas. The competition, starting July 23, will be open to both Cypriot and foreign private companies. The enterprise will be based on the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) system, with the companies relinquishing the running of the marinas to the government, the owner, after a minimum of 33 years. The cost of the entire project is estimated at around £10 million, although the precise details will be thrashed out in the tenders' process.

"This matter has been pending for a number of years. Finally, after much planning, tedious legislative work and the carrying out of the appropriate environmental studies, we can go ahead with the project," Rolandis said. "I believe the benefits to the island's economy will be significant."

Construction of the new marinas should start by the end of the year, and the project is expected to be ready for operation in two to three years.

The six marinas will feature over 4,000 docks. Rolandis said that Cyprus needed to become a major docking site, since competition in the region was fierce. "There are some 1,200 marinas in the Mediterranean, so you can see that demand for these services is huge," he noted.

Tourist arrivals to Cyprus so far this year are eight per cent higher than for the same period last year, with the Ministry of Commerce estimating a total of 2.7 million people will be visiting the island this year. Rolandis noted that the average income generated for the Cypriot economy per tourist per annum was around $750, one of the highest figures worldwide. "But we need to keep this up, and the marinas are the way to go," he remarked.

One of the major concerns regarding the project's profitability concerns docking fees. Rolandis said that the tender provisions ensured "healthy competition" among the marinas, keeping fees as low as possible. For example, successful bidders will be awarded only one marina, with an option to run the Protaras marina, which is the smallest in size. But no single company will be awarded two large marinas. Another provision ensuring this healthy competition is that all the marinas will go operational at the same time.

According to Rolandis, the marinas will help boost winter tourism on the island, thereby alleviating the problem of seasonality in Cyprus tourism. Rolandis also noted the project would create jobs.

Aside from serving as docking sites for the thousands of yachts, the marinas will feature entertainment services, such as water sports attractions and restaurants and cafés.

Other concerns relate to illegal immigration and contraband smuggling, but Rolandis said that since the marinas were considered ports of entry, customs and immigration authorities would be stationed at the sites.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[02] Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

GOVERNMENT Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou yesterday rejected claims that comments he made concerning the issue of a court order against a daily newspaper had interfered with the course of justice.

The claims were made on Thursday by lawyer Loukis Papaphilippou representing C.T. Tobacco, which secured an interim court order against Politis, prohibiting the newspaper from publishing "libellous and defamatory" reports concerning the business activities of the company.

The court convened to examine Politis' appeal against the controversial injunction, which has drawn blanket criticism and was issued before it was proved in court that the newspapers reports were indeed libellous or defamatory.

Appearing in court on Thursday, Papaphilippou accused Papapetrou of intervening with the course of justice by taking the side of the newspaper with the comments he had made.

Papapetrou had expressed his personal opinion on the issue saying the island's libel laws needed urgent overhaul and that Politis' reports did not warrant an injunction.

Yesterday, Papapetrou, again speaking personally, said he had not made any comment about the court order.

"I spoke only of the need to modernise the libel legislation.

"I just voiced my opinion about the interim order," he said.

He said that in democracies the boundaries between authorities were clearly defined and people could express their opinions about court orders in good faith.

But he did not miss the chance to take a shot at Papaphilippou.

"Only people whose sense of democracy and its governing rules is odd and deficient could claim that the court operates under the influence of the Government Spokesman, because such an allegation is ungrounded and an insult for justice," Papapetrou said.

Papaphilippou on Thursday claimed that Politis had misinterpreted the order.

In no case did it prohibit the circulation of the newspaper or hinder the freedom of the press, he said.

But it was Papaphilippou, who, on June 13, sent a letter to the distributor of Politis, demanding the "immediate withdrawal of the newspaper from the news stands".

"If you do not act immediately, you are in breach of the court order, thus we reserve our right to take the appropriate measures against you for disobeying that order", the letter said.

Speaking on behalf of C.T. Tobacco on Thursday, its Director Antonis Zapitis said his company had nothing to do with cigarette smuggling, adding that authorities had never investigated it over such an issue.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[03] Markides plays down concerns of status of the bases

BOTH the Attorney-general and the chairman of the parliamentary EU affairs committee yesterday dismissed speculation about the British bases becoming a 'foreign land' after Cyprus joins the European family.

Alecos Markides said the only issues at stake were of a "technical" nature, while Tassos Papadopoulos insisted the matter had been sorted out years ago.

The issue hit the headlines after the EU's chief negotiator for Cyprus, Leopold Maurer, warned during his visit to the island this week that Cyprus and Britain had to sort out the post-accession status of the bases. The bases are presently excluded from Britain's membership of the EU and could end up in limbo if Cyprus joins. Maurer said Brussels was concerned about the special tax and customs status of the bases. Certain goods can currently be imported to the bases duty-free and the EU negotiator spoke of the possibility of a "leakage" of such untaxed goods to the Republic from the bases.

Attorney-general Markides yesterday insisted there was no way the bases issue would affect the island's accession, even if things remained as they were.

He said he had been surprised by the fuss over Maurer's statements concerning the bases. "What he said was nothing new. the guy just stated the truth: that if Cyprus joins EU, then, automatically, an external border is created where the bases adjoin to the Republic," Markides said.

Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides says the problem will be dealt with either by the bases joining the EU or through special arrangements to allow bases residents and employees to be part of the EU.

Markides said his office was preparing a study on the issue, adding that he did not think Britain would want to include the bases in the block.

"It would not be enough for the British to change their stance, the 15 EU members would have to agree too," he said.

The Attorney-general also suggested there might be political disadvantages to having the bases in the EU. "There are those on our side who strongly believe it is not to our advantage for the bases to become EU territory. There are those who say that if this happens it will mean an upgrading of the status of the British bases, which many do not desire," he said. The government always points out that the bases are legitimised under the Treaty of Establishment, but opposition to the British presence is strong in many quarters.

Papadopoulos, the DIKO party leader and chairman of the parliamentary EU affairs committee, said the bases and EU issue was "non-existent".

He said the tax issue and freedom of movement between the bases and the Republic would not be hard to sort out to Europe's satisfaction.

"There are very easy solutions to these technical problems, which will be discussed in good time," Papadopoulos said.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[04] Cyprus appeals to Annan to call talks soon

EXPRESSING impatience over the stalemate in the settlement process, the government yesterday called on UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan to invite both sides to fresh talks as soon as possible.

"The government will be satisfied if the Secretary-general calls both sides to talks as soon as possible," Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides said yesterday.

Cassoulides was evidently unhappy with Annan's statement on Monday that he hoped the UN-led talks would resume "before the end of the year".

"There is a logical time period to allow those who want to to try to bring the two sides to the negotiating table," the Foreign Minster said. "But this cannot be postponed from year to year - there comes a time when the Secretary general will have to issue invitations to the two sides," he added.

If Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash declined an invitation to talks, then Annan should name him as responsible for the settlement deadlock, Cassoulides said.

Denktash abandoned proximity settlement talks with President Clerides last year, saying he would only return if his breakaway occupation regime was recognised.

Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou yesterday said Annan had given Denktash enough time to return to the talks table and should now report the Turkish Cypriot leader to the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, Russia's special representative to Cyprus, Vladimir Prygin, said he believed the settlement talks could resume soon. Prygin was talking after meeting with President Clerides yesterday morning. The visiting envoy will be meeting with Denktash in occupied Nicosia today.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[05] New blaze breaks out in Episkopi

ANOTHER fire broke out on Sovereign Bases territory near the Sanctuary of Apollo yesterday after winds caused flare-ups at hot spots in areas scorched by a larger fire on Thursday.

"It wasn't that large an area, but it was quite intense," Bases spokesman Rob Need said yesterday, but reported there had been no damage to infrastructure because of the speedy reaction from fire services.

After the flames were noticed at about 10am, help arrived in the air from the SBAs two Wessex helicopters and the Republic's two leased Kamov helicopters. The Wessex withdrew after briefly combating the flames and the Kamov stayed dumping water on the blaze until they put it out one hour later at about 11am.

The Republic's fire services were the first to arrive on the ground and responded initially because it had forces out in the area.

The Bases said yesterday they had posted sentries to look out for any additional trouble while additional crews damp down the areas affected over the past few days.

"Fire is endemic in Cyprus and we have to take every possible precaution to avoid it happening," said Need yesterday when asked about what had caused the blaze. Some of the common dangers include smouldering cigarette butts, glass items or even shiny wrapping paper, which can concentrate reflected sunlight.

Last June, fires in the Troodos foothills ravaged 40 square kilometres of vegetation before they were put down through the combined efforts of fire fighters from the Republic, the British Bases, Greece and Israel.

"Actually, it was our long-term strategies that prevented this from getting any worse," Need said yesterday, referring to Thursday's blaze.

The British Bases have undertaken a number of preventive measures, including increasing the width of the fire breaks, pre-positioning water in water tanks specifically for feeding fire engines on high ground and in strategic places, and a fire awareness programme.

Thursday's fire on SBA territory came to within 15 metres of fuel depots, and was finally put out by the combined efforts of air and land fire crews after it had consumed approximately 10 kilometres of scrubland, olive and carob trees.

The blaze originated northwest of Episkopi village at about 1.30pm, but strong winds carried it further afield. Fire fighters extinguished the blaze at around 8pm.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[06] Government scientists to test radiation levels from British aerials

THE GOVERNMENT is to test the levels of radiation produced by British Bases' aerials to decide weather it would be safe to install a new giant aerial in Akrotiri.

Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides and acting High Commissioner David Border met yesterday to discuss the British plans.

After the meeting, Cassoulides said that: "As always, public opinion is taken into serious consideration. So if we find that the emissions from the aerials don't pose a threat to people's health we shall tell residents not to worry."

The government, however, does not have a say in the sovereign Bases' activities.

But Akrotiri residents as well as DIKO deputy Marios Matsakis have already objected strongly to the plan.

The results of a relevant environmental study conducted by a team of foreign experts are to be issued next week.

The British Bases yesterday sought to reassure the government that "the effects of the radiation are not such that should cause any reactions to the plan."

The House Environment Committee is due to discuss the affair with government officials on Wednesday and visit the area on Friday to get local residents' reactions.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[07] Bank employees threaten escalation of strike action

DEVELOPMENT Bank employees yesterday threatened to "escalate measures" in protest against being left in the dark about a deal to sell off a chunk of the enterprise.

The employees, members of bank workers union ETYK, have already stayed away from work for about 10 days. They complain they were not briefed over a deal to sell off 38 per cent of the bank's share capital to Greece's Piraeus Bank. The agreement will reduce the government's stake in the Development Bank from 88 to 45 per cent. Currently the minor shareholder is the European Investment Bank. The government announced the agreement in late April.

The bank's employees yesterday held a meeting to discuss further action, given their demand on being handed the agreement text has not been satisfied. ETYK secretary-general Loizos Hadjicostis warned that the employees would consider escalating the protest measures. He went on to claim that bank bosses had tried to "soften" the employees' stance by offering them monetary payments. "Are these practices to be expected from a semi-government organisation?" Hadjicostis remarked to a news conference.

The deal provides that the bank's staff will receive five per cent of the shares, but the employers insist they would rather discuss the agreement with the government, rather than with the new board of directors, which will mainly consist of Piraeus Bank representatives.

In an effort to ease tension, Ioannis Strongilos, President of the Development Bank's Council, has assured the bank's employees that they will be briefed on the agreement after a meeting of the Council scheduled for July 25. He has also promised a meeting between himself, the employees and Finance Minister Takis Klerides to discuss the matter, although the Finance Ministry claims it has no say in the activities of the Bank, which is essentially a private enterprise.

"We hope this will be resolved amicably, without the need for confrontation, " Strongilos told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. "But we shall have to wait and see what ETYK's response will be after July 25, when the bank's council announces its decisions on the deal." He added that so far the bank's operations had not been adversely affected by the ongoing strike.

The buy-up will cost the Piraeus Bank £27.9 million for 37.8 per cent of the Development Bank's share capital. The agreement with the government also provides for the Development Bank's flotation on the stock market in Cyprus, Greece or elsewhere, expanding the institution's operations beyond investment.

Barring the unexpected, the deal will be closed by the end of the month, after Piraeus Bank gets the approval of the Greek Central Bank.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[08] Cancer appeal maid to be deported

THE FILIPPINA maid at the centre of a national appeal when her employer refused to pay for a life-saving operation in January is about to be deported, immigration police told Cyprus Mail yesterday.

Maria Marbello was arrested on Thursday as an illegal alien. But the Immigrant Support Action Group (ISAG) says she was granted her release papers after she recovered from the operation. On that basis, she should be free to stay in Cyprus and find work with another employer.

Police officer Christakis Pavlou said Maria was due to be deported in the next few days, but was unwilling to give any details about the case.

Immigration chief George Theodorou was yesterday unavailable for comment.

A scandal erupted in January when ISAG launched an appeal to raise money for Maria to undergo a serious and urgent stomach operation.

Her employment contract stipulated that her employer should meet all medical expenses incurred during her period of employment.

He refused and the £3,000 operation was eventually performed free of charge by the Makarios Hospital in Nicosia.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[09] Stelios joins the billionaires' club

CYPRIOT born entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou continues his onward march, having joined the international "billionaires' club" thanks to the raging success of his multiple business ventures.

Dubbed the 'Jolly Greek giant' in the British press, the 34-year-old is one of five British-based businessmen welcomed to the club this year, joining eight others who are already among the elite group.

Hadjioannou is famed for his value airline, easyJet, and has used its 'no- frills' approach to launch other ambitious ventures, which include a car rental agency, centres for online retailing, a chain of internet cafés, and the new easyMoney online bank.

Forbes Global magazine estimates Haji-Ioannou's wealth at £1.5 billion. By comparison, the world's richest man, Bill Gates, is worth $58.7 billion and Britain's richest, the Duke of Westminster, £6.5 billion.

Haji-Ioannou's Stelmar shipping company, together with easyJet, are appraised at £1.2 billion.

His wealth gives him 336th place in Forbes' list of 538 billionaires.

Papapetrou defends comments on Politis case

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

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