Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 01-12-15

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

Saturday, December 15, 2001

CONTENTS

[01] Six month target for direct talks

[02] Mandate for UN peacekeepers in Cyprus renewed

[03] To be or not to be a technocrat?

[04] Pissarides founder dies

[05] Record damages for road crash victim

[06] Minister: we will go ahead with four desalination plants

[07] Parties trade blows on last day of local election campaign

[08] Euros to be delivered to banks on Monday

[09] Moushiouttas defends social services in child abuse case

[10] Support mounts for sacked Avrupateacher

[11] Monk seal washed up at Curium

[12] Hand over spare European cash for charity

[01] Six month target for direct talks

NEXT month's talks between the two sides should start showing some results by next June, President Glafcos Clerides said yesterday.

" Mr Denktash has said we must try to solve the Cyprus problem by June... it is a logical time frame to see whether there are (settlement) prospects, " Clerides said before leaving for Laeken in Belgium to attend the two-day European Union heads of state summit.

Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash agreed on December 4 that they would resume direct talks in an attempt reach a settlement by June 2002.

The President said that if necessary he would continue his negotiations with Denktash throughout the year but the government has already said that it won't enter into a protracted negotiations process.

Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides said in Brussels on Thursday that if no comprehensive settlement in Cyprus was reached by June 2002, after six months of direct talks, it would mean the negotiations had no meaning.

Turkish Cypriot media yesterday reported Denktash as saying that the Cyprus issue was heading for a major crisis.

Denktash said that he had proposed the face-to-face meeting with Clerides knowing that the Turkish nation would rise against the " injustice the EU had committed"by accepting Cyprus as a candidate for membership.

There will be a crisis,"Denktash was quoted as saying. " This crisis depends on the course the EU and the Greek Cypriots will pursue. It might be a small one or a big one. This depends entirely on the course they will follow."

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[02] Mandate for UN peacekeepers in Cyprus renewed

THE UN Security Council yesterday approved a six-month renewal of the 37- year-old UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus but criticised restrictions imposed on UN troops by Turkish Cypriots.

The resolution, adopted by a 15-0 vote, extends the 1,240-member UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, UNFICYP, until June 15 and reaffirms calls for unification.

Secretary-general Kofi Annan in a recent report said peacekeepers were still restricted in their movement by Turkish Cypriots and Turkish troops. In mid-2000, the allied forces moved forward their ceasefire line at Strovilia.

Yesterday's resolution again urges them "to rescind the restrictions imposed on June 30, 2000, on the operations of UNFICYP and to restore the military status quo ante at Strovilia."

The peacekeepers change command today when Maj. Gen. Jin Ha Hwang of South Africa replaces Maj. Gen. Victory Rana of Nepal, Annan said earlier in the week.

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[03] To be or not to be a technocrat?

Chrysostomides refused to comment on the apparent inconsistency. For his part, Zampelas said he was aware of the book, but did not point out the inconsistency because " that is not my style; I am an honest politician."

It's an age thing, you wouldn't understand

AT A news conference this week, Chrysostomides focused on Zampelas' age, saying of his rival that he is " way older than me,"forcing Zampelas to clarify he was just four years older. Zampelas is 64, Chrysostomides 60.

Football club threatens to sue leftist paper

NICOSIA football club APOEL, traditionally tied to the right wing of the political spectrum, have threatened to sue communist party mouthpiece Haravghiover allegations the club received handouts from Zampelas. The paper claimed Zampelas recently gave the club " thousands of pounds"as part of his election efforts. For his part, Zampelas, backed by right-wing DISY, conceded he donated around £1,000 to APOEL, but said this was standard practice and was not related in any way to the upcoming elections. Zampelas added that, as a sports fan, he often made donations to sports clubs, including basketball side Achilleas of his home suburb of Kaimakli and another team considered to be tied to communist party AKEL. Meanwhile APOEL have challenged Haravghito take a look at their ledger to establish any irregularities.

Number crunching

A record number of mayor and mukhtar candidates are taking part in this year's municipal elections. In Nicosia alone, 81 persons have submitted their candidacy, with over 1,500 people being candidates for members of municipal boards. In smaller communities, such as that of Peristerona, seven people are running for mukhtar out of a total population of 1,600. A record number of women candidates for the position of mayor and mukhtar was also recorded.

Keeping law and order

Media channel crews will be allocated time slots in which to provide live coverage of the vote counting process on Sunday, so as to avoid overcrowding at voting centres, Chief Elections Commissioner Kyriacos Triantafyllides announced yesterday. Problems and friction arose earlier this year during the parliamentary elections, when employees complained some media crews kept them from doing their job.

'Tis the season

Supporters of Kypros Chrysostomides yesterday staged a musical event at Nicosia's Eleftheria Square. The event featured Christmas carols and the handing out of gifts to children by Santa Claus. Meanwhile, reports suggested Chrysostomides staff campaigners were out on Nicosia streets yesterday handing out candy and chocolates to passers-by.

Poll disagreement

The debate between Chrysostomides and Zampelas has extended to the interpretation of poll results. A poll conducted this week gave Zampelas a seven per cent lead; but at a press conference on Thursday, Chrysostomides said the " real polls that matter are the impressions you get when talking with people on the street,"saying he was confident Zampelas was trailing, but failed to cite the polls indicating that.

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[04] Pissarides founder dies

His funeral will take place at 3pm today, at the Kostantinou Kai Elenis Church in Nicosia.

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[05] Record damages for road crash victim

A NICOSIA district court has awarded half a million pounds in damages to a 22-year-old girl paralysed in a road accident, her lawyers said yesterday.

This is largest damages claim ever awarded in Cyprus and evidence of the general trend to higher compensation, said Michalis Iakovou, of Iakovou and Koutra Advocates in Nicosia, who represented the plaintiff, Celia Christodoulou.

Iakovou believes this sum awarded is totally representative and fair.

" We feel a sense of pride that justice has been done. Don't forget we are talking about a 22-year-old girl who is going to need a lot of specialist care and help from here on.

" This sum will now incur an income of £30,000 per year from interest alone for the girl, which as things stand, is completely satisfactory, because now her parents will be able to have some peace of mind that she is financially secure,"he said, adding that obviously no amount of money could compensate for what she had lost.

Two and half years ago, Christodoulou was involved in a serious car accident, leaving her paralysed from the chest down, with minimal arm movement, and confined to a wheelchair.

She had been on her way to the cinema with friends, when, 100 meters from her home, the car she was in pulled onto a main road and collided with an oncoming car.

Christodoulou's friend was held responsible for the accident, because he pulled out of the side road carelessly, and his insurance company, Ledra of Hellenic Bank, was ordered to pay the £500,000.

The Insurance Company yesterday refused to comment on the case.

" We will not give out any information concerning this case,"said legal adviser Irene Kattimeri of Ledra Insurance when asked to comment.

Iacovou said the award was based on the same principles that are taken into account for every disability case: age, remuneration losses due to a disability and severity of injuries - age being the main principle.

More and more people are awarded higher damages in disability cases, he said.

Believing this approach to be justified, he asked: " If someone loses a finger, they're allowed to receive £2,500-£3,000 in damages at the most: is that enough to replace the loss of a finger?"

There is no restriction in damages for disability cases in Cyprus, although court decisions are based on precedents set by the Supreme Court, he said.

" The precedent that existed for this kind of disability was very limited, and far less money was awarded.

" However, I'm confident that if this case had gone to the Supreme Court, the same amount would have been awarded, setting a new precedent."

Although a district court cannot set a precedent and its decision does not have to be applied to all cases, it will influence other courts in their decisions, he said.

" Ten years ago, you would have been lucky to get £170,000 and the closest amount awarded in damages for a similar case three years ago was £300,000."

" The important thing to note,"said Iacovou, " Is that Celia deals with her disability with tremendous optimism."

He said her home environment was very positive and supportive and she was encouraged constantly. Although paralysed now, no one knows what the future holds, he said.

" If a patient has the strength and courage to fight, anything can happen.

" Her life is altered, it is not over.

" There is a lot she can accomplish and her position can change."

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[06] Minister: we will go ahead with four desalination plants

Themistocleous said the Vassiliko desalination plant, plans for which were shelved earlier this week in the wake of heavy winter storms, had only been intended to provide water for agricultural purposes, not to households.

" The government has not given up its plans to have a desalination plant in every town,"Themistocleous said.

" No one has said the storms would solve our water problems, and the government will go on to build desalination units in Limassol and Paphos, "he said.

" With the two desalination plants already built at Dhekelia and Laranca, these four units will cover our needs for potable water."

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[07] Parties trade blows on last day of local election campaign

AS THE authorities gear up for Sunday's municipal elections, candidates and those backing them yesterday exchanged the last heavy rounds of fire ahead of the deadline for the close of the election campaign.

A record number of voters will be placing their ballots across the island, while a mammoth government operation involving some 10,000 employees will be mounted to supervise the smooth operation of the process. The number of candidate mayors, mukhtars and members of municipal boards has also reached record figures.

Most of the work will be done in Nicosia, where the bulk of the ballots - around 200,000 - will be cast in 450 voting centres.

The capital was also the focus of a fierce election campaign replete with accusations and mud slinging, as the parties backing the candidates intensified their rhetoric as the week progressed.

The contenders in Nicosia are independent candidate Michalakis Zampelas and official opposition candidate Kypros Chrysostomides.

Zampelas has argued he can bring a hands-on business-based experience to local administration, while Chrysostomides has touted his political experience and recognition.

But despite claims by all sides that local administration issues went beyond petty party politics, those backing the two contenders were quick to turn this into an intensely party-political battle.

Opposition AKEL, DIKO and KISOS, who back Chrysostomides, have dismissed as bogus Zampelas' insistence he is an independent candidate, saying he has the full support of the ruling DISY party. They and Chrysostomides have labelled Zampelas a technocrat, arguing a mayor lacking political status should not be allowed to represent the island's capital in international forums. During the week, Zampelas' response to the accusations has been low- key, citing an opinion poll showing he had seven per cent lead over Chrysostomides.

The war of words intensified yesterday, the last day of the election campaign, while newspapers ran full-page ads paid by the two candidates.

Yesterday, AKEL chairman Demetris Christofias reiterated claims that Zampelas was handing out money " right and left"in a bid to win as many votes as possible. When asked to provide specific examples, Christofias said that over the past few days hand-outs had been " rampant"in Zampelas' home suburb of Kaimakli - a left-wing bastion.

" This is common knowledge... you walk into a store and give the owner £3, 000 for a Christmas tree,"Christofias said at a news conference yesterday.

" Is this what elections in this country have come down to? It seems anyone was has big bucks thinks he can buy his way to office."

Zampelas coolly denied the handout charges, but DISY chairman Nicos Anastassiades levelled a fierce counterattack on Christofias, wondering how a party leader could suggest his own followers might be tempted by bribes. More fire came from DISY deputy Prodromos Prodromou, who countered the accusations by claiming AKEL deputies went from door to door in Kaimakli trying to sway voters.

Interior Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou yesterday said all was ready to stage tomorrow's elections, " everything right down to the last detail."

Ballots will be open from 7am to 5pm, with a one-hour break at noontime. Chief Elections Commissioner Kyriacos Triantafyllides said yesterday the new mayors would be announced at around noon on Monday at Nicosia's international conference centre. The final results should be in around 10pm Sunday, but a government website will provide constant updates to the counting process.

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[08] Euros to be delivered to banks on Monday

Central Bank official Philios Christodoulou said yesterday that delivery would begin from 9am and would follow the usual timetable for transferring cash to the island's banks.

The Central Bank has acquired _13.5 million from Greece, to meet domestic needs. They will not be available to the public until the currency comes into force in 12 European Union states on January 1. Until then, travellers to Europe will still need to get the national currency of the country they are visiting.

Christodoulou said some countries would continue to accept their national currencies until the end of February while others would switch to the euro overnight.

The Cyprus pound has been pegged to the euro and its predecessor, the ECU, since 1992. One Cyprus pound is worth _1.7.

With help from the Belgian National Bank and educational material from the European Central Bank (ECB), the Central Bank has completed the training of commercial bank officers who will pass on their knowledge to front-line employees.

The security features that the ECB has introduced onto the euro notes are very distinct and very difficult to reproduce, the Central Bank said.

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[09] Moushiouttas defends social services in child abuse case

A middle-aged man has been charged on 25 counts of rape, corrupting underage girls, lewd behaviour and attempted rape on five girls, whom he and his wife fostered through the Welfare Department between 1988 and 1996.

The same man also faces accusations of bestiality.

Answering questions from reporters, the Minister stressed that foster families were selected according to strict guidelines and underwent a tough screening process before children were housed with suitable families.

The fact that the girls were removed to a different family, as soon as it became apparent the original foster parents were not complying with regulations, he said, was proof of the Department's professionalism.

Nevertheless, it remains unclear why the accused-foster father was chosen in the first place.

Moushiouttas said the findings of an internal investigation would land on his desk shortly, and stressed that any necessary measures would be taken as soon as possible.

" At the end of the day, the investigation will determine if there is guilt and where,"said Moushiouttas.

Attorney-general Alecos Markides is also working in close co-operation with social services on the matter.

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[10] Support mounts for sacked Avrupateacher

TURKISH Cypriot secondary school teachers went on strike for the fifth day running yesterday to protest against the regime's dismissal of a history teacher for describing Turkey as an " occupying force in Cyprus"in articles she wrote for opposition newspaper Avrupa .

At the same time, messages of support from Turkey and trade unions continued to flood into Avrupa , ransacked on Wednesday by Turkish Cypriot 'police'.

The leader of the teachers' union KTOEOS, Ahmet Barchin, said their industrial action was targeted against the 'ministry of education', which removed Nilgun Orhon from her post last weekend.

The five-day strike follows a riot at Orhon's former school, the 20 Temmuz Science Lycee in north Nicosia on Monday.

She turned up to teach her class despite her sacking, and when 'police' tried to remove her afterwards, clashes broke out between them and trade unionists.

DEV-ISH trade union leader Ahmet Gulle held a news conference on Thursday to condemn the authorities' treatment of the teachers and the events at the school.

He also pledged his support for Avrupaand vowed to resist all forms of " state tyranny" .

Avrupaproprietor Sener Levent yesterday told the Cyprus Mailthat journalists were borrowing computers to write articles, while the paper was being printed on the premises of Ortam , run by the opposition Communal Liberation Party, TKP.

" One of our printing machines was taken by the government [on Wednesday] and they're going to take the other today,"Levent said.

He added that all Avrupa staff were scared for their safety, believing that they were targets of the underground UHH terrorist group, sponsored by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

" Of course we are worried. All of us are scared,"he said.

Although Avrupais widely seen as 'disloyal' in the north, the latest terror campaign against the paper has been widely denounced over the north.

The Turkish Writers' Organisation has sent a message of solidarity to Avrupa, as has BASIN-SEN - the media trade union - and Turkey's Modern Journalists' Association.

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[11] Monk seal washed up at Curium

The Monachus monachusseal -- the species is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources -- was found some 15 metres inland on Ayios Armogenis beach near Curium.

Fishery Department officials believe it died because of turbulent seas in recent days, and said that judging by its battered body, the seal had been thrown against rocks in the storms.

The young female was 1.5 metres long, 50 kgs in weight and was two to three years old, said officials. Extremely sensitive to human disturbance, the numbers of Mediterranean monk seals have been reduced to between 300 and 500.

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[12] Hand over spare European cash for charity

Alkionides, a group which provides emergency relief to families in need, is urging people to collect any foreign currency that they won't be able to exchange and donate it to their cause.

Georgia Polyviou, a representative of Alkionides said yesterday the charity has already secured the co-operation of the Bank of Cyprus and that special boxes had been placed at selected BOC branches since December 10. They will remain there until December 24, she said adding that they hoped to secure the co-operation of Hellenic Bank shortly.

Cyprus Airways has also agreed through its charter arm Eurocypria to have special boxes on flights, and the charity will also ask the government if it can place the boxes at the duty free shops at the island's two airports.

" We will finish collecting on January 31,"Polyviou said. " The Central Bank has agreed to exchange all the money collected and to change it to Cyprus pounds."

For further information contact: Tel: 22-671707 or 22-491692.

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