Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 01-12-22

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

Saturday, December 22, 2001

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides to invite Denktash to dinner 'by Monday'

[02] Row blows up over trade with the north

[03] Residents plan riverbed vigil in car park protest

[04] Police mount road safety campaign over holidays

[05] Doctor charged in 'baby sale' case

[06] Warning over natural gas export ambitions

[07] Minister promises new watchdog to oversee health care

[08] Attempted murder suspect gives himself up to bases police

[01] Clerides to invite Denktash to dinner 'by Monday'

PRESIDENT Clerides will by Monday issue his invitation to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to dine with him at his Nicosia home next month, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said yesterday.

Papapetrou was commenting on reports that Denktash had said he had not yet received any dinner invitation. He said Clerides had called Denktash yesterday to extend the oral invitation, but the Turkish Cypriot leader had been in Istanbul. " Most probably he will contact him on Monday,"Papapetrou said.

Clerides dined with Denktash at the Turkish Cypriot leader's residence in northern Nicosia on December 5, a day after the two leaders met face-to- face for the first time in nearly four years and reached a breakthrough agreement to resume direct talks on January 16.

The government said at the time that Clerides would return Denktash's dinner invitation during the new round of talks. It has been more 26 years since Denktash crossed the Green Line dividing the capital.

Clerides will receive Denktash at his home in the residential suburb of Lycavitos in Nicosia.

Commenting on any possible security fears, Papapetrou said there was no need to worry. " Mr Denktash will be welcomed and he will have a nice and safe dinner at President Clerides' home,"the spokesman told the Cyprus Mail .

Clerides told reporters yesterday that possible dates for the diner would be between January 25 and 29. Turkish Cypriot press reports yesterday said it would take place on January 28. The president said it was not yet known how Denktash would travel to the Greek Cypriot side. Reports yesterday suggested he would arrive by helicopter.

Commenting on the January 16 talks, Clerides said it was too early to say how the negotiations would go.

" The ideal Christmas hasn't arrived,"he said. " The ideal Christmas would be when there is a solution reuniting the two sides,"Clerides said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[02] Row blows up over trade with the north

CONFUSION reigned yesterday as a full-blown row erupted with deputies, the media and politicians debating whether trade with the occupied north was illegal or acceptable.

The heavy fire was concentrated on Attorney-general Alecos Markides, who this week stated that economic transactions with the north by private individuals or companies were not illegal, provided health regulations were observed.

The issue emerged on Wednesday at a session of the House Refugee Committee, when it was revealed that Greek Cypriots had been providing the north with car parts with the government's knowledge.

Tempers flared when outspoken DIKO deputy Marios Matsakis put it to Markides that the government should put an end to such " unpatriotic"practices instead of encouraging them; Markides responded by accusing Matsakis of practising " populism" .

The controversy raged on yesterday, as Markides reiterated his position that, under the Constitution, trading with the occupied north was permissible.

Simerininewspaper yesterday carried front-page stories levelling fierce criticism at Markides, claiming he had contradicted himself because, back in 1996, he had helped draft a bill recommending trade with the north be outlawed and offenders receive prison sentences.

Markides disagreed, saying that in 1996 he had in fact pointed out that trade with the north was legal, and that the 1996 bill had been thrown out by parliament by a unanimous decision on the grounds it provided indirect recognition to the breakaway regime.

The row has caught the government off guard in its attempt to strike a balance between not recognising the breakaway regime but at the same time allowing free movement of goods, as required by the EU, which Cyprus hopes to join.

Opposition party deputies suggested the government take corrective measures to cover the lack of legislation on the matter, with some calling for a ban on trade with the north. Others, including DIKO general secretary Andreas Angelides, argued trade should be discouraged as this was " patriotically the right thing to do; this is a question of national self-defence."

He went on to pose a rhetorical question, asking whether during World War II the British government's only way of stopping the sale of weapons and fuel to Rommel would have been to enact special legislation. Markides' was quick to respond with a " yes" .

Speaking on a live radio show, Markides insisted that upholding the law was different to a people's sense of justice and fairness, arguing that prohibiting Greek Cypriots from trading with the north would be illegal, and therefore undemocratic.

The Attorney-general also lambasted Simerinifor carrying a commentary describing the Republic as " virtual"and asking rhetorically whether, instead of the breakaway regime, the Cyprus government should henceforth be referred to as " the so-called"government. Dismissing such comments as a " monstrosity" , Markides suggested the paper's motive was " payback on the Attorney-general, who in the past had dared to sue Simerini 's general manager."

But the daily's comments also provoked a strong response from President Glafcos Clerides, who in a written statement said he was " greatly distressed"over the publication, adding that such references " only served to undermine the status of the Cypriot Republic, which the Turkish side has questioned so often."The announcement, read out by the government spokesman, went on to urge the media to " exercise restraint and avoid extremities" .

Meanwhile Turkish Cypriot papers yesterday suggested the debate on trade with the south should be extended to lifting the EU embargo on the breakaway regime. For his part, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said he hoped possible relaxations on trade would improve prospects ahead of the talks with President Clerides scheduled for 16 January. The two leaders meet in Nicosia.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[03] Residents plan riverbed vigil in car park protest

ANGRY Nicosia residents are holding a vigil today in protest against Interior Ministry proposals to set up a temporary parking space along a nearby riverbank.

The area concerned is the riverbank park behind Byron Street, just below the old water tower.

The vigil will take place at 2.30pm today and will involve planting 26 eucalyptus trees in the area, said Bernadette Horton Savvides, one of the many distraught residents.

" We're going to plant them exactly in the area where they've removed the other trees,"she said.

Whether planting these trees is legal or not, said Savvides, " are people allowed to go and just shave and remove the trees without anyone seeming to have any knowledge about it?"

She said, so far, they had had no answer to a letter sent to the Interior Ministry asking who had been responsible for accepting the government printing offices' request to create a temporary car park within the riverbed.

" So, if they're justcutting down trees, we're justplanting them."

She said they could be put in prison if push came to shove, adding she " would be happy to serve the penalty for tree planting" .

Savvides said she hoped Green Party deputy George Perdikis would be there, as would ecologists, members of the media, local residents and the riverbank resident's committee.

" However, I'd like to stress that everyone is welcome, because we really feel the park doesn't just belong to the committee and residents of the area. This riverbank belongs to everybody and I would welcome everyone to come along and use the park tomorrow, and let's share in this process of putting something back into the area that was just so drastically destroyed.

" This cannot be allowed to happen in such a tiny island that has so little to offer in the way of untainted environment,"she said.

Kids have always played in the riverbed and it would be a " crime"to turn that into a car park, said Savvides.

Perdikis yesterday confirmed he would " most definitely"be present at today's vigil, as he strongly condemned what was happening and had taken steps to approach Ministers to put a stop to it.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[04] Police mount road safety campaign over holidays

Up to 300 officers will be on duty along the motorways and major inter-city routes on days when traffic is expected to be particularly heavy.

According to traffic department head Andreas Papas, police will be focusing on infractions considered to be life-endangering, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or not wearing seatbelts.

With students coming in from abroad and schoolchildren now on holiday, Papas urged parents to take additional precautions, such as being extra careful when on the wheel or being careful not to leave car keys lying about in the house.

So far this year, 94 road deaths have occurred across the island, with more than one-third of casualties aged between 16 and 25. Although the toll is slightly down from last year (111 dead), Papas noted that " a lot more could be done."

The increased police presence on roads starts on December 22 and through until January 6.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[05] Doctor charged in 'baby sale' case

The suspect involved in the alleged child sale case had been held in custody since December 14.

Euripides is accused of having arranged for a pregnant Romanian woman to come to Cyprus as an artiste, allegedly presenting immigration with documents that the woman had just undergone surgery for ovarian cysts and needed to remain in Cyprus under observation.

On December 11, she gave birth to a boy by caesarean section, which was allegedly immediately handed over to a Greek couple. The Greek couple had allegedly paid £10,000 for the baby of which Euripides is accused of receiving £5,000 in cash.

Yesterday, the doctor was formally charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, violation of adoption and immigration laws, and providing false documents.

Bail was set for £5,000 and he was released. He was forced to hand over his passport to authorities and ordered to appear before police once a day.

The hearing was set for December 27.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[06] Warning over natural gas export ambitions

INDUSTRY sources warned yesterday that the government's ambition to turn Cyprus into a natural gas export centre was not economically viable.

Referring to comments made by Commerce Minister Nicos Rolandis in Parliament on Tuesday, the source said: " there is no way that it would be economically advantageous for Cyprus to set up facilities here."

Rolandis' plan envisages a joint, private venture between Cypriot, Syrian and Egyptian businesses to build a liquefaction centre to process natural gas (LNG) that would then be exported to the European Union.

He has discussed the matter with his Egyptian and Syrian counterparts, both keen on the idea of Cyprus becoming an energy resource centre.

" Egypt and Syria desperately want to export gas to the EU. But it would be very expensive for them. Cyprus could possibly import more gas than it needs for internal consumption, use the private sector to set up natural gas liquefaction centres and export the resulting LNG to other EU members without paying duty,"the Minister told the parliamentary commerce committee on Tuesday.

But the question is, would the overheads brought by bringing gas across north Africa, up through Jordan and Syria, then under the seabed to Cyprus be less than the cost of importing it into the European Union from source.

It would cost $1 billion to build a liquefaction centre necessary to liquefy the gas before re-export.

That, coupled with the cost of pumping LNG from North Africa, through Jordan and Syria to Cyprus, makes some experts doubtful there is a profit to be made.

" It's highly unlikely that it would be business or economically productive, "said the industry source.

But Rolandis yesterday defended his comments, saying planning was in its infancy and that the government had made no formal commitment.

" We haven't got very far with this, but there is no technical problem,"he said, adding that Syrian and Cypriot engineers had already approved the idea in principle.

The underground pipe would have a capacity of around 3 million cubic feet a day.

" Whatever we do with natural gas will not entail any investment from the government, because we are committed to liberalisation,"he said.

Proposals to import LNG from the Middle East, either by pipe from Syria, or by boat are more advanced.

Rolandis has said that an LNG-powered electricity production plant at Vassiliko could be up and running by 2006.

The same outfit will be operated by crude oil from 2004, and the switch to LNG will take place as soon as possible, in order to comply with EU directives on the use of more environmentally sound energy sources.

A new electricity power plant is vital. Given that construction on the proposed Syria-Cyprus pipeline hasn't started yet, Rolandis said he was in no position to wait until such a unit could be LNG powered only.

Instead it will mirror a dual-fired plant in Egypt, which means the source of fuel can be switched, rather than a second complex built.

Rolandis yesterday denied that American company Crest Ltd had ever been commissioned by the government to carry out any feasibility study into the LNG project.

Instead, the company carried out its own research and briefed Nicosia. The Minister said the government now wanted to conduct its own study.

If the gas isn't brought to Cyprus from Syria, it'll be imported in barrels.

The source said the pipeline idea could be a success. " At around $200 to $250 million, it's a manageable investment, safe, efficient and better for the environment."

" The gas supply is good for Cyprus, because they'll be under pressure from the EU to clean up their act,"he said, " but I've never heard of an LNG [liquefaction centre] sited so far from production."

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[07] Minister promises new watchdog to oversee health care

THE MINISTRY of Health and the Cyprus Medical Association have set up a Medical Audit committee, in the first step towards routine inspections of state and private health care on the island.

Qualitative checks on doctors and medical facilities are required by European Union directives and as part of the new national health scheme.

The body will also investigate claims of medical negligence, as well as keep track of all medical practices.

The government hopes the committee will put an end to the lack of control and transparency in the burgeoning private sector.

" The timing of this is not relevant to the latest events,"said Health Minister Frixos Savvides.

" It has to be introduced with the health scheme, but it'll be ready long before that, in 2003,"he added.

EU directives do not stipulate a particular form that a Medical Audit should take, only the basic principles.

" We're looking very closely at the UK, because theirs was the first to be implemented and our proposed health plan is closely related to the UK National Health Service,"said the Minister.

Attorney-general Alecos Markides is overseeing a criminal investigation into the death of a 14-year-old boy after undoing a routine operation at the Nicosia General Hospital in the spring. The initial investigation was complete and the police report handed in, but Markides is meeting the chief investigator on Thursday, the first working day after Christmas, to issue instructions about the evidence he still wants to gather.

His family will lodge a civil case against Nicosia General Hospital and sue for damages.

Allegations of medical negligence also made the headlines last month, after Savvides suspended pathologist Sophocles Sophocleous pending an investigation into an autopsy carried out on a patient who died at Nicosia general hospital.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

[08] Attempted murder suspect gives himself up to bases police

George Anastasiou from Trachoni outside Limassol turned himself in yesterday morning, after Limassol police had put out wanted notice the previous day. He was brought before an SBA court, which ordered he remain in custody pending trial on January 23.

The Syrian, who was shot from close distance, was yesterday still in a critical condition in Limassol hospital's intensive care unit.

The shooting happened at 9am outside the victim's home in the Kapsalos area.

Muhammad, or Angelos Terk, aged 24, was shot in the stomach with a shotgun.

He had just arrived home, on the corner of Charitos and Kononos Streets, where he lives with his Greek Cypriot wife.

Bases police said yesterday the suspect had denied any involvement in the case.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2001

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