Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 02-09-01

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

Sunday, September 1, 2002

CONTENTS

[01] 'Soldiers who killed puppy have buried the evidence'

[02] 4,000 animals to be killed because of brucellosis outbreak

[03] Probe into expense allowances at Forestry Industries Cyprus

[04] Girl, 16, attacked by mob of youths

[01] 'Soldiers who killed puppy have buried the evidence'

THE NATIONAL Guard Headquarters maintains that three soldiers accused of bludgeoning a puppy to death had only kicked it, the President of the Cyprus Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CSPCA) said yesterday.

Toulla Poyiadji said she believed the case would probably be dropped as the animal's body had been hidden and buried, hiding all incriminating evidence.

The incident came to light when a dog-walker at Athalassa Park in Nicosia heard the howls of the animal a kilometre away, Poyiadji said. When he approached the nearby army camp he found three soldiers battering a puppy to death. They had tied the animal to a tree.

The horrified man reported the incident to Lycavitos police who said they were investigating. The Defence Ministry and the Veterinary Services are also looking into the incident.

But Poyiadji claimed yesterday the incident will just be forgotten.

“When I told the army about the case they said the soldiers had only kicked it and that they hadn't battered it. Now that the puppy's body is gone there's no proof, despite the fact that the witness reported what he had seen with his own eyes, in writing, to the police,” she told the Sunday Mail.

Poyiadji said soldiers at this army camp, as well as at others, were guilty of numerous cases of animal abuse and that it was not the first time someone had come forward to complain.

Unfortunately there was never any “material proof” to substantiate these claims, she added.

“The police, the army and superiors at the army camp are to blame. If a passer-by an entire kilometre away could hear the animal's agonising howls, couldn't anyone else within the camp itself? And as for the police, shouldn't they have investigated the incident the minute it was reported and not waited an entire day when the puppy's body was buried?”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[02] 4,000 animals to be killed because of brucellosis outbreak

It said the number is so high because when 25 per cent or more of a herd is infected with the highly contagious disease, the government is forced to slaughter the entire herd. In such a case farmers receive compensation.

Over the past three to four years, brucellosis has been on the increase in the Republic.

Although farmers blame the government and a lack of preventative measures for the re-emergence of the problem, state vets point the finger at the herders themselves, saying they are largely to blame because of uncontrollable livestock trading between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot farmers.

Although such trade is not illegal in itself, transporting animals from one area to another without first receiving veterinary services approval and a clean bill of health for the animals is.

Brucellosis causes abortion in cattle and livestock, as well as retention of the placenta which can cause infection and infertility. In turn the animals are not productive and must be slaughtered. But the meat and milk of the animal itself is not contaminated and is safe for human consumption, according to experts.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[03] Probe into expense allowances at Forestry Industries Cyprus

COMMERCE and Industry Minister Nicos Rolandis yesterday confirmed a government-owned company's board members enjoy financial privileges far superior to those of government officials in higher office.

Although the 'Forestry Industries Cyprus Ltd' directors and general managers cover the cost of these privileges, the government holds a 51 per cent stake in the company, and four civil servants are on the board.

According to Politis newspaper, board members stay in four- or five-star hotels when abroad on official business, all three of their daily meals are paid for, and all other expenses, such as transport and phone calls, are also covered. Over and above these benefits they get an allowance of £120 for each day they are abroad, the paper said.

Forestry Industries Cyprus Ltd. is made up of a number of private companies, but its main shareholder is the state. Four out of seven board members, including the chairman, are government-appointed.

In 1995, Rolandis said, the board decided to regulate the company's 'overseas expenses' policy. It decided the company should cover room and board, transport, entertainment and food expenses for its chairman, board members, its general manager and his two immediate subordinates when they are on business abroad.

Over and above these expenses it was decided they should receive £120 a day for every day they are abroad, including their departure and arrival dates.

A Finance Ministry circular stipulates that state officials and civil servants, when abroad on official business, are only allowed room and board on a bed and breakfast basis, which is covered by the state. All other expenses are included in an “overseas expense” daily allowance that varies according to the country, and sometimes town, of business. In Monaco, for instance, the allowance is 170 euros, in Rome 200 euros, in Berlin 195 euros, in Paris 180 euros and in Athens 175 euros.

The Attorney-general and the President and Judges of the Supreme Court only receive 90 per cent of this benefit. The Auditor-general, Accountant- general and Ministry Directors-general only receive 72 per cent of this perk that is supposed to cover all their expenses.

If the Forestry Industries board's four civil servants are sent on any other Ministry official business they receive 40 per cent of the 'overseas expenses' benefit. But, when on business for 'Forestry Industries' these same civil servants enjoy privileges far superior than those offered by the state.

Rolandis told the Sunday Mail he would be asking the company's chairman, as well as all private companies and semi-government companies listed with 'Forestry Industries' for a full report and detailed explanation tomorrow.

“The state is a 51 per cent shareholder in this company and we are interested in what goes on,” he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[04] Girl, 16, attacked by mob of youths

The incident took place at around 2am outside Kantara Restaurant on Salaminos Street. The young girl was rushed to hospital where she was kept in for observation.

A hospital spokesman said the teenager had complained of pains to her shoulder and the nape of her neck, but her condition was not considered to be serious.

“We will know more when the orthopaedic doctor sees her,” he said, adding that they planned on keeping her in the surgical unit until at least today.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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