Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 02-10-08

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

Tuesday, October 8, 2002

CONTENTS

[01] Papapetrou: there is no danger of recognition

[02] Lukoil stake their claim

[03] UK's Parker raps 'intrusive' media over rape case

[04] Roman statue unearthed in Paphos building site

[05] US submarine anchors off Limassol coast

[06] EU urges Turkey to support peace efforts

[07] Olgun: Denktash 'does not have a health problem'

[08] Denktash recovering after operation

[09] Fighting groups make peace

[10] Mayor of Athens in Nicosia

[11] Bourse hits new low

[12] Indian PM arrives

[13] Tourist hospitalised after balcony fall

[01] Papapetrou: there is no danger of recognition

RECOGNITION WILL not be an issue during the discussions by the joint committee set up to examine international treaties in the event of a settlement, Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said yesterday.

President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash last week agreed to set up two expert committees assigned with preparing legislation for the smooth operation of a future unified state and to look into the international treaties signed by both sides to determine if they would be in accordance with the constitution.

The move has drawn criticism from political parties fearing the evaluation of treaties signed by the Turkish Cypriots would mean the indirect recognition of their breakaway state.

Yesterday, Papapetrou said there was no issue of recognising the breakaway state through the work of the ad hoc committee dealing with the "international treaties, which would be binding to a reunified Cyprus in case the problem was solved".

Papapetrou said that the government has already prepared for various scenarios and there are strong international rulings that what is attempted in connection with the work of the two committees dies not have any risks of recognition.

The spokesman said that the committees were undertaking a technical job that would only be of value if the differences between the two sides were resolved at a political level.

"There are no such indications at this moment; there was no progress (in New York)," Papapetrou said.

Papapetrou said that any agreements signed by the Turkish Cypriots should be in line with the solution or the EU aquis communitaire in order for them to be legal.

"This is a further guarantee that there is no danger of recognition of the pseudostate," he said.

Papapetrou said the UN had suggested the appointment of the committees in an effort to keep the talks procedure alive until the Turkish elections in November.

"Judging that from then on we are entering a critical period and Mr Denktash's illness would have created a problem, a glitch in the talks, to overcome this they proceeded to suggest the committees," he said.

He added that the island's EU harmonisation agreements were not going to be examined by the committees.

"Our EU accession is a one way street for the Turkish side.

"Consequently, the aquis communitaire is a compulsory parameter for Greek and Turkish Cypriots within the framework of a reunified Cyprus," Papapetrou said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[02] Lukoil stake their claim

On July 1 a deal was struck between the Russian company and BP to take over the stations after BP was forced to reduce its share of the market under legislation outlawing monopolies.

Lukoil's 16 stations will now give the company a six per cent share of the Cyprus market. BP sold four stations in Nicosia to Lukoil, two in Limassol and two in Larnaca. Exxon sold four Esso stations in Nicosia to Lukoil, one in Limassol, one in Paphos and two in villages in the Larnaca and Famagusta districts.

Meanwhile press reports yesterday said that BP staff were on edge because of the lack of information concerning the company's plans to withdraw from the Cypriot market, and were considering dynamic action. Unions SEK, PEO and POAS, representing the 70 employees of BP, are due to meet today to discuss the issues.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[03] UK's Parker raps 'intrusive' media over rape case

BRITISH HIGH Commissioner Lyn Parker has slammed sections of the media for their handling of the case of a 22-year-old British woman who was kidnapped, beaten and raped in Ayia Napa last month.

In a letter marked 'In Confidence' and addressed to Andreas Mavrommatis, of the Code of Conduct for Journalists Committee, Parker said it was essential that in sensitive personal cases like this, the media should show "some elementary respect for the feelings of victims and their families".

The High Commissioner said he was deeply concerned by some aspects of treatment of the story by some newspapers and television crews.

"One newspaper (Phileleftheros) published her name, but I am satisfied that this was an editorial error and have accepted the newspaper's apologies," he said. "I hope, however, you may find a suitable way to underline for the future the need to preserve strictly the anonymity of rape victims."

Parker said he was also very concerned to see that some newspapers had published intimate details of the medical treatment the victim received. "This sort of coverage crosses the line of fair reporting in the public interest, and represents an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of the victim and her family," Parker said.

The High Commissioner was also highly critical of how "certain journalists or television crews" sought to gain access to the victim's hospital room "against her clearly expressed wishes and those of her family".

His letter to Mavrommatis said: "I understand that earlier this week at least one journalist obtained entry to the victim's room by falsely claiming to the hospital authorities to be a member of her family. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable in cases such as this."

Parker's letter said he had also written to Health Minister Frixos Savvides to see whether there was anything more that could be done by the hospital authorities in such circumstances to protect the privacy of rape victims. He added that the root of the problem lay in the determination of certain elements of the press to override a rape victim's wish for privacy.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, the Health Minister said such behaviour by the press and broadcast media was disgusting. "The High Commissioner is absolutely right," he said.

"Anybody who is hospitalised cannot be subject for picture-taking or filming without the approval of the victim or the Minister of Health," Savvides said.

Savvides pledged to set up an inquiry to find out who told the journalists what floor the victim was on and how they were allowed to go there. "The hospital security lies with a private security company we hired whose duty is to protect victims from the media, and if this happened then they haven't done their job properly," Savvides said.

"Somebody gave them the authority to go upstairs and if this somebody is a hospital administrator, then he will be dealt with accordingly. I will ask the administrator to give me a report in writing."

Mavrommatis was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[04] Roman statue unearthed in Paphos building site

"It is in very good condition, it is the best preserved we have found in Paphos," said Efstathios Raptou, head of the Paphos division of the antiquities department.

The white marble statue, missing its head, was possibly cast in the mould of a woman who lived at the time, he said.

The statue was discovered Paphos on Saturday and has been moved to a local museum for maintenance.

Cyprus was under Roman rule from 30 BC to 330 AD. (R)

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[05] US submarine anchors off Limassol coast

Limassol Port Police coastguards approached the vessel after instructions from the Foreign Ministry and collected a member of the crew who had health problems. He was taken to the town's hospital in a US Embassy vehicle.

Hasikos said that Cyprus is hopeful that an armed intervention in Iraq would be avoided but stressed that should this not be possible, then Cyprus should not be involved.

"Government is closely monitoring the mobility in the British Bases lately but we are not worried, he said."

"We are not certain on whether an attack on Iraq will take place or whether Cyprus will be used as a base of operations but if and when this takes place, the government will deal with the issue accordingly.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[06] EU urges Turkey to support peace efforts

But the EU executive reiterated that the European Union would admit the Greek Cypriot part of the divided island on its own if necessary in the absence of a settlement, leaving the breakaway Turkish Cypriots outside.

"The Commission...urges all parties concerned, and in particular Turkey, to lend full support to efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement this year, " the draft said.

Cyprus is among 10 candidate countries set to conclude EU accession negotiations in December and to join in 2004.

The Commission said the Turkish Cypriot north of the island would receive considerable EU aid "to catch up" if it reached a deal with the Greek Cypriots in the current United Nations-mediated peace talks.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[07] Olgun: Denktash 'does not have a health problem'

BOTH CYPRUS and Greece yesterday wished Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash a speedy recovery from heart surgery he was to undergo later in the day in New York

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou told his daily press briefing that Denktash "had the sincere wishes of the Greek Cypriot side that the operation would go smoothly and that he would recover as soon as possible".

Denktash, 78, who last week agreed to a new round of United Nations- brokered talks with President Glafcos Clerides after meeting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York, was to undergo heart surgery around midday New York time.

On Sunday Ergun Olgun, undersecretary for the Turkish Cypriot leader told Bayrak radio that Denktash did not have a health problem "at the moment".

He said Denktash was able to carry out his duties and that blood pressure, sugar level, and everything else was normal. "He is undergoing an operation aimed at eliminating any possible risks he might face in the coming period. It concerns a change of the valves in the heart. The doctors do not foresee any risk, because he is in good health. We are in a hospital that specialises in patients of his age," Olgun said.

"Moreover, the doctor who will perform the operation is known as a very able surgeon in this field. All the doctors who saw the president and conducted a consultation on his condition do not see any risks. They believe that this operation is necessary if he is to work without any risks in the coming period."

Denktash was due to be admitted to hospital 6.30am New York time yesterday and the operation was scheduled for two hours later, to be completed at noon, after which the Turkish Cypriot leader would be put into intensive care.

After staying in intensive care for two to four days, Denktash would be transferred to a more comfortable place either in the hospital or in his hotel and should be in a position to travel within 10-12 days after the operation when he will return to Cyprus.

In Athens Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said: "While we remain divided by major differences as Mr Denktash continues his uncompromising position on the Cyprus issue...we do want to express our wishes for a quick recovery and strength and a return to the direct talks. During this difficult time he is going through the human factor is more important".

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[08] Denktash recovering after operation

Reports said the two-hour operation had gone well and his condition was fine.

Denktash was transferred to the intensive care unit where he is expected to remain for four days.

If all goes well he is expected to leave the hospital in eight to ten days.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, President Glafcos Clerides asked for flowers to be sent as soon as the clinic issued an official announcement on his condition.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[09] Fighting groups make peace

The two groups were engaged in street fights twice last week because, according to reports, the Iraqis believe the Palestinians snitched on three Iraqi men who were residing on the island illegally.

Lat Tuesday a crowd of 40 Iraqis attacked a handful of Palestinians with knives and broken bottles.

Three Palestinians ended up in hospital, one with serious stab wounds.

The three men were later discharged with police being unable to make any arrests.

On Thursday the groups clashed again on Christodoulos Hadjipavlou Street but no one had been injured.

Police said two petrol bombs had been hurled but did not specify who the perpetrators were.

The crowd dispersed when patrol cars arrived on the scene but again no arrests had been made apart from a Syrian man whose residence permit had expired.

It was not proven that he had been taking part in the scuffles.

The vendetta apparently ended on Saturday after talks between the representatives of the two groups who were watched closely by police.

Around 150 men then met at the mosque and swore to stop fighting before their religious leader.

The two groups acknowledged that they had to behave properly since they lived in a country that was providing them with hospitality.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[10] Mayor of Athens in Nicosia

Last night they unveiled a statue of the goddess Athena, donated by Athens to seal the bonds between the two cities.

The statue, which was placed on the corner of Aegeos and Christaki Christofidi Streets in the suburb of Kaimakli, is a reproduction of an ancient statue dating back to the fourth century BC found at the port of Pireaus in 1959. It is said to be one of the most exceptional specimens of classical Greek and Athenian art. There are only three other statues like it in the world.

Avramopoulos said through the donation Athens was forever sealing its bonds with Nicosia with something so symbolic as the goddess Athena.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[11] Bourse hits new low

Trading opened just under Friday's 83-point close but the index went into a steep decline and ended without rebounding throughout the 90-minute session.

Volume was £621,000, reflecting the big sell off of banking shares, which accounted for over half the day's total.

The banking sector shed a whopping 4.24 per cent, while the IT sector lost 5.04 per cent. Tourism shares also took a beating, taking the sector down 4.15 per cent.

Hardest hit was Bank of Cyprus (BOC), which plunged six cents to end at £1.10 on a volume of almost £228,000. Laiki fell three cents to £1.02 and Hellenic one cent to £0.68.

Due to the banking sell-off the FTSE index accounted for 71 per cent of total trading activity yesterday. Losers outpaced gainers by 54 to 17 while 77 closed unchanged.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[12] Indian PM arrives

The Indian Premier is due to hold talks with President Glafcos Clerides on a wide range of issues covering bilateral, regional and international issues.

He was officially welcomed at Larnaca Airport by Cyprus Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides amid strict security.

The Prime Minister will also meet House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias and Nicosia Mayor Michael Zampelas during his visit to the island.

The visit was originally scheduled to take place in September last year but it was put off due to the September 11 terror attacks in the US.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[13] Tourist hospitalised after balcony fall

Despite the 10-metre fall, Vanessa Langley did not suffer any life- threatening injuries, reports said.

The tourist, on holiday with her husband, fell from the Yermasoyia hotel balcony at around 5am.

She never lost consciousness and was helped by neighbours who heard her cries for help.

State pathologist Eleni Antoniou who examined Langley ruled out foul play.

Antoniou said the tourist had been drinking and as she told police she had lost her balance and fell.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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