Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 02-11-23

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

Saturday, November 23, 2002

CONTENTS

[01] Denktash return delayed twelve days

[02] New health study for foundry area residents

[03] Government department under fire over summer jobs for relatives

[04] Help us save Lefkara lace

[05] Savvides: don't expect spectacular improvement in archbishop's health

[01] Denktash return delayed twelve days

UNITED Nations Secretary-general Kofi Annan again called yesterday for the Cyprus settlement plan to stick to the timetable, but accepted that the Turkish Cypriot side would need more time because of Rauf Denktash's ill- health.

The Turkish Cypriot side further squeezed the available time left to negotiate the UN plan by delaying Denktash's return to the island by another 12 days.

But Turkish media reports demonstrated that Denktash's hospital recuperation had not prevented him from making a radio address to the Turkish Cypriot people calling for what he described as the "shortcomings and deficiencies" of the UN plan to be addressed before entering into negotiations.

The Secretary-general's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "He (the Secretary-general) is encouraged by the generally positive reaction to his plan that is emerging, and wants to press ahead with the parties in accordance with the calendar which is part and parcel of the plan and which is designed to take advantage of the opportunity that is available now."

Asked whether he had any indication as to when Denktash would give his response to the plan, Dujarric replied: "We know that Mr. Denktash has health problems, that he remains in New York and has indicated that he needed a bit more time for consultations."

A spokesman for the Turkish Cypriot side denied press claims that Denktash was supposed to leave hospital yesterday, adding that he did not know when Denktash would be discharged. His advisor, Ergun Olgun, had said on Thursday that a decision was expected on Friday and that Denktash was likely to leave hospital after the weekend and remain at his hotel for a further ten days.

Denktash's doctors say he is too ill to fly and still recuperating from an infection after last month's heart surgery.

Denktash has told Annan he needs to return home for consultations before giving his views on the plan. But in a radio interview aired on the island on Thursday, Denktash said he was still not prepared to go ahead with the plan, further reducing the possibility of an agreement before the EU summit on December 12 in Copenhagen.

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris, Denktash claimed in the radio statement that he would "not accept the document presented by the UN Secretary-general as a basis (for negotiations) until the shortcomings and deficiencies are eliminated."

"We simply cannot say, with regard to these positions that have been set out, that we accept it as a foundation for the structure that is going to be built. We will discuss whether or not we will be able to accept it as a basis, and we will call for whatever changes are necessary in order for it to be acceptable as a basis. We are obliged to say these things, and we are obliged to insist on these things."

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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[02] New health study for foundry area residents

THE HEALTH Ministry plans to carry out a medical study examining what, if any, health effects the Nemitsas foundry in Limassol has on the area's residents. At the same time, the Cyprus Development Bank will carry out a secondary study assessing the cost and benefits of the foundry's relocation, Health Minister Frixos Savvides said yesterday.

The foundry has been a sore point for Chiflikoudia residents and parents of children attending the local primary school, who have long claimed that it emitted "lethal chemicals," which made their children physically sick.

But Nemitsas Ltd managing director Kikis Petevis says numerous tests have established beyond doubt that the emissions are not hazardous.

Nonetheless, anxious parents yesterday still maintained the stench from the foundry was unbearable and questioned why the results of the tests had never been published, or why the initial clinical examinations had not been carried out on days when emissions had been most pungent.

This latest medical study was designed to lay residents' fears to rest once and for all, said Health Ministry Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Andreas Georgiou.

"Past studies assessing physical symptoms that residents had complained of, such as headaches, tummy aches, nausea, streaming eyes and complaints of a bad taste in their mouth were found to be at 'nuisance levels' and reversible," he said.

However, he admitted it had come to their attention that emission smells varied and that when the initial tests had been carried out, they had been on days that residents claimed were not as bad.

A team of five or seven experts from abroad would carry out the new study, which should take place in a few months' time, said Georgiou. As a specialist in community and occupational medicine, the team would be under his supervision. Doctors, administrators, contact managers and environmental engineers would make up a mobile unit that would be called in by residents on days they felt emissions were particularly bad.

"They will carry out respiratory and clinical examinations of their symptoms on the worst days in order to assess whether or not the foundry does have negative health effects," he said.

However, concerned resident Bernadette Charalambous believes another medical study is pointless.

"The results of the initial test were never published, the House Health Committee said the foundry should be relocated and it never was and the smell is still atrocious. Therefore we can't help but feel sceptical about the benefits of a new study," she said.

But, medical study or not, unless a feasibility study is carried out assessing the cost of relocating the foundry, it will not be moving anywhere.

"First of all we have to be told how much compensation we will receive if we relocate and to agree on that compensation," said Petevis. "Then we must also agree on the new location and to receive a guarantee that we will not be moved again in five years' time. And employees that stand to lose their jobs if the move takes the foundry to another town must be compensated."

The Health Minister did not say who would be footing the compensation bill, but said a feasibility study by the Cyprus Development Bank was in the pipelines.

"We want to know what it will cost to move the foundry to a heavy industrial area and what benefits such a move will have. Who of course will be paying for it is a different matter," said Savvides.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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[03] Government department under fire over summer jobs for relatives

According to the paper, department head Pambis Philippides said the service had done nothing illegal as the law did not forbid such an eventuality. "If we have sinned, then condemn us," he was quoted as saying.

Politis said it had found out about the nepotistic hiring in the summer, when the department had needed places filled immediately for a specific study it had been conducting. According to the charges, a number of candidates in need of employment had not been hired to work for the two-month period, but all the candidates who were related to either the department employees were.

The paper sent a list of names of relatives - children, siblings or spouses - who were hired to the Finance Ministry's permanent secretary, Andis Tryfonides, asking him to look into the charges. Politis said yesterday it had received information that not only had Tryfonides' investigation confirmed the charges, but also that he had given instructions that similar practices not be repeated in future.

Philippides did not deny the charges, adding that nothing illegal had taken place.

"We cannot exclude certain individuals based on the fact that they are related to employees," he said. "Besides the law does not forbid such a practice. Neither does the civil service law. If in the summer there are candidates that are permanent staff's relatives should we have to reject them? It's not as if we got rid of other people and replaced them with family members."

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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[04] Help us save Lefkara lace

LEFKARA authorities are calling on the government to support their traditional crafts by setting up a handicraft centre in Lefkara and stopping the sale of Lefkara lace and silverware by state-owned outlets.

Lefkara mayor, Sofoclis Sofocleous, told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that traditional craftwork like Lefkara lace and silverware were being sold at the Handicraft Centre in Nicosia, providing stiff competition for village artisans. Sofocleous said that the number of skilled craftswomen on the market, given that the industry's workforce was predominantly female, was falling, as less people were willing to train for the traditional skill that has become world famous for its complicated technique and intricate beauty.

"My request is that the part of the handicraft centre involving Lefkara lace and silverware be moved to its place of origin in Lefkara. I find it inconceivable that the centre remains in Nicosia while the original makers of the craft are forced to compete with the state," he said.

Sofocleous supported the idea of creating a centre in the village, which would promote the history and tradition of the craft while doubling as a learning centre for trainees. "It would be like a museum or learning centre which would not only attract tourists but also young people who could continue the long-standing tradition. No actual sales have to made in the centre itself."

The mayor acknowledged that less and less women were taking up the old art of weaving Lefkara lace, and hoped to provide incentive for more people to learn the skill. The lace itself has found its way in the homes of admirers worldwide. "It is a special craft to Cyprus and we need support from the government to keep it going. I have also suggested that we patent the technique used in Lefkara lace so that other countries don't make cheap imitations of our craft," he said.

Sofocleous has already met with Commerce Minister, Nicos Rolandis, and the House Commerce Committee to push forward his plan, hoping that the village will get the support it needs to preserve its unique skill and tradition.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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[05] Savvides: don't expect spectacular improvement in archbishop's health

A SPECTACULAR improvement in the Archbishop's health is not expected within the next few months, Health Minister Frixos Savvides told members of the Holy Synod in a marathon meeting yesterday to discuss the primate's condition.

The minister presented the clerics with the findings of three foreign doctors - two British and one Greek - on the state of the Archbishop's health. He refused to verify if Archbishop Chrysostomos suffered from Alzheimers's, saying that it would be unethical to disclose information on a patient, and adding that the decision to publicise the report's findings lay with the members of the Holy Synod.

He specified that the Archbishop had serious problem in communicating with his environment, dating back from before his fall, which led to his hospitalisation a few months ago, and did not expect spectacular improvement in that area.

However, his ability to move freely without support has improved greatly, the minister reported, with scope for even further improvements.

The Holy Synod members did not take any decisions or make statements, but decided to wait until Monday when they could examine a Greek translation of the doctors' report. When asked by a CyBC reporter if the report concluded that Chrysostomos was unfit to resume his duties, Savvides replied this was a matter for the Holy Synod.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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