Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-04-16

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

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] Massive security for a historic ceremony in Athens

[02] Cypriots looking forward to EU membership but afraid of rising prices

[03] Cyprus to celebrate EU accession with parties and fireworks

[04] How hundreds of officials burned the midnight oil to secure accession

[05] Turkish fury at UN resolution

[06] Government shelves CyTA privatisation plan?

[07] Road safety: 'we need new attitudes, not new laws'

[08] Bases deny Cyprus-based soldiers killed in Iraq

[01] Massive security for a historic ceremony in Athens

The signing ceremony will take place in the Stoa of Attalos, in the ancient market (Agora) at the foot of the Acropolis in the afternoon.

It will start with a speech from the President of the European Council - Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis - followed by three-minute speeches from the heads of state of the 15 EU members and the 10 acceding countries.

At the end of each speech, the two signatory plenipotentiaries, the head of state or government of the acceding country and the foreign minister, will proceed to the signature table and sign the two parts of the single Act - the treaty and Final Act.

The ceremony will be concluded with speeches from the President of the European Parliament Pat Cox and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi.

Signing of the treaty will be carried out in alphabetical order of acceding countries, which means President Tassos Papadopoulos will be signing the treaty first at around 4pm.

During the ceremony, Papadopoulos will be flanked by former president Glafcos Clerides, in recognition to his contribution to the island's achievement in joining the EU.

Foreign Minister George Iakovou, House President Demetris Christofias and former president and former chief EU negotiator George Vassiliou will also be attending the ceremony.

Thirteen party leaders or representatives and government officials, including Attorney-general Alecos Markides and new EU chief negotiator Takis Hadjidemetriou, will also be flying to Athens along with the President.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides is already in the Greek capital.

The ceremony will be followed by a family photo, including all 25 member- states, and press briefings by the Presidency and the heads of state of the 10 acceding countries.

The news conferences will be given in purpose-built area at the Zappeion, where a big tent has been set up and divided into sections for the delegations to deliver their briefings.

A separate press centre has been set up nearby, to accommodate the around 2, 500 journalists and television crews expected to converge on the Greek capital.

It is fitted with computers, telephones, large screens and television facilities, while providing catering services for journalists around the clock.

Around 10,000 police officers will be on duty during the two-day European summit, in anticipation of massive protests against the war in Iraq and its two main supporters at the summit, British and Spanish Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Jose Maria Aznar.

Reports said two pairs of Greek Air-Force fighter planes would be patrolling over the skies of Athens today as a precautionary measure.

Authorities have sealed off the city centre and have declared the day a civil service holiday to avert the transport problems that would have emerged if civil servants had tried to get into work.

Trade Unions have announced a general strike so that everyone will be able to attend the two demonstrations scheduled for 11am and 5pm.

Fearing violence, police have prohibited gatherings and marches in roads and areas included in the so-called red line for today and tomorrow.

The red line bans the movement of pedestrians and vehicles in several areas including Syntagma Square, Monastiraki, and Ermou and Vasilissis Sophias Streets.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[02] Cypriots looking forward to EU membership but afraid of rising prices

But while the dignitaries take the spotlight at the Acropolis, what do people on the street think of the island's accession to the European Union?

Most people questioned in a straw poll on the streets of Nicosia were upbeat about accession, quoting economic affluence and national security as their primary reasons for backing EU membership. Nevertheless, one or two were concerned that joining would affect moral values among young people and that they would be forced into mimicking Europe's more liberal outlook on living - from drugs to sex.

Fifty-four-year-old Lakis Loizides could only speak of the advantages of today's signing. He said the national security that which would be brought about far outweighed the fact that life would become more expensive. “Yes, I'm happy. There are a lot of advantages, but the most important one of all is the protection we'll receive. Because Cyprus is divided, people here will feel more safe and secure. I don't think anyone can ever forget the invasion and the severe insecurity it instilled in everyone. Refugee or not (Loizides is not), you cannot forget,” he said. “Besides, although life will become more expensive, I believe the economy will also become more secure and transactions with foreign countries will become easier.”

As far as culture was concerned, Loizides said the island would maintain its customs and traditions, the way all Mediterranean countries did.

“People from northern countries won't affect our traditions. Other Mediterranean countries have kept their customs and I believe we will as well,” he said.

According to Vasiliki Constantinou, 28, however, “Cyprus' culture is dying anyway”, but this had nothing to do with joining the EU. “People are forgetting who they were and where they came from. Everyone wants to be born in a town and many are ashamed to admit they were born in a village,” she said. “How many people know how to make soudjouko (a local sweet delicacy made from grape juice) or to embroider Lefkaritiko lace? I am learning to make Lefkaritiko because I enjoy it, yet nobody else bothers. We want to be European, irrespective of whether we join or not. In fact, maybe the EU will want to preserve some of those traditions, which will be a good thing.”

Constantinou said she was happy about the move and believed it would be good for the island. “People will be freer to travel and seek employment in other (EU) countries and businesses here will become more professional because they will have to meet European standards.” Although life would become more expensive, she hoped the government would be forced to raise the minimum wage, which would make it easier for people to get by. “Taxis are getting very expensive and buses, although cheaper, are not a pleasure to use. However, maybe that too will change, and the EU will insist they be upgraded.”

Twenty-seven-year-old Nearchos Panayi told the Cyprus Mail there would be pros and cons to Cyprus' EU membership.

“The economy will improve and it will be easier for Cypriots to study abroad because tuition fees will be cheaper,” he said. As a wildlife manager, he believed the EU would also help in his area a great deal. “But, Cypriots will find a lot of the improvements and new laws difficult to follow with respect to pollution, recycling or even cutting down trees.”

Nevertheless, there were also bad consequences to joining the bloc. “I fear the cost of living will go up and that we will be forced to join NATO,” he said. As for losing the pound in exchange for the euro, the issue “bothered” Panayi, who said that for “sentimental reasons, I'd like to hang on to it”.

As a parent, Panayiota Pantzopoulou said the EU would provide a more secure future for today's youth as far as education and employment were concerned. “But, I also fear that those benefits will be accompanied by a loss in moral values and principles and lead to a more liberal way of living.”

Katerina Hadjianastasi, 19, agreed. “We have a tendency to mimic other countries and people and so I fear that there will be an increase in drug use and underage sex.” The teenager said she also feared prices would inch up higher and higher, until life became unbearably expensive. “The only good thing is it'll be easier and cheaper to study abroad now,” she said.

Her roommate, Christina Panayiotou, did not share the same sentiments. “I think it will boost our flagging commerce and industry. We'll have to follow European trends, which will only improve our economy. As for the culture changing, I think it will depend on the individual and how he or she takes onboard different messages. Some will copy bad trends, others positive ones,” she said.

But, for some, today was a momentous occasion, full of optimism and hope that could not be tarnished by possible cultural setbacks.

“I'm very happy. The benefits of being part of Europe - such as financial support - will be plentiful,” said Costas Panayi. As for getting accustomed to the change in currency, “we'll get used to it, like we get used to everything”, including the change in culture, “which will definitely be transformed, but it doesn't matter”.

Asked whether an influx of foreigners moving to Cyprus might pose a problem, Panayi said that as long as they adhered to the island's laws, there would be no problem. “There are foreigners everywhere in the world. I don't think there will be a problem as long as they are law-abiding citizens,” he said.

The only concern the 51-year-old expressed was that the cost of living might rise. Nevertheless “we'll have to wait and see” on that point; for the time being “I'm just glad we're in”.

As for Ralli Christou, 67, “I've been a widow for 33 years and have survived so far. Even if things get more expensive I believe I'll still get by. This is a good move for everyone and we should be part of Europe,” she said. “Everything will change, but for the better. There will be more progress, more forward thinking and more opportunities for our young people.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[03] Cyprus to celebrate EU accession with parties and fireworks

In Nicosia, the Greek Ambassador, Christos Panagopoulos, Nicosia Mayor, Michalakis Zampelas and EU Ambassador, Adriaan van der Meer invite the public to celebrate the conclusion of one of the most significant achievements in EU history: its enlargement to include 10 new member states. The ceremony will be held at Nicosia Town Hall at 2.30pm, where the signing will be shown via a live television link from a large screen erected in the garden. The public are invited to witness the historic signing in the ancient market at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens.

The EU flag will be raised at 2.30pm and a reception will be held at the Nicosia municipality grounds. From 6-10pm, various artists will put on a performance in Eleftheria Square. The festivities will conclude with a firework display.

Similar celebrations will take place throughout all major towns and cities in Cyprus, including ceremonies undertaken by the mayors of occupied towns. The Paphos Municipal Council will meet at 6pm today to discuss the naming of a public avenue, square or park after Europe, followed by a classical concert at the town hall.

The municipalities of Larnaca, Lakatamia, Athienou, Dhali, Polis Chrysochous, Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa also have firework displays scheduled between 7pm and 10pm.

The National Guard will join the celebrations at 4pm with a 21-gun salute from the Artillery Training Centre in Athalassa, timed to coincide with the actual signing of the Treaty of Accession in Athens.

At the Limassol old port, the ship, Kyrenia Liberty, a replica of the ancient vessel that sank off the Cyprus coast around 2,300 years ago, will set off for a symbolic one-hour trip to celebrate the raising of the EU flag, carrying on board a host of EU member state ambassadors.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[04] How hundreds of officials burned the midnight oil to secure accession

Since March 1998, when Cyprus' EU accession negotiations were officially launched, more than 100 officials ranging from the Chief Negotiator himself to ministerial civil servants have been working overtime to ensure the island would fulfil all the necessary criteria for accession to the EU.

The five-year accession process has so far involved up to eight different bodies and organs, some of which were set up solely for the purpose of securing Cyprus' EU membership.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday Marina Jensen, Director of Planning in the Directorate for Economic Relations with the EU and member of the EU Negotiating Team, said that within the Planning Bureau, more than 10 full time staff had been working around the clock to supervise the island's progress towards accession and harmonisation by coordinating the work of the ministries, preparing drafts of Cyprus' negotiating positions and finalising documents to be submitted to the Chief Negotiator for approval.

“We had people working full time -- and I mean morning until night. It has not been possible to work regular office hours over the past five years,” she said.

Constantinos Lycourgos, head of the Law Office's EU Sector, confirmed that over 800 pieces of legislation had been passed by its 21 specialist lawyers since 1998.

“We have enacted around 800 pieces of legislation.

“The Law Office has a section for EU Affairs and our job is to carry out the harmonisation of legislation and serve as legal advisors to all the Ministries.

“The legislation itself has to be vetted by us so we can make sure it constitutes a complete transposition of the acquis communautaire and that it doesn't clash with the constitution or any other laws,” he said.

Lycourgos stressed that his team of lawyers, like other officials involved in preparing Cyprus for the EU, had burned the midnight oil on a regular basis.

“We have this enormous job that has been done, with 800 pieces of legislation but we had to work overtime of course -- everyone in this section has had to. It would have been impossible otherwise.”

He added that the Law Office could not have achieved the passing of so much legislation without the help of numerous other bodies, chiefly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which dealt with the political aspects of the process and Cyprus' external relations; the Chief negotiator and his team which was responsible for the overall internal coordination of accession; and the European Affairs Committee in Parliament, which was responsible for the examination and passing of the legislation.

“It really was a group effort -- no one could have done it alone.”

Kyriacos Charalambous, press officer at the Office of the Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' accession to the EU praised the work of his colleagues in co- ordinating and supervising the island's 10 Ministries to meet deadlines, but also highlighted the vital role of government technocrats and the Law Office in drafting and vetting legislation.

“The actual work on legislation was conducted by the technocrats in the Ministries and a lot of credit must go to them: from Ministers down to the very last civil servant, whose input was crucial in shaping our negotiation position and pursuing our objectives during the accession process.

“The Law Department worked closely with the Ministries to ensure laws submitted to Parliament were indeed in compliance with EU acquis… they worked really hard and were of paramount importance in the process.”

Both Charalambous and Jensen were impressed with the efficiency of Parliament in processing the 800 pieces of new legislation.

“Parliament was very positive in examining the legislation. All the political parties were very conducive to quick decision-making and the efficient passing of legislation,” Jensen said.

Charalambous emphasised the importance of the work done by Cyprus'

permanent representatives in Brussels.

“Everything went and came through them,” he said.

He also said the new government would have the vital task of implementing the new legislation and ensuring Cyprus could continue to achieve any new goals set before it.

“The EU has a moving target -- every week there are new regulations and directives that go into the pipeline… the process of harmonisation is an ongoing process, continuing after accession… The Ministries will be especially involved in this.”

An Administrative Officer at Office of the Chief Negotiator was optimistic yesterday that future targets could be met.

“There is still a lot to be done but we are in a good position at the moment.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[05] Turkish fury at UN resolution

Jean Christou

TURKEY and the Turkish Cypriot side were yesterday outraged over the UN resolution blaming Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the collapse of the talks in The Hague last month.

The Cyprus government has welcomed the UN Security Council resolution passed on Monday night in New York, but believes the document should have apportioned Turkey a share of the blame.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides, who is in Athens for the signing today of Cyprus' accession to the EU, said that although the resolution pointed the finger squarely at Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, it did not blame Turkey. Chrysostomides said this was disappointing to the government.

But in a written statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the UN resolution was unacceptable. “We cannot accept the resolution's keeping only one side responsible,” the statement said. “Both the (UN) report and the resolution keep the Turkish Cypriot side responsible for failure in the direct talks process. In fact, the attitudes of the two sides in a long negotiation process should be assessed under the light of facts and in a balanced way.”

It added that when the report of UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan was assessed carefully, “it will be seen that the Greek Cypriot leader said that he was not ready to sign the plan or to resort to a referendum about the plan, and he put forward some preconditions to do them.”

The 'Foreign Ministry' in the north said, “It is not possible to agree with the resolution,” and accused the UN of imposing a settlement plan, which “is impossible to implement and has deficiencies in each and every aspect.”

“There is no doubt that the Turkish Cypriot people desire to reach an implementable solution and be part of the EU, but they do not intend to join the Greek Cypriots as a minority... in the name of this objective,” the statement said.

In its resolution on Monday, the Security Council said it “regrets that as described in the Secretary-general's report, due to the negative approach of the Turkish Cypriot leader, culminating in the position taken at the March 10-11, 2003, meeting in The Hague, it was not possible to reach an agreement to put the plan to simultaneous referenda, as suggested by the Secretary-general,” thus denying the two communities the opportunity to decide on the plan themselves.

Foreign Minister George Iacovou welcomed the resolution. “The resolution adopts our position that the Annan plan is the basis for negotiations, that the UN chief offers his good offices, and deplores the Turkish Cypriot intransigence,” he said yesterday.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Iacovou added: “We managed to tackle the challenge and have a satisfactory resolution, which was brought about after many efforts, since the draft contained many unacceptable elements.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[06] Government shelves CyTA privatisation plan?

A CyTA spokesman said the authority had not received any official information on such a move. The previous government of Glafcos Clerides had planned to privatise CyTA to allow it to compete fully in the open competitive market that will exist when Cyprus joins the EU. The market has already been liberalised and tenders are being considered for a second mobile operator to begin operating later this year.

However, Parliament has on several occasions attempted to block expansion deals that CyTA itself has been trying to make abroad to counter the increased local competition, saying the investments were not viable.

Reports yesterday said that new Communications Minister Kikis Kazamias had indicated the government was strongly against the privatisation of CyTA.

Kazamias was reported as saying that he government could instead give the CyTA board extensive powers in certain areas, stopping short of complete privatisation. The move would require a change in the law. The Minister reportedly said that under a new law, CyTA would retain its semi-government status but extended powers would give the board the right to bypass the Cabinet and the House on certain issues. The aim, the reports said, would be to give CyTA more flexibility on securing strategic alliances abroad

CyTA chairman Efstathios Papadakis told Politis newspaper he was surprised at the news and had not been informed of such a move by the government.

A CyTA spokesman told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that the authority had not been given any formal notification of the government's intentions. He said he could not comment on a hypothetical scenario.

The spokesman did say, however, that when the previous government had asked for the authority's views on privatisation, CyTA has responded to the effect that there could not be any half measures. Either CyTA would stay as it was or be privatised, the memo to the government said.

“When we were asked for our views we said that it had to be privatised because we don't see how else it can be done,” the spokesman said. “All these difficulties we were facing due to the fact that we are a semi- government organisation, they can't possibly go away even with the best of intentions, and the fact that we are a government agency means we are subject to a lot of restrictions. That's the general gist. It's nothing new.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[07] Road safety: 'we need new attitudes, not new laws'

Committee chairman Nicos Pittokopitis said what Cyprus needed was to adopt a 'driver's conscience', not more legislation, if it wanted to improve road safety.

“If we don't adopt a driver's conscience, no amount of legislation can secure road safety in Cyprus,” he said, adding, “There are heavy vehicles going at up to 140km per hour on our roads.”

Acting Director of the Road Transport Department, Sotiris Koletas, confirmed that legislation on the compulsory installation of speed limitation devices and tachographs on heavy vehicles had been in place since January 1, 2001.

The speed device regulates the speed of heavy vehicles by limiting maximum speed for buses over 10 tonnes to 100km per hour, while trucks over 12 tonnes are restricted to 95km per hour.

The tachographer records the number of hours a professional driver spends on the road and his speed. The measures were taken in accordance with a European Union directive on road safety. Initially, they only applied to new trucks and buses, but since January 1, 2003, the law on installation of the devices applies to all registered heavy vehicles. The cost of the two devices is estimated to be around £700-1,000 per vehicle.

Further legislation on road safety was brought into force from July 2002, providing for the installation of protective sidebars and reflective markers on heavy vehicles.

However, not all drivers are adhering to the law. Many complain that the cost of implementation is too high and are waiting for government subsidies to install the necessary equipment.

“Many drivers have installed the devices but a lot of drivers are still waiting for financial assistance,” said Koletas. “The department has carried out a study to implement a plan of financial assistance for owners to comply with legislation. The study is now under consideration at the Finance Ministry. Whether they approve it or not, drivers are still obliged to comply with legislation,” he added.

Regarding the age of trucks on the island, Koletas said: “Generally, the average age of vehicles in Cyprus is quite high, certainly more than in Europe. But this is due to climatic conditions which favour the maintenance of vehicles for longer periods and also the fact that there is a less intensive use of trucks in Cyprus.”

He maintained that police were enforcing legislation as required. “The police are making checks; people are accused and taken to court. If a complaint is made, we call the vehicle in for inspection, irrespective of who the owner is. There are no exceptions.”

Koletas said that despite stricter driving licence examinations and new legislation, it would take some time to change the attitude and behaviour of truck drivers. “This will not happen overnight. They need to consider that it is a must not to speed, drive under the influence or violate the traffic code. We are working on changing this behaviour.”

Traffic Police Chief Andreas Papas insisted that police were making checks on heavy vehicles but that drivers were not compliant enough with the regulations. “We are not satisfied with drivers regarding their speed. Complaints are being made because they do not take into consideration the safety of others.”

Papas maintained that action was being taken and drivers were being charged when they were found to be in violation of the law. “There is enforcement, but we also try to inform drivers of the need to be careful over and above the rules on safety. If a load is not properly stacked, it could be very dangerous in an unpredictable situation.”

The police chief acknowledged that the latest incident in Greece meant that greater law enforcement would have to be adopted, especially regarding the speed of heavy vehicles.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

[08] Bases deny Cyprus-based soldiers killed in Iraq

“It is absolute fantasy,” Brumwell said in response. “There have been no casualties from the bases because none of our soldiers even went to Iraq.”

He also denied that 150 coffins were being flown out of the bases to send the dead back to the United States and Britain.

While injured soldiers were being treated at the base hospital, including some Americans, Brumwell said reports of 200 casualties being treated were an exaggeration. “We only have 90 beds in the hospital, and they aren't even half full,” he said.

He did, however, confirm that soldiers from the bases had been warned about their movements around the island, though he would not discuss what specifically the warnings entailed.

It is believed that - in light of strong anti-war feelings in Cyprus - soldiers have been told to avoid leaving the bases at night, to opt for cafes and restaurants over bars and nightclubs, and to steer clear of confrontation.

The reports also said the bases had rented cars to replace soldiers' personal vehicles, saying the rentals would be less vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Brumwell denied the claim: “We have rental cars, but they are not for this purpose.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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