Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-04-26

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

Saturday, April 26, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] Government breaks silence over Denktash move

[02] Synod delivers modest Easter message

[03] Police keep watchful eye on would-be smugglers

[04] Barrier goes back up for journalists in the south

[05] Schwimmer hails 'very emotional moment'

[06] Getting around the occupied areas

[01] Government breaks silence over Denktash move

AFTER 48 hours of silence, the government yesterday expressed guarded enthusiasm when commenting on the move by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to allow Greek and Turkish Cypriots to cross to the other side. The government's response came after Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou gave Denktash's move the thumbs up.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said the government welcomed the easing of restrictions.

“The government is in no way opposed to the easing of restrictions for the movement of Cypriots,” Chrysostomides said.

“This move, even the partial lifting of restrictions, is something positive but what we demand is to end the Turkish occupation and solve the problem. Our firm policy is to secure free movement of all the legal residents in Cyprus throughout the territory of the Republic, he stressed.

“On our part we are doing everything possible to ease the flow of Turkish Cypriots to the free areas.”

Chrysostomides stressed the move did not constitute the solution of the Cyprus problem and repeated the government's determination to reach a settlement under the auspices of the United Nations.

After a meeting on Thursday morning, the cabinet decided to provide buses for the free transport for Turkish Cypriots to Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. The Ministry of Communications and Works has placed signs outside the Ledra Palace checkpoint, welcoming the Turkish Cypriots.

“Welcome. We would like to inform you that there are buses for your free transport to Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos a few metres further down, the sign,” reads. “We wish you a pleasant stay.”

The government has also placed Turkish-speaking police officers to assist Turkish Cypriots and to answer queries when they cross over, while passport authorities have been instructed to speed up procedures for issuing Republic passports to Turkish Cypriot applicants.

Chrysostomides brushed aside comments that Denktash's move was widely praised.

“It does not appear that there was any positive reaction to his announcement,” he said.

“Denktash maintained a very negative stance during the UN-led peace talks, something that led efforts to find a settlement to a deadlock. Statements by foreign governments and officials made it clear that they want genuine moves that would lead to a settlement.”

Chrysostomides said President Tassos Papadopoulos has issued instructions to speed procedures for a series of support measures for Turkish Cypriots saying he wanted the measures to be ready to be implemented straight away.

“The support measures for Turkish Cypriots are on their final stage of preparation and we are planning to announce them next Wednesday,” Chysostomides said.

The measures include facilitating the employment of Turkish Cypriots, the movement and exportation of products from the occupied areas and inclusion of the Republic's presidential elections. The government measures aim to improve living standards so that Turkish Cypriots would not leave the island and to allow them to benefit from the island's accession to the European Union.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, April 26, 2003

[02] Synod delivers modest Easter message

THE HOLY Synod of the Church of Cyprus issued the church's annual Easter message this year, a job usually undertaken by ailing Archbishop Chrysostomos, who is widely reported to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

In a somewhat toned down Easter message, the Holy Synod wished a Happy Easter to all, giving a special mention to the continuing occupation of the north by Turkish troops.

“For 29 years we have celebrated Easter in unfavourable conditions. Turkish troops continue to occupy our homeland and keep thousands of our compatriots away from their ancestral homes. The occupiers continue to limit further the basic rights of our enclaved brothers while refusing to give information on the fate of our beloved missing persons.”

The message is usually read out by the Archbishop himself and has often taken a more invective approach. In past Easter messages, Archbishop Chrysostomos had called for an unrelenting fight for the liberation of the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island and described the pursuit as an obligation to ancestors and coming generations.

Since he went to an Athens clinic last September to recover from a fall, the Archbishop has taken a back seat in church affairs, with many clerics claiming he no longer has the ability to perform his duties. Church elections for the archbishop's position are expected to take place after Easter.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, April 26, 2003

[03] Police keep watchful eye on would-be smugglers

REMOVAL OF the restrictions in the movement between the divide has proved a headache for authorities in trying to prevent drug smuggling and other contraband entering from the occupied areas.

On Thursday evening police and customs officials began carrying out checks on vehicles returning from the north.

By midnight authorities had confiscated around a dozen cartons of cigarettes bought for £5 each compared to around £18 in the free areas.

Most people gave up the cigarettes without any arguments though some heatedly disputed the authorities' arguments.

A customs officer told the Cyprus Mail that bringing cigarettes and alcohol from the north was illegal because they had been imported illegally. In other words, those caught with the contraband would not be allowed to keep the goods even if they paid the tax.

“We issue them a receipt and the goods are seized to be destroyed,” the officer said.

Authorities made it clear that any contraband found would be confiscated and urged people to refrain from buying such products.

Apart from confiscation of the goods, offenders also face two years imprisonment or a fine.

But reports in yesterday's press spoke of smugglers exploiting the situation to advance far more sinister aims than just saving a few pounds in taxes.

The reports said certain criminal elements known to authorities have been spotted at the Ledra Palace checkpoint crossing over to the north.

Authorities are keeping a watchful eye on such individuals who would certainly be scrutinised on the way back, reports said.

Police on the lookout for attempts to smuggle drugs, firearms, explosives and, to a lesser degree, tobacco, alcohol and foodstuffs with the intention of be resold in the free areas.

Yesterday's Politis claimed Turkish Cypriots coming from the north have brought with them cigarettes and fake designer goods that they tried to peddle to passers-by in Nicosia.

According to the daily, the Turkish Cypriots accosted tourists and Greek Cypriots in Ledra Street and Eleftheria Square offering cigarettes and sports wear at half the price they are found in the free areas.

Some Greek Cypriots even took advantage of the situation to fill up their cars with cheaper petrol from the north.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, April 26, 2003

[04] Barrier goes back up for journalists in the south

AUTHORITIES in the north yesterday refused to allow journalists through the checkpoints saying they required a Press card from the Turkish Cypriot Press and Information Office (PIO).

Cyprus Mail reporters were yesterday turned back from the Turkish Cypriot checkpoint at Ledra Palace and were told they would have to apply for a pass through the United Nations or the Turkish Cypriots PIO 48 hours before crossing over.

In an email to the Cyprus Mail, media consultant for the 'TRNC' Tom Roche called for patience.

“I am sorry but for the time being the PIO is still demanding 48-hours' notice (before allowing access to journalists),” Roche said.

“Journalists will not be accompanied by minders. We are making every effort to overcome this but it is not simply a matter of instructing the PIO to drop this demand. I'm sure you can understand the politics involved. Please bear with me.”

Journalists' Union president Andreas Kannaouros slammed the authorities in the north, saying the move breached international law.

“I don't know why they are doing this, but it confirms the fraud behind the measures for free movement announced by (Turkish Cypriot leader) Rauf Denktash,” Kannaouros said.

“This sort of move means that the walls that separate the island are still there and that Denktash is not an honest man.

“There should be free access to not only journalists but for all Greek Cypriots, he said. Free movement is a fundamental human right,” he added.

If Denktash and (Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip) Erdogan want to be honest, they would have to put an end to this division and let the people be united, he added.

“This is a direct breach of the right of every journalist to be allowed free movement to cover events anywhere in the world and without hindrance,” Kannaouros said.

Police yesterday denied reports that some Greek and Turkish Cypriots were breaking the 12am deadline. Reports said 2,334 of a total 3,288 Turkish Cypriots had returned by midnight on Thursday, while 2,968 out of 5,434 Greek Cypriots had crossed back.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday police spokesman Demitris Demitriou said everyone had returned by midnight.

“The reports are not true,” he said. “All Greek Cypriots returned to the free areas before the midnight deadline.”

The Cyprus Mail learned of one incident where a man returned to the free areas at 6am yesterday morning.

The Turkish Cypriot authorities yesterday announced that from Monday, a fine of 50 million Turkish Cypriot lira (£17) would be charged for each hour Greek Cypriots remain in the north after the end of the deadline.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, April 26, 2003

[05] Schwimmer hails 'very emotional moment'

WALTER SCHWIMMER, Secretary general of the Council of Europe, yesterday called the opening of the Green Line "a step, of historic proportion, towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue".

“In a speech during my visit to Cyprus in January 2003, I called upon Mr Denktash to open the Green Line and let the Cypriots come together", Schwimmer said in Strasbourg.

"For an old friend of Cyprus like myself this is a very emotional moment. One of the hopes of every good European has now been realised. I am confident that the opening of the Green Line will create an irresistible momentum and that we shall see a settlement of the Cyprus question in the very near future."

Schwimmer said in support of the drive towards a solution, the Council of Europe envisaged inviting leaders from all Cypriot parties to Strasbourg, so that they may renew their commitment of co-operation in finding and implementing a settlement.

The Secretary general added: "it is also very important that Europe now supports the process of reconciliation in Cyprus, in order to put any political solution on a stable basis in the hearts and minds of Cypriots".

In the near future, the Council of Europe is planning to organise a seminar on a strategy for national reconciliation in Cyprus drawing on different European experiences. This meeting could be organised in the northern part of the island, he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, April 26, 2003

[06] Getting around the occupied areas By Jean Christou

Waiting time to cross on foot can range from one to four hours although one group yesterday said they had waited all night just to be sure of getting in.

Turkish Cypriots are not being allowed to take their cars into the south so the government has provided free buses to take them to all major towns.

Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday the buses run every hour from the checkpoint and connections to various villages have also been laid on.

Greek Cypriots who cross to the north on foot have to make their own way around. There have been reports of Turkish Cypriots hiking up rates and prices because of the influx of the more 'affluent' Greek Cypriots. Turkish Cypriot taxis, which can be picked up from the checkpoint, don't have meters and the bus service in the north is infrequent. Most people are advised to strike a deal with cab drivers before moving outside of occupied Nicosia.

Those who cross without their vehicle can expect to pay around £27 for a return taxi to Kyrenia, £60 to Apostolos Andreas and around £100 for an full-day's sightseeing in various places.

There are also service taxis, which operate like mini-buses, and a normal bus service between towns, which cost around £2 return to Kyrenia, but according to reports the buses are infrequent and people must make their way to the depots. The service stops around 5pm. Car rental costs around £25 a day. Most petrol stations are open from 7am and close at around 8pm while a few operate on a 24-hour basis. Shops are open between 8am and 1pm and 3.30pm to 8pm, except the markets, which are open only in the mornings.

Restaurant prices, according to several people who dined in Kyrenia, are not much different than those in the tourist areas of the south.

One group paid £31 for five kebabs, three large beers and two soft drinks at the harbour while two colleagues paid £20 for fish and three beers. Off the beaten track however, it was still possible to buy three Turkish coffees and two Nescafes for £2.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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