Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-04-30

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

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] Denktash says Cyprus "honeymoon" may not last

[02] Limassol men charged after fight with Turkish Cypriots

[03] Britons in the north hit out at 'no entry' rule

[04] Turkish Cypriots optimistic about the future

[05] North-south traffic nears 100,000

[06] Three killed on Easter roads

[07] Youths apprehended after break-in

[08] News in Brief

[01] Denktash says Cyprus "honeymoon" may not last

RAUF Denktash warned yesterday that the "honeymoon season" between Turkish and Greek Cypriots “may not last for ever”.

The veteran Turkish Cypriot leader said that any agreement that allowed Greek Cypriots to resettle in the north of the island could revive past communal conflict. "So this friendship now, this honeymoon season, is very good, but one should not be mistaken that it is there to stay for ever because the political reasons for conflict still exist," Denktash told Reuters.

He said he wanted the crossing (between the two sides) to stay open, so long as there was no sign of a repeat of the inter-communal violence that scarred the island in the 1960s and 1970s. "We have no intention (of closing it) unless very serious incidents happen," he said.

Denktash, blamed by the United Nations for the collapse of the UN-sponsored peace talks, said he saw no grounds yet for any resumption of negotiations with the Greek Cypriots.

He claimed he had been unfairly accused of intransigence over the UN deal. "There is a general policy of doing away with Denktash, who is seen as the wall blocking the way to a makeshift solution. We, my people, are against a makeshift solution. We want equality with the Greek Cypriots," he said in an interview.

A solution could ease the way for Turkey to join the European Union, although Denktash said he felt no sense of urgency for a solution before Cyprus joins the bloc in 2004. "I don't think the EU is sincere in telling Turkey that its entering the EU depends on the settlement of the Cyprus problem. I think they put the Cyprus problem before Turkey because they don't want Turkey to enter yet," he said.

Denktash, looking healthy after the heart problems that weakened him earlier this year, said there were still those in “Greek Cyprus” who saw Cyprus as a Greek island and saw no role for Turks there.

He said that any resettlement of Greek Cypriots in the north should be decided by northern Cyprus “according to its own quotas" and he dismissed as "fantasy" suggestions that Turkish Cypriots might migrate en masse to the south. "I think some Turkish Cypriots will go south to find work but they will come back to their homes at night," he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[02] Limassol men charged after fight with Turkish Cypriots

THE TRIAL of two Limassol brothers charged with assaulting and causing grievous bodily harm to two Turkish Cypriots and a Greek Cypriot taxi driver was yesterday adjourned until May following a request by the defence.

The pair, aged 38 and 45, were arrested on Sunday following a complaint made by a 62-year-old taxi driver that they allegedly assaulted and beat him and two Turkish Cypriots who had crossed over from the occupied north to see their home.

Police said the incident happened at 5pm in Limassol's Turkish Cypriot quarter.

The two Turkish Cypriots, along with three women had taken a taxi to visit their home in Ayios Ioannis.

But the two suspects, who currently occupy the house, allegedly attacked the visitors.

The two are also said to have beaten the taxi driver.

The two brothers were later arrested and released after being charged.

Justice Minister Doros Theodorou condemned the incident and vowed that the state would not tolerate such dangerous and unacceptable behaviour.

“It is sad because some people have tried to poison the excellent climate that was created between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and the prospects of reunifying our country,” Theodorou said on Sunday.

He added: “The state won't tolerate such unacceptable and dangerous behaviours, under any circumstances because as isolated as this incident may be, it will be dealt with immediately, sternly and mercilessly, based on the laws of the Republic.”

Theodorou said the government was determined to use any way to safeguard the citizens' rights to free and safe movement.

Yesterday the pair denied the charges and the trial was adjourned until May 9 following a request by their defence.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[03] Britons in the north hit out at 'no entry' rule

BRITONS LIVING in the north have complained that the government was not allowing them to cross to the government-controlled areas.

However the government, the EU and the British High Commission said yesterday the prohibition on crossings by Britons and other EU nationals was not an issue.

Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told the Cyprus Mail yesterday: “It's a question of internal illegality. If they haven't entered through a legal port of entry they will not be allowed to come across.”

Britons who resided in the north or owned property there before 1974 are allowed to cross to the south.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, one British woman living in Kyrenia said EU nationals were being turned away at the border “despite showing EU passports”.

“And this from a country who signed the Treaty of Accession in Athens ten days ago,” the letter said. “Is this the way a country that hopes to enter the EU in 2004 should treat citizens who are already members?”

During a press conference at the office of 'TRNC' at the weekend, 'Deputy Prime Minister' Serdar Denktash said one journalist with a British passport also complained that he could not cross to the south. Denktash pointed out that the EU acquis did not apply to the north of the island.

Both the British High Commission and the EU delegation in Nicosia yesterday said there was no onus on the Cyprus government to allow in anyone other than Turkish Cypriots and neither office would be raising this issue with the government.

“It's up to the Greek Cypriots, who hold that these people are illegal immigrants into the country because didn't come through a recognised port of entry and therefore are in Cyprus illegally,” said a High Commission spokesman.

“We accept the Cyprus Republic's position on this. They are not legitimate ports of entry as far as the republic are concerned and the EU argument doesn't apply because Cyprus has not joined yet.”

A spokesman for the EU delegation reiterated that the acquis would not be fully implemented until May 1, 2004 but also pointed out that even when Cyprus becomes a full member, the government would still retain the right to deal with issues of this nature. “It's valid now and it will be valid later,” the spokesman said.

Diplomatic sources said that when Cyprus joins the EU it will have an obligation to control its borders.

“If the Cyprus government doesn't have control over who enters the north, they have to put checks below that level,” he said. “If they can't guarantee the integrity of the island as a whole they can guarantee the integrity of the part they control so they would have to put in some checks. They just can't accept anyone the Turkish Cypriots accept because the EU doesn't apply in the north as yet and it won't apply when Cyprus joins unless there is a settlement.”

The diplomat added that those non-Cypriots should have known what they were doing when they went to live in the north. “If can prove they lived there before 1974 it would be a different issue but post-1974 it's entirely up to the authorities to decide what they want to do,” he said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[04] Turkish Cypriots optimistic about the future

TURKISH CYPRIOTS entered the government-controlled areas yesterday afternoon, with 1,500 crossing over by mid-afternoon. For some, it was the second or third visit since the opening of the checkpoints last week. Those Turkish Cypriots willing to speak to the Cyprus Mail said the opening of the checkpoints would benefit both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots and added they were optimistic that freedom of movement would eventually lead to the reunification of the island.

“These are historic days for us - for both sides - and we hope it will continue and some new things can happen that will take us to permanent reunification,” Mustafa Hastan, 43, said yesterday. “I hope by the end of the year we will complete the peace process.”

Thirty-nine year-old Alev Bozir visited the south for the first time yesterday. “I see it as the same place. There is no difference,” she said. “It's good for both sides because we need peace and it's good for the Greek Cypriots to come to our side and see how we live and vice versa.”

For Nada Yolik, 46, the opening of the checkpoints will only take on meaning if it is the start of a more concrete solution to the Cyprus problem. “We are happy about it, and we hope it will be for peace, and not just let people go and come - that's not enough,” she said.

“We want a solution but at the beginning it is good to see each other and that it's possible to live together. I think the borders will stay open because people in the north will be very angry if it closes.”

Hassan Sutshioglu, 23, said that other than not being able to come over in his car, he has been very happy with the opening of the checkpoints.

“This is good for both sides and maybe we'll be together in the future. This is my second time visiting the Greek side, and now I have new friends there.” He added, “I think it will work because most people are happy, but of course there are some older people from both sides who lived through the war and don't want to mix.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish Daily News reported that Turkish newspapers are full of stories of people embracing each other and enjoying the restaurants on the Turkish side. It said that Greek Cypriots are spending a lot of money in the north, with an estimated $150-200,000 collected from Greek Cypriots on the Turkish side in just the first few days of free movement. It also said by contrast, Turkish Cypriots, who have a much lower per capita income, are not buying much but are coming to the free areas to see the 'prosperity' for themselves.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[05] North-south traffic nears 100,000

MORE THAN 90,000 Greek Cypriots and nearly 30,000 Turkish Cypriots have crossed through the checkpoints since the authorities in the north lifted the restrictions on movement of Cypriots to and from the occupied areas last week.

The mass flow of Cypriots across the checkpoints has prompted the government to examine further ways to ease traffic congestion in the areas. Interior Minister Andreas Christou met yesterday with police, civil defence and United Nations officials to review the situation and to discuss the opening of another checkpoint, the old Chetin Gayia stadium in Nicosia.

During the meeting, the officials studied aerial photographs of the ceasefire line around the Ledra Palace checkpoint and discussed ways to ease the flow.

Speaking after the meeting, Christou said some of the measures discussed included the resurfacing of the road next to the stadium to be used by cars and pedestrians, placing tents and creating access to the Roccas Bastion. The clearing up of the area around the Chetin Gayia stadium is expected to begin today.

Christou said the government was together with the UN were examining the possibility of opening five more checkpoints at Ledra Street, Orpheas, Dherynia, the race track at Ayios Dometios and the old Kyrenia road.

Reports said that Turkish Cypriots are clearing the Dherynia to Famagusta road to ease the flow of traffic to Famagusta.

“All the checkpoints should be opened to ease the flow of people to and from the north,” he said.

Christou said the Turkish Cypriot authorities were entirely to blame for the delays experienced in the movement of Greek Cypriots to the occupied areas.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said the crossing over of Turkish Cypriots to the free areas was continuing smoothly without any delay but slammed the authorities in the north for their “time consuming procedures”.

“The obstruction that is being observed cannot be explained unless Mr Denktash has lost interest in further facilitating the crossing over after getting publicity for partly lifting restrictions in movements that he himself has imposed and maintains for 29 years,” he said.

“On our part, the crossing over of Turkish Cypriots to the free areas is continuing smoothly and the facilities provided for the transfer of Turkish Cypriots have been quite effective.”

Chrysostomides urged Greek Cypriots crossing over to the north to visit ghettos inhabited by Turkish settlers in order to find out what settling on the island meant.

“I would advise some of the visitors to go to the ghettos where settlers are staying to see what occupation really means,” he said.

“Turkish settlers are one of the main obstacles to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and I think we should not forget that,” he added.

There were attempts by some Greek Cypriots to cross over to the north through different areas of the buffer zone.

In a news release yesterday the UN warned crossing over through an unofficial checkpoint on the buffer zone could be dangerous.

“The official crossing point through the buffer zone in the Nicosia area is only through the Ledra Palace checkpoints and we urge the public not to attempt crossing to the north from any other point on the buffer zone,” the UN said.

“The buffer zone remains a potentially hazardous environment due to the poor state of the buildings and barriers and the existence of ceasefire lines on each side.”

Meanwhile the police have intensified their efforts to control the smuggling of goods from the north. Police spokesman Demitris Demetriou told the Cyprus Mail more than 401 boxes of cigarettes, 25 bottles of whisky as well as clothing were seized by the police during the return of Greek Cypriots to the free areas.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[06] Three killed on Easter roads

A 20-YEAR-OLD Ukrainian woman was killed in Paphos yesterday after the car she was travelling in collided head on with another vehicle.

Two more people, a Greek national living in Paphos and an Irish tourist, were killed in road accidents over the holiday weekend.

Yesterday's accident happened at 2.10am on the Coral Bay road when under unknown circumstances the vehicle the Ukrainian was travelling in, along with a 25-year-old Syrian man collided head on with a car driven by a local man.

The Syrian man, who was driving, was seriously injured while the 20-year- old was trapped in the wreck. She was freed by the fire service and rushed to Paphos hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Greek national Constantinos Skalides, 46, was killed six hours earlier after his motorcycle crashed into a car on the Ayia Marina to Polis Chrysohous road.

Police said the collision threw the man around 15 metres from the scene.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

But perhaps the most horrific accident was recorded shortly before five early on Sunday morning when an Irish tourist burned to death in his car following his crash into a traffic sign.

The accident happened on the Ayia Napa to Paralimni road when the man apparently entered the wrong lane and drove into a traffic sign.

He was trapped inside his car, which burst into flames.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[07] Youths apprehended after break-in

TWO LIMASSOL youths were being treated in hospital yesterday after they were shot by the police while allegedly trying to flee the scene of a burglary.

Police said the pair, aged 16 and 17, were caught red handed after burgling a Kapsalos flat.

The two were seen by area residents who notified the police about a couple of hooded individuals trying to break into a flat.

They were spotted running away from the scene and were chased to an open space where they tried to escape on a motorcycle.

A police officer ordered them to stop but the youths refused, police said.

Reports said the officer chasing them accidentally hit his gun on a pole, resulting in it firing one shot that injured both suspects on their right arm.

One of the suspects escaped on foot and the other on the motorcycle but they were located and arrested in two different areas.

They were taken to hospital where they were kept for observation.

Police said the suspects allegedly stole £1,100, $700 and €50 from the flat.

Only £963 and €50 have been recovered so far, police said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

[08] News in Brief

Happy feasting at Easter

Normally, the surge in stomach problems comes after the annual meat fest, which follows the 50-day fasting period before Easter. Last year between Good Friday and Easter Monday, Nicosia General Hospital admitted over 1,700 patients - a substantial number of whom were treated for stomach complaints.

Tickets for the big game

One of the youths, who wore an Omonia scarf, asked for directions to the fan club, vowing to return on Saturday for the big match against archrivals Apoel of Nicosia that could see Omonia celebrate their 19th championship title.

Greek Cypriots apprehended

The two youths attempted to drive through the divide near the occupied village of Avlona in the Famagusta district when they were intercepted.

They were detained for a while and subsequently released.

President owes TC money

Mehmet Boshnak told the daily that he knew Papadopoulos since he was a child as they both hailed from the occupied village of Assia.

Boshnak said Papadopoulos had been a mischievous child, who was always up to something on the streets of the village.

The Turkish Cypriot said Papadopoulos had represented him during a trial and that he owed him some money he had won as compensation.

The money stayed with Papadopoulos after the Turkish invasion in 1974.

Papacostas dies

Papacostas is thought to have been one of the people being considered by the government to take over the Cyprus Airways chair left vacant by the resignation of Haris Loizides.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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