Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-07-24

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

Thursday, July 24, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] DISY on the offensive over refinery plan

[02] Regulator steps in to slash CyTA fees to rival providers

[03] So what should we be eating?

[04] More cars being registered than last year

[05] New crossing points are expensive, Denktash says

[06] Concern that EU plan could drive shipping companies away from Cyprus

[07] Growing frustration over trade obstacles

[08] Report on visa fiasco due next week

[01] DISY on the offensive over refinery plan

D.I.S.Y. claimed yesterday that huge financial interests were involved in the government’s decision to turn the island’s refinery into a fuel import terminal.

The government has recently decided to scrap a controversial upgrade scheme, arguing that it would save taxpayers around $86 million.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, DISY trade and industry commissioner Lefteris Christophorou charged that “huge financial interests related to fuel imports” were involved in the refinery issue.

“From 2004 to 2010 the added value of refined products imported in Cyprus from refineries around the area will reach $1.5 billion,” Christophorou said.

DISY deputy chairman Averoff Neophytou said a government study into the affair was full of discrepancies because on the one hand it spoke of substantial savings but at the same time could not secure cheaper fuel.

“We are sorry to observe that the memo (study) does not convince us; not because we oppose the terminal or moving the refinery from Larnaca,” Neophytou said.

Deputy commissioner for financial development Iosif Iosif said the government study had been haphazard and most financial data, estimations and scenarios were subjective.

He added that the study was conducted hastily, which was not acceptable for such an important energy issue.

Iosif suggested that not only would there not be any savings, but taxpayers could be asked to foot an additional $80 million through fuel prices that would be affected by the fluctuation of the international price of crude oil.

Neophytou said the study did not secure fuel sufficiency “so it would not be impossible that Cyprus could remain without fuel, which opposes EU directives concerning the 90-day reserve; we’ll probably have to import fuel at higher prices”.

But Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister George Lillikas responded by alleging DISY’s study was “arbitrary”.

“Given that they arrive at such conclusions arbitrarily, why isn’t DISY brave enough to vote against the transformation of the refinery?” he asked.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[02] Regulator steps in to slash CyTA fees to rival providers

THE TELECOMS Regulator has slashed CyTA’s proposed fee scale for new operators by half, effective from publication tomorrow in the government gazette.

After CyTA submitted its proposals for a new fee scale, the Regulators office countered with cuts of up to 50 per cent. The semi-government monopoly is gearing up for liberalisation of the market later this year,

“He issued a warrant in which he sets the prices and there are some differences from the ones we suggested for the various services we will be providing,” a CyTA spokesman said.

According to reports, CyTA had priced a call to its network for other operators at 1.01 cents per minute, but the Regulator cut it back to 0.48 cents per minute.

For a mobile operator, the CyTA suggestion of 2.68 cents per minute was slashed to 1.81 cents per minute. Prices for text messages and roaming fees have not yet been fixed and will be subject to market forces.

By slashing the fees other operators will pay to CyTA, the Regulator’s office is attempting to keep charges down for consumers in a liberalised market.

“Any operator that comes in will have to terminate calls to customers` mobile or fixed phone, and for each one terminated on our network we have to be paid a fee to cover the cost of the network,” the CyTA spokesman said.

“Indirectly, this will affect consumers because if the other company has to pay X amount to CyTA it will be reflected on the prices they charge.”

The new fees scale must be finalised before September 2 when the results of a public auction for a second GSM licence will be announced.

The CyTA spokesman said the Regulator’s amendments to its scale of fees were binding under the law, although CyTA could pursue the case through the courts. That would be up to the Board of Directors to decide, the spokesman said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[03] So what should we be eating?

THE MEDITERRANEAN diet pyramid has become a square, with Cypriots binging excessive amounts of meat and potatoes - almost three 3 kilos of potatoes a week to be precise, which sets a record of almost 118 million kilos for the island per year.

Statistics released earlier this week showed Cypriots consumed copious amounts of red meat with 5.7 kilos a month per person per month, while the Mediterranean diet dictates we should consume just 240 grams a month. Vegetables, fish and pulses are under consumed, and studies show Cypriots binge on cakes and sweets during the weekend.

As Dietician Eleni Andreou says, “The big principles of good nutrition are: variety, balance, calories.” The key to a healthy diet is to eat a variety of foods, for most people, this means eating more fruits and vegetables, more bread, cereals and potatoes, less fat and sugar. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.

According to the European Communities Food Standards Agency, bread and cereals should make up one third of our diet. This includes bread, breakfast cereals, oats, pasta, noodles, rice, potatoes, beans and lentils. Wholegrain, wholemeal, brown or 'high fibre' varieties should be chosen wherever possible. “Six to eleven portions are recommended,” Andreou said. “However it depends on the food. One portion is one slice of bread, or a half a cup of pasta or rice.”

Starchy foods are not particularly fattening, but can become fattening if they are served or cooked with fat. For example, it is the butter spread on bread, the cream or cheese sauce added to pasta or the oil that used for frying that makes them fattening. So try cutting down on added fats. Andreou added, “ The Mediterranean pyramid recommends the daily use of olive oil and nuts but what people need to understand that they should not consume big amounts.”

We should eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables each day - this can be fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced - reducing the risk of cancer. “Quarter of a watermelon or 12 cherries equal one portion,” Andreou said. Remember, potatoes are not part of this group. Some vitamins and minerals can easily be lost when fruit and vegetables are prepared or cooked, so eat fresh fruit and vegetables, do not overcook them; you will recapture the vitamins if you use the water you cooked them in.

Eat moderate amounts of meat, fish and alternatives such as pulses, eggs, nuts and beans. Choose lower-fat versions, which means meat with the fat cut off, poultry without the skin and fish without batter, or choose pulses. Cook these foods without added fat. Aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week - again these can be fresh, frozen or tinned and include fish fingers and fish cakes. One of these portions should be oily fish such as sardines or fresh tuna.

Andreou added that a portion of proteins was 90g, the equivalent of one cup of pulses.

A healthy diet also includes eating and drinking less fats and sugars. Some examples of foods containing fat are margarine, butter, other spreads (including low fat ones), oil-based salad dressing, cooking oils, crisps, biscuits, ice cream, rich sauces and gravies. Foods and drinks containing sugar are soft drinks, jam, sweet, pastries and ice cream. Keep consumption of these products low as they contribute to tooth decay.

As for concerns that the sugar substitute aspartame causes cancer, Andreou reassured “that studies have proven that it is not harmful if up to 40 grams are used per kilo. In other words one would have to drink 24 cans of soft drinks containing aspartame to be harmed.”

Most people should eat dairy foods such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais in moderate amounts, choose lower fat versions whenever they can, such as semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, low fat (0.1 per cent) yoghurts or fromage frais, lower fat cheeses including Edam, cottage cheese or reduced fat hard cheeses. Check the amount of fat by looking at the nutrition information on food labels. Three servings per day are recommended. “Light products do not mean they are diet, it means that they contain one third less calories, fat or salt from the original product,” Andreou warned.

We tend to add more salt to food than we need; however most of the excess salt intake is from processed foods. According to the EC Food Standards Agency we eat about nine grams of salt per day (about two teaspoonfuls), which we should reduce to less than six grams. If you eat too much salt you may suffer from high blood pressure, which leads to increased risk of heart disease or stroke. To reduce high blood pressure eat a balanced diet, keep physically active, keep to a healthy weight and drink moderate amounts of alcohol

As for alcohol, evidence suggests that moderate amounts of alcohol, between one and two units a day, can protect against coronary heart disease. However this protection is only significant later in life (for men in their 40s and women after menopause). The amount of alcohol that can be drunk safely is up to two to threw units a day for women and three to four units a day for men. A unit is half a pint of standard strength beer, a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirit. Make sure to spread your drinking throughout the week and avoid binge drinking, allow your body at least 48 hours to recover.

“There are daily recommended portions for everything but each individual must consider their own personal build, weight and activity to know the amount of calories and nutrients that are right for them,” Andreou said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[04] More cars being registered than last year

THE NUMBER of newly registered vehicles in Cyprus is on the increase, according to a new study.

The study conducted by the Statistical Service between January and June 2003 suggests the total number of vehicles registered in the six-month period was up 10.6 per cent on the figure recorded for the same period last year.

The number of private saloon cars registered had increased by 32.3 per cent, with 4,545 new cars and 10,716 second-hand cars being registered by authorities by the end of last month.

The number of goods vehicles registered this year was down 40 per cent on figures for the first six months of 2002. The registration of light goods vehicles was down by 47 per cent, though heavy truck registration increased by 18.09 per cent.

Moped registration showed a slight decrease, with 2,025 mopeds registered in the first six months of this year, as compared to 2,074 between January and June 2002.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[05] New crossing points are expensive, Denktash says

TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday downplayed the need for the opening of another checkpoint between the north and south.

According to the Anatolia News Agency, Denktash said that while the opening of “new border gates” was continuously on the agenda of the occupation regime, the regime had to consider whether another costly opening was necessary.

“Each border gate is costly, nobody thinks about it,” he said. “It is also an issue as to whether such a need exists.”

Denktash also stressed that the occupation regime had not rejected a proposal from the Greek Cypriot side last week to open a checkpoint at Lefka in the northwest of the island.

“There is no such thing, they (the Greek Cypriot newspapers) continuously make things up to deceive people.”

The Turkish Cypriot leader said UN has rejected the proposal due to mines in the area.

“The issue can come to the agenda in the future, if the region is cleared of mines.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[06] Concern that EU plan could drive shipping companies away from Cyprus

CYPRUS is worried that an EU proposal to amend the directive relating to ship owners and managers will cause shipping companies to leave the island for distant shores.

According to reports from Brussels, the European Commission plans to submit a proposal to the European Council to change the tax rules for shipowners and managers as part of a package, which also includes revoking a privilege these companies have to receive state subsidies.

Communications Minister Kikis Kazamias and Cyprus’ EU Harmonisation Co- ordinator Takis Hadjidemetriou are in Brussels to discuss the issue with the European Commission’s Vice President and Transport and Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio.

The meeting was held at the government’s request in the wake of information the Commission was to submit a proposal to amend the relevant directive.

The Cypriot officials said this would be a negative development for Cyprus, which has the world’s fifth largest shipping fleet and over 2,500 vessels on its open registry, because 90 per cent of ship management companies in Cyprus deal with ships from EU countries. If the tax rate is changed, shipping companies would leave Cyprus and move to third countries as Singapore, Hong Kong and The Philippines, they said.

The issue is expected to be discussed during the EU Transport Ministers Council to take place on October 9-10, where Palacio will clarify her intentions, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported from Brussels yesterday. Palacio pledged seriously to consider Cyprus’ arguments in her final recommendations before the Council.

Kazamias told CNA he was more optimistic of a favourable outcome of the issue than he had been before the discussion with Palacio.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[07] Growing frustration over trade obstacles

ALI Erel, head of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO), has lashed out at the government for creating trade policies and measures for the Turkish Cypriots that are merely “geared to impress” rather than to actually move trade relations forward.

Speaking ot the weekly Financial Mirror, Erel was harshly critical of President Tassos Papadopolous and the new government’s policies, which he claims merely play to the spectators.

According to Erel, “The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce has been doing its best to start trade between the two sides of Cyprus knowing that economic relations always help create a better atmosphere for reconciliation.” Erel added that he believes, “economic interdependence is one of the key characters of the EU,” but, “our efforts are not yet producing positive results.”

The article pointed out that trucks and other commercial cars that carry goods had only been allowed to cross from north to the south from this Monday. None have done so yet because of uncertainy over what they are allowed to trade. Also, Greek Cypriot cars are only required to pay £48 for an entire year of insurance in the north, while Turkish Cypriots must pay £20-30 for every two months, which does not seem fair to Erel and the KTTO.

Erel proclaimed, “we believe that if there is a will there is always a way. The question remains, is there really a will to make the changes?”

Yes, says former government spokesman and United Democrat Michalis Papapetrou. Speaking yesterday to the Cyprus Mail, Papapetrou said he believed the current government was taking trade matters very seriously. “Obviously, there are going to be some difficulties”, Papapetrou stated, “but rest assured we are all working together to put them aside.”

The two sides must learn to work and co-operate with each other, and Papapetrou stressed patience. “All of us need to give a big push together.”

But not everyone in Cyprus shares Papapetrou’s optimistic views. Local businessman and hotelier Constantinos Lordos told the Cyprus Mail that there had been little to no practical implementation of these trade policies and measures. “I have been pointing out for some time that these measures are only measures on paper. There clearly has been a lot of bureaucratic foot dragging going on here,” Lordos declared. As a member of the bi-communal Cyprus Economic Forum, Lordos says he is gravely concerned over these trade matters. Not shying away from the issue, Lordos said: “Cyprus is acting somewhat insecure throughout this whole matter, playing around with these supposed measures.”

Is there a solution to this problem in the near future? Certainly not according to Erel, who believes “no trade has started and there is no sign that it will be possible at all.” Erel wonders if the government really wants to improve the economy in the north. “The Cyprus Republic is becoming harder to deal with as they move closer to the May 2004 (EU) accession date, ” and Erel, frustrated by recent events, concluded that the KTTO will “keep trying, but at a certain stage, this endless struggle will have to come to an end.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Thursday, July 24, 2003

[08] Report on visa fiasco due next week

A REPORT into why a Turkish Cypriot woman was refused entry at Larnaca airport despite having the necessary paperwork should be complete next week, investigation leader Simeon Matsis said yesterday.

Gulsevin Shah and her two children arrived at Larnaca airport on July 5 but were refused entry and held at the airport for 24 hours before being put on a flight back to Lebanon -- despite having a visa issued by the embassy of Cyprus in Beirut. Even without the visa, the woman should have been allowed in as a native Cypriot.

An embarrassed Government Spokesman later apologised for the incident.

“The report is progressing well but I haven’t yet met with the lady, so this must be done before it is concluded,” Matsis told the Cyprus Mail.

“But I expect the report to be finished by the end of next week.”

The Communications and Works Ministry Permanent Secretary added that a meeting with Shah would be arranged “in a day or two”.

There was speculation last week that Shah would be lodging an appeal at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for the inhuman treatment she received from immigration service officers.

“I haven’t met with her yet, so I haven’t been able to ask her if she plans to go to the ECHR,” Matsis said. “But it’s a legal issue and I suppose that the ECHR can provide for this.”

He stressed that the government would decide when the findings of the report would be released.

“It’s up to the government to say what the conclusions will be - the Council of Ministers will be informed and then the government will decide how to proceed.”

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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