Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-02-25

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Excavations - Medieval sugar mill

[02] Civil servants - Work stoppage

[03] CTO - Agrotourism - British Airways award

[04] Greenpeace - Roof Protest - Akamas

0900:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Excavations - Medieval sugar mill

It adds that another important find of the interior space of the refinery is a rectangular basin, which still bears traces on three of the interior sides of its first lime mortar, that was later used as a rubbish pit judging by the large number of broken and intact vessels found that were used for the process of sugar refining.

The movable finds, which came to light from the excavations, were mainly characteristic plain vessels used during the refining of sugar and a number of Ottoman clay smoking pipes.

Excavations at the medieval sugar mill, east of the southern coastal town of Limassol, will continue this year the Department says.

The Kolossi sugar mill and the Kolossi Castle belonged to the powerful religious military Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, better known as Hospitallers.

They transferred their headquarters to Cyprus after the fall of Acre in Palestine in 1291, first to Limassol and from 1302 to Kolossi.

Kolossi, one of the most popular tourist attractions of Cyprus, officially became the headquarters (Commandery) of the Order of the Hospitallers in 1380.

The Commandery of Kolossi was the richest and most important territory of the Hospitallers, covering a large area which mainly included vineyards and sugar-cane plantations.

In about 1310 the Order transferred its headquarters to the Greek island of Rhodes, but continued to keep a high military force in Cyprus with Kolossi as its headquarters.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1150:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Civil servants - Work stoppage

The NHS Bill, expected to be tabled in the House of Representatives later today, proposes medical care for all citizens of the Republic at either the public or private sector.

The civil servants' trade unions are against the proposed Bill supporting that the new NHS will privatise the public health services enabling individuals to profiteer.

In an announcement to civil servants, the unions also support the new scheme will change the working status of 4500 people working in the public health sector and violate rights they have already gained.

It says that the NHS will by-pass procedures for collective negotiations during the discussion of issues concerning employment regulations.

The unions describe the government decision as arbitrary and support that if the NHS is approved there will be a break-down in the public service working relations.

CNA MA/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:03

[03] CTO - Agrotourism - British Airways award

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) received its certificate last night during a ceremony in London, for its "Agrotourism" programme.

A total of 43 countries with 120 programmes took part in the competition. The five countries that received the award were Cyprus, Britain, Australia, Ghana and Trinidad.

The aim of the competition is to award tourist related programmes that show respect and sensitivity towards environmental integrity and cultural diversity.

In Cyprus, there are 45 houses in 23 villages, with a total of 400 beds, in the context of the Agrotourism (rural tourism) programme.

Agrotourism is a relatively new chapter in Cyprus tourism and encourages the conversion of traditional houses in certain picturesque villages for tourist use, safeguarding traditional architecture, by protecting and conserving the natural and built environment.

CNA KT/RG/GP/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1445:CYPPRESS:04

[04] Greenpeace - Roof Protest - Akamas

No incidents occurred during the protest and the four protestors (one Cypriot, a Briton, a Maltese and a Dutchwoman) climbed down the building with the help of the Fire Brigade.

Holding banners such as "no more promises. Akamas, hands off now. Greenpeace", the protestors called on the government to implement a project on Akamas to protect this uniquely beautiful and environmentally sensitive area in the north western tip of the island.

Police kept a watchful eye on the protestors from a safe distance but they did not need to interfere.

"The Minister reassured us last October he would send the Akamas project to the cabinet for approval by the end of 1998. We have not heard anything from the government since and destruction in the area continues. This is why we are here," Irini Konstantinou, in charge of the campaign by Greenpeace Mediterranean in Cyprus, said.

She noted that British military exercises in the peninsula (in accordance with the 1960 of Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus), illegal construction in the area and other non environmentally friendly moves are a cause for concern.

Speaking on behalf of the ministry, the Director of the Service for the Environment Nicos Georgiades told the protestors that the ministerial committee dealing with Akamas will meet on Monday to examine the issue and look into the positions of the various parties involved.

The committee will submit its views to the cabinet for a final decision, he added.

"We all recognise the need for a speedy decision on Akamas and this has been acknowledged by the ministry as well," Georgiades said, noting that "the issue of Akamas is one of our priorities."

CNA MK/MM/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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