Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 97-10-03

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cynews.com/>

Friday, October 3, 1997

CONTENTS

[01] Diko livid over insult to chief

[02] Cocaine suspects were travelling on fake Venezuelan passports

[03] Fake UN fraudster jailed for 18 months

[04] Gun-wielding pensioner wreaks havoc in tavern

[05] CA strike averted after management backs down

[06] Clerides leaves for gruelling two-week world tour

[07] `We are no protectorate of yours' Clerides tells Turkish TV

[08] Controversy over bill to regulate movement of goods from north

[09] Government keen to move forward on missing

[10] Cyprus parades `deterrent' hardware

[11] Man pleads not to be sent 'to certain death'

[12] Showdown looms with unions

[13] Morphou plans events to mark occupation

[14] Merger to give Cyprus-owned bottling company $1 billion annual sales

[15] Trade deficit shrinks as farm exports slump

[16] Compromise allows Radiomarathon to go ahead

[17] Keve announces transatlantic trade link

[01] Diko livid over insult to chief

A NEW feud erupted within Diko yesterday after party leader Spyros Kyprianou cancelled an appointment with Kypros Chrysostomides, who ran unsuccessfully for party vice-president, because the latter insisted on having two witnesses with him.

Marios Karayian, head of Kyprianou's office as President of the House of Representatives, and Diko General-secretary Stathis Kittis both blasted Chrysostomides' action as "unacceptable and insulting to the president of the party".

Chrysostomides countered that all he wanted was to avoid misunderstandings over what was said with Kyprianou.

The row blew up as Chrysostomides turned up at Kyprianou's office at the House with two other Diko members, both lawyers, to talk about the Cyprus problem and the presidential elections.

Kyprianou would only see him on his own, but Chrysostomides was adamant - and the meeting never took place.

Kyprianou aides later told reporters Chrysostomides had agreed not to bring witnesses along. They said the party's parliamentary spokesman Tassos Papadopoulos had persuaded the Diko member to go in alone.

But Chrysostomides yesterday told CyBC radio that the meeting had been arranged by telephone. "I told him, Mr President I will see you... and two colleagues will be coming with me. The president did not say no," he said.

And he said he did not know why Kyprianou yesterday insisted on seeing him on his own.

Earlier at the House of Representatives Chrysostomides was asked about Kyprianou's chances as a presidential candidate. His reply was: "No comment."

Chrysostomides, who came close to beating Diko strongman Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides in the vote for party vice-president, said the only prospect left open for Diko was for the party to back Disy. And he said he believed Glafcos Clerides would seek re-election.

The affair was discussed by the Diko executive committee yesterday afternoon. A party announcement afterwards condemned Chrysostomides' conduct and backed the party leader.

"Should Mr Chrysostomides decide to act within the framework of party regulations and behave in accordance with moral principles, President Kyprianou is ready to extend a fourth invitation for a meeting," the statement said. "Mr Kyprianou is not in the habit of meeting party members in the presence of witnesses."

"Furthermore, the party has far more serious issues to discuss and will therefore not be entering into a public debate with Mr Chrysostomides," it added.

[02] Cocaine suspects were travelling on fake Venezuelan passports

Yiam Abou Chaaya, from Lebanon, and Manual Ayrout, from Syria, were arrested as they tried to board a flight to Zurich at Larnaca airport on September 24 after police said they attempted to take £200,000 worth of foreign currency out of the island without declaring it. The Larnaca District Court heard yesterday that police were subsequently informed by Interpol that the 500,000 German Marks, 150,000 Swiss Franks and 11,000 Dutch Guilders allegedly found in the two mens' suitcases were illegal earnings from cocaine smuggling. Interpol said they believed the two men, both travelling on Venezuelan passports, had moved large quantities of the hard drug through Cyprus between September 10 and 24.

The court also heard the Venezuelan passports that Chaaya and Ayrout - convicted for illegal export of foreign currency and fined £1,000 each last week - were carrying were fake.

The suspects' lawyer claimed police had tried to do a "deal" with Ayrout by offering him half of the confiscated foreign currency if he would make a statement implicating Chaaya. Police denied these allegations before the court.

The presiding judge, Leonidas Kalogirou, said there was enough evidence to justify remending the two men in custody

[03] Fake UN fraudster jailed for 18 months

Larnaca District Court heard that 58-year-old Costas Christodoulou Konnos, from Pallouriotissa, always used the same ploy to get money out of his victims.

He would approach a restaurateur, hotel or shop owner and tell them he was in charge of arranging civilian contracts for UN personnel serving in Cyprus, the court heard. He would apparently then take money off the businessmen, ostensibly in order to arrange a contract or get them a UN pass to facilitate their dealings with the peacekeeping force.

Konnos was arrested after various businessmen complained to police that they had later discovered that the Pallouriotissa man had nothing whatsoever to do with the UN.

In pleading for clemency, Konnos's lawyer, Gregoris Ioannou, told the court his client had only turned to crime after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Konnos needed money for a life-saving operation, Ioannou said.

Judge Michalis Christodoulou was unmoved: "I thought that those who suffered such misfortune were brought closer to God," he said. Christodoulou said he had a duty to protect society from con-men like Konnos.

[04] Gun-wielding pensioner wreaks havoc in tavern

Customers dived under the tables when Christos Zorbas, 61, confronted 36- year-old taxi driver George Matsas over obscene remarks directed at him.

Zorbas later told police that he had gone home to get his shotgun to carry out an act of deadly revenge against the taxi driver, who was sitting in the taverna with his wife and daughter.

The pensioner was stopped in his tracks by the tavern owner and by Matsas who together disarmed him. The incident took place at about 11.50pm on Tuesday.

The weapon was fully loaded.

Larnaca CID were called to the scene and arrested the irate pensioner on the spot.

Zorbas gave a statement and admitted his guilt, and was then charged in writing and released.

[05] CA strike averted after management backs down

A STRIKE threat by ground crew at Cyprus Airways (CA) has been lifted after the company backed down over the issue of seasonal staff being made permanent.

A spokesman for Synyka, the airline's largest union said yesterday that their demand for some 50 temporary workers to be made permanent had been backed by the Labour Ministry.

"There was a late meeting on Tuesday and the problem was resolved," the Synyka spokesman said.

Last week, Synyka had called all 200 seasonal workers to strike on October 1 in protest at the airline's refusal to give the 50 temporary workers permanent jobs.

"According to the existing agreements, all seasonal staff who have worked for 24 months should be made permanent," the Synyka spokesman said.

Earlier in the week, CA management said the airline never made staff permanent until the winter period, but that the company would abide by any decision from the Labour Ministry.

Yesterday, CA spokesman Tassos Angelis confirmed that the company had indeed accepted the Ministry's decision.

All that remains is for both sides to reach a date on when the 50 workers would be made permanent, the Synyka spokesman said.

He dismissed suggestions that the union's demands would be add to the cash- strapped airline's existing financial woes.

"We do not disagree that the airline is in financial difficulties, but agreements exist and the company should abide by them just as we do," he said. "We are willing to listen, discuss and negotiate, but we expect current agreements to be respected."

The Synyka spokesman added the union would also be willing to discuss the contents of CA's new strategic plan.

The plan, which is expected to introduce sweeping changes, went before the Board of Directors yesterday. It will then go to the government for

[06] Clerides leaves for gruelling two-week world tour

Clerides's first stop is Zurich, from where he will fly on to New York where he will meet Annan and address the General Assembly on Monday. He will also meet US special envoy for Cyprus, Richard Holbrooke, and have dinner with the representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council that same day.

On Tuesday October 7, Clerides is scheduled for a working breakfast with Holbrooke before going off to Washington to inaugurate an exhibition of paintings by children form the Emba primary school in Cyprus. On Tuesday night, the President is invited to dinner by Greeks of the diaspora as part of the annual Hellenic Leadership Conference.

The day after, Clerides will hold a breakfast press conference before flying to Strasburg to attend the 2nd Summit of Council of Europe Heads of State and Government. He will address the Summit on Saturday before flying to London to attend another diaspora event - a dinner to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Archbishopric of Great Britain.

On Monday October 13 Clerides will depart for Athens where, on Tuesday, he will meet with Greek prime Minister Constantinos Simitis.

The President is scheduled to return to Cyprus on October 14.

The gruelling tour comes at a time of heightened tension on the island, with the UN-led settlement talks deadlocked and Turkey threatening to attack if the S-300 missiles the government has ordered from Russia are delivered.

[07] `We are no protectorate of yours' Clerides tells Turkish TV

THE GOVERNMENT said yesterday it would launch an investigation into how a Turkish TV journalist obtained what he alleged was footage of the planned air base at Paphos.

During an interview in Cyprus with President Clerides, Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand from Show TV, showed footage of what he claimed was the new airbase.

However, government spokesman Manolis Christofides yesterday refused to confirm whether what was shown was accurate. "I have the impression that he was just guessing that that was the area," Christofides said. He said if it could be proved the footage was genuine then an investigation would be launched into what had happened, since the Paphos installation was guarded.

During the interview with Birand, Clerides said Cyprus was neither a colony not a "protectorate" of Turkey.

He also repeated that the Russian S-300 missiles would be deployed on the island unless progress towards a Cyprus settlement was made or an agreement on demilitarisation reached.

Christofides clarified yesterday that progress would have to be so substantial it would lead to a guaranteed solution.

Clerides made it clear to Birand that the missiles did not pose a threat to Turkey unless Ankara intended to launch an attack against Cyprus.

He referred to Turkey's attempts to prevent Cyprus from accession to the EU, stressing that Cyprus was "neither a colony nor a protectorate of Turkey".

Birand, who came to Cyprus for the interview, said the missiles may not pose a threat to Turkey but claimed they could reverse the strategic balance between Turkey and Greece.

Yesterday's Turkish press quoted Turkey's President Suleyman Demirel as saying it would be "a great mistake" to test Turkey's determination on the issue of the missiles.

Ankara has repeatedly threatened to attack the missiles if they are deployed as expected next year.

Russian Ambassador Georgi Muratov said, however, that Turkey was unlikely to carry out its threats to strike Russian ships it suspected of carrying missile parts to the island.

Speaking at Wednesday's Independence Day parade, Muratov said: "Such threats are made for the sake of creating certain impressions and the fuss around the deployment of the S-300 missiles Cyprus has bought from us is artificial."

He said it would be "incredible and impossible" for Turkey to strike Russian vessels because "everybody knows what this would mean". He expressed the hope, however, that by this time next year Cyprus would be demilitarised.

Meanwhile Greece's Permanent Representative to the UN, Christos Zacharakis has written to Secretary-general Kofi Annan condemning Turkey's policy of threatening other countries in an attempt to prevent them from exercising their legitimate rights.

Zacharakis' letter was in response to a letter by his Turkish counterpart Huseyn Celem about Cyprus' decision to purchase the missiles.

"No nation can abdicate its right of self-defence or shirk its responsibility to protect its citizens from aggression," Zacharakis said.

"The need of the Republic of Cyprus to face this continuing threat (Turkey) is stronger than ever."

Zacharakis said the Cyprus government was simply trying to redress the "overwhelming imbalance" by upgrading is defences.

[08] Controversy over bill to regulate movement of goods from north

A NEW, more effective way to stamp out the illegal movement of goods from the Turkish occupied north to the government controlled areas?

Or a well-intentioned but misguided move which could open the door to the unregulated influx of products from the occupied north?

At issue is a new bill which came before the House Legal Affairs Committee yesterday, to be met with questions and scepticism by some of the deputies present.

The bill provides for the appointment of an inspector charged with clearing any movement of goods from the occupied areas.

Any movement would need his permission, or would automatically be considered illegal.

Permission would be subject to the goods meeting the law on key issues such as health and quality, and not being the product of theft.

For deputy Attorney-general Loukis Loucaides who drafted the bill, the proposal aims to protect the Cyprus Republic, without blocking bona fide commercial acts which meet the requirements of the law.

Authorities currently rely on a hotchpotch of animal and plant health regulations, copyright legislation and other laws in order to stop smuggling from the north. These are riddled with weaknesses and carry mild sentences.

The bill, if approved, would constitute the first ever specific law on the movement of goods from the occupied areas. It would therefore operate as a defence mechanism on crucial issues as health and would strengthen the hands of the police.

It would also help Cyprus meet its obligations to the European Union, with which it has an association agreement, since all goods would be vetted by the state.

Loucaides denied the bill "partitioned" Cyprus in any way.

"A part of Cyprus is under the occupation of a foreign country, Turkey, and this inevitably leads to problems. We want to be able to check anything that comes from the occupied areas," Loucaides said.

Some deputies were sceptical. They queried the practical difficulties of implementing the new bill, and particularly ensuring that goods were not the products of stolen property.

They suggested the issue be referred to political party leaders or even to the National Council. Another idea floated was to ask ministers and police to give more details to the committee.

Committee chairman Panayiotis Demetriou acknowledged some deputies had reservations about the political dimensions of the bill.

"What I wish to stress is that this bill does not appear to want to partition Cyprus commercially, but to control the movement of goods and products from the areas which are under Turkish occupation as regards health criteria and adherence to our laws."

And he added: "We are not talking about goods coming from the Turkish Cypriot community but from areas which are under illegal occupation." The bill remains before the committee.

[09] Government keen to move forward on missing

Government spokesman Manolis Christofides said evidence from the Turkish Cypriots would be requested "for all our missing persons."

On Tuesday, the government said it was ready to hand over to the UN classified information on 200 Turkish Cypriot missing and 15 Greek Cypriots buried in the occupied areas.

The Greek Cypriot side expects twice as many files in return from the Denktash regime in what is expected to be the first of a series of trade- offs.

President Clerides met UN resident representative Gustave Feissel on Tuesday and informed him in writing that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to submit information on Turkish Cypriot missing on the understanding that the other side would do likewise.

Feissel has confirmed that both sides have made the necessary arrangements to exchange evidence on missing persons as agreed.

Christofides said yesterday such an exchange meeting between representatives of both sides was expected to take place soon.

He said the exchange would "subsequently lead to whatever needs to be done, according to the agreement, to determine the fate of the missing."

The spokesman stressed that the issue of the missing would not be dealt with in a piecemeal manner but that the objective was to tackle the problem as a whole.

The government is eager to put the previously deadlocked issue on the fast track.

"We are ready, we should move forward now," said Christofides.

Officially listed as missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion are 1,619 Greek Cypriots. Five hundred Turkish Cypriots are declared as missing since intercommunal clashes in the early 'sixties.

Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash reached an agreement during two July meetings in Nicosia to "provide each other simultaneously with all information already at their disposal on the location of graves."

The exchange was scheduled for the end of September.

[10] Cyprus parades `deterrent' hardware

POLITICAL and military chiefs on Wednesday reiterated that boosting the island's defence capabilities would serve as a deterrent to attack as well as placing the government in a better position to negotiate on the Cyprus problem.

They were speaking after Wednesday's military parade on the occasion of Cyprus' independence day, during which thousands had lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the army's latest acquisitions.

Defence Minister Costas Eliades said he hoped that this time next year the island would celebrate its independence as a reunited state: "our objective, " he explained, "is to boost our defence capability" in order to allow the political leadership to "negotiate on an equal footing for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus problem."

Comment was also made by President of the House of Representatives, Spyros Kyprianou who concurred with Eliades that boosting Cyprus' defence capabilities would facilitate efforts to find a solution.

His party Diko meanwhile, called on the international community to take responsibility in the search for a solution. The other parties were quick to add their comment, with ruling party Disy sending out a message of friendship to Turkish Cypriots, a sentiment echoed by Akel, which said island's independence had been achieved by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, who should both enjoy it together. Edek, meanwhile, called on both sides to join together in the struggle for "a united, free, independent" homeland.

The parade was also attended by Greek Ambassador Kyriakos Rodousakis who watched as, for the first time, Greek contingent Eldyk marched in the parade alongside Cypriot units. In his statement, Rodousakis said that Turkish threats more than substantiated the upgrading of Cyprus' military equipment. He also praised the Cypriot armed forces' determination to defend their country and reiterated his government's support for Cyprus on all levels.

Meanwhile, speaking after taking the salute, President Glafcos Clerides said in his speech that no political developments would alter the planned Nikiforos 97 military exercises, in which contingents from Greece are scheduled to participate. He added cryptically that the parade had not included "the entire weaponry of the National Guard" and thanked Eliades and National Guard Commander Nicolas Vorvolakos for "the efforts they are making on the defence front".

Hardware on display included Russian T-80 battle tanks, followed by French AMX tanks, Russian armoured personnel carriers, French anti-aircraft missiles and pieces of artillery.

Elsewhere, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan sent the president a congratulatory telegram on the occasion of independence day. In it, he welcomed Cyprus' efforts to "build global understanding" and said he "looked forward to building upon the close relationship which exists between Cyprus and the World Organisation".

For the first time on Wednesday, units of the Civil Defence participated in the parade, which also included detachments of the police and fire brigade. Army and police helicopters also flew overhead in formation.

[11] Man pleads not to be sent 'to certain death'

Thirty-five-year-old policeman Nizam Hamadi told the court he faced certain death if he was sent back to his home country, as he had been branded an opponent of the Iranian regime.

Hamadi said he had arrived in the occupied areas via Turkey and had crossed via the Ledra Palace checkpoint two days ago. Since then he had been hiding out in the municipal gardens behind the House of Representatives building, waiting for his wife and two young children to fly in from Iran, he told the court. He said he needed time to make an appeal for political asylum.

Hamadi, arrested in the park on Wednesday, was remanded until October 21.

[12] Showdown looms with unions

After an afternoon general meeting the Employers and Industrialists Federation (Oev) announced a unanimous decision to seek renewal of the agreements as they were for 1997.

Earlier in the day the unions Peo and Sek had announced they would begin negotiations with the aim of securing a two per cent increase in wages. Peo General-secretary Avraam Antoniou said this demand was in line with productivity increases.

Oev Chairman Dr Andreas Pittas said the reasons employers did not think increases were justifiable were "structural problems" within the economy, "continuing uncertainty" over the Cyprus issue, and the "lack of competitiveness" of industry.

The collective agreement negotiations, expected to start early next year, effect around 100,000 workers.

[13] Morphou plans events to mark occupation

Morphou mayor Antigoni Pericleous-Papadopolou told journalists in Nicosia yesterday that the events aim to convey the message that Morphou refugees "not only do not forget but continue to fight and demand" their rights.

The week-long events include a campaign aimed at enlightening tourists and foreigners about the Cyprus problem.

The "House of Morphou" will be inaugurated on October 6 to serve as a cultural centre and a focal point for Morphou refugees.

Among the municipality's activities will be its participation in the 10th Cyprus Agri-Fair. Before the invasion Morphou was the centre of the island's citrus fruit industry.

And on October 10, British MPs will arrive on the island to take part in the Morphou anti-occupation march.

British Euro MP Pauline Green, leader of the Socialist group at the European parliament, will also join the Morphou marchers on October 12. They will gather in the morning at Astromeritis near the buffer zone to attend a prayer service for the return of refugees to their homes.

From there, the marchers will go to the UN post and hand in a petition calling for the reunification of the island.

[14] Merger to give Cyprus-owned bottling company $1 billion annual sales

According to yesterday's Financial Times, HBC, which holds the franchise for Coca-Cola in Greece and is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, already controls 30 per cent of Molino.

It will now buy the remaining 70 per cent by issuing 40 million new shares to Molino shareholders. There will be no exchange of cash as both companies are controlled by the Cyprus-based Leventis Group, the Financial Times said.

When the merger is completed this month, Molino shareholders will have a 28 per cent stake in HBC, which will become the second biggest stock at the Greek bourse by capitalisation.

Alpha Finance, the Greek Investment Bank acted as an adviser to HBC, while BZW provided a fairness opinion on the merger's financial terms.

Loukis Komis of HBC said 45 Coca-Cola bottling plants in 10 countries would be "united under a single umbrella": on the basis of 1996 results, the group would have annual sales of more than $1 billion.

HBC bottles Coca-Cola in Greece, Armenia, Serbia and Bulgaria, while Molino holds franchises for Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, Nigeria, Romania, Moldova and parts of Russia.

The merger will increase HBC's market for soft drinks from 33 million to almost 200 million customers.

"It gives a well-balanced mix of established and developing business with HBC getting more access to growth opportunities, especially in Russia," Komis said.

The Atlanta-based Coca-Cola company holds a 40 per cent stake in a joint venture in Russia with Molino, which has invested $200 million in three new bottling plants, one west of Moscow and the others in Siberia.

[15] Trade deficit shrinks as farm exports slump

It said imports in the period January to May, including goods placed in bonded warehouses, declined by 4.4 per cent to £765.7 million from £801.3 million in the same period of 1996.

Exports decreased by 5.9 per cent in the first five months of 1997 to £253 million from £269 million in the January to May period of 1996.

The figures, released by the department in a statement, meant that the trade deficit for the first five months of the year was down to £512.7 from £532.4 in the corresponding period of 1996.

Of the country's main exports, agricultural products showed a decline of nearly £9 million pounds in the period compared to the previous year. The department gave no reason for the decrease, but the persistent drought is known to have affected farm exports.

[16] Compromise allows Radiomarathon to go ahead

The Popular Bank, which has sponsored the charity appeal every year since it began seven years ago, rebelled in August when the CyBC suggested additional sponsors be brought in to boost campaign funds. The bank said the Radiomarathon idea had been its own, so it should be allowed to remain sole sponsor.

In the end, a deal was thrashed out whereby no other bank would sponsor this year's event, but the format would be reviewed before next year's effort.

The Radiomarathon has been a fixture on CyBC for the past five years and has been funded by the Popular Bank since its inception on the now-defunct Radio Super in 1990.

The bank announced earlier this week that this year's fund raising drive would take place on November 3 and 4.

This year's appeal is expected to raise over a £1 million for children with special needs.

[17] Keve announces transatlantic trade link

The "highly significant" new commercial lobby will aim to "maximise development" of commercial and economic links between the US and Cyprus, Keve stated.

Membership to the Cyprus-American Chamber will be open to Cypriot businessmen based in the US and to American businessmen involved in trade with Cyprus.

The new chamber was registered during Keve chairman Vassilis Rologis's recent trip across the Atlantic.

© Copyright 1997 Cyprus Mail

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