Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 98-04-15

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

Wednesday, April 15, 1998

CONTENTS

[01] 'Matsakis loaded pistol as SBA police looked on'

[02] New policy council runs into trouble

[03] 'Let the rebels have their say'

[04] Defending the pockets of the proletariat

[05] Opposition fury at proposed passport ban

[06] Ancient Karpas sites at risk

[07] Officials defend use of water

[08] Hitch delays Turkish water balloons

[09] Two charged with raping artistes

[10] UN rights report urges better implementation

[11] Dead cyclist identified

[12] Tourist blinded 'by British peacekeeper'

[13] Aids woman changes plea to guilty

[14] Man says police beat confession out of him

[01] 'Matsakis loaded pistol as SBA police looked on'

DIKO DEPUTY Marios Matsakis deliberately set out to get arrested by the SBA police last week and even flaunted a loaded pistol in front of them, sources at the British bases said yesterday.

The allegations against Matsakis were discussed on Monday at a routine meeting between the British bases Commander and the Ministers of Justice, Interior and Communications and Works, the Cyprus Mail has learned.

Matsakis, who was arrested during a scuffle outside Dhekelia court house on April 3, yesterday denied having produced a pistol in front of SBA police.

"They arrested me because I entered the area where the court was and they didn't arrest me for loading a pistol?" Matsakis said. "It's ridiculous".

According to the bases sources, Matsakis produced the pistol when SBA police went with him to his car.

They suspected him of knowing something about Eoka B slogans painted on the signs at the Pyla firing range used by British soldiers.

Although no paint was found in Matsakis' car, the sources said he took a pistol from the vehicle, "loaded it in front of the SBA police and tucked in his waistband".

He could have been arrested for that but he was just told to "go away", the sources said.

"Matsakis has been trying for some time to get himself arrested and he's managed it successfully."

Matsakis, the former state pathologist and active member of the anti- British bases lobby, had gone to Dhekelia to observe a court case involving Greek Cypriot farmer Hambis Himonas.

The Diko deputy was insisting on seeing Himonas both as a doctor and as his deputy.

Following the scuffle outside the court, he was held for five hours before being released. He faces charges of criminal trespass and breach of the peace if a case is brought against him by the bases authorities.

"Matsakis is not banned from going to see trials, but he's well-known for stirring things up and causing trouble and that's precisely what he did," the sources at the bases said.

Matsakis said yesterday he had made a signed statement to Cyprus police about what happened. "They took custody of my car, moved it, searched it and things are missing," he said.

The bases deny anything is missing. "He said he had property stolen from his car. This is blatantly untrue," said bases spokesman Captain Jon Brown.

Although he refused to comment further on the case, Captain Brown said that if Matsakis wished to be respected as a member of the House of Representatives, that respect would have to be earned. "Irresponsible behaviour by those in authority will naturally bring about normal police action on the SBA as it would in the Republic," Captain Brown said.

He was referring to the constitutional row which has erupted regarding whether or not Cypriot deputies are entitled to immunity from prosecution inside the bases.

Parliament has said that, under the Treaty of Establishment, the laws of the British bases must mirror those of the Republic. The bases say the immunity of Cypriot deputies applies only to the House itself.

The issue goes before the relevant House Committee tomorrow.

"Many of my constituents live within the bases areas," Matsakis said. "These people vote for deputies in the House. I represent them. Does that mean I don't have the same rights as any MP when I go to see them. Whether I had a pistol or not is not the issue."

Diko parliamentary spokesman Tassos Papadopoulos told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that while he did not "condone or like" what Matsakis had done, the bases had the obligation under the constitution to "enact legislation wherever possible in line with that applicable in Cyprus".

"If they claim it's an issue of sovereignty it's a matter which has to be discussed at an international forum," he said. "What type of sovereignty does a military base have which is solely here for the purposes of defence."

[02] New policy council runs into trouble

CyBC sources said that in a ruling delivered yesterday to party leaders, Attorney-general Alecos Markides said the status and operation of the proposed body was likely to cause serious constitutional difficulties.

The creation of the CNP was one of the conditions set by Edek leader Vassos Lyssarides for the socialist party's participation in an all-party government after the second round of presidential elections in February.

In his ruling yesterday, Markides reportedly said the CNP would, amongst other things, create problems for the President of the Republic, in the event that a plebiscite's outcome clashed with his handling of a particular situation.

In such a case, serious uncertainties about the president's authority would be posed.

The functioning of the CNP would also create difficulties in public security, which is considered the domain of the executive, in particular the Council of Ministers.

With such problems arising, it appears unlikely the CNP will be given the green light at today's National Council meeting -- at least in the form envisaged by Edek.

Government spokesman Christos Stylianides said on Monday the meeting would also include discussion of policy regarding recent Cyprus problem developments.

Proceedings are expected to continue into the afternoon and reconvene after the Easter holidays.

[03] 'Let the rebels have their say'

DINOS Michaelides and other Diko rebels should be given the right to air their views about the future of the Democratic party before an upcoming party Congress, two senior Diko officials said yesterday.

Former Diko vice president Michaelides and other top party members were expelled after February's presidential elections, in which they opposed the leadership's decision to back independent candidate George Iacovou.

Another senior Diko member, Alexis Galanos recently announced he would be heading a new centrist political body -- the Euro-Democratic Renewal Movement -- opposed by Michaelides, who argues the Diko leadership should give all its members a say in the future of the party.

Members of the Diko executive Michalakis Kyprianou and Christos Triantafyllides said yesterday the rebels should be given a chance to air their views on Diko's future, but stressed the party Congress in May would take the final decision on their status.

Speaking yesterday in an interview to CyBC radio, Kyprianou said "a formula must be found" by Diko to allow those expelled from the party the opportunity to voice their opinions.

"I am of the opinion that at this stage, and before the Congress takes a decision, Dinos Michaelides may not return as the party's vice-president," said Kyprianou: "but he may, however, air his views... as may any others holding to his position."

Democratic process, however, ruled that the only body that could restore Michaelides to his former position was the Congress, Kyprianou stressed.

This was echoed by Triantafyllides, who said the rebels should be allowed to speak freely, but not in their former standing as members of Diko.

The matter of party positions was a secondary one, he said, in that all Diko members had pledged to resign before new party elections took place next month.

"I would agree with Mr. Kyprianou... that under the current situation reigning in Diko, there is a need... for democratic procedures, which may be somewhat exceptional but necessary for the peace and unity of the party, " said Triantafyllides.

[04] Defending the pockets of the proletariat

Speaking after meeting Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou, who briefed him on his recent visit to Athens, as well as the defence budget increase pending before the House.

Christofias told Omirou that Akel would discuss the proposed one per cent rise, but stressed the party would give particular importance to the potential burden for the proletariat.

"The source of funding for defence is a very great issue and should not be over-simplified merely because defence is considered sacrosanct," said Christofias.

"(The issue as to) whose pockets such (extra defence) revenue will be supplied from is important for us," the Akel chief said, adding: "we have said many times, the pockets of the proletariat are not a bottomless pit."

Speaking after the meeting with Christofias, Omirou said yesterday House president Spyros Kyprianou had assured him all party leaders and deputies would discuss the proposed defence increase after Easter, before putting it to the vote at the House.

The Defence Minister also stressed each stage of the budget discussion would be accompanied by effective checks and controls.

Meanwhile, commenting on delays in the delivery of the Italian ground-to- ground Aspide missile system, Omirou said "the government was confident" Italy would give the go-ahead for the systems to come to Cyprus within two to three months.

He also repeated there was no "political scheming" behind the delay in the repair and installation of a National Guard radar-aerial of French design.

"We do have complaints against the (manufacturing) company about repairing the damage but neither we (the government) nor our technicians have found there to be any political skulduggery," said Omirou.

[05] Opposition fury at proposed passport ban

OPPOSITION parties in the north have accused the regime of attacking the rights of Turkish Cypriots by banning them from holding Cyprus Republic passports.

New Cyprus Party (NCP) leader Alpay Durduran was quoted in yesterday's Turkish Cypriot press as saying the draft bill -- already approved by the 'cabinet' in the north -- was "an attack on the rights of individuals".

The bill, announced over the weekend and due to be ratified soon, provides for heavy fines and up to five years imprisonment for any Turkish Cypriots found with Cyprus Republic passports.

Those who have them are to be given 90 days to hand them in.

Kibris said yesterday the bill granted extended authority to immigration officers, allowing them the same powers as 'police', with the right to carry out searches without a 'court' order. The bill makes no reference to Greek Cypriot identity cards carried by Turkish Cypriots who receive pensions from the government to work in the free areas.

Durduran said the bill would be "legally invalid and baseless". He said it should not be forgotten that the equality of the Turkish Cypriot community was based on its rights within the Republic of Cyprus.

But Serdar Denktash, 'Deputy Prime Minister" and son of the Turkish Cypriot leader, defended the bill.

He said it was not the bill "but the Greek Cypriots who acted in a brutal manner to the Turkish Cypriots".

Recent press reports in the north claimed that some 3,000 Turkish Cypriots, including 13 politicians, held Cyprus passports.

According to government figures, over 2,000 Turkish Cypriots have obtained Cyprus Republic passports since 1988, mainly from the Cypriot embassy in London.

Cyprus passports are attractive to Turkish Cypriots, as entry requirements are much steeper for holders of unrecognised 'TRNC' travel documents.

[06] Ancient Karpas sites at risk

The paper claimed the UBP were in cahoots with the "Antiquities department" in the north to allow quarrying and a petrol station development near ancient sites on the remote peninsula. The scam was aimed at securing votes, the paper suggested.

UBP member Dogan Tokac had been granted a licence to build a petrol station next to an archaeological site, despite facing legal action for destroying a similar site in the past, the paper reported.

The UBP is led by 'Prime Minister' Dervis Eroglu.

Avrupa also stated that unlicensed buildings were being put up on Karpas beaches and the Apostolos Andreas monastery had been abandoned to fall into ruin.

[07] Officials defend use of water

In an announcement on Monday, the green party claimed costly water from the Dhekelia desalination plant should not be piped to the nearly-dry reservoir "to evaporate away." But the ministry retorted yesterday that the water was needed to save the dam's fish population.

On March 16, there were only 35,000 tonnes of water in the Achna dam, the ministry stated, and so 103,000 tonnes of water from the Dhekelia plant were pumped to the reservoir.

"It was decided that it would be good if a quantity of the (desalinated) water was transferred to the Achna dam for mainly ecological reasons," a ministry announcement stated.

"In the event that additional water was not provided, there was a serious risk to the survival of fish in the reservoir, especially during the Summer months," the ministry added.

The Kouris dam, used in the past to recharge the Achna dam, was too empty to do the job this time, the statement added.

Water from the desalination plant, at 54 cents a tonne, costs the state over five times more than reservoir water.

[08] Hitch delays Turkish water balloons

The first water balloon, carrying ten thousand cubic metres of water, was to be towed to the occupied areas on April 23, but the delivery has now been put off for a month, the paper reported.

"The construction of the discharging facilities is completed, but work on the construction of the sea platform is on-going," said Turkish Cypriot 'Interior Minister' Ilkay Kamil. "If everything proceeds as planned, the Anatolian water will flow in the TRNC at the end of May or the beginning of June," Kamil was quoted as saying.

He said the first delivery, in a giant cucumber-shaped balloon, was earmarked to meet the drinking water needs of the occupied areas' two biggest towns, Nicosia and Famagusta.

Kamil also confirmed that the project would be launched by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel.

In the first stage of the project, three million cubic metres are to be transported from Turkey over a year. The second stage provides for further balloons to be tied to the first, forming a convoy bringing seven million cubic metres of water annually.

In stage three, a pipeline is planned to carry 70 to 100 million cubic metres of water a year from the Manavgat river near Turkey's Mediterranean port of Antalya to irrigate the Mesaoria plane. The exact size and course of the pipeline is yet to be decided, the paper reported.

The Turkish Daily News also reported on a recent study by water experts at the Near East University in the occupied areas, which suggested the Mesaoria aquifer was being tapped at almost twice the rate it was being recharged.

[09] Two charged with raping artistes

The Limassol criminal court yesterday charged Andreas Kakoyiannis, 30, and Christos Constantinou, 36, with the rape of the two artistes, aged 23 and 19, after leaving a Limassol night-club with the girls on March 10.

Kakoyiannis and Constantinou allegedly then drove the girls to their respective homes against their will and raped them.

The 23-year-old artiste later claimed that in an attempt to escape from Kakoyiannis' third-floor apartment, she fell to the second floor, sustaining serious injuries.

Bail for each defendant was fixed at £10,000, with trial proceedings set to begin on May 19 to 20.

[10] UN rights report urges better implementation

According to the report issued yesterday, the Committee reviewed reports by Cyprus, Finland, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, on their compliance with the covenant, which entered into force in 1976.

States are required to submit an initial report within one year of ratifying the covenant, and periodic reports every five years.

The Committee urged Cyprus to implement the covenant's provisions more comprehensively at a national level and noted that a new domestic law did not completely exclude imprisonment for non-payment of civil debt, the report says.

It cited long delays in enacting proposed new legislation on a number of matters, including the matter of debt.

"The Committee also reiterated its concern that while the covenant had superior force to domestic law under the constitution and might be invoked in the courts, there remained uncertainties as to which provisions of the covenant were self-executing within Cyprus's domestic law and which might require specific legislation," the report said.

[11] Dead cyclist identified

Police said yesterday that keys found in Romanovitch's pocket were found to fit a car reported standing idle outside an apartment block on the Larnaca coast, confirming his identity.

Police found Romanovitch's Russian passport and identity card inside his apartment.

The Russian embassy was informed. Romanovitch's body will be returned to his family in Russia for burial after an autopsy.

[12] Tourist blinded 'by British peacekeeper'

A BRITISH tourist was blinded in one eye after being attacked outside a disco in Ayia Napa early yesterday, allegedly by an off-duty British UN peacekeeper, police reported.

Jeremy Caprio, 37, was blinded in his right eye and suffered a fractured nose when he was punched and kicked by a group of men outside the Car Wash club in the popular resort, police said.

"I didn't have a chance. They just started on me," said Caprio, 35, from Poulton, near Blackpool. "I tried to get up a couple of times but I was unconscious when I hit the floor. The last thing I remember was a boot coming in to my face."

Caprio's distraught sister Lisa, 23, who had struggled in vain to protect him, spoke last night of a brutal and unprovoked assault.

"It was all so fast and hectic," said Lisa, a secretary from Wilmslow. "He'd just come out of the club by himself and was looking for me when about three of four of them started on him. Me and my cousin Paula tried to keep them off, but there wasn't much we could do.

"In the end I managed to throw myself on top of him to protect him. I though he was dying. There was so much blood and he wasn't breathing very well. It was awful."

Five British Unficyp soldiers were later picked up and witnesses identified one of them as involved in the attack, police said.

Doctors at the private Olympic Napa clinic said Caprio's condition was stable after he underwent eye surgery in the afternoon.

"Unfortunately, he suffered a rupture of the globe of the eye and he has lost his vision in the right eye," said the clinic's Dr Antonis Tsokkos.

UN spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski confirmed a "brawl" had taken place following a "heated argument" and that five Unficyp soldiers had been apprehended by police in connection with the incident. But he said only one of the five Unficyp soldiers was said to be involved in the attack.

"Two witnesses identified one of the UN personnel as allegedly punching a British tourist," he said.

"Four of the UN personnel arrested were released almost immediately and one was released to Unficyp as the one involved," Rokoszewski said. He said the soldier singled out by police was to be investigated by Unficyp, in accordance with regulations governing the investigation of crimes involving UN personnel.

He declined to name the suspect till the investigation was completed.

Last year a Cyprus court fined a British soldier £750 for an attack on two British tourists in Ayia Napa. In the same resort in 1994, three British soldiers kidnapped and battered to death a young Danish woman.

[13] Aids woman changes plea to guilty

A WOMAN Aids patient charged with deliberately exposing her lovers to the deadly virus changed her plea to guilty before a Nicosia court yesterday.

Last week, 27-year-old London Cypriot Chrysavghi Zarzour had pleaded not guilty before the Nicosia District Court to charges of having sex with four men in the past few months without informing them of her condition.

Zarzour changed her plea yesterday after the charges relating to two of her alleged lovers were dropped. She has been charged under a decades-old law criminalising the deliberate spread of life-threatening diseases.

The court adjourned the trial until April 21 for sentencing.

Following a defence request, the court ordered that a welfare department report on the suspect be prepared in time for her next court appearance.

The accused, who has full-blown Aids, again entered and left the court with a blanket over her head. Zarzour, a short homely figure, looked haggard in the witness box as she spoke only twice, to answer "yes" when asked if she admitted the two charges.

At a remand hearing last week, the court heard that Zarzour had in the past few months had unprotected sex with four men without telling them she had Aids. The men, whose names have been mentioned in court, are now awaiting the results of Aids tests.

The accused is being held at the Larnaca Aids clinic where she is receiving constant medical attention.

In her first court appearance after her arrest early this month, Zarzour, who left London to come to Cyprus in 1987, handed a written statement to the court admitting she had not told her sexual partners of her condition, but saying she always asked them to use a condom.

She denied she was a prostitute and said she had sex with lonely young men she met at her regular bar "who need companionship." She is being prosecuted under a law enacted to combat the spread of cholera in Cyprus. It provides for sentences of up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of £1, 500, or both.

The suspect -- who told police she contracted Aids in Cyprus three years ago -- was arrested by police following a complaint from a 25-year-old local man who said she had had sex with him without informing him she was HIV-positive. The man had been told Zarzour had Aids by a friend of hers, police said.

This is the second court case in Cyprus involving an Aids patient. In July last year Ayia Napa fisherman Pavlos Georgiou was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment for knowingly infecting his former British lover, Janette Pink, with the Aids virus. Georgiou was granted a presidential pardon and released five months later.

[14] Man says police beat confession out of him

A MAN who admitted to over 70 break-ins into cars and other property says his confession was extorted by police brutality.

Antenna TV reported that Theocharis Theocharous from Larnaca, who is being held in connection with a series of thefts in Nicosia, yesterday claimed police beat his confession out of him.

Theocharous says he was punched, kicked in the stomach and beaten with electric batons while in police custody over the last five days until he eventually signed the confession document.

His lawyer said an investigation had been launched to determine the truth of his allegations.

Theocharous was remanded in police custody for a further eight days yesterday. Police are searching for two accomplices in the series of burglaries.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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