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Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 00-12-09
Saturday, December 9, 2000
CONTENTS
[01] Guarded optimism from Clerides
[02] Bells `would be a flying hearse'
[03] Zakaki residents still in the shadow of the Nemitsas foundry
[04] All smiles for the moment
[05] Iranian jailed for heroin-laced carpet
[06] Chaos in the north as general strike begins to bite
[07] Dangerous toys warning
[01] Guarded optimism from Clerides
THERE were signs of change in Ankara's position on the Cyprus Problem,
President Glafcos Clerides said yesterday on his return to Larnaca Airport
from the EU summit in Nice. Clerides was responding to questions about a
comment by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Thursday night that,
"Turkey seems to have turned the page." "There have been contacts between
the Greek Prime Minister, his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit and other
European premiers. What appears to be the outcome of those meetings could
lead us to the conclusion that Turkey is changing, but I cannot express an
opinion on this as I have not spoken to Simitis yet and I do not know
exactly what has been discussed." Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash insist on a confederal solution to the Cyprus Problem while
Nicosia has repeatedly called for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.
Denktash threatened the Turkish Cypriot side would pull out of the UN- led
Cyprus proximity talks, scheduled to resume in Geneva in January, after the
UN made proposals they felt reflected Greek Cypriot ambitions for a close
federation on the island, with some Greek Cypriot refugees moving back to
the north. Denktash on Thursday edged open a door to resumption of Cyprus
talks, but made clear he expected significant concessions from the UN. UN
mediator Alvaro de Soto is due to return to Cyprus in January to press for
a resumption of talks and Denktash is expected to demand that he be
regarded as an equal partner to President Clerides, who is internationally
recognised as the only authority on the island. But Clerides said he
believed Denktash's attitude could in the end allow for a federal solution
in Cyprus, adding: "The Turkish side might change its position gradually
and after January." The Cyprus Problem, a major irritant in relations
between Turkey and Greece, has become a key factor in Turkey's application
to join the European Union. The EU seeks settlement of the 26-year old
division of the island before Turkish entry.
Clerides said Ankara would have to answer to the Union for its stance on
the Cyprus problem, following the recent release of a EU report calling on
Turkey to contribute to efforts towards a solution.
[02] Bells `would be a flying hearse'
THE HELICOPTER spat continued yesterday, with AKEL deputy Costas Papacostas
charging that if Cyprus went ahead with the purchase of four Bell
helicopters it would be wasting taxpayers' money on flying hearses.
Responding to Defence Minister Socratis Hasikos, who yesterday challenged
doubters to see for themselves the capabilities of the police helicopter,
which is the same type the Defence Ministry wants to buy, Papacostas said
he did not need to see the helicopters. "I know them very well," he said.
AKEL has openly disagreed with the ministry's choice, arguing that the
proposed helicopter, the Bell-412EP, could not undertake the intended
missions because it was not a military craft, and could not carry the
specified troops. The United States bans all military equipment sales to
Cyprus. AKEL was adamant that it would not vote for the funds needed -- £22
million - for the procurement of the helicopters, while two other House
parties, DIKO and KISOS would probably follow suit. Ruling DISY stands
alone in its support for the Bell-412EP The standard capacity as stated by
the manufacturer is 15 people - two pilots and 13 passengers. This was
confirmed by police sources, which said the police Bell-412EP had carried
eight troops special forces troops during this year's Nikiforos military
exercise. Papacostas agreed that this was true in theory, but in practice
things were different. According to the criteria specified by the Defence
Ministry, the troops should be able to carry full battle gear, which could
include backpacks, Papacostas said. He wondered where those troops would
put any extra ammunition, machine-gun, or even an anti-tank weapon. "I
personally believe that it is practically impossible. "I doubt that it
could carry six to eight troops maximum, with all their gear," Papacostas
said. The AKEL deputy revealed that the ministry wanted to acquire eight
helicopters with the ability to airlift one company of around 100 to 110
men. "In practice, not even half a company can be carried," he said.
Papacostas believes that the specifications drawn by the ministry were
wrong. In its tender request, the ministry asked for helicopters able to
carry eight to 15 troops. The fact that they asked for this capacity
excluded other helicopter companies, and more or less singled out Bell
Textron. "It is a VIP and not a military helicopter," Papacostas said. "It
is like paying £22 million of taxpayers' money to buy helicopters which
will become hearses if they are used for military operations," he added.
Papacostas also disputed the helicopter's ability to carry out combat
search and rescue (CSAR) when it did not have electronic counter measures
equipment, missile protection systems, or even basic armour to protect crew
and passengers. "A helicopter flying CSAR missions has to be armed -
machine guns on the sides, and maybe rocket pods. I doubt if it could carry
all the gear needed," he said. He also dismissed suggestions that the
helicopters could be fitted with all the necessary equipment in some other
country, saying that the company would certainly not guarantee the aircraft
if extras were fitted on it. The tenders should be cancelled and fresh ones
should be called to allow other companies to enter, Papacostas said. The
Defence Ministry said that the tender procedure had begun five years ago
and if they were cancelled it would take another five to find new
helicopters. Papacostas refuted that, saying that if the procedures were
expedited the National Guard could have its helicopters in less than two
years.
[03] Zakaki residents still in the shadow of the Nemitsas foundry
RESIDENTS of the Zakaki and Omonia suburbs of Limassol hope a decision will
finally be taken today after three months of red tape delays to approve
health tests that might prove that emissions from the nearby Nemitsas
foundry are damaging their health. The matter was discussed on Wednesday at
the House Health Committee, and local parent and campaigner Bernadette
Charalambous told the Cyprus Mail yesterday she expected a decision
today. A group of seven British experts last month recommended that the
Ergates foundry be shut down for poisoning villagers with lethal toxins -
advice that the Cabinet followed on November 30. Health Minister Frixos
Savvides had pledged to close the Ergates foundry if there was even a
"remote connection with serious disease". He promised the same fate for the
Nemitsas foundry. Nemitsas is closer to homes and just 300 metres away from
a primary school than the old Ergates pollutant. "It stinks of rotten fish
two or three days a week and every Saturday, depending on which way the
wind's blowing. The fumes are unbearable. I had to go away last week with
the kids. We felt sick, even when the windows were shut," Charalambous said
yesterday. DIKO deputy Marios Matsakis, a member of the Health Committee,
wants Nemitsas shut down as soon as possible. He argues the medical
evidence is already sufficient to merit closure. "The Ergates factory case
undoubtedly showed that the health of inhabitants was affected. Nemitsas is
surrounded by houses. Since the primary school is only a few metres away
and we have reports that the children show symptoms of being affected, it
would be gross negligence on the part of the Ministry not to shut it
immediately," he said yesterday. Investigations carried out by the Labour
Ministry a year ago put the level of emission pollution at 300 milligrams
per cubic metre - six times over the European Union maximum. The foundry
promised in September to cut levels down to the recommended 50 milligrams
in November. From January 1, 2001, Cyprus is forced to adhere to the 50
milligrams limit. The Labour Ministry will start monitoring air pollution
in the New Year, to ensure that new European Union standards are met. "From
the beginning of January 2001, the Nemitsas foundry has to stick to certain
conditions, which include emission. They will be checked immediately in the
New Year to see whether they are sticking to the new regulations," said a
Labour Ministry source. Sanctions for non-compliance entail a court case.
They do not authorise closure. Meanwhile London-based Andis Leonidou, who
carried out the Ergates tests is waiting for the go-ahead to do the same in
Omonia. He put in an application on September 15, dropping his Ergates
price by £2,000, despite the fact that nearly three times more people live
in Omonia and Zakaki than do in Ergates. Residents fear that if the tests
project goes to the open tender board then it would delay the process by
another three months. Meetings with Health Minister Frixos Savvides have
been unfruitful. "He seems to have his hands tied," said Charalambous.
Former Minister of Commerce Takis Nemitsas owns the foundry.
[04] All smiles for the moment
The market ended on a positive note yesterday wrapping up a week of gains
which put it back on an even keel and saw a smile return to the faces of
investors. "We are all smiling for the moment," said one Nicosia broker.
"Let's hope that's not all we are left with in the end." Yesterday's
session see-sawed from a low of 247 points at the opening of trading to a
high of 254 by mid session. Profit-taking at this level drove prices back
down to 250 but the index rallied again to close at 254, a 1.69 per cent
increase. But it was clear that investor interest yesterday lay mostly in
the blue-chip heavy weights. Overall, the session saw more losers than
gainers but the FTSE/CySE top 20 outperformed the general index, adding
1.98 per cent to close at 1147 points. Total volume yesterday was down,
standing at £14 million. The banking sector came out tops, gaining 3.52 per
cent, with Laiki racing ahead to capture the "most active" prize. The share
gained 14 cents and closed at £3.51. BoC came in second with a 13-cent jump
to end at £3.75. The share also outperformed both the general Athens index
and the ASE's banking sector, which recorded slight losses of 0.15 and 1.20
respectively, by gaining 1.98 per cent to close at 2,320 (£3.87). "Today's
session was by no means spectacular but another link was added to the chain
called stabilisation," the CSE web analyst said. "If next week is any
similar to this one then it will be safe to say that we have hit the
bottom. We are not out of the woods yet but the outlook for next week is
positive." The Nicosia broker also said the outlook was positive. He said
the market should remain strong for the rest of the year if investors don't
decide to cash in for Christmas. "After than we will have to wait and see
how the interest-rate liberalisation will affect the market," he said
referring to the implementation of the deregulation on January 1. "January
is usually a low spending month in itself. That will be a bit of a test for
the market too," he added. The broker said that investors appeared to be
more confident but were also being much more cautious then this time last
year. "This has been the longest winning run for months. The market never
really stabilised. Before it was always swinging one way or the other," he
said. "Hopefully the stabilisation will continue as long as we don't see
some really big jumps because they are usually followed by big drops."
[05] Iranian jailed for heroin-laced carpet
By a Staff Reporter AN IRANIAN man who tried to smuggle heroin woven into
Persian carpets into Cyprus was jailed for eight years yesterday. Fereidoon
Bajelani from Tehran was found carrying Persian rugs laced with 2.15kg of
heroin in early February. The 36-year-old was stopped at Larnaca airport
when police noticed the elaborately woven rugs were unusually heavy. Police
had to ask for more time to inspect the heroin as the drug was in such a
pure form that police scientists became dizzy. Bajelani confessed to police
that he had arranged to meet two men at a Larnaca hotel to sell the drugs
for $2,000. Police believe the final destination for the rugs was Great
Britain. Yesterday's court decision noted that the case was the first of
its kind in the world. "The court found the accused guilty of four counts
of conspiracy to commit a crime, importing a class A controlled substance,
possessing the substance and possessing it with the intent to supply it to
others." The second and fourth charges each resulted in an eight-year
sentence with the two running concurrently. The decision continued: "He has
been found guilty of serious charges. Indicative of the seriousness of the
charges is the life sentence applicable to some of them. Drug crimes are
considered the most dangerous on an international scale and affect all
society. the sentence has to be preventive." The court noted that Bajelani
was a married father of two young children whose wife suffered from an
incurable disease, but refuted arguments from his defence that he had co-
operated well with the authorities. "The accused never cooperated and was
constantly misleading," the judge said. The court did note that it
sympathised with Bajelani in view of his personal situation and the fact
that he "was taken advantage of by his compatriots, who have driven him
away from his family and created these huge problems for him. However, our
sympathy is not enough to prevent us from giving him a heavy sentence
because it is our duty towards society and the victims that he would have
created."
[06] Chaos in the north as general strike begins to bite
WITH A general strike in the occupied areas entering its fifth day
yesterday, Turkish Cypriots are growing more and more concerned over the
health risks. According to Turkish Cypriot press reports, piles of
uncollected rubbish in the streets poses serious health concerns.
Unattended faults in the telecommunications sector have left 12,000-15,000
people with no means of communication and, according to information from
the `Ministry of Works and Transport', telephone numbers in occupied
Nicosia beginning with 225 are now out of reach. Calls from Nicosia to
Famagusta are also unavailable, while switchboards in rural areas are dead.
In addition, hospitals are only dealing with emergency cases, though night
shifts at the Nicosia Burhan Nalbantoglu hospital are proceeding as normal
and urgent medical operations are being scheduled to coincide with this
shift. Education has also been badly affected, with a 99 per cent
participation by primary school teachers compared to a 70 per cent
participation by their secondary counterparts. Passengers waiting at the
ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta are still stranded and shipments of
agricultural produce are rotting while supplies to crews at the ports are
dwindling. The number of vessels said to be stranded in both ports is said
to be 17. Some 40 Unions and organisations in the north are protesting
against an austerity plan to help the collapsing economy. Demonstrations
have been held throughout the week and look set to continue indefinitely.
Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was reported as saying yesterday that
the even the reforms could not save the economy. The package would save the
treasury but not address the wider economic issues, he said. He said there
should be an additional package to promote the economy and that this was
what Ankara expected the Turkish Cypriots to do. He also accused the
`government' of failing to inform him about the package when it was being
prepared and called on them to negotiate with the unions.
[07] Dangerous toys warning
THE RUN up to Christmas day can be fraught with dangers, with the Commerce
Ministry's Consumer Protection Service yesterday listing five toys found to
be hazardous for young children. Consumer Association director Dinos
Ioannou said yesterday that parents should be careful when making any
purchase for their children; the announcement said tests had revealed that
five toys currently on the market had fallen short of European safety
standards. Ioannou said: "I haven't seen the list yet but a general
guideline that parents should always use is only ever to buy toys that are
suitable for the child's age. Small parts that could be swallowed and cause
choking should be avoided and parents should check that plastic and PVC
toys are not toxic." Toys that require electricity should be double
insulated or at least have an earthed plug, Ioannou said, warning
prospective present purchasers that some low quality toys were labelled as
being double insulated without actually being so. "Ideally, all the plugs
on toys should be the three pronged ones with an earth, but most toys have
two pronged plugs. Double insulation is usually indicated by a small square
within a larger one on packaging." Beyond the safety issue, Ioannou also
said that educational toys were always preferable to merely entertaining
ones that would soon be tossed aside once the initial novelty was over and
said frantic buying often caused a rise in prices. "Christmas is coming up
and people always tend to spend too much." The Protection Service warned
consumers against buying "a brown teddy-bear with a dark brown bow-tie and
spectacles without lenses." The toy was described as dangerous because its
spectacles could easily be broken into sharp pieces. They also warned
against "a brown bunny with dark glasses holding a music box and singing a
children's song. There is a round, red sticker saying `Press for music' on
its left paw." The announcement said that the toy had sharp pointy edges in
its battery case, which was also the danger cited against a yellow `Pokemon
Picachu' teddy-bear Picachu, which has black-tipped ears. The toy makes the
creature's characteristic sound when its foot is pressed. The service also
said there was a danger of young children choking on a small artificial
bouquet held by a beige brown-nosed rabbit called `Barnaby Bunny'. The
bunny has CE certification but is not suitable for children, the service
said. The final warning was against a tiger fur-covered porcelain or hard
plastic faced doll that could easily have its head removed, exposing
stuffing on which children could easily choke. The announcement said there
was also a danger of the doll's heavy head being used by children to hurt
others. No further details were given. Consumers wishing to find out more
information are advised to call 02-867219, 02-867294, 02-867101 or 02-
867108. "Consumers who have already purchased any of these toys are advised
to stop using them immediately." A Services official said that shops should
begin withdrawing the defective toys from their shelves and that anyone who
had already bought one should return it.
Cyprus Mail 2000
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