Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-01-28

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Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-01-28

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Tuesday, January 28, 2002

[01] CY pilots strike again
[02] Boy dies in car accident
[03] Third version of Annan plan 'may be ready soon'
[04] Animals get new rights
[05] Baghdatis the champion
[06] British flotilla arrives off Cyprus
[07] Happy Birthday, Rauf. here's one less excuse not to sign
[08] More EAC cheats put out in the dark
[09] UN launches competition for new flag and anthem
[10] Petrol leaks into Athalassa park

[01] CY pilots strike again

By Jean Christou

CYPRUS AIRWAYS (CY) pilots yesterday announced further industrial action for today, following the 24-hour strike, which ended at midnight last night.

A series of meetings and mediation efforts yesterday failed to solve the crisis and a new announcement, issued late yesterday afternoon by pilots union PALPU said the measures would be extended today if the company carries out a contentious training flight.

CY spokesman Tassos Angelis said today's strike was due to begin at around 6.30am and end around 2pm. Management was locked in talks last night attempting to reschedule flights around the eight-hour stoppage and said it was too early to say how many passengers would be affected.

Some 1,500 passengers and 14 flights were affected by yesterday's 24-hour strike, which began at midnight on Sunday and cost the company around Ł150, 000.

The pilots called the strike action on Friday, which gave CY the chance to accommodate most of the passengers with other airlines, minimising disruption.

Angelis said that many of the passengers had been flown out with the national carrier on Sunday, and that the remainder were expected to leave in the early hours of this morning on special additional flights.

The government, anticipating further action by PALPU, yesterday gave special licences to CY's charter firm Eurocypria and private Cypriot airline Helios to carry out schedule flights to affected destinations. It also gave special permission to Emirates Airlines and Royal Jordanian to pick up local trade for European destinations, and urged the public to continue booking their flights as normal.

Communicaitons and Works Minister Averoff Neophytou said that from now on Cypriot travellers should not worry about Cyprus Airways strikes.

Commenting on the government's decision to grant special licences to the four other airlines, Angelis said: "How can we feel? We cannot prevent the government from taking action to keep air transport going

PALPU members are objecting to pilots, classed as management staff who carry out training flights. One union member told the Cyprus Mail that the company had reorganised the flight operations department in such a way that these pilots were benefiting from being both pilots and managers and were being paid 20-30 per cent more than regular pilots. "If they want to be managers they should stay at their desks," he said.

To press their point, today's strike centres around a training flight to Amsterdam. PALPU said strike action would begin one and a half hours before the flight and end half an hour after the training flight returned in the afternoon to Larnaca, if the company went ahead with it.

Yesterday's set of meetings to solve the dispute began with management meeting the airline's four other unions to learn their positions on the strike, Angelis said. "They told us they would undertake an initiative to speak to the pilots union," he said.

Following that, the CY board of directors held an extraordinary meeting with management and decided on a series of measures in case the strike action escalated. Mediation at the Labour Ministry began around 1pm, Angelis said. It ended at around 7.30pm without any solution.

An announcement from CY following mediation failure condemned the pilots' "contempt for Cypriot society". "We will not give in to the blackmail of a small arrogant group," the statement said.

[02] Boy dies in car accident

AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy was killed over the weekend when he fell out of the back of his grandfather's pick-up truck, police said yesterday.

At around 3.30pm on Sunday, the youngster and two other children aged 11 and 12, were travelling along the Pendalias - Ayias Marinas Kelokedaron road in the Paphos district, said police. The children were sitting in the back of the 53-year-old's vehicle when, under circumstances still being investigated, they fell out onto the road.

The man's grandson was killed in the accident and the other two children were slightly injured, police said.

"Until we know for sure what happened and all the evidence and facts have been gathered, we cannot say for sure whether the driver of the vehicle will be taken to court," a Nicosia police officer told the Cyprus Mail. "Although initially it appears as if he has broken the law because the children were not sitting inside the car. We cannot yet be certain - the children might have climbed into the back when he was not looking," he said.

If police investigations determined the 53-year-old Limassol resident had violated the law, he would be charged accordingly, he said. By yesterday he had not yet been arrested, a Paphos police officer said. Panayias police station in Paphos was investigating the accident.

[03] Third version of Annan plan 'may be ready soon'

By Jean Christou

THE U.N. could put forward a third version of Secretary-general Kofi Annan's peace plan, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said yesterday.

Speculation had been rife for weeks that a third version of the plan was in the pipeline but nothing official was announced.

But Papapetrou told reporters yesterday that such a plan might be presented "very soon". He was speaking after a working breakfast between President Glafcos Clerides and Britain's special Cyprus envoy Lord David Hannay.

"We have no specific information about a new peace plan being put forward but I believe this is a possibility that we should focus our attention on," Papapetrou said. "Since the UN is working with the timeframe of February 28 in mind, you should understand that if they are going to move in this direction, then they would do so very soon."

Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are engaged in face-to- face talks in an attempt to reach a settlement by February 28, which aims to give both sides enough time plan separate referenda by March 30 so that a united Cyprus can join the EU in April.

Denktash has objected to the current second version of the plan, saying he would rather resign than sign it as is. The UN has made it clear that there is not much scope for major changes to plan, which they believe is balanced.

Papapetrou said that the UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto met twice over the weekend with Denktash but did not see Clerides.

He said Denktash was seeking detailed clarifications on the UN proposal, which the Greek Cypriot side did in early December when the revised proposal was first presented to the two sides. At the time Denktash had refused to seek any clarification, he added.

Commenting on Clerides' meeting with Hannay, Papapetrou said they had reviewed the latest developments.

"The President reiterated our determination to seek a solution that would secure the fundamental parameters of the objectives of the people of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, which we consider necessary so that an agreed settlement can work," Papapetrou said. "Lord Hannay said that time constraints are becoming tight and efforts must intensify to open up avenues that would lead to a solution."

Hannay, who arrived on the island on Saturday for contacts with both sides, told reporters after the meeting that the month ahead was going to be a long, complex and very difficult time as far as negotiations for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus were concerned.

He said decisions taken in the coming weeks would affect all interested parties and he pledged that London would do its best to secure a positive outcome in the negotiations for all concerned.

"We are now just entering the last month of a long, complex and extremely difficult negotiation," he said after a 50-minute-long meeting with Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides.

"The decisions that will be taken during this last month will be of great importance and consequence for everyone concerned and the British government will be doing its best to ensure that the outcome is positive for everyone concerned," he said.

[04] Animals get new rights

By Sofia Kannas

NEW ANIMAL rights regulations have been introduced after they were approved by the House of Representatives. The regulations are designed to meet EU directives concerning the transport of livestock.

Theophanis Pierides, an officer at the government Veterinary Service yesterday confirmed the introduction of new measures to protect animals in transit.

"The rules were approved by the House, and are complimented by other regulations such as the protection of animals in abattoirs and battery hens."

The new measures mean that all vehicles used in transporting animals and livestock will have to meet EU standards, while drivers of the vehicles will have to register with the veterinary service.

"We will check that vehicles and drivers meet the requirements. The police will also cooperate in this matter."

The regulations also state that weather conditions must be taken into account.

"Animals must now be protected from rain and very high temperatures.

"They must also have enough space to lie down and must be protected against jolting. Injured, sick or heavily pregnant animals will not be transported until they are fit to be moved," he added.

Movement to and from transit vehicles is also monitored, with animals being registered by the service before and after transport.

"Anyone who breaks the law is liable to face up to a year in prison if convicted, or they may be given a Ł1000 fine, or both."

"There has been a lot of progress made. We hope it will continue," he added.

[05] Baghdatis the champion

By Soteris Charalambous

CYPRUS' Marcos Baghdatis was crowned Australian Open boys champion on Sunday after an historic win at Melbourne Park, the first person from the island to have achieved such a major sporting honour.

The tournament's top seed beat Florin Mergea of Romania 6-4 6-4 to win his first Grand Slam title.

The win helped make up for Bagdatis' loss in the finals of the US Open when nerves got the better of him at 5-4 up in the second set. But on Sunday, as he served for the match against Mergea, with the score once again reading 5- 4, he managed to conquer his nerves.

"At 40-0 I missed a first serve, then I just pushed a second and the guy made a winner, then at 40-15 I missed a smash. I told myself to just try and get the first serve in and make a slice serve which is not so risky and it worked because he just put the ball out. It was a big relief."

Baghdatis' superior serving and consistency off the ground had proved too much for Mergea throughout the game. Match statistics showed that Baghdatis won more than 90 per cent of the points when he got his first serve in.

"I felt like I was the boss of the match. I knew he was playing good but I just felt like on my serve he didn't win a lot of points and when he served all the time it was deuce," he said. "I was more solid, he made a lot of unforced errors, so I am pleased with that."

As he had at Flushing Meadow in the US Open, Baghdatis draped himself in the Cypriot flag as he walked up to accept his trophy.

Baghdatis revealed that his toughest opponent during the week had been Jo Wilfried-Tsonga who he met in the semi-final. Baghdatis had beaten the big serving Frenchman on a previous occasion, but because of the extreme heat (44 degrees) the match was played indoors, a surface that suited the fifth seed's serve and volley game far better.

"He was definitely my toughest challenge here in Melbourne, I really had to play well to win that match."

Asked about his immediate plans Baghdatis revealed that it was time to re- evaluate when he returned to his base at the Bob Brett Academy in Paris. The plan for the year was to play in all the Grand Slam events at junior level while playing in satelite tournaments on the men's tour in preparation for the step up to the senior game next season. His major goal was to try and win a Grand Slam title this year.

But as he has already taken that giant step it is time to re-assess. "I'm really not sure what is going to happen next, we will discuss it when we get back to Paris. but I'm not sure of the value of playing in too many more junior tournaments."

[06] British flotilla arrives off Cyprus

By Alex Mita

IN THE largest British naval mobilisation since the Falklands war, 15 vessels headed by the Navy's flagship HMS Ark Royal, arrived off Cyprus yesterday.

British Bases Spokesman Rob Need told the Cyprus News Agency the arrival of the fleet had been hindered by the bad weather that struck Larnaca and Limassol early yesterday, allowing only the arrival of two landing ships at Akrotiri. The flotilla remained in international waters last night.

Need told journalists that no decisions had yet been taken by the British government on military action against Iraq and that the armada was arriving on the island for training.

The bases will provide facilities for the training of Royal Marines.

Major Hugh Milner of the Royal Marines said Cyprus was an ideal environment for the Marines.

"The bases on Cyprus offer a unique blend of logistic support, as well as Eastern Mediterranean coastal environment to work up an Amphibious Task Force its associated Landing Craft and boats, Commando personnel and Helicopter Squadrons," Milner said.

Lieutenant Commander John Bower of the Royal Navy said Cyprus offered an ideal location for ships to collect stores, spare parts, mail and fresh provisions, while they operate in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"Already waiting for the fleet at the Bases is over 10,000kg of stores ranging from important helicopter spares and engineering items to domestic items such as cleaning gear for the ablutions and galleys," Bower said.

"Cyprus will be supplying the 5,000 men and women with over 80,000kg of fresh provisions. Cyprus is also the first opportunity the fleet has had to collect mail since leaving the UK.

"Letters from home are a tremendous morale booster, so collecting the 200 bags of mail which have already arrived at the Bases will be a top priority."

The Times newspaper yesterday said the exercises are part a long planned deployment which military spokesmen insist does not represent a commitment of forces to military action. However, the task group, which has more than 40 helicopters at its disposal, is understood to have been boosted by extra personnel and hardware because of the possibility of war in Iraq.

Need said the task group's arrival for provisions, training of the Royal Marines and the work at Akrotiri should all be seen in the context of the broad range of contingency preparations which are currently underway.

"It would be neither sensible nor constructive for me to speculate on how these capabilities would be used in the event of operations in the months ahead," he said.

[07] Happy Birthday, Rauf. here's one less excuse not to sign

By Jean Christou

PRESIDENT Glafcos Clerides yesterday presented rival Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash with a birthday present: a new pen to urge him to sign a political solution based on the Annan plan.

Denktash turned 79 yesterday and has been adamant that he would rather resign than sign an agreement based on the plan submitted by UN Secretary- general Kofi Annan as it stands.

The two leaders met yesterday at the UN-controlled Nicosia Airport as past of their thrice-weekly talks aimed at reaching an agreement by February 28, the UN deadline.

At yesterday's talks the UN provided a cake to help along the celebrations but spokesman Brian Kelly could not say if it would be lit up with 79 candles. "All I can tell you is that it's a raspberry and nougat cake," he said.

Sources close to the talks told the Cyprus Mail that President Clerides, who will turn 84 in the next couple of months, would also be extending his best wishes, and a present to the Turkish Cypriot leader.

"The president is bringing him a gift. a pen to facilitate him in signing the agreement," Papapetrou said.

After the meeting ended insiders said that Clerides jokingly told Denktash he was giving him the pen to sign something. "Denktash replied: 'Obviously this pen won't write', but it was all in jest," the insider said.

[08] More EAC cheats put out in the dark

By Sofia Kannas

A COMPANY in Larnaca was the latest business to have its electricity cut off by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) yesterday.

This disconnection follows on from the cuts made last week to customers whose meters were illegally tampered with last year.

EAC Spokesman Costas Gavrielides told the Cyprus Mail yesterday, "We had plans to disconnect various clients. We have disconnected an industrial unit in Larnaca but some of the other customers came to negotiate at the last minute so we haven't cut them off yet.

"We are currently negotiating with a customer in Nicosia and also a company in Limassol which has agreed to pay us. There were two more disconnections planned, including a restaurant in Limassol, but we will have to wait and see what the outcome of negotiations is."

Asked whether the EAC was pleased with the progress of its campaign to get back the money owed it by customers, he said

"It seems that our strategy is paying off. Most of those customers scheduled for disconnection have either agreed to pay or are negotiating. So we're optimistic."

Gavrielides also said the amounts owed by certain customers would not be demanded in a lump sum.

"In some cases the amounts involved are so huge that we have agreed a rate of payment which means the customer will not have to pay off their debt all at once."

He warned that all customers would be treated equally and that large companies would not escape payments.

"All these businesses will be treated in the same way, no matter how powerful they are. We will strive to get all our money back."

The case has been under investigation by the EAC for more than a year now, and a total of Ł2.8 million is owed to the authority.

[09] UN launches competition for new flag and anthem

By Alex Mita

THE UNITED Nations yesterday officially launched the competition for a flag and national anthem to represent a reunified island.

In full page advertisements in Greek and Turkish Cypriot press, the UN announced they had been authorised by both leaders to set the competition in motion.

"It is envisaged that the flag and anthem would be part of a comprehensive settlement to be submitted to separate referenda," the advertisement said.

The two competitions are open to all people without age restrictions, while joint entries from Greek and Turkish Cypriots are particularly welcome.

"Entrants should bear in mind that both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as equal partners in a new state of affairs should be able to identify with their flag and anthem," it said.

"Accordingly, the flag and anthem should reflect a commitment to a common future in a spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and reconciliation in an independent and united Cyprus."

The flag design should be striking, easily recognisable, pleasing to the eye and simple enough for a child to draw, while the length of the anthem should not be less than 30 seconds or more than 60 seconds.

According to the competition guidelines, the anthem competition is mainly for music, and not for lyrics. However, lyrics may be included in the entry, preferably in both Greek and Turkish. If an anthem with lyrics is selected, its official version will be in both Greek and Turkish.

Two years ago EU negotiator and former President George Vassiliou met with a storm of protest when he said Cyprus should have its own state national anthem.

Vassiliou made the comment about a Cypriot national anthem in response to a question at a news conference. He said there would be a need to compose a state national anthem in the event of a federal solution to the Cyprus problem, one which would be acceptable to all citizens of the Republic.

Cyprus has used the Greek national anthem since the 1960s because no one ever got around to composing one for the fledgling Republic.

The Greek national anthem Imnos is tin Eleftheria (Hymn to Liberty) written by poet Dionisios Solomos, has over 158 verses and talks about rising from the sacred ashes of the Greeks and other heroic deeds.

Since the Turkish invasion in 1974 the North has been using the Turkish national anthem.

[10] Petrol leaks into Athalassa park

By Sofia Kannas

FUEL HAS leaked into a reservoir in Athalassa Park, Forestry and Fisheries Departments confirmed yesterday.

The leakage was discovered over the weekend after visitors to the park noticed an oily substance floating on the surface of the water accompanied by the smell of fuel.

Divisional Forestry Officer George Pattichis told the Cyprus Mail, "There is no suspicion of foul play. We suspect the fuel leak came from a house further up the hill. The fuel was probably washed down into the water by rain.

"This sort of leak is not common. We think it happened as a result of a faulty valve in a heating or water system in a nearby house. We have more or less identified the house in question, but we have a few more checks to make."

Pattichis said that all the necessary measures to limit the effects of the slick had been taken by the Forestry Department.

"We are working in cooperation with the Fisheries Department. At the weekend we put a special liquid into the water to dissolve the fuel, but at the time we thought the offending fuel was diesel. We now know the fuel was kerosene, so we have used another liquid suitable for dissolving kerosene.

"We have also taken measures to prevent further leakage into the reservoir."

Asked if the reservoir wildlife had been affected, Pattichis said,

"From what we have observed there is no serious damage to wildlife. There are some ducks and fish in the reservoir but we haven't seen any damage to them.

"Our people are still researching the incident and we hope to have it all clear soon," he added.

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-01-28

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Tuesday, January 28, 2002

CONTENTS

[01] CY pilots strike again

[02] Boy dies in car accident

[03] Third version of Annan plan 'may be ready soon'

[04] Animals get new rights

[05] Baghdatis the champion

[06] British flotilla arrives off Cyprus

[07] Happy Birthday, Rauf. here's one less excuse not to sign

[08] More EAC cheats put out in the dark

[09] UN launches competition for new flag and anthem

[10] Petrol leaks into Athalassa park

Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article