Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 98-03-28

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

Saturday, March 28, 1998

CONTENTS

[01] Suspect in barmaid case 'boasted of pimping'

[02] Water levels remain low despite torrential rains

[03] Shipping companies warn against complacency

[04] Government expects stern warning from Annan

[05] Opposition fury at Denktash travel ban

[06] Larnaca residents protest cabaret plan

[07] Improved cancer treatment on the way

[08] Man pleads guilty to Christmas patricide

[09] Regulatory body to monitor Cyta prices

[10] Iranian to be tried for high-heeled drug ring

[11] Will monotony of winning be broken?

[01] Suspect in barmaid case 'boasted of pimping'

A CYPRIOT man accused of forcing British women into prostitution bragged about his exploits, a CID officer told a Larnaca court yesterday.

Tassos Anastasiou, 30, George Mavros, 28, and Demetris Demetriou, 35, are charged with pimping and forcing women into prostitution. All three deny the charges.

"When I asked him how he made a living, the accused (Anastasiou) came out and said, 'I sell women for money'," Famagusta CID officer Yiannos Kapnoulas told the court.

Kapnoulas said the accused made the claim during questioning in a separate case of burglary and theft.

It was the admissibility of this statement, produced as evidence to the court, which held up proceedings yesterday.

Anastasiou's lawyer, Kypros Andreou, said the statement was obtained by threats and the use of violence, and was therefore inadmissible.

On Tuesday, 21-year-old Karen Hewitt, from Sheppey, Kent, testified that she was coerced into sleeping with around 300 men between January and March 1997 while she was employed as a barmaid at an Ayia Napa bar owned by Anastasiou.

Hewitt said she slept with the men &#151; who were allegedly charged £50-a- time by Anastasiou &#151; under threats that her 23-year-old sister Michelle would be beaten up.

Michelle is expected to give evidence on April 2, although her appearance could be put back while arguments over the validity of Anastasiou's police statement rumble on.

Kapnoulas yesterday rejected any suggestion that he or fellow officers had used force or the threat of force to extract a confession.

He also denied that Anastasiou's Russian fiancée was threatened with deportation if he failed to confess to the various offences.

"I had no reason to pressure him or threaten him," said Kapnoulas.

The CID officer said that Anastasiou, having boasted that he ran a string of women as prostitutes, added after the interview: "There isn't anything to worry about because the women are back in England."

But the defence lawyer put it to Kapnoulas that he used his client's alleged admission of pimping to help his police colleagues who were investigating the prostitution case.

Kapnoulas denied the claim.

The trial continues next Thursday.

[02] Water levels remain low despite torrential rains

MORE rain water has entered dams this month than in any of the preceding three winter months, but the overall situation remains dire, water officials said yesterday.

The Meteorological service reported that rainfall for the month of March so far had reached 65 mm, or 106 per cent of the average 62 mm. With more rainfall expected today and tomorrow, the monthly total is expected to be even more impressive.

The Water Development department said 5,208,000 tonnes of water had poured into reservoirs over the past 26 days. This is almost a million tonnes more than in December or January, the wettest two months since October (the start of the hydrological year). The total flow into dams since October 1 has reached 18,223,000 tonnes, bringing the water stored in reservoirs to 37,523,000 tonnes, or 14 per cent of capacity.

This is an improvement on the situation at the beginning of the month, when dams were below the 10 per cent mark, but still pitifully low. At the same time last year &#151; another very dry year &#151; dams were at 21 per cent capacity.

Overall, rainfall since October 1 has been only 75 per cent of the average.

The Meteorological office said that while good rains were expected over the next two days, the torrential rains affecting Greece would not materialise here.

The local weather was yesterday influenced more by African air masses &#151; with visibility reduced by the haze generated by dust carried by winds from the South &#151; than by air-masses from the West.

The haze was particularly thick in the Paphos area.

With the desperate water shortage in mind, the cabinet is expected on Tuesday to approve drastic further water cuts.

The cuts are expected to hit agriculture &#151; already suffering due to severe irrigation cut-backs &#151; hardest.

But an Agriculture Ministry expert told the Cyprus Mail yesterday it was domestic consumers and not farmers that were wasting water.

Agriculture uses about 75 per cent of available water, but he said most of the irrigated crops were not really water-hungry and farmers were in any case turning to their bore-holes for water in the face of reduced piped supplies.

"It is foreigners with home helps who know nothing about the need to save water who are wasting our water by hosing down cars and pavements," the ministry official, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

"Citrus and vines are Mediterranean crops and are adapted to the area, they do not use much water," he said. Even tropical fruits, he said, were often not big water users.

Environmentalists have criticised the government for encouraging thirsty non-native crops.

The ministry man acknowledged that priority in water allocation should be given to domestic users over farmers.

He warned the water situation in agriculture was "critical" but added that it was too early to say how market prices would be affected.

"Even if the area under vegetable cultivation has to be reduced, production could be increased in the remaining areas to compensate for this," he said.

The late March rains had been good news for cereal crops, but more was needed to ensure satisfactory harvests, he added.

"The recent rains means there is some more water available and this will go to make sure permanent cultivations, trees and vines, do not die," he said.

[03] Shipping companies warn against complacency

INTERNATIONAL shipping companies on the island yesterday said the government was losing momentum in upgrading the sector.

The complaint by the Cyprus Shipping Council (CSC) came just four days before the government is due to begin accession negotiations with the European Union.

"We were quite pleased with the momentum reached in 1995 and 1996... to identify the areas where Cypriot legislation would need to be harmonised..., " said CSC president Juergen Hahn.

"However, during 1997 we observed with some regret that no substantive follow-up action was taken... to prepare recommendations for the government on the negotiations strategy to be followed for each sector of the economy."

Hahn, who was speaking at the CSC's annual general meeting in Nicosia, urged the government to make better use of expertise in the private sector to move forward towards EU accession. Cyprus, whose ship registry is the world's fifth largest, is due to begin negotiations with the EU on Monday.

The CSC's 117 full, associate and overseas members control 1,140 of the Cyprus register's 2,800 ships and have long complained of being tarnished with the same brush as some of their less-reputable counterparts who use the open register as a flag of convenience.

In a move to improve its image, the government last year took the unprecedented step of striking several substandard ships from the register.

Defending the island's reputation, Communications and Works Minister Leontios Ierodiaconou told CSC delegates the number of detentions of Cyprus- flagged vessels abroad had dropped by seven per cent in 1997.

The minister also said inspections had risen by 43 per cent, from 103 in 1996 to 152 in 1997, following the appointment of a network of inspectors in North America, Europe and Australia.

"I wish to assure you that the measures and policies which have been adopted for the improvement of the image and the reputation of the Cyprus flag will be pursued with determination to pave our way for accession to the European Union...," Ierodiaconou said.

Hahn said, however, that despite the obvious commitment of the government, the implementation of "these crucial measures has again continued to be slow," particularly in regard to the appointment of more inspectors.

Non-exclusive marine surveyors were to be employed at 40 major ports around the world to inspect and monitor Cyprus ships, Hahn said.

"We observe that overall, eleven surveyors have so far been appointed at nine ports only."

He said the government must apply a policy of "zero-tolerance" to any Cyprus-flagged vessel that violated national and international shipping laws. Deleting substandard ships, he added, was not "a sign of weakness".

"We also hope that the government will make good use of the expertise of the private shipping sector and... engage us more in their deliberations concerning the drafting of the negotiating strategy for Cyprus shipping," Hahn said.

[04] Government expects stern warning from Annan

THE GOVERNMENT expects UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan to tell the Turkish Cypriot side the current stalemate cannot go on.

Annan is due to meet Rauf Denktash in Geneva today. The Turkish Cypriot leader is expected to raise his demand for the recognition of his breakaway state.

He has said UN-led intercommunal talks can only be resumed on the basis of "two states".

Government spokesman Christos Stylianides said yesterday "ways should be found for effective pressures towards the Turkish Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table for a solution to the Cyprus problem."

He added the government expected the UN chief to point out to Denktash that the Cyprus problem could not remain unresolved.

Meanwhile the US has repeated its rejection of a suggestion by Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos for a no-fly zone over Cyprus.

State Department spokesman James Rubin, however, acknowledged the Cyprus government's right to make decisions about its defences.

"With regard to the idea of a no-fly zone that Foreign Minister Pangalos raised in his meetings with Secretary-Albright and Undersecretary Pickering, we certainly would welcome the establishment of a permanent moratorium of all combat aircraft overflights over Cyprus by Greece and Turkey," Rubin said. He added such a move would constitute a "serious effort to reduce tensions and build confidence".

"We do not agree, however, that a no-fly enforcement regime that could potentially pit one Nato ally against another is the best way to accomplish this objective," Rubin said.

"Although we don't question Cyprus' right to make decisions about its defence, we believe the S-300 missile deal increases the danger of conflict on the island and is a serious obstacle to our efforts to reach a settlement of the Cyprus dispute."

Rubin added that the US had urged Turkey to address the missile issue through diplomatic means and to refrain from threats to take the missiles out militarily.

[05] Opposition fury at Denktash travel ban

According to Turkish Cypriot press reports, 'Foreign Minister' Taner Etkin said the decision complied with the law.

The four women were barred from leaving the island on Wednesday and Thursday to attend a bicommunal union meeting in London.

They were stopped at occupied Tymbou airport and prevented from leaving on the orders of the 'Attorney-general'. The order remains in force until April 1.

Etkin said the London meeting &#151; "convened on the eve of accession negotiations" between Cyprus and the EU &#151; had an ulterior motive.

The travel-ban had been motivated by two considerations, he said: the first was the 'government' decision to suspend all intercommunal activities, and the second was that the meeting would take place in Britain on the eve of accession talks.

The Turkish Cypriot leadership is at odds with Britain over London's decision late last year to impose visa restrictions on Turkish Cypriots.

Political party leaders in the north, meanwhile, have reacted furiously to the treatment of the four women.

Republican Turkish Party leader Mehmet Ali Talat was quoted as saying the women &#151; and Turkish Cypriots in general &#151; had been "humiliated in front of the whole world by their own government."

"Is northern Cyprus an open prison?" Talat wondered.

Communal Liberation party leader Mustafa Akinci said the decision was "the product of a despotic understanding. The Turkish Cypriot people do not deserve this."

The anti-establishment newspaper Avrupa said that where Turkish Cypriots once suffered at the hands of the Greek Cypriots they were now suffering at the hands of the Denktash administration.

The 'Attorney-general' is understood to have justified the travel-ban on the grounds that the four women had not obtained leave of absence from the 'government' departments where they worked, as required by 'civil service law'.

[06] Larnaca residents protest cabaret plan

NEW FEARS of a cabaret going up in a residential area have been raised in Larnaca, with a car-rental businessman allegedly attempting to go against the original purpose of a building-permit for Turkish Cypriot land approved by the Interior Ministry.

The case follows in the wake of a similar incident when Strovolos residents of Nicosia discovered plans by a sports centre's owner to turn his premises into a cabaret.

An official at Larnaca's Turkish Cypriot property administration services, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that Yiorgos Arestis, a Larnaca car-rental businessman was "illegally building" business premises different to those for which he had successfully applied to the Interior Ministry.

"The Interior Minister, as custodian of Turkish Cypriot land, gave permission for Arestis to build his showroom," the official said, but before plans for the project were formally put to the Larnaca municipality, Arestis started constructing what he professes will be a kebab shop and pub.

But the residents of the affected Piale Pasha area of Larnaca have voiced fears that Arestis is building a cabaret, and have sent a letter of protest to Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides.

The official said the Interior Ministry had refused permission for Arestis' change in plans &#151; whether what he was intending was a kebab shop or a cabaret.

"The matter is currently being decided through the courts," he added, pointing out the Larnaca municipality had meanwhile secured an interim injunction order to freeze further construction by Arestis in the area.

[07] Improved cancer treatment on the way

CANCER patients can look forward to improved treatment with the installation of state-of-the-art equipment in the new Oncology centre, according to a leading cancer specialist.

Nicosia general hospital oncologist, Dr. Adamos Adamou, said yesterday radiotherapy machines causing reduced side-effects had been installed in the new Oncology centre, set to begin operation in a few months.

"The new linear-accelerator (radiotherapy) machines are more accurate than the (currently used) cobalt machines... and cause less damage in terms of side-effects," he said.

He said the operation of the centre would reduce the numbers of cancer patients going abroad for treatment, but added people were still cautious about receiving treatment on the island.

Adamou said breast cancer was responsible for the greatest number of female deaths among women aged between 45 and 55, with 250 cases being diagnosed every year.

He pointed out, however, that measures to counter breast and cervical cancer had been recently implemented through the concerted efforts of the Health ministry, Pancyprian Medical Association and public and private sector doctors.

"The programme aims to offer mammograms and pap-tests to 150,000 women across the island," said Adamou, adding newer methods of treatment meant over half the patients diagnosed with cancer were cured.

The figures recording different cancers in men though were less than accurate, said Adamou, due to the failure of patients to register with the Cancer registry, under the umbrella of the Health ministry.

He attributed this to physicians often failing to fill out the requisite forms which constitute part of each cancer patient's file.

"This is because we are so busy; the process may take five minutes, but when you have a hundred such forms to fill, it all mounts up and there is no time to do it," he explained.

The responsibility lay with the Health Ministry, he continued, which should employ permanent clerks trained in processing statistics to man the Cancer registry.

At present, Anti-Cancer Association members carry out such work.

But to achieve an efficiently operating cancer registry needs a lot of time: "Scandinavian countries, which have the best cancer registries, took over 30 years to create them," Adamou said.

The oncologist also drew attention to the rise in colon cancer in Cypriots, blaming the shift from a fibre-rich diet to one based on meat.

A change in dietary habits could drastically reduce the occurrence of this type of cancer, he said.

"The international medical community considers prevention and early diagnosis as the best cure," he added.

[08] Man pleads guilty to Christmas patricide

The Larnaca Assizes court heard that Athos Neocleous, who has a history of drug problems, attacked his parents in the kitchen of their home on Aeschilos street in Larnaca.

State prosecutor George Papaioannou said Athos mortally injured his father Archimides with a knife and stabbed his mother Despina with the same weapon several times. The efforts of a senior policeman, who happened to be visiting the family home at the time, to stop the assault had been in vain, Papaioannou said.

Despina spent two months in hospital after the attack, the court heard.

After the attack, police said the suspect had claimed the people he attacked at his home were not his parents but imposters from Egypt.

The court heard that Athos had developed a drug habit while studying in the US. The victim went to America and brought his son back to Cyprus to get him off drugs, the court heard.

The attack apparently took place after an argument between father and son over the cutting short of Athos's studies, the court heard.

The court adjourned the case till April 15, when defence counsel Efstathios Efstathiou will present his case for a lenient sentence.

Athos will remain under police guard at Athalassa mental home until his next court appearance.

[09] Regulatory body to monitor Cyta prices

The body will control Cyta prices and at a later stage &#151; after liberalisation of the telecommunications market &#151; general market prices, a government announcement yesterday stated.

The new body will be independent of the government and Cyta and will have responsibility for licensing telecommunication service providers. The regulatory agency will also establish technical and financial regulations for telecommunications networks.

A Cyprus development bank task force is to be set up to oversee the establishment of the regulatory body.

The plans for the regulatory agency were approved by ministers in Tuesday and must now gain approval before the House.

[10] Iranian to be tried for high-heeled drug ring

Thirty-year-old Sanhram Allaskar Abbetin was arrested in Larnaca town on March 11 carrying a plastic bag which police said contained a pair of shoes with drugs hidden in them.

Larnaca District court heard yesterday that drug squad officers had lain in wait for Abbetin after receiving a tip-off he was to push drugs.

Abbetin will face trial on charges of illegally importing, possession and supply of drugs.

[11] Will monotony of winning be broken?

THE MONOTONY with which the two main title challengers have been winning their games lately is unlikely to be broken.

With only six games left, neither can afford to drop points at this stage, which is why both Anorthosis and Omonia show an unequalled level of commitment and passion in their games.

Both are feeling the pressure. Last weekend Omonia were given a real fright by relegation strugglers Alki, but in the end rode their luck to win 5-3 and take the three points.

Trailing 3-1, Omonia got back into the game after the sending off of Alki's Panayi. They levelled the score in the fourth minute of first half injury time, and needed a dubious 80th minute penalty, for a foul on Malekkos to take the lead.

Anorthosis' nerves took a different form in the midweek 4-0 cup win over Ethnikos Achna. The champions resorted to physical intimidation, but kicked their way to victory thanks to the tolerance of the referee who offered no protection to Achna.

Both title challengers have home games today, neither of which could be described as easy. Omonia are at home to fast-improving Ael, who last week held third-placed Apollonas to a goalless draw.

Ael have lost just one of their last five games and have discovered the confidence that could upset a nervous Omonia, who will be without the suspended Malekkos.

Anorthosis, after their midweek cup exertions, might be tested by in-form Paralimni, who are undefeated in 1998 and have been steadily climbing up the table.

Paralimni coach Stavros Papdopoulos hopes his side will finish the season without losing again. Their away record gives grounds for optimism as they have won six and drawn four. Paralimni have still to earn a draw away from home.

Third-placed Apollonas, who admitted they were out of the title race after failing to beat Ael last weekend and dropping five points behind the leading two clubs, entertain Apoel in Limassol.

Five points can be covered, but Apollonas' pessimism has more to do with a lack of confidence, that was evident in Wednesday's 3-2 cup defeat by Apop in Paphos. The Limassol side could still finish in second place in the table and play in Europe.

No such hopes for Apoel, who seem to have developed the knack for finishing their season in complete disarray. Under their third coach for the season, with their foreign players long departed, rumours circulating about the club's future and player confidence at an all-time low they have become a sad sight.

Still, the younger players brought into the team have shown some promise and could earn a draw against Apollonas.

There will be no shortage of commitment in Paphos where Evagoras play Alki in a six-pointer relegation clash. The Paphos side have climbed out of the relegation zone to 10th place, after two successive league wins, and are three points in front of second from bottom Alki.

Alki cannot afford to lose again, but their survival is in their own hands. Next weekend they are at home to fellow-strugglers Anagennisis. If Alki takes six points from these two matches they will be well on the way to survival. It would help if the side finishes the games with 11 players, which has not been the case of late.

Cup semi-finalists Ethnikos Achna and Apop meet in Achna today with the visitors in buoyant mood after the win over Apollonas. Ethnikos after their 4-0 mauling by Anorthosis on Wednesday will be looking for victory although they seem to be going through a slump.

On Sunday, Salamina, who ended a nine-game losing run last weekend with a home draw against Anagennisis, but still dropped into the relegation zone, travel to another club in disarray - Aek.

Aek have suffered three successive defeats, with the coach lambasting his players for their poor performances, while this week the club's entire board resigned.

Finally, Anagennisis, undefeated in their last three games, could distance themselves further from the relegation zone with a victory on Sunday at bottom club Ethnikos Ashia.

© Copyright Cyprus Mail 1998

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