Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 03-07-12

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

Saturday, July 12, 2003

CONTENTS

[01] Denktash wants return to confidence-building measures

[02] Bookies welcome tax cut plan to lure punters back from the north

[03] Devaluation �unthinkable� - Central Bank

[04] Does the president�s nine-year-old drug addict really exist?

[05] News in Brief

[06] Couple tell of orphaned children�s incredible bravery

[07] More property decisions for refugees expected from ECHR

[08] Bi-communal oral history project

[09] New delay for Nicosia hospital, but minister pledges it will be ready

by early 2005

[10] Minister defends missile upgrade as routine

[11] So Solid Crew linked to latest Napa stabbing

[12] Turkey stalling on telecoms deal for island-wide mobile coverage

[13] Visa inquiry to be completed soon

[01] Denktash wants return to confidence-building measures

TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday called for a return to the Ghali �Set of Ideas� and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) that he rejected in the early nineties.

He also announced that Turkey would open its air and sea ports to Greek Cypriot traffic if Nicosia agreed, statements that were echoed by Ankara later in the day.

�If the Greek Cypriot side accepts (Denktash�s) proposal, Greek Cypriot ships and planes will be able to use Turkish sea and air ports and Turkish territorial waters and airspace,� Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters in Ankara.

�This will ensure the growth of bilateral trade,� said Gul, adding that he too had sent Annan a letter asking for support.

Turkey�s efforts to find a way to ease the trade restrictions are directly related to Cyprus� entry to the EU next May, when Ankara - a candidate state - will find itself in the akward position of not recognising and refusing to trade with an EU member state.

Speaking at a news conference in occupied Nicosia, Denktash said he had sent a letter to UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan, whose recent solution plan he rejected last March, calling for the opening of part of Varosha and Nicosia Airport.

Varosha is the abandoned Greek Cypriot area of occupied Famagusta, and Nicosia Airport has been under the control of the UN since the hostilities in 1974.

�I sent a letter to his Excellency the Secretary-general. Benefiting from the positive atmosphere which has materialised with the opening of the borders, we believe another new step with in the continuation of confidence building measures would be useful to help set the foundation for a resolution of the long time unresolved Cyprus problem,� said Denktash.

Calling for the revival of the Ghali �Set of Ideas� tabled by the United Nations in 1993, Denktash explained that past Secretary-generals had associated the lack of a solution to the feeling of insecurity between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Denktash said that both sides in principle had accepted former UN Secretary- general Boutros Boutros Ghali�s ideas, and difficulties only arose on details preventing any movement forward on the plan.

The �Set of Ideas� for a draft settlement was accepted as basis for negotiation by then President George Vassiliou, but Denktash rejected them, and a third round of talks in October 1992 was suspended without agreement.

When it proved impossible to continue intercommunal talks, attention shifted to the development of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), which were characterised by the possible return of Varosha and the reopening of the airport to facilitate tourism and trade between the two sides.

�We request the confidence building measures be brought back on the agenda, � said Denktash. �This means the opening of the Nicosia International Airport for both sides under the administration of the UN.

�As it was in the package (the Set of Ideas), again under the control of the UN a section of Varosha will be opened to the benefit of both sides,� said Denktash.

The details of his proposal would be announced at a later date, he added.

�If we are able to take positive steps with regards to this subject, we are learning from our contacts in Turkey that the Turkish government can open its seaports and airports, and trade can commence (between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus).

�Of course, the Greek Cypriot administration has to say �yes� to this (proposal). Mr Papadopoulos needs to encourage the Secretary-general into believing that he will help in setting the foundation to help resolve the problem,� the Turkish Cypriot leader said.

�We will continue introducing more confidence building measures. You will see more of them. What we are gaining is a preparation of the foundation for peace.�

In response to Denktash, President Tassos Papadopoulos issued a written statement read out by Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides yesterday afternoon.

The statement recalled that Denktash rejected the Annan Plan at The Hague last March. �Since then he has introduced with the full co-operation of Ankara, a new strategy to maintain the occupation regime in establishing good neighbourly relations,� the statement said.

�The proposal for reopening the airport and potentially any other measures are included in this strategy. For lifting the illegal blockade on the airport by the occupation troops, he seeks as a return the lifting of what he calls the embargo against the Turkish Cypriots.�

Papadopoulos� statement said the �Set of Ideas� and the CBMs had only arrived at a deadlock due to Denktash�s insistence on recognition of his breakaway regime as a separate state.

The President reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to resume talks on the Annan plan. However, he said the National Council, the top advisory body on the Cyprus issue, would meet on Monday to discuss Denktash�s latest statements.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[02] Bookies welcome tax cut plan to lure punters back from the north

BOOKMAKERS yesterday expressed their concern over reports that Greek and Turkish Cypriots were working together to operate illegal betting shops in the north.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, the manager of an established bookmakers, who did not want to be named, said the operation of betting shops in the north would be detrimental to bookmakers in the free areas, but also to the government who would lose out on the taxes from illegal bets.

�People don�t want to pay the high tax in betting - around 35 per cent - so they bet their money in illegal bets in the north where they don�t have to pay the tax,� the man said.

The man said bookmakers would not be negatively affected should the government approve a bill that would lower betting tax from 35 per cent to around four.

�In the end, it is the government that loses out by high taxation; when they reduce the tax, more people will bet legally and therefore the government will make the same amount of money,� he said.

The man conceded that the betting industry had been affected since the checkpoints had opened in April.

�There was a reduction in betting in the free areas ever since the checkpoints opened, but it hasn�t been that much,� he said. �We are not worried.�

A local horse betting agency manager said he was pleased with government plans to lower the tax, since it would not be the bookmakers who would have to pay the difference.

�With the new law, punters would not be taxed on the money they bet but on the earnings,� he said. �So, if you pay �10 and you earn �100, you will receive �96.�

DISY deputy Prodromos Prodromou said yesterday the new bill was almost ready to be approved, probably in plenum�s first meeting after the summer recess.

�The bill was not ready yesterday, so it is now expected to be passed in October unless we have another extraordinary meeting in the next few weeks to approve any pending harmonisation bills,� he said.

He said the new bill would be beneficial to everyone.

�When a person who has been betting illegally discovers that the tax has gone down to four per cent, they will prefer to bet legally instead of betting illegally and risking not getting their money,� Prodromou said.

�The only thing that could be cause for concern is whether illegal bookmakers might increase the possible winnings in an effort to pull those who changed their minds back in their clutches.�

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[03] Devaluation �unthinkable� - Central Bank

THE CENTRAL Bank yesterday dismissed speculation that the Cyprus pound could be devalued, branding such a possibility �unthinkable�.

�There is absolutely no reason, no shred of evidence, to lead to a devaluation of the Cyprus pound,� said Central Bank governor Christodoulos Christodoulou.

�Nothing justifies even the thought of that,� he said in response to a question from a journalist on purported rumours on the island�s real estate market.

Authorities keep the Cyprus pound in a 15 per cent fluctuation band around the euro.

It has been pegged to the euro and its predecessor, the ECU, since 1992.

Cyprus hopes to join the single currency about two years after it joins the European Union with nine other central and east European countries next May.

A recent worsening of key indicators such as the fiscal deficit - expected to exceed five per cent of gross domestic product this year - has cast some doubt on whether it can be tucked in to the EU requirement of three per cent and under within the next three years.

�There is no change on the timetable to join the exchange rate mechanism (ERM II) immediately after accession on May 1 2004 and to enter the eurozone with the aim being by January 1 2007,� Christodoulou said.

Senior central bank sources said the January 2007 date did not contradict past official aims of adopting the euro two years after joining the EU, which falls in mid-year 2006.

Christodoulou, who spoke to reporters after a meeting of the rate-setting monetary policy committee, said benchmark interest rates would remain stable.

Interest rates are 4.5 per cent for advances and 2.5 per cent for deposits. (R)

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[04] Does the president�s nine-year-old drug addict really exist?

GOVERNMENT Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday it would be inconceivable to name a �nine-year-old drug addict� that President Tassos Papadopoulos had recently referred to in a speech to a drug addiction centre.

Chrysostomides was replying to assertions by the opposition and the press, suggesting the nine-year-old drug addicted girl simply didn�t exist.

Papadopoulos did not say in his speech where he had heard the information, what type of drug she was allegedly using, or whether she was currently in a rehabilitation centre.

Chrysostomides told the Cyprus Mail he did not know any of the above answers either, and that it was �not logical to discuss the matter�

The conclusion that she might not exist was drawn after the police and various anti-drug organisations all said they had never heard of or dealt with such a case.

DISY deputy Riccos Erotocritou also questioned why Health Minister Dina Akkelidou had been vague and ambiguous when the Standing Committee for Delinquency met just after the president�s announcement, wanting to know if social workers and medical experts were helping the child, or if money had been spent to help her. However, �she was not in a position to give us any answers and told us the case was being dealt with the girl�s family in confidence,� he said.

Chrysostomides yesterday insisted: �Nobody will give any indication which will lead to the discovery of the child�s identity� It is a matter of basic sensitivity of our society and I do not believe there is anyone who does not realise that.�

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[05] News in Brief

Plane grounded

The fire was noticed while during the aircraft�s take off procedure.

Fire engines immediately surrounded the A-310 and extinguished the smoke.

All 142 passengers were safely transported to the departure lounge while aircraft mechanics began checks to find the cause of the smoke.

A fire engine remained next to the plane for safety purposes.

Cannabis arrest

A second man, 43-year-old Costas Charalambous was on Thursday remanded in custody for eight days in connection with the illegal import, possession and possession with intend to sell the drugs. Police believe the second suspect was collaborating with Charalambous in trafficking the cannabis.

During the arrest, officers allegedly found 225 grams of cannabis in the suspect�s home.

Authorities think the 11 kilograms of cannabis are part of a much larger quantity that had been imported in a furniture container eight months ago.

Links re-established

It was the first time a group of Turkish Cypriot farmers met with a government minister after the bi-communal troubles of the 1960s. The minister assured the Turkish Cypriot farmers he would table the matter before the cabinet for discussion.

Sentence for Polis stabbing

The incident happened following an altercation between the two boys.

The entire blade of the knife - seven inches long - was jammed inside the victim�s thorax.

Reports said the incident had been the climax of continuous taunting of the juvenile perpetrator by the victim and other pupils.

Pirated goods seized in blitz

Officers from the rapid reaction unit and Famagusta CID found and seized the pirated material in 16 souvenir shops, kiosks and electronic outlets in the two neighbouring resorts.

Officers confiscated 12,645 CDs, 5,779 DVDs, 755 video tapes, 1,221 games and 56 CD ROMs.

Briton alleges cabaret ordeal

The tourist told police that he boarded the taxi at around 4.30am and asked the driver to take him to his hotel. Instead he was taken to a cabaret and forced to buy drinks for artistes that he never ordered, the Briton claimed.

When he refused to pay the �200, the taxi driver and the cabaret owner drove the 21-year-old to his hotel to get their money.

When he arrived, the tourist managed to notify the police and the two men fled.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[06] Couple tell of orphaned children�s incredible bravery

A COUPLE caring for two children who saw their parents drown before them in Paphos this week yesterday told British papers of the children�s remarkable courage.

Tim and Kim Allen were holidaying with Scottish couple Peter and Alison Rainey and their two children, when tragedy struck the young family on Tuesday - only a day before they were due to return home.

The Raineys drowned after their dinghy capsized in rough seas in Ayios Giorgios near Peyia. Their nine-year-old son Callum also nearly drowned in the accident, but was rescued by locals as his sister was forced to watch her parents struggle from the shore.

The couple, who had been holidaying with the Raineys in Paphos, told the Daily Mirror they had spent time comforting the traumatised children before escorting them home to their grandparents on Wednesday, who then took them to their family home in Dollar, Clackmannanshire.

Tim Allen said: �They are extremely brave. They are doing as well as could be expected considering what they�ve been through. Both my wife and I have been amazed by their courage throughout the whole ordeal.�

Nevertheless, the emotional toll on Tim and Kim has also been enormous. At the couples� farm, near Pool of Muckhart, Clacks, Kim�s father, Alistair Cowan, said the horrific accident had crushed the family.

Cowan, 69, said: �Tim and Kim came home shattered and we just sat round the table with them, having a drink and talking about what had happened. They were in disbelief, and they needed to talk about it. They told us how they�d gone out for the day and didn�t know anything about the tragedy until it was all over. As soon as he found out, Tim went straight up to the hospital. He then spent the whole night in the hospital comforting Callum while Kim looked after Catriona in the villa. On Wednesday, they had the task of packing everybody�s clothes before the flight back. I met them at the airport and brought them home, while Callum and Catriona went to Dollar with Alison�s parents. They are just gathering up some things before taking the kids to their home in Yorkshire.�

In the long-term, Cowan said the children�s maternal aunt had offered to look after them at her home in Kent. However, what decision would finally be made was not yet known, he told the British daily.

He added: �Callum is still deeply in shock, but Catriona seems to be coping quite well just now although we don�t know how they will react to being back without their parents or in the longer term� It�s all just mind- blowing, a great tragedy.�

On Thursday, reports said Peter, 49, and Alison, 41, would have a joint funeral in Dollar Parish Church. The local minister said prayers would be said tomorrow, but added it could be midweek before the actual funeral takes place because it will take time for the bodies to be repatriated.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[07] More property decisions for refugees expected from ECHR

TWO MORE decisions concerning Greek Cypriot refugee appeals against Turkey for depriving the right to their property are expected to be announced by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on July 31, it was reported yesterday.

Turkey has already been condemned once by the ECHR in the case of Kyrenia refugee Titina Loizidou whom the court found was prevented by the Turkish occupying troops from gaining access to and peacefully enjoying her property.

The court, in two separate decisions ordered Turkey to pay Loizidou $900, 000 and allow her access to her property.

Turkey has refused to implement the decision, arguing the land in question is the territory of the �Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus� and not Turkey.

The two cases were filed before the ECHR in 1990.

One case concerns the property of Yiannakis Demades from Kyrenia who owns 300 donums and a house on the Miltiadous coast.

The second one was filed by Evgenia Michaelidou Developments and Michael Tymvios claiming they were deprived of their right on 44 plots of land in Tympou north east of Nicosia.

The plaintiffs demand �227,000 in compensation.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said he hoped the decisions would be satisfactory for the Greek Cypriot side, thus settling the issue of internal courts that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash was trying to raise.

In its Loizidou decision, the ECHR ruled that the �TRNC� was Turkey�s �subordinate local administration� on the island and rejected all of Turkey�s claims.

Denktash and Turkey are trying to prevent more Greek Cypriot refugees from appealing directly to the ECHR by creating a special committee in the occupied north to examine property appeals.

�The necessary work, with the co-operation of a group of specialists, for the presentation of our case before the ECHR and I hope the issue of internal courts, which Mr Denktash was trying to introduce would be resolved satisfactorily,� Chrysostomides said.

Turkey has declared that it would pay the compensation to Loizidou on the condition that other Greek Cypriots would not appeal to the ECHR.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[08] Bi-communal oral history project

The Sociopolitical Studies Institute (IKME) in the south and the Information Bank (BILBAN) in the north have pooled their resources to organise and produce a bi-communal oral history project.

The main idea of the project is to videotape interviews of Turkish and Greek Cypriots who lived in mixed villages before 1974, or even before 1963. Once the interview process is completed, the footage will be loaded onto an online database and summaries of the interviews will be available for public viewing on the Internet.

IKME hatched the idea in 2001, but the project was not officially begun until March of this year. IKME members will spend the next few months going around to the homes of the interviewees with a mini digital video camera to ask them questions and to document their experiences living in a mixed village before the 1974 invasion and occupation. The main phase of the project will be posted on the web by the end of the year.

According to IKME member, Alecos Tringides, the interview subjects are to be selected on the basis of family style and values, whether they have a mixed marriage or not, their culture, and their profession.

IKME is seeking help from the public as well. There will be a meeting and general forum open to the public on Monday July 14 at the IKME premises in Nicosia (2B Afroditis Street, 2nd floor) where IKME hopes to receive feedback and some general opinion regarding the reliability of the interviewees and their stories that have been collected so far. Organisations and individuals who are interested in taking part in this phase of the project are encouraged to register their participation by calling Alecos Tringides at 22-377776 or emailing him at [email protected]

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[09] New delay for Nicosia hospital, but minister pledges it will be ready by early 2005

THE NEW Nicosia General Hospital will be operational by the end of next year, or at the very latest at the beginning of 2005, Health Minister Dina Akkelidou said yesterday.

However, the assurance is unlikely to reassure sceptics, as the hospital has faced repeated delays and price increases since construction began seven years ago.

Construction of the new hospital started in 1996, and was last due to be complete by

July 2004. It had initially been scheduled for completion in February last year, but the deadline was extended to June this year after the contractor requested a further extension and more money. Then in September last year, following further negotiations with the contractor, the previous government agreed a new deadline of July 2004. Now, the new government has pushed back the deadline to late 2004, early 2005.

Akkelidou said the Electricity Authority would complete the installation of necessary equipment, computerisation and control checks by July next year.

Following a visit to the general hospital yesterday, she said the project�s completion was a daily concern and one in which she was directly involved, as it needed considerable co-ordination and close scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Akkelidou admitted local hospitals faced a vast number of problems and that it was the Ministry�s goal to solve them as soon as possible. Giving the public health sector the essential reorganisation it needed would do this, she said.

�This reorganisation will cover both the hospitals as well as the Health Ministry itself,� she said, and would involve the �decentralisation, precise governing, management and staffing of hospitals with the intent of supplying the public with the best medical care as soon as possible�.

She added that through her numerous visits to hospitals around the island, she had come to realise that a number of problems could be solved directly, giving immediate relief to thousands of patients. One such example Akkelidou gave was the decision not to force pensioners over the age of 65 to renew their medical card. This social group benefits from using a category �A� medical card, which certifies free medical care.

Steps were also being made to help support primary care doctors, in an effort to allow them to practice medicine efficiently and properly, thus giving patients appropriate care and attention. This comes after reports that some state doctors are being forced to examine 100 patients a day.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[10] Minister defends missile upgrade as routine

THE DEFENCE Minister yesterday sought to dampen press speculation about a �61 million missile upgrade, saying certain weapon procurement programmes had been scheduled a long time ago and there was no need for them to be discussed in public.

Koullis Mavronikolas was responding to a report in yesterday�s Politis that the government was spending �61 million in upgrading its short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.

The upgrade will increase the missiles� range and reliability, which diminishes with time, the daily said.

Both systems had been procured in the early 90s.

Mavronikolas said yesterday it was wrong to discuss such issues in the press, but added such arms procurement programmes had been scheduled for a long time.

�The National Guard has specific needs and this has been addressed not only by the current administration; they are also the decisions of the previous administration, and moreover they have gone through the House Defence Committee,� Mavronikolas said.

�So I believe such reports should not appear in the press; we have to show self restraint on issues concerning defence because it is a sensitive area, especially during the period we are going through when we have some developments in the Cyprus problem,� the minister added.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides declined to comment on the matter, saying only that the current administration had not made any arms orders since assuming power.

Former president George Vassiliou said spending huge sums of money for military purposes did not serve any purpose, sending the wrong messages and doing nothing to help efforts for solving the Cyprus problem.

Vassiliou said the government should instead embark on a �peace attack� aimed at conveying messages of friendship and co-operation to the Turkish Cypriots, and leave the upgrade of military hardware for when it became clear that Turkey was not willing to abandon its intransigent stance.

EDEK leader and House Defence Committee chairman Yiannakis Omirou played down the matter, stressing the funds for the upgrade had already been approved in the state budget.

�I don�t see where the revelation is; these weapons systems and upgrades are included in the budget (already approved by the House),� Omirou said.

Omirou said the committee had unanimously approved the funds for the two systems, and the defence ministry did not even have to brief them about its intention to proceed with the upgrade.

�The ministry just wanted to keep the House informed for all substantial funds; they briefed the defence committee, which had no objections, about their intention to proceed with the programmes,� Omirou said.

Concerning the timing of the decision, Omirou said the matter of a comprehensive freeze on arms procurement should be discussed before the National Council.

The council should look into whether the occupying forces were downgrading, withdrawing troops or had stopped modernising before making such a decision, he said.

He reiterated that there was absolutely no revelation in the matter, but it was now up to the government to decide whether it was scrapping the deal.

�The House cannot intervene in any way,� Omirou said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[11] So Solid Crew linked to latest Napa stabbing

TWO BRITISH men have been arrested in connection with a stabbing in Ayia Napa, police confirmed yesterday.

The two men, aged 22 and 24, were arrested yesterday after 23-year-old tourist Andrew Carvell was stabbed after an incident involving another group of Britons.

Carvell was walking on Ayias Mavris street at 6.30am with a group of three friends - two Irish holidaymakers and another British man - when a scuffle broke out. Carvell was stabbed in the fight.

The 23-year-old was treated at a private clinic for his injuries and released the same day. The three friends accompanying Carvell were also treated for cuts and bruises.

Reports suggest the suspects are Wesley Anderson Lambie, 24, and Clint Michael Ippoma, 22, who are members of controversial UK chart act So Solid Crew.

The stabbing is the second incident linked to the London-based group in as many days.

On Wednesday, So Solid�s publicist confirmed in a statement that 25-year- old Dwayne Vincent, who goes by the stage-name of Megaman, had been interviewed by police in Ayia Napa in connection with the stabbing of 18- year-old British garage star Dizzee Rascal.

The rising star, whose real name is Dylan Mills, was reportedly stabbed on Monday afternoon while on the island with his band Roll Deep Crew.

Vincent was arrested but released without charge. Police are still seeking two suspects in connection with Monday�s stabbing, which came just hours after So Solid arrived in Cyprus.

But Roll Deep�s Management Promoter, Milton Climax, yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that So Solid were not involved in Mills� stabbing: �People were linking So Solid to it, but I can tell you that it wasn�t So Solid -- I�m 100 per cent sure.�

So Solid�s Jason Phillips (aka G-Man) was imprisoned for four years in June for possession of a loaded gun while Fan Marcus Hall was killed after attending a garage night in Luton in 2001.

A London performance by the crew�s Lisa Maffia also ended in a fatal shooting in April 2002.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[12] Turkey stalling on telecoms deal for island-wide mobile coverage

THE CYPRUS Telecommunications Authority CyTA said yesterday Turkish providers TurkCell and Telsim were stalling over implementation of an agreement to allow island-wide coverage for Greek and Turkish Cypriot mobile phones.

CyTA spokesman Paris Menelaou told the Cyprus Mail the Turkish companies had signed a roaming agreement with CyTA and that all seemed to be going ahead as planned, with only minor technical issues remaining to be sorted out.

But, according to Menelaou, the two companies began stalling after the agreement was signed, saying they were waiting for the go-ahead from the Turkish government.

�We took all the necessary steps after May 1,� he said.

�Within two to three weeks we signed an agreement with the two companies, but from then all they keep telling us is that they are waiting for the go- ahead from the Turkish government.�

Menelaou brushed aside fears that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash could be affecting the two companies� decision.

�Denktash has nothing to do with it because the agreement is between CyTA and two Turkish companies,� he said.

�But we are also curious as to why the Turkish government has still not opened its international communications to Cyprus. We opened ours, but they have not taken any steps to that direction. People cannot call Cyprus from Turkey.�

In May, the government authorised CyTA to work with its counterpart in the breakaway regime to establish telecommunications across the Green Line. The political situation on the island has meant that, among other things, telecoms contact between the two communities on the island had been almost impossible.

Currently there are only 20 private phone exchanges allowing direct communication, but CyTA has been encouraged to co-operate with its Turkish Cypriot counterpart TELSEN and the United Nations to install more lines.

Moreover, the government has instructed CyTA to operate an automatic phone service with the north via the network in mainland Turkey. By dialling the prefix 0090 callers will now be able to get through to Turkey, and adding 392 will get them to the north of Cyprus.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

Saturday, July 12, 2003

[13] Visa inquiry to be completed soon

THE INQUIRY into the handling of a Turkish Cypriot woman who was refused entry at Larnaca airport despite having the necessary paperwork would be complete in a few days, Interior Minister Andreas Christou said yesterday.

Christou yesterday met with the father of Gulsevin Chah who had arrived on the island from Lebanon with her two children on Saturday but was detained for 24 hours before she was turned back.

After the meeting the minister said he had expressed his sadness to the father and explained that the incident had nothing to do with the government�s policy or the feelings and manner the society behaves towards the Turkish Cypriots.

Christou said he invited the woman to fly to Cyprus through Larnaca airport, the woman�s father had not discussed what the family planned to do.

Reports said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash had already made arrangements for the Chah to fly to the occupied north through Turkey.

The family has also hinted they could appeal to the European Court of Human Rights about the case.

�Mr Khalil was very warm and very friendly; he knows the Greek language well and has many Greek Cypriot friends.

�Consequently it was not my obligation nor his to say what he thought of doing from now on,� Christou said.

He added that the climate had been substantially improved but did not ask for anything.

The minister said the investigation into the incident would be completed in a few days.

�For us the issue has not closed; it will when the investigation is concluded and those responsible assume their responsibility,� Christou said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2003

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