The other struggle for Karpasia

Race against time by T/Cy organizations not to develop the area for tourism

Another, different struggle for Karpasia is taking place during this period. This time, it is not the Greek Cypriot refugees that raised their voice, but the Turkish Cypriots themselves. The uncontrollable development of the occupied areas has touched the Karpasia peninsula. The electricity posts that the regime has been erecting in the area have signalled the alarm both the Turkish Cypriot environmental organisations, and the European Union.

In a last effort to deter the plans of the “state”, the European Union has suggested the adoption of alternative methods of electricity supply. At the same time, the Turkish Cypriot Sustainable Environment Platform is not resting. Dervis Yuksel, the representative of the Mediterranean Wind Association, one of the 40 organisations that consist the platform, speaks to “Alithia” and expresses everyone’s determination no to allow the uncontrolled tourist development of Karpasia.

E.I.: Mr Yuksel, when did the whole thing with the Karpasia development started?

D.Y.: It first started 18 months ago when the 1^st bid to supply electricity was on the agenda, but after the opposition of the Sustainable Environment Platform, it was postponed.  The 2^nd bid was declared in May, 2007 and we have been fighting to protect the National Park Area since this date.

E.I.: What, in your opinion, are the reasons behind the transfer of electricity in Karpasia?

D.Y.: In my opinion, the main reason behind supplying the power line to the Karpasia National Park Area is to open it to the mass tourism development.  

THE REACTIONS

E.I.: How did the environmental organizations react?

D.Y.: The Environmental Organizations raised their voice and asked for the implementation of legal procedures concerning the Area. A decree designating the developments in and around the Area, the decision of High Council for Monuments, certain Council of Ministers decisions and some provisions of the Environment Law are protecting the National Park Area.

We have proceeded to a lawsuit with the aim to issue a temporary decree to stop the illegal execution of the plan of electricity supply to Karpasia. We are hoping that is has a positive end. From what we see, the decision that was expected on August 22^nd has been postponed to August 27^th, in order to include the company who won the electricity bid to the lawsuit. We predict that there will be another postponement if the company files an objection. Meanwhile, we are continuing to our actions, on August 22 there were a parade and a meeting at the courtyard of the court.

We have created a website where we refer to the individualities of the Karpasia area and the latest developments on the matter. (http://www.Karpasia.net)

What we are suggesting for the development of the area is eco-agro tourism or village tourism that would protect the biological and archaeological values of the area while benefiting the local inhabitants.

E.I.: Why was it necessary to form a Platform? What is it called and how many associations are involved?

D.Y.: When there are some forceful actions by the authorities against the laws and regulations, you have to be strong enough to defend public interest and the rights of the citizens.  The Sustainable Environment Platform already existed when the 1^st electricity bid was put on the agenda. Then, we asked more and more organizations to join our struggle and we changed the name of the Platform to Extended Sustainable Environment Platform. Now, there are about 40 associations involved.

“WE ARE DETERMINED”

E.I.: How far are you planning to go with this issue?

D.Y.: We are determined to bring our struggle to international stage, if we consume all local possibilities. This will include the European Ombudsman, European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice and other international bodies.

E.I.: What was the response of the international community?

D.Y.: It is quite a pity that we only have some support from Greens/EFA Group of The European Parliament.

Unfortunately, the response of the EU Commission to our protest letter is not satisfactory.

E.I.: Some say you are exaggerating, what do you answer?

D.Y.: There is a general consensus on the Karpasia National Park Area that it is one of the most ecologically important areas not only of Cyprus but the Mediterranean.  In fact it should have been designated as a World Nature and Heritage Site. Therefore, I believe there is no exaggeration in this respect.

E.I.: What is the reaction of the people living in the area?

D.Y.: People living in the area are poor and their demand for better quality of life is quiet reasonable.  However, the problem is that, these people are unaware of the wealth of the area that would sustain them for generations.  They therefore believe that electricity will bring them quick wealth.

“EVERYONE’S MORAL RESPONSIBILITY”

E.I.: Did you have any support from Greek Cypriots? If yes, what are their reactions to your campaign? Are you satisfied?

D.Y.: Regretfully, our impression in this respect is not positive. As far as I know there is only one statement of the Green Party, which smells politics.   We are far from understanding the attitude of Greek Cypriot Civil Society Organizations. We believe that they are following the mentality of the popular politics. And this, I believe, is not the right attitude; this means that there is an ethical issue here. The island of Cyprus has an ecosystem that politics cannot overrule.  Any interference to this ecosystem would affect all the humans living on the island.

E.I.: Was their any reaction from the GC that used to live there before 1974?

D.Y.: We haven’t heard anything about the reaction of GC community.

E.I.: What would you say to Greek Cypriots that might want to help?

D.Y.: We are sharing the same geography, same island and same ecosystem. So please don’t follow the popular politics. It is an ethical responsibility of all the people living on the island that have a sense of belonging to support the National Park Area and to prevent it from being  destroyed.