‘Act now …….before it is too late’ – The government has been urged to take immediate action to save embattled construction industry – and its innocent victims. Sonner Yetkili of the Constructors Contractors Union and former President Rauf Denktaş have both said that unless the government steps in to help, the sector could collapse completely. They were speaking after it emerged two more property auctions will be held on Sunday with a further two planned for July. Mr Denktas said “unless the government steps in very quickly and decisively, titanic losses will be suffered, first by the construction sector in loss of prestige and confidence… I have urged the government and other interested parties to take immediate action on this matter.” Mr Yetkili added the government had failed to take notice of the plight of the industry in the last three years and needed to act now before it was too late. Little is known about the two auctions on Sunday. They will take place in Çatalköy and Karşiyaka. Marian Stokes (HBPG) called for the auctions to be advertised in local papers. “People who are not aware that their property is going for auction might only learn the situation once they receive an eviction order,” she said. The first auction pencilled in for July(4th) involves houses bought by Russians.Building Frim Owner says he will cough up – Nurettin Tutuska said there would be no need for a second auction of the properties that failed to sell on Sunday, he has pledged he will cough up.”I will immediately start negotiations with those I owe money to close my debts. To hear people would be kicked out on to the street because of my debts saddened me a lot. I will fix the grievances and my investments in the country will continue,” he said. Cyprus Today tracked him down days after his release from prison serving a term for writing cheques that subsequently bounced. The residents from the apartments thanked everyone who supported them last Sunday.
‘To save CTA, we all have to pay’ – a dramatic plan to save CTA by slashing the wages of airline staff, politicians and civil servants has been put forward by TRNC Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk. He said a salary reduction may be the only way to save it. If it goes ahead airline staff will lose 35 per cent of their wages, politicians 10 per cent and civil servants 5 per cent, all for three months. This he said would avoid any partnership deals and help to restructure the airline so it could continue to operate. There have now been expressions of interest by Pegasus and Atlasjet airlines but protests by CTA employees and politicians appear to have put partnership negotiations on ice, if only temporarily.
Report’s Direct Trade Plea – the TRNC ports of Gazi Magusa, Girne and Gemikonagi should be deemed legitimate and opened for direct trade, according to a report written for the European Parliaments International Trade committee. The report which examines trade and economic relations with Turkey, says that the South cannot demand the closure of the ports because they are not under its authority, adding that these ports were “legitimate in the international law, as it has also been affirmed by the EU.” Author of the report Professor Durmus Ozdemir, an Istanbul based academic, calls for the EU to sanction the Direct Trade Regulations.
TRNC President named Turkish World Statesman of the Year – President Derviş Eroğlu has been awarded Turkish World Statesman of the Year award. In his speech at the awards Dr Eroğlu said he was working hard towards peace in Cyprus. He accused the Greek Cypriots of not sharing his vision for peace and argued the main reason was “economic”.
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