This week in North Cyprus >
29th August - 2nd September 2005
Settlement necessary for permanent peace on island
President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that a settlement to end the Cyprus problem is necessary for permanent 'peace' on the island.
The President spoke at an event at Ledra Palace , organised to celebrate World Peace Day on September 01 st . During the event, a music album titled 'Peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented' was unveiled. Some of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot artists were present at Ledra Palace as was Greek Cypriot MP Keti Kleridis.
Other events marking World Peace Day included a discussion held by the multi-organization 'This Country is ours' platform, at the Lefkosa Atat ü rk Cultural Center .
Taking part in a discussion about nationalism in Cyprus were Turkish Cypriot journalists Arif Hasan Tahsin and Sevgül Aladag and Andreas Panayotu and Makarios Drusotis from the Greek Cypriot side.
Greek Cypriot pilgrims flock to Ayios Mamas
Greek Cypriots have been taking place in religious prayers at St. Mamas Church in Guzelyurt. Around 700 Greek Cypriot pilgrims attended a ceremony on Thursday at the church. Many of the pilgrims crossed via the newly opened Bostanc i gate, where TRNC officials had imposed tight security and all cars were checked with detectors. Worship was lead by the Bishop of Morphou (Guzelyurt) Neophytos, in his address during the three-hour mass he said both sided vision must not be of a united Cyprus where everyone lived together in peace, but rather of a Cyprus where cultural and religious differences were not considered a reason for separation but as a treasure. It should be a peace where differences were respected.
Two cars belonging to Greek Cypriots attending the ceremony were damaged by fire.
Suspicious circumstances were first thought, however the blaze was later blamed on a short circuit in the electrical system of one of the vehicles, and said the flames then spread to the other car.
New border crossing opens
Wednesday saw the opening of a further border crossing point near Güzelyurt at Bostanc i. The opening was seen as a victory following Turkish Cypriot pressure and months of wrangling over the opening of the point. The TRNC government had announced last week that it would open its side of the checkpoint on the 31st August despite insistence in the South that the crossing could not open until EU funded improvements to the southerly approach road were completed.
Greek Cypriot authorities finally agreed just 24 hours before the planned Turkish Cypriot opening, that crossings could begin after all.
Unficyp peacekeepers removed the barbed wire preventing passage in front of a crowd representatives from 30 Turkish Cypriot non-government organisations who had waited for four hours to cross.
Unficyp announced the gate had opened at 12.30pm and would be open to vehicle crossings only from 6am-7pm daily.
Turkish Cypriots told to 'Forget direct trade'
The President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Ali Erel told Turkish Cypriots that they should forget hopes of direct trade with the EU and focus instead on accepting financial aid.
Mr Erel said North Cyprus could benefit from the financial aid on offer, and should look out later for a 'free trade regulation' that would allow them to get involved in 'inevitable' trade relations with Turkey and South Cyprus.
The businessmen's leader said there was little hope for the Europeans' commission's stalled direct trade regulation because it was unlikely to be approved in the near future and because there was not much that the TRNC could expect to export to EU member countries. He commented that there is a lack of local products qualified to compete with those produced by the EU member countries.
Power cuts continue
The electricity authority came under attack again this week, amidst claims that 10-day old protocols signed by ministers were already being breached. Kibtek also received threats from angry restaurateurs to sue over damage to electrical goods caused by power cuts and fluctuating power supplies.
Hasan Kaide, chairman of the electricity worker's union, El-sen said there could be no excuse for still failing to appoint the board of the Kib-Tek electricity authority, as agreed - a move that he said would bring an end to the hours-long power cuts taking place around the country.
Former Prime Minister to step down as party leader
Former Prime Minister Dervi s Eroglu has announced his intention to step down as leader of the main opposition National Unity Party ( UBP ). He said he would not stand as a candidate for the leadership at the party's extraordinary General Congress on December 24 th . The announcement came after a marathon 6 hour party meeting on Friday 02 nd September. Leaders of all UBP district organisations also announced their resignations in order to make way for internal restructuring of the party. Dr Eroglu has been leader since February 1983 and led the party as Premier in seven terms of outright or co-alition government.
New regulations for Jet Skis issued
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has issued new regulations for the use of jet-ski's. The directive sent to all beach operators and the Ministries of the Interior and Tourism, bans the use of jet-skis by people under the age of 18. They may only be used between 100 metres and 700 metres from the shore and, at beaches, are banned from areas marked out for swimmers.
There are also limitations on the times jet-skis can be used. Between May 1st and September 30th, they may only be used between 10am and 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm.
During the period from October 01st to April 30th they may not beused from sunset to sunrise.
In addition their use is banned throughout the year, when the sea is rough or the wind is above 16 nautical miles per hour.
North Cyprus weather forecast
After a hot and humid weekend, temperatures will drop slightly to a maximum of 31C for most of the week.
Last weeks maximum and minimum temperatures were as follows
|
MAXIMUM |
MINIMUM |
Lefko sa |
38.4C |
19.5C |
Ercan |
38.8C |
19.2C |
Gazi Magusa |
36.2C |
21.8C |
Girne |
36.8C |
22.5C |
Güzelyurt |
38.5C |
17.4C |
Exchange Rates (as of 03.09.05)
£ Sterling |
2.45YTL |
$ Dollar |
1.33YTL |
€ Euro |
1.68YTL |
£ Cyprus pounds |
2.92YTL |
Resources: Cyprus Today
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