Frank and Joan's news for 23 November 2006 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

Our adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....

IMPORTANT BREAKING NEWS..........

This was sent to me courtesy of another website (North Cyprus Biz)and shows the copyright of the Cyprus Times newspaper.

"Arrest the lot" 23/11/2006

A NEW LAW has gone into force that paves the way for sentencing anyone who resides, builds on, purchases or sells property formerly owned by Greek Cypriots in North Cyprus to seven years in prison.

Greek Cypriot Minister for Justice and Public Order Sofoklis Sofokleus said that Turkish Cypriots or anyone involved in the purchase or sale of such property will be subject to prosecution, regardless of their nationality.

President Mehmet Ali Talat warned that the latest Greek Cypriot move, will lead to the closure of the check points between the TRNC and Greek Cypriot South.

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer described the move as a sign of ill intention which will help worsen the relations between the two peoples of the island. He also warned of retaliation.

That's the attitude of the Greek Cypriot Administration, after they passed a new law that powers the Greek Cypriot police, whom are more than happy to cause problems for anyone who crosses the border to the South, to arrest anyone regardless of nationality who is using Greek Cypriot property in any way.

First they started by putting arrest warrants on Estate agents who are selling property built on former Greek Cypriot land, then they arrested a couple of architects who had blueprints in their possession. Now the Greek Cypriot Administration has gone the extra mile and has passed the law to arrest and prosecute anyone, including Turkish Cypriots who live in, have built on or are simply residing in a property that was owned by a Gree

k Cypriot prior to 1974.

A new law has gone into force paves the way for sentencing anyone who resides, builds on, purchases or sells property formerly owned by Greek Cypriots in North Cyprus to seven years in prison.

The Greek Cypriot Minister for Justice and Public Order Sofoklis Sofokleus said that new law will also apply to Turkish Cypriots who are currently residing in or using property formerly owned by Greek Cypriots in North Cyprus.

He said that Turkish Cypriots or anyone involved in the purchase or sale of such property will be subject to prosecution, regardless of their nationality.

Mr. Sofokleus said that the move should just how serious the Greek Cypriot Administration approaching the issue.

The Greek Cypriot Justice Minister added that the Russian couple arrested on Saturday at the Ledra Palace checkpoint while trying to cross into South Cyprus, on charges of having purchased a house in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be tried under the new law.

President Mehmet Ali Talat has warned that the latest move by the Greek Cypriot Administration to detain' and imprison those using properties formerly owned by Greek Cypriots, will lead to the closure of the check points between the Turkish was Republic of Northern Cyprus and Greek Cypriot South Cyprus.

Speaking on BRT television, the President accused the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos of trying to raise the tension between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides, in a way which will make a solution to the Cyprus problem - impossible.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of playing a very risky game, President Talat described the move as "very dangerous".

The Prime Minister described the move as a sign of ill intention which will help worsen the relations between the two Peoples of the island.

He said the move will also help deepen the division of Cyprus and said the one that has to be detained is the Greek Cypriot Leadership who urged its people to reject the Annan plan.

Calling on the Turkish Cypriot People not to panic, Mr Soyer said that if the adoption of the new legislation is confirmed the Turkish Cypriot Side will have no other option but to retaliate.

The news which appeared in Greek Cypriot Newspapers on Monday caused rage and worry in the TRNC, due to the obvious fact that a great portion of the population were using this kind of property. It is not known how the Greek Cypriot Police is going to determine who is allegeable for arrest and who isn't, but the Turkish Cypriots in major are not happy with the decision and are now reluctant to cross the border.

Serhat Ozkuran who spoke to the Cyprus Times said that this law would cause nothing but stopping the Turkish Cypriots from crossing the border, while Haluk Sonmez asked if the TRNC Government was going to reciprocate with a similar law for the Turkish Cypriot property in the South.

Hamit Caydas said that if the law was to be implemented the crossing points would end up closing and it would be a huge setback for the reunification process.

Olgun Amcaoglu claimed that this new law was a reason for war. He added that in the case of implementation of the law there would be a need for a new Peace Operation.

© Copyright Cyprus Times 2006

Guess anyone who is using Larnaca needs to be especially careful over the next few months and keep all papers away from your luggage etc.