Clerides gives in on issue of title deeds

PRESIDENT Glafcos Clerides yesterday withdrew his threats to challenge the package of amendments blocking the issuing of title deeds to refugees.

The six amendments to a bill laying out the framework for the distribution of title deeds for refugee houses were passed by the House plenum in November, after being voted in by Akel, Diko and Edek deputies who said Clerides’ plans to issue the deeds were a vote-winning ploy and tantamount to accepting the finality of the status quo created by the invasion.

At the time, Clerides sent the package of amendments back to the house. He also threatened to challenge them before the Supreme Court if the house insisted on passing them.

Now, however, he has said that no further title deeds to refugee property will be issued.

On the day the amendments were passed, around 2,800 deeds were sent out after the land Registry Department was instructed to pull out all the stops to get the documents in the post before the House addressed the issue.

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