UN: no threat to Strovilia power supply

THE U.N. has assured the government that authorities in the occupied north have no intention of cutting the power supply to Strovilia residents, Foreign Minister George Iacovou said yesterday.

The news comes nearly a month after reports that Greek Cypriot residents in the checkpoint village would have their electricity cut. Residents were allegedly requested to submit applications to the occupying regime for the resumption of their power supply – in violation of the status quo.

Iacovou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) yesterday that Strovilia residents had received electricity ‘bills’ in the mail warning that power would be cut off if the bills went unpaid. He noted that the government had contacted the UN over the matter, and been assured by the organisation that occupying forces did not plan to cut electricity.

The foreign minister said he also brought up the Strovilia question in a meeting with British High Commissioner Lyn Parker yesterday. Iacovou said Parker had been reassured by occupying authorities that “there is no question of any electricity cuts. It’s a routine matter and that no one intended to cut the power supply.”

Responding to claims the government was powerless to counter Turkish violations in Strovilia, Iacovou said: “We pressure those who are able to pressure or persuade the occupying authorities to return the area to the status quo.”

He added that the US had recognised violations were taking place in the village, and were urging the breakaway regime to restore the status quo.

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