ALITHIA: “Millions fly”. Proper procedures were overlooked in the hiring of seven specialists, at a rate of £34,000 a month, for their advisory services concerning the development of Larnaca and Paphos airports. Also in the paper, the general of the Turkish Cypriot Peace Movement and Democracy, Mustafa Akinji, stated that 2006 should be a year of smoothing the relations between the Cyprus government and Turkey, as well as the internal conditions within Cyprus itself. The Turkish Cypriot politician suggested a reinstatement of Turkish Cypriots as institutional bodies of the government.
MACHI: “Champions in favours”. The Coast Guard has proven itself as champion of favours, due to their continuous hiring of workers, provocatively bypassing all legal procedures. They originally announced they needed 13 people for port security, yet they have hired 15. In other news, the DISY president and the Turkish Cypriot leader had a chance to discuss their worries about Cyprus’ future at a dinner hosted at Talat’s home.
POLITIS: “2006 is a new landmark”. After the events of last year’s December 17 and this year’s October 3, President Papadopoulos stated last night that Cyprus had reached a new landmark for achieving all the nation yearns for. In 2006, Turkey will be having their first evaluation toward the EU and will be judged by whether or not they have completed their responsibilities toward Cyprus. Also in the paper, a new wave has attacked consumers after the latest rise in fuel prices. He also added that, last year, a kilo of tomatoes cost 65 cents, whereas now it costs one pound and 15 cents, a 77% increase in price.
SIMERINI: “Military port in akrotiri”. The British military has submitted the government an application asking for permission to turn the Akrotiri harbour into a military harbour for their warships. In their application, they ask that the port be deepened from the current 2.5 to six metres. Also in the paper, according to research by the Cyprus Tourist Organisation, Greek Cypriots seem to be involved in the sale of land in the north, due to some ads that were discovered in five star hotels.
PHILELEFTHEROS: “Annan Plan just outside the gates”. President Papadopoulos has revealed that in his recent meeting with the UN Secretary general, Kofi Annan told him that any movement toward the Cyprus problem would be attempted after October 3, adding that Annan will begin some steps in the near future. Also in the paper, all remaining pieces of the Helios Boeing that crashed on August 14 have been assembled together and ready to be shipped to the US within the next 24 hours .
HARAVGHII: “Cyprus the judge”. In an interview, President Papadopoulos stated that our strategy is still Turkey’s EU entry, as long as Turkey fulfils her duties toward the EU and Cyprus. Cyprus has a new role now, the one of Turkey’s judge concerning her conformity in all her obligations toward the EU. Also in the paper, the Parliament president characterised the partition of Cyprus as the ultimate threat on the Cyprus government and called upon all Turkish and Greek Cypriots to work together on a solution.
