VILLAGERS from Dasaki tis Akhnas y are up in arms over a 50-metre antenna, installed by the Turkish army in the occupied village of Akhna just metres away from where they live.
Unconfirmed reports that the antenna was in fact a phone mast that was installed by a Turkish mobile phone company has prompted the government to look into the matter.
Hearing the news, Communications Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis yesterday ordered the head of the telecommunications department to contact the Foreign Ministry to investigate the information.
“If this is the case, all the necessary actions need to be taken, both in the direction of the United Nations and the British, because it is something that is unacceptable,” said Marcoullis. “We can’t exercise control on the occupied areas, but at least either in the buffer zone or British Bases, installing such antennas is totally unacceptable.”
Dasaki tis Akhnas’ residents are worried that the new mast could be used for military purposes or to intervene in telecommunications.
The antenna is very close to the British Base at Dhekelia and just metres from Dasaki tis Akhnas which was built for the original residents of Akhna after the invasion left their village occupied by Turkish troops. The antenna has been erected in the back yard of the present village’s Mukhtar’ house in the occupied village. It is also close to the football grounds of the village football team – Ethnikos Akhna FC, which won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2006.
Bases Spokesman James Mansell yesterday said there would be no official statements on the matter.
However, Akhna residents have voiced their concern over the towering antenna, saying they are unsure of the motives behind its placement.
Mukhtar Georgios Tsappis said works to install the antenna had started three days ago.
“The antenna was erected in a day at a distance of around 200 metres from the Bases, while works continued today also,” Tsappis said yesterday.
“What we are especially concerned about, but also puzzled over, is what is the reason for this massive antenna, what is its aim and what will it serve? And why wasn’t it put up at a greater distance from the English Bases of Dhekelia?” he asked.
Tsappis wondered whether the new construction would be “used for telecommunications or interference”.
The Mukhtar said he had contacted the Bases himself.
According to the CyBC last night, a similar antenna has been installed near Mammari village.
Various media outlets yesterday reported that the mast was installed by Turkcell – Turkey’s leading mobile phone operator, based in Istanbul.
