AKEL takes issue with Defence Committee’s final text of blast report

ALL PARTIES minus ruling AKEL yesterday voted in favour of the House Defence Committee’s final version of the report on the July 11 naval base blast which killed 13 and knocked out the island’s main Power Station at Vassilikos.

AKEL MPs wanted corrections on certain points on political responsibility – “some were accepted… but some were not,” the Committee’s president Giorgios Varnava told journalists after the session.

AKEL MPs have until August 22 to submit their own views, which will be added to the report, Varnava said.

“We have avoided identifying anyone through the report because we don’t want (it) to be used… by someone who might be facing criminal charges,” Varnava said referring to the police’s ongoing criminal inquiry.

Asked how far reaching in the hierarchy the report was, Varnava said that this “will transpire when the report is made public.”

The Greens’ George Perdikis said that there were some “very discreet and brief” suggestions about President Demetris Christofias’ responsibility.

In addition to the plenary, the Defence Committee will submit their report to Polys Polyviou who was appointed by Cabinet to investigate the responsibility of the state and other officials.

They will also present it to the ad hoc committee, established by the House President along with party leaders and representatives, and to the Attorney-General, Varnava said.

As soon as the report is complete with the inclusion of AKEL’s position by August 22, the Defence Committee will go ahead and submit it, Varnava said.

 

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