THE GOVERNMENT is proposing that independent experts be brought in to assess the environmental and health impact of a controversial giant antenna Britain wants to put up at the Akrotiri salt lake.
A British bases (SBA) decision to begin groundwork on the new 190-metre communications mast at the Akrotiri mast site sparked bloody anti-bases riots last week. Some 50 people were hurt during clashes at the Episkopi SBA police station and the salt lake aerial site.
Local residents and greens claim electro-magnetic emissions from the new antenna will increase the cancer risk posed by the mast site and harm local wildlife. Britain says the masts are not dangerous.
In the wake of the rioting, the Foreign Ministry and British High Commission in Nicosia have begun intensive consultations over the antenna issue.
Agriculture Minister Costas Themistocleous yesterday revealed that Cyprus had proposed an independent study. Themistocelous, speaking after a morning Cabinet meeting, said the British High Commission had said it would have to consult with London on the matter.
The minister pointed out that while a 1997 British study had identified no impact from the aerial site, a study by two Greek experts spoke of damage to rare salt lake flora and fauna.
The government wants the independent probe panel to focus on the impact the antennae have on wildlife, rather than human health. The Minister spoke of appointing five “international” wildlife experts who could provide a “definitive” answer to the antenna issue.
“We, as the government of Cyprus, have suggested that the Council of Europe be asked to propose two experts on habitat and wild bird directives, and that similar proposals be sought for three other experts from the secretariats of the international conventions on wetlands of international importance, migrant fauna and protection of European wildlife and habitats,” Themistocleous said.
The SBA authorities have repeatedly promised that the new antenna, due to be erected by 2003, will not go up if an adverse environmental impact is proved.
Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides made no mention of a proposal for an independent study yesterday, but he did say the British side had broken off discussions on the aerials issue to consult with London.
“They said they needed instructions from Britain,” Cassoulides said. “The dialogue has not been cut off, but I do not know when the next meeting will be.”
Earlier this week, with work on the new mast put off by the rioting, Cypriot experts were allowed into the SBA antenna site to measure emissions. The two governments have also agreed to finance jointly an epidemiological study to assess the health of local residents.
Akrotiri villagers, whose homes are two kilometres from the mast site, plan a demonstration outside the House of Representatives in Nicosia this afternoon, to demand a ban on the new aerial.
The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.
