Government anger as Greek singer goes north

GOVERNMENT Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides yesterday expressed the government’s disappointment at the news that Greek singer Lefteris Pantazis was planning to give a concert in the occupied north. The popular singer passed through the Ledra Palace checkpoint yesterday morning on his way to the north, where he is believed to be performing at a hotel belonging to Greek Cypriots before the invasion.
“Regarding Lefteris Pantazis’ arrival for a concert in occupied Cyprus, I would like to note that it distresses us that a well-known Greek artist appears to be ignoring the political realities that exist (on the island),” the spokesman told journalists at a news conference yesterday lunchtime.
Chrysostomides stressed that the occupation of Cyprus was still a reality, adding that, “the partial easing of restrictions on movement does not constitute a solution to the Cyprus Problem.”
He said Pantazis had been informed by police officers of the government’s policy regarding crossings to the north, “particularly in relation to the fact that overnight stays in the occupied areas of Cyprus are forbidden.”
“Greek artists cannot be seen causing cracks in this policy,” he added.
Asked whether Pantazis had been informed that his performance at a hotel formerly belonging to Greek Cypriots might constitute a crime, the spokesman reiterated that the singer had been “well informed of the government’s position and of the possible repercussions (of his actions).”
“I am certain that Mr Pantazis will demonstrate the necessary sensitivity,” he added.

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.