Deputies call on British to postpone antenna testing

THE HOUSE of Representatives yesterday unanimously expressed its concern over the construction of the powerful new PLUTO antenna by the British Bases (SBA) at Akrotiri and called on the government to adopt the necessary measures to stop it being tested until a medical study on its effects had been completed.

In a statement yesterday after a proposal by Green Party deputy George Perdikis, the plenum urged the British Bases to postpone testing PLUTO until the potential health effects were clearer.

“Bearing in mind the resolution of the House of Representatives dated 12/07/2001, the plenum unanimously expresses its concern over the installation and operation of the PLUTO antenna by the British Bases authorities at Akrotiri,” the statement read.

“The plenum calls on the British Bases not to operate the antenna, at least until a medical study based on an agreement with the Cyprus government is completed.

“The plenum calls on the Cyprus government to take all necessary measures to stop the operation of the antenna, something that could create serious health problems for the local residents.”

But speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, SBA spokesman Tony Brumwell said there was no way the testing of the antenna wouldn’t go ahead.

“We will not wait for the medical study to be carried out because we are confident that there are no health hazards from the operation of the antenna,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Green Party is organising a mass demonstration on Sunday with the participation of Turkish Cypriot demonstrators from the north.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, Perdikis insisted there would be no repeat of violent episodes that marred similar demonstrations last year.

“We are planning a peaceful demonstration in an effort to stop the British from operating their antenna,” he said.
“We are not going there to start any trouble, we want to make a point and we want to express our concern over the operation of the antenna.”

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.