Vassiliou hits back at ‘unfounded’ Akamas claims

By Charlie Charalambous

FORMER president George Vassiliou has hit back at allegations that he influenced the Akamas national park scheme to ensure that his property was exempt from building restrictions.

Vassiliou has charged as “inaccurate and unfounded” allegations by nine Akamas community leaders that he altered the terms of reference of the national park plan so as to improve the value of his property in Peyia.

The community leaders, in a written statement, called on the House and the government to investigate.

In a statement yesterday, Vassiliou said it was “regretful to see elected community leaders serve various economic interests by making inaccurate allegations” against him.

Vassiliou said the Akamas initiative had come from his government, but pointed out that the terms of reference were handled by the World Bank and completed in October 1995.

On the claim that his property enjoyed more favourable building coefficients than others in the area, Vassiliou said this had nothing to do with the Akamas plan, but resulted from a Council of Ministers’ decision in July 1995.

“The community leaders who undersigned their completely inaccurate letter should know that during 1995 the President of the republic was Glafcos Clerides,” said Vassiliou’s statement.

The House Environment Committee has also dismissed claims that Vassiliou’s wife, Androulla, influenced members when the Akamas issue was discussed.

Furthermore George Vassiliou said the smear campaign against him wouldn’t side-track him in his decision to protect the Akamas as a natural beauty spot.

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