denizaksulu wrote:tessintrnc wrote:Mind you ............... IF they do, lets hope its no-where near an earthquake zone
Wasnt it yesterday that I read Cyprus want to go nuclear?
Well, the thought has crossed their minds.
Nuclear power plant fuels argument with Greens
(archive article - Sunday, May 18, 2008)
AN ARGUMENT over the issue of constructing a nuclear power plant in Cyprus yesterday broke out between the Director of Energy Services Solon Kasinis and Green party leader George Perdikis.
The row culminated in Kasinis calling on Perdikis to withdraw his allegations or suspend his political immunity and face legal proceedings. It started at a Green party seminar in Limassol on the use of solar power in the construction industry, where Kasinis was guest speaker.
“Let’s appear in court… if I have done anything reprehensible,” Kasinis said.
The Energy Service director said he would not, however, stand for any criticisms or innuendos.
In turn Perdikis said he did not consider himself to have parliamentary immunity and that whoever wanted to take him to court over what he said, then s/he was free to do so.
Kasinis added: “What I mentioned regarding nuclear energy was part of a general concern on the issue of how we are to save energy, how it will be used as a form of pressure at the House of Representatives so that they take the necessary measure, so that we can be appropriately staffed, and to give more incentives for renewable sources of energy.”
The Energy Chief said he would not be bullied into keeping his mouth shut from thinking aloud.
“This intimidation to stop civil servants from speculating due to their parliamentary immunity is not right and is unacceptable to me,” Kasinis said.
He went on to say that there was no question of creating a nuclear power plant in Cyprus that when France asked to meet to discuss such a possibility, the Energy Service turned it down.
But Perdikis said the issue was not the courts, threats or intimidation tactics but the outcome.
“Every citizen is validly questioning why this state is not promoting the development of solar energy to the extent that it covers an important part of Cyprus energy needs,” he said.
“Just as we managed in other times to be the first in producing hot water in homes from the sun, we say we can be the first to produce electricity or energy for other purposes and to this challenge not only does Mr Kasinis have to answer as the competent authority, but also the parties, parliament and especially governments,” he added.
Perdikis concluded that the state had the resources to launch solar energy products and questioned how next Thursday parliament would approve a protest bill against the creation of a nuclear power plant in Turkey when “the Director of Cyprus’ Energy Services indirectly promotes the positive aspects of nuclear energy”.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008
