here is the Good or Hurting news published at TRNC presidency web page.
keep on fighting ! ! ! ! ! !
President Talat: “Turkish Cypriot Side Has Done Everything in its Capacity to Restore the Apostolos Andreas Monastery”… “Greek Cypriot Side Has Only Created Difficulties”
President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the Turkish Cypriot side has done everything in its capacity for the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the Karpaz Peninsula. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side has made all the preparations while the Greek Cypriot side only created difficulties.
The President was answering the questions of the TAK News Agency regarding Greek Cypriot news reports about the restoration of the Apostolos Andreas Monastery. President Talat criticised the Greek Cypriot side for creating the impression that the Turkish Cypriots or the Turkish side is hindering the restoration of the monastery. Talat stated that the Greek Cypriot side is blaming someone else, whereas they are the ones to blame. “This is shameful,” said Talat. “I strongly condemn those who create a lot of noise and claim that the Turkish Cypriots are hindering the restoration. I convey them my annoyance.”
President Talat underlined that the monastery is on TRNC territory and under the responsibility of the TRNC. “It is in vain for them to try and create the impression that they are more concerned about this asset than we are,” said Talat. “We have overcome all the difficulties that they created until now. We will also overcome the small problem that we have among us at this point and go ahead with the restoration.”
Talat stated that, at this stage, the tents in the garden and around the monastery are the reason why the restoration has not yet begun. He said that the tents had been placed there to sell souvenirs. The President stated that the restoration could not begin before the tents are removed and added that they are working to take some measures to remove the tents.
Talat stated that they do not want to forcibly get those people out and said that they are trying to persuade them. “We have been trying to solve this problem for some months now,” said Talat. “But it is shameful for those, who have been hindering this project for years, to cite a problem we have had in the last months and claim that Turkish Cypriots are hindering the restoration…. I condemn them.”
Talat underlined that the Apostolos Andreas Monastery is a common cultural asset and added that the Turkish Cypriot side has not only respected this cultural heritage from the very beginning, but also tried to take the necessary measures to protect it with limited resources.
The President stated that the Directorate of Ancient Monuments built a curtain first in 1996 to protect the monastery, which had shown signs of sliding and collapsing. Talat said that later, in June 2002, the TRNC government, with finances from USAID and under the supervision of UNDP-UNOPS, cooperated with USAID to prepare a project to restore the monastery. Talat stated that famous architect Giorgio Croci, who also restored the Pizza Tower, was invited to the island within the framework of this project. Talat said however that it was not possible to go ahead with the restoration project since the Greek Cypriot administration and the Church did not approve his project.
“Architect Croci was saying that concrete sections, which had been added to the monastery later and which had no historical value whatsoever, would be demolished,” said Talat. “The Greek Cypriot church rejected this and had discussions with the Greek Cypriot administration. The project was cancelled for this reason.”
President Talat stated that later, the US government put aside 6 million dollars for the restoration of Hala Sultan and the Apostolos Andreas Monastery. He said 5 million dollars had been allocated for the monastery but could not be used again, due to the objections of the Greek Cypriot side.
Stating that the condition of the monastery has worsen, Talat stated that they discussed with the Americans and the UN during his prime ministry and presidency on what could be done. The President said that with their contributions the Directorate of Ancient Monuments cooperated with the Greek Patras University to put together a very detailed restoration project in February 2007.
President Talat highlighted that the project was again hindered by the then-Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos and the Karpaz Committee. Talat also reminded that the Directorate of Ancient Monuments cooperated with the Karpaz Committee in 2008 to build metal scaffolds on the arches of the building.
President Talat underlined that all restoration projects have been hindered by the Greek Cypriots and added that, taking advantage of the warm atmosphere created by the technical committees and working groups, they brought the project of Patras University back on the agenda. He stated that there is an agreement over the issue as a result of consultations.
President Talat stated that the funds for the restoration by the experts of the Patras University and under the supervision of the TRNC Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Museums, will be taken from the resources of the Directorate of Ancient Monuments and donations. Talat said that the restoration is scheduled to be finalised in 2 years and cost a total of 5 million euros.
Although we had reached an agreement on the restoration, the Greek Cypriot side “began efforts to hinder the process, tried to get the American Embassy involved and made noise in the international arena,” said Talat. “They tried to create the impression that the Turkish Cypriots or the Turkish side is preventing the restoration.”
TAK/Translation: Press Office
http://www.kktcb.eu/index.php?tpl=show_news&id=509
