Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

THE government yesterday came to the rescue of Turkish Cypriots supplying the north with electricity when it was plunged into darkness after an explosion at their main power plant in Kyrenia.

After a cry for help from Turkish Cypriot political leaders, the government agreed the supply of electricity saying it had no bearing on the island's political situation.

†The Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) said its engineers worked overnight Wednesday to supply power to the Turkish-held north after Turkish Cypriots requested "humanitarian help" from their "neighbours" across the divide.

President Papadopoulos gave the order for work to begin after making it clear the provision of electricity could not be construed as giving assistance to a "third country."

'Deputy prime minister' Sedar Denktash crossed over to personally thank the government for responding positively to the power shortage.

"It is a humanitarian issue and nothing political, it is getting cold and our children have to go to school," Denktash told reporters.

Deputy Diko boss Nicos Kleanthous praised Denktash's "humility and sincerity" towards Greek Cypriots while criticising Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for trying to gain political mileage out of human misery.


Positive


Overall there was a positive response from the political parties in coming to the aid of Turkish Cypriots in need.

Akel general secretary Demetris Christofias said he made a personal plea to the president after Republican Turkish Party chief Ferdi Sabit Soyer contacted him for help.

Many held up the incident as an example of what can be achieved if both sides are united.

But maverick MEP Marios Matsakis was less than impressed calling the situation "absurd" and said Cyprus was offering a "lifeline to the pseudo state of Talat and Turkish military rule".

"Attila is laughing incessantly and ridicules us because the victims of the barbaric Turkish invasion are giving them essential energy," said a Matsakis statement from Strasbourg.

However, his was mostly a lone rhetorical voice across the political spectrum.

Turkish Cypriot officials said the blackout since Monday night had hit almost the whole of the north because of the blast at the plant, which produces 120 megawatts a day, near the occupied town of Kyrenia.

Under the agreement between the two sides, EAC has agreed to provide some 75 megawatts a day, although this is not enough to keep the north switched on continuously.

Power was restored early yesterday morning in several regions of the north but cuts are planned for several hours each evening until the power station is restored.




Rare show


In a rare show of cooperation between the rival communities, technicians worked together to reconnect the power grid.

However, the same level of cooperation and understanding has not only been missing on the political front but in efforts by the authorities to combat bird flu and any possible spread from Turkey to the north.

†††The government-controlled areas supplied electricity to the north - using a unified grid - up until 1996 when Turkish Cypriots were able to cater for their own power supply needs.

This was done free of charge but in this case Turkish Cypriots will be charged for the services provided by EAC.

"The power lines have been inactive since 1996 and we had to get them back into shape, nothing on such a scale had been attempted before," said EAC spokesman Costas Gavrielides.

Supplies are expected to continue for the next 10 days.

EAC chief Charilaos Stavrakis said the supply was on a "commercial basis" and the north would be charged with a 30-day credit limit. The bill is expected to come to between £500,000 - £1m.

With the government sensitive about any hint of recognition, he said arrangements for payment would be worked out through the United Nations.

[Piratis]

And what exactly happened that they need 10 whole days to fix it? The whole plant was blown up?

[sadik]

And what exactly happened that they need 10 whole days to fix it? The whole plant was blown up?

Fixing will take a few days. But apparently they have to wait for the plant to cool off, which takes about one week. Meanwhile we are having power outages for about 2 hours every day, as they are rotating the available power between regions.

[Rude Gal]

LET THERE BE LIGHT! Wonderful story.

Sotos, thankQ for sharing this. Just need to lose the propaganda loaded references to "Free" and "Illegally occupied" areas bit.

Peace.

[lysi]

The cyprus government are stupid bastards for giving free electricity to the very people who have stolen and occupied the north of cyprus for 31years.
The turks have not even handed back one field yet the crap cyprus government seems to like to prop up the illegal turkish regime.

[Kifeas]

The cyprus government are stupid bastards for giving free electricity to the very people who have stolen and occupied the north of cyprus for 31years.
The turks have not even handed back one field yet the crap cyprus government seems to like to prop up the illegal turkish regime.

Lysi, the electricity that was supplied to the north is not for free! Furthermore, besides the Turkish occupational army that uses electricity in the north, there are also people like you and me, families and children, who also happen to be citizens of the RoC. Therefore, the supply was made under this consideration and not to help the Turkish army that occupies your and my properties. The way you reacted with your above posting is not a very honorable one, since i am sure you are quite aware of the things I just mentioned.

[sadik]

This whole thing clearly is a gesture of good will from the GC leadership. Even though there are people among the Turkish Cypriots blaming the TC leadership for asking for help from the GCs, TCs in general appreceate the help. I hope this has the effect of bringing the two communities closer and opening up the way for collaboration between the communities in other areas as well.

[joe]

Its not free? Why because the Turks say they will pay? How much did they pay last time we supplied electricity? Why do you think they were emphatic on saying they were going to pay this time? Do you honestly believe you will see one coin? haa

[Kifeas]

Its not free? Why because the Turks say they will pay? How much did they pay last time we supplied electricity? Why do you think they were emphatic on saying they were going to pay this time? Do you honestly believe you will see one coin? haa

And since when it has become a Greek or a Greek Cypriot value for this matter, that one has to make sure that he/she will be compensated first, before handing out help to someone that is in urgent need of something?

I thought it has always been considered a hubris for someone to behave in this way.

I wonder what they teach you in schools nowadays, because I sense a lot of corrupted minds, especially among the youngest ones.

[joe]

you are making an argument where there is none. Please show where i stated that Greek Cypriots should be compensated first? I have no problems with giving them electricity even if it is for free. I simply responded to a comment you made to another poster where you stated that electricity is not being supplied for free, when past experience tells us otherwise.

CNA today:
On the government’s decision to supply the Turkish occupied north with all its electricity needs after an explosion disabled the power station in occupied Kyrenia, President Papadopoulos said that even if the Turkish Cypriots could not pay for the cost of supplying power, “we would still give it to them for free”.

I think the prez knows he wont see a coin either
ohh my mind and diploma are doing fine, thanks for asking.