Cyprus EU to investigate whether KKTC flag is environmental hazard

RAFAELLA · instructor

EU to investigate whether KKTC flag is environmental hazard

The European Union will launch an investigation into whether a Turkish Cypriot flag carved on a mountain on the Turkish side of Cyprus is hazardous to the environment, the 27-nation bloc’s outgoing enlargement commissioner has said.

The EU Commission understands the Greek Cypriot sensitivity regarding the flag and will immediately launch an investigation, Olli Rehn has said in response to a formal question from a Greek Cypriot member of the European Parliament, Antigoni Papadopoulou, the Greek Cypriot newspaper Phileleftheros reported.

The flag, carved on Beşparmaklar Mountain (Mount Pentadaktylos in Greek) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), has long been disturbing to the Greek Cypriots, who say its huge image -- easily visible from the Greek Cypriot south -- is an act of provocation. In his formal question to the commission, dated Oct. 22, 2009, Papadopoulou urged the commission to take action against the flag, which he said constituted a “hostile action” and an “unprecedented daily provocation to the people of Cyprus.” He also said the EU should not permit “the existence of such a flag which, apart from the catastrophic environmental damage it causes, the use of chemical substances and the brutal abuse of the environment, involves an absurd waste of electricity at a time of economic crisis”

While promising to look into the environmental concerns, Rehn, however, declined to consider Greek Cypriot complaints about the flag’s political message or whether it is provocative or not.

03 February 2010, Wednesday
TODAY’S ZAMAN İSTANBUL
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-200432-102-eu-to-investigate-whether-kktc-flag-is-environmental-hazard.html

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Turkish Cypriot Association Condemns EU Commissioner

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Kemalist Thought Association condemned EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn who said that an investigation would be launched whether flags of TRNC and Turkey on the peak of the Besparmak Mountains caused a pollution.

Namik Cafer, chairman of the association, said in a written statement, "Olli Rehn said upon a written request by Greek Cypriot parliamentarians, that the EU would launch an investigation whether Turkish and Turkish Cypriot flags polluted environment. Those flags are the indispensable symbols of our independence and freedom. Such an intervention in the flags with such unreasonable allegations of the Greek Cypriots through the EU is unacceptable."

"Throughout their history, Turkish Cypriot people have lost numerous sons to protect their flag, the noble symbol of their national identity.

Neither the EU nor any other power cannot remove our flags from the peak of Besparmak Mountains. As the TRNC Kemalist Thought Association, we condemn Rehn for making such an unfortunate statement," the statement read.

Earlier in the day, the Greek Cypriot Phileleftheros newspaper quoted Rehn as saying in response to Antigoni Papadopoulou, a Greek Cypriot member of the European Parliament, that he understood the sensitivity of the Greek Cypriot party and that an investigation would be launched to determine whether the flags caused a pollution.

http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/96954/turkish-cypriot-association-condemns-eu-commissioner.html

humanist · professor

well in any case the occupied area is not under the control of the RoC government so I am not sure how they can implement getting that thing off the mountain face.

The concerns the flag raises is about the genuineness of Turks in the occupied area in relation to unification, which in itself is going down the toilet faster than heavy shit.

kurupetos · professor

The Turks are taking it one inch at a time... Very Happy

Oracle · vip

Why stop there?

The biggest environmental hazard are the Turkish troops.

paliometoxo · vip

whos going to force them even if it is bad for the enviroment they would rather see the world end then take down the flag..

FragnaticDeath · lecturer

Hmmm... Pollution for the enviroment? OF COURSE IT IS. A flag that has been there for years now is definatetly hazardous for the enviroment. Chemicals used to kill the soils plantation and bacteria. You don't need much proof. Its there to view as time progresses. Off the flag goes. Another chapter that Turkey has to deal with in its accession for EU

Malapapa · professor

Viewpoint · vip

No one can remove our flag unless we agree to it.

Malapapa · professor

Viewpoint · vip

No one can remove our flag unless we agree, whoever say any different I am against.