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Bases violence condemned
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BOTH government and the main opposition, DISY yesterday condemned Monday night’s violence at the Akrotiri Sovereign British Area (SBA), after scuffles between protestors and SBA police turned violent, leaving 15 people slightly injured.
Four SBA police officers, ten demonstrators and one TV station cameraman were slightly injured during the altercations.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou and DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades sought to play down the issue, amidst concerns of rocking relations with Britain.
But Stefanou stressed that “at this moment the bases are a reality and there is a specific plan in place to address the issue.”
Stefanou clarified that the solution of the Cyprus problem was the island’s priority and said that “it is through this solution that the circumstances will arise for ending the existence of the British Bases in Cyprus.”
Approximately 100 protesters; members of the newly-formed National Anti-Colonial Platform (NACP) waved Greek flags and yelled anti-British chants outside the RAF base in the Akrotiri SBA around 8pm on Monday night, in a demonstration organised against the ongoing existence of the bases in Cyprus.
Anastassiades questioned the effectiveness of sporadic small groups pursuing such demands and lamented the timing of the demonstration.
“Of course we share the displeasure of Cypriots about the ongoing existence of the British Bases but we must be calm in choosing the right activities that will help our cause rather than compromising it” said Anastassiades.
SBA spokeswoman Connie Pearce said that she could not explain how the initially peaceful demonstration escalated into violence, while protesters complained that they were antagonised by the SBA police.
The SBA helicopter flew over the area throughout the scuffles while demonstrators were repeatedly encouraged to back off. Two protestors were arrested during the melee and were released upon being charged by the SBA authorities.
It is unclear who started the violence which resulted in stones, pieces of wood, bottles and firecrackers being hurled. The SBA police used globs and shields to repel the protestors away from the base’s entrance.
Extensive damage to adjacent properties and cars were also reported.
According to a NACP statement, the demonstration was organised in response to comments made last month by British Defence Minister Philip Hammond, in which he reiterated the geostrategic importance of Cyprus’ British Bases to Britain’s national interest.
“No country is permitted to have occupying bases in a foreign land for the service of its own interests” said the NACP statement while adding that the “Cypriot citizens are the lawful owners of this land.”
Protesters claimed that the British Bases are illegal since “Britain stopped paying lease to the Republic of Cyprus in 1963, which also violates the 1960 constitution.”
Pearce said that no more information could be disclosed since an SBA police investigation has already been launched.
UK’s right to maintain bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia were created under the 1960 Treaty of Establishment.
