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Calls for Cyprus president Christofias to quit mount

Calls for Cyprus president Christofias to quit mount


FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE

• Fri, Jul 15, 2011

Thousands of demonstrators continued to show their anger over the government’s apparent involvement in an explosion at a naval base on Monday that left 13 people dead.
Another massive peaceful demonstration, which attracted over 10,000 people, was held outside the gates of the Presidential Palace in Nicosia last night with men, women and children from all sections of society voicing their anger.

Many of those in attendance again called for President Christofias and his administration to step down.

One large banner pictured three containers with the words: "Do not be afraid, Mr President - these are harmless", while another had pictures of Defence and Foreign Ministers and the President of the Republic with the word: "Murderers."

One man, who was accompanied by his wife and teenage daughter, told the Famagusta Gazette, "The only people in Cyprus who think the president should stay are his friends and ministers."

Another demonstrator said: "His political career is finished. How can we take any government investigation seriously? How can it be legitimate? We all know what happened at Mari, everyone does...except him and his cohorts (the president)"

Some groups chanted "Christfias die", whilst others waved plastic bananas and placards reading "Banana Republic."

The protest action is unprecedented and more demonstrations are planned.

The event ended peacefully with the reading of names of victims followed by the National Anthem and one minute's silence.

In a seperate development, the House of Representatives considers the conduct of an objective, reliable, and independent inquiry over the blast incident in the Naval Base ''Evangelos Florakis'' as its immediate and urgent priority, House President Yiannakis Omirou said Thursday.

Speaking during the plenary session of the House, where MPs observed a minutes' silence to the memory of the blast victims, Omirou noted that this inquiry needs to be conducted rapidly and needs to satisfy the people's sense of justice.

Omirou expressed on behalf of all members of the House his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, killed during the deadly blast, on Monday.

He added, that the House would like to express its wholehearted sympathy to all injured, wishing for their quick recovery.

''Understandably, our people feel the shock, indignation and anger for this tragedy'' the House President noted.

He went on by saying that ''Cyprus is going through one of its worst crises in its modern history'', adding that it is necessary to join forces, in order to alleviate human suffering and support the families of the victims.

Moreover, he said that collective commitment is necessary in addressing the dramatic financial consequences of the blast and reinstating people's confidence towards state institutions.

Omirou pledged that the House of Representatives will rise to the occasion, acting responsibly, within the realm of its constitutional powers, in order to pursue the full inquiry of the causes that led to this tragedy and ask for the accountability of those responsible.

Towards this direction, Omirou added, the House will work and cooperate with the executive and all competent authorities and institutions, ''in order to prevent our people from facing such tragic incidents ever again''.

''During this time of crisis, we address a message of unity and of national reflection to the people, for the support of the Republic of Cyprus, the preservation of the institutions and for upholding the interests of the Republic and of all people'', the House President concluded.

— Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2011


Eric D. Schwerin
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