South Admits Property Campaign is a Con
Cyprus Times Cover Article
June 6, 2005
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The Greek Cypriot government admitted that its campaign against property owners in the North has been a "con trick" and that dispossessed owners will only get compensation when there is "a political solution" - and then only at 1974 prices.
The man who let the cat out of the bag is Interior Minister Andreas Christou, after being challenged over claims by Turkish Cypriot Huseyin Helvacioglu, a refugee from Larnaca now living in Girne, that Larnaca Airport is built on land owned by him, but was expropriated by the Greek Cyriot government without his knowledge. He has received nothing in compensation.
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Mr. Helvacioglu may file a legal claim against the Greek Cypriot government to seek compensation for 92 donums of land on which Larnaca Airport was built. When the Green Line is opened, he decided to visit his land and was stunned to discover the airport. Then he heard that an airport extension was being planned. "As the landowner, without my knowledge and approval, there can be no bargaining over my land. This is contrary to my human rights and I am warning them, the moment they put even one nail onto my land, they will find themselves in court. For years we waited patiently for the preprty issue to be resolved through a settlement. But that didnt happen, and now through individual cases, they are taking Turkish Cypriots to court," he told a reporter for Dialogue (a weekly newspaper.) Harris Kyriakides, lawyer and former legal advisor for the Guardian of Turkish Cypriot properties admitted to a Cyprus Mail reporter that some Turkish Cypriots had not been compensated for lands and buildings that were expropriated by the government in the South. The argument at the time was that people living in the North could not be contacted, so they could not be netofieid of any changes in property or land left behind. He further stated that Turkish Cypriots should claim compensation from the state for lands now being used for government projects, but added: "Unless he (Helvacigolu) takes the government to the court, he will not get any compensation until after a settlement."
Mr. Helvacioglu has already applied for compensation, but says he received no reply. He has in his possession title deeds for the disputed land and is now seeking 10 million GBP, but adds that the sum would not be enough to compensate him for his lost land.
Interior Minister Andreas Christou dismisses Mr. Helvacioglu's ownership claims and says no compensation can be given out before a settlement of the political issue on the island. He also disputes evidence presented by Mr. Helvacioglu, claiming that only 3,100 square meters of the total 110,000 square meters of land belonging to the Turkish Cypriot was expropriated by the government.
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