Compensation Controversy in Greek Cyprus

Tasos Papadopulos, Leader of Greek Cyprus Administration, confirmed for the first time that, some Greek Cypriots were preparing to apply to the Compensation Commission in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to compensate for their properties, which remained in the Turkish Cyprus. Greek Cypriot officials firmly criticized these people, that demanded compensation, for this would mean recognizing TRNC.Despite the fact that the Greek Cypriot media have been suspicious about the statements of Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas that some Greek Cypriots were preparing to apply to the commission via himself, Papadopulos admitted that he received letters confirming such applications.Fileleftheros daily wrote that some Greek Cypriot immigrants stated in their letters to Papadopulos that they had appealed to the Greek Cypriot Administration to compensate for their properties that remained in Turkish Cyprus and if their appeal was not accepted, they would apply to the Compensation Commission in TRNC. Papadopulos accused these people, via the same daily, of gravely harming the Cyprus case.Applicants are CriticizedThe fact that there are some Greek Cypriots preparing to apply to the commission in TRNC is heavily criticized by some Greek Cypriot officials. Greek Cypriot Defense Minister Kiriakos Mavronikolos said that any such initiative would mean recognizing TRNC and should be regarded as treachery. Metropolit Pavlos demanded the applicants to be tried on the basis of treachery to motherland.Denktas Submitted Appeals of 18 Greek Cypriots to CommissionTurkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas submitted the applications of 18 Greek Cypriots to the Compensation Commission set up in TRNC to solve the issue of properties in the island. Denktas stressed that the names of the applicants would never be publicized because of the attitude of the Greek Cypriot Administration. Denktas called on the Greek Cypriot Administration not to prevent its citizens from applying to this commission, which had no political connection whatsoever.Turkish Cypriots Can Apply TooPresident Denktas reminded that the Turkish Cypriots could also apply to the Greek Cypriot courts for their properties and other rights. Denktas said; “If they do not like the decision of that court, they can apply to the European Court of Human Rights. The same way is open for the applicant Greek Cypriots.”�