‘No to the Antennas of Death’: Kourion Residents Protest Akrotiri Plans

 

With opposition to the installation of new military antennas at Akrotiri as their central message, residents, organised groups and Kourion Municipality are holding a peaceful demonstration outside the British Bases on Saturday, seeking to pressure authorities into suspending the project.

The gathering is scheduled for 9.30 am at the entrance to the Akrotiri municipal district. Participants will then march and deliver a resolution to the British Bases. Organised groups and residents from the area are taking part in the protest.

Mayor says trust has been undermined

Kourion Mayor Pantelis Georgiou said trust between the two sides had been undermined. He claimed that although consultations were ongoing, and it had been agreed that no procedure would move forward before the necessary studies were completed and the required approvals secured, the municipality was served with a land requisition order concerning the Merra area of Akrotiri.

According to Georgiou, the move caused strong dissatisfaction within the local community.

Plans increased from 20 to 68 antennas

The mayor said initial references to approximately 20 antennas during the first phase of the project had been replaced by plans for 68 new antennas.

Based on information provided to the local authorities, the project is expected to be carried out in three phases over the next eight years.

The municipality has also complained that it has not been granted access to the environmental study being prepared for the project.

Georgiou said letters had been sent to the British Bases, the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting the relevant data so that it could be assessed and an independent environmental study could be conducted.

The municipality is also seeking greater involvement by the Republic of Cyprus in the ongoing procedures.

 

 

British Bases respond ahead of protest

Hours before the demonstration, the British Bases administration issued a statement insisting that the project concerns the modernisation of existing military infrastructure in the Akrotiri Salt Lake area.

The British Bases gave assurances that no construction work would begin before all legally required procedures had been completed, including the environmental assessment and public consultation.

They also said the acquisition of additional land would be carried out in accordance with the existing legal framework, in consultation with affected landowners and with possible compensation considered.

Bases cite independent health study

Responding to concerns about possible health effects, the Bases administration referred to an independent scientific study which, according to its statement, found no increased incidence of cancer, congenital abnormalities or obstetric complications linked to the installations.

It added that the Republic of Cyprus had been informed of its intention to co-fund a new independent scientific study and strengthen the emissions-monitoring network across the wider area.

The British Bases maintained that the project would be implemented with transparency, environmental protection and the continued provision of information to local communities.