MARTYR LIEUTENANT CANER GONYELI-2006 SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE CARRIED OUT

Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gönyeli-2006 Search and Rescue Exercise was carried out yesterday (14 June), in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean sea and in TRNC’s territorial waters with the participation of civil and military personnel from Turkish and Turkish Cypriot research and rescue organizations. The exercise was an internal training for search and rescue units, where Turkey’s and TRNC’s means and efficiency on humanitarian aid were also tested.

President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that during the exercise, search and rescue units, health units and the Ministry of Transportation all worked in coordination   and this was conducted between Turkey and the TRNC.

Responding to a question   what he thought on Greek Cypriot allegations that they were the owners of Cyprus’ territorial waters, President said  “the Greek Cypriots are pursuing a policy, which was not sustainable and as it is well known, in the northern part of the island, the Greek Cypriots do not have any effect, power or say.” 

Underlining that the territorial waters in the Northern part of the island was under the sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots and the TRNC, President said the exercise was the indication of this.

Evaluating the exercise Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer referred to the Greek Cypriot protest against the exercise and said, “Why are they protesting an exercise which was carried out to rescue people? They should acknowledge this.”

UNFICYP’s Commander Major General Rafael Jose Barni who also watched the exercise stated that the exercise was carried out professionally, was very well organized and very successful. He added that the exercise was carried out jointly by civilians and military personnel.

In the exercise, search and rescue units of Turkish Health and Transportation Ministries and various types of ships, airplanes and helicopters from Turkish Navigation Undersecretary, Turkish Land Forces Commandership, Naval Forces Commandership, Air Forces Commandership and Coast Guard Commandership represented Turkey, while the TRNC participated with ships, airplanes and helicopters belonging to Security Forces Commandership, search and rescue teams, Head of Civil Defense Organization, Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, Ministry of Health  and Cyprus Turkish Coastal Security and Ship  Rescue Ltd. Company.

FAMILY OF A MISSING PERSON SUES GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION

Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros yesterday (14 June) reported that in a case, which started on Tuesday (13 June) in South Nicosia District Court, the issue of the accusation of the Greek Cypriot administration for negligence by the family of a missing person was taken up. The wife and three children of the missing named Christofis Pasha sued the Greek Cypriot administration for not informing them in due time of the fate of their relative who died in 1974 and for making explanation after 25 years.