Just waiting for the coast to become clear

A PROTEST walk from the Karpaz to the capital in the blinding heat of July was probably not the best idea but it’s one way to get to see the prime minister and interior minister at short notice.

The days of waiting on politicians’ promises are over, say community leaders in the peninsula.

Despite a series of Karpaz village meetings and surveys to modify a draconian 15-year development freeze imposed by the Karpaz Decree, the hopes of Yenierenköy villagers to sell or develop their land have foundered.

Their municipality is bankrupt and their youngsters face a gruelling commute or a move to towns.

Had an EU-funded plan for sustainable development and protection of a real National Park been properly implemented, along with the donkey project, perhaps they could have stayed at home as custodians of the most valuable land on the island.

Instead it is currently doomed to remain a green belt alongside the rumblings of “who got what and how?”, as villagers suspiciously watch the comings and goings of savvy developers.

The Yenierenköy mayor got his audience yesterday, but must wait to see any outcome.

All eyes and efforts are on the stretch from Gazimağusa to Kalecik right now, bristling with last-minute high-rise projects and readying itself for imminent new zoning and development rules.

Dipkarpaz Municipality didn’t even bother to join this week’s protest — its mayor in Turkey and certain, after 30 years of lobbying, that the pot is empty. His villagers stayed at home, just grateful to have a new pharmacy and readying themselves for the small bonanza of this weekend’s Caretta Festival.

Meanwhile, the peninsula’s hopes, fears and claims of neglect will drag on until the future of the peninsula and its inhabitants becomes clearer.