“I’m living a nightmare” – An ex-pat pensioner involved in a fatal car accident which saw two teenagers die said he is living a “nightmare” in Lefkoşa Central Prison. Anthony Davey, 70 has been unable to post bail and is currently languishing in conditions he “wouldn’t keep an animal in.” “My friends paid 10,000TL, believing I would get bail but we were then told we had to pay 210,000TL” he explained on a telephone from behind a glass partition in the prison visiting room. He said the British High Commission had done little to help his plight and his first lawyer, who charged £1,500 to defend him “did absolutely nothing”. “He never said a word in court,” Mr Davey told Cyprus Today. “I had a visit from the British High Commission, but nothing has changed.” Mr Davey has not been charged with any offence over the accident on January 11th. A 15 and 16 year old died after Mr Davey’s car hit their scooter at Girne Boğaz. A car also struck the 16 year old. Mr Davey is due to appear before Girne District Court again on February 15th. He said “It’s been a nightmare. I’m very bitter and disillusioned. The accident could have happened to anyone. Words can not express how I feel but what those kids did was suicidal. They had no lights on and there was nothing I could do. It was over in seconds.” Mr Davey’s arthritis has worsened because of the cold conditions, he now has high blood pressure.
TRNC tourism claim refuted – Tourism leaders have refuted claims that tourism numbers leaped by 15% last year. While Prime Minister Irsen Küçük has been extolling the virtues of North Cyprus as a tourist destination, suggestions that 2010 was a success have been denied. Mr Küçük told Turkish investors that a tourism plan was close to completion. The plan aims to see 1 million holidaymakers a year choose North Cyprus after 5 years and 2 million by 2023. Travel Agents Association chairman Orhan Tolon said “I do not believe the TRNC had a 15 % rise in tourism in 2010. No one will benefit from distorted data. You can see the reality in the current market conditions.” He said 130 out of the 150 hotels and holiday villages in North Cyprus had made losses during 2010, while 100 out of 250 tour guides lost their jobs and reservations for 2011 were currently running at about 10%. He said “Usually reservations for the year would be about 50% by January, so can you please tell me where the so called tourists are?” Editor: – so are they saying the government are liars?
It’s 13th payday, but more delays – Public sector workers were finally given their 13th wage on Monday – but many were unable to cash them until yesterday. The Prime Minister had promised the money would be paid to civil servants on the last day of January. But many who tried to cash cheques or withdraw money paid directly into their accounts were unable to do so because banks were not given permission to pay out until 3pm.
Acapulco owner stakes $950,000 in new airline – Unal Cağıner owner of the Acapulco hotel in Catalköy, is the biggest private investor in the new North Cyprus Airlines venture, it has emerged. He has ploughed $950,000 into the partnership between the private sector, the TRNC government and Turkish Airlines. Erbil Arkın, of the Colony Hotel in Girne, is the second biggest investor in the new airline, which is set to take to the skies In March or April. He has invested $750,000 in the business.
Privatisation of Ercan Airport will come first, pledges Prime Minister – March has been set for an “international bid” for the privatisation of Ercan Airport, the Prime Minister has confirmed. He said the government was planning to meet its ongoing budget deficit by increasing the number of tourists coming to the TRNC and this was the main reason Ercan Airport would be privatised. “This year we expect 700,000 tourists”. He revealed that new airlines wishing to fly to the TRNC were being encouraged but the preconditions were being put on air links, including the need to serve new destinations in Turkey.
Company rules out UK flights – Atlasjet has ruled out plans to fly to the UK from North Cyprus this year. It had been suggested that the Turkish airline would launch its own flights from Ercan to London Stansted after being ditched as a partner brought in to rescue CTA.
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