My Old School

Turkish Cypriots deny school demolition claims
By Simon Bahceli
(archive article - Tuesday, May 10, 2005)

REPORTS that the Turkish Cypriot municipality of Kythrea had given permission for the demolition of a Greek Cypriot school in the village were strongly denied yesterday.
“There are no such plans, and I have no idea where such rumours began,” municipal official Sevket Oztumen told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. He hinted, however, that elements of the Greek Cypriot media could have been their source. The report was broadcast on CyBC on Sunday night

“CyBC1 came to see us and asked about rumours that the school was to be demolished to make way for a football pitch. We told them it was not true, so why they went and told the public it was true, I have no idea,” Oztumen added.

The storm over the possible demolition even drew the attention of the EU’s Ambassador on Cyprus Adriaan van der Meer who told the Mail yesterday, “We believe this building should be preserved as it is part of the cultural heritage of Cyprus and we’ll do all we can to prevent its destruction”.

But Oztumen was adamant the school was in no danger yesterday.

“We do not need a football pitch built in the village because we have a very good one already. Furthermore, building a pitch on or near the school is not a viable option as it is too rocky and hilly there.”

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