President of the Republic Demetris Christofias announced during a televised address to the nation, the appointment of a single-member inquiry committee, to investigate events which led to the deadly explosion in the Naval Base ‘Evangelos Florakis’, on Monday.
The Committee will be headed by lawyer Polis Polyviou and it will be charged with the task of investigating the causes of the incident, pointing to those who should be held accountable for the explosion.
After conveying his personal and the government`s condolences to family members and relatives of the twelve blast victims, President Christofias assured that those who are responsible will be held accountable, ‘from the lowest to the highest level’, and called the public to remain ‘calm and sober’.
President Christofias began his address, by saying that he was speaking to the people, during difficult times, while the victims of the Naval Base tragedy were still being buried.
It is the demand of all of us to fully investigate the circumstances and the causes of this tragedy, the President noted.
Announcing Polyviou’s appointment, President Christofias underlined that his task will be to ‘quickly and swiftly investigate every single aspect’ of the deadly blast.
He also noted that the Police will be investigating potential criminal responsibilities, under the supervision of the Attorney General of the Republic.
A full investigation, he continued, will reinstate the public’s confidence towards the state and its institutions, which suffered a blow.
President Christofias called for collective work by all involved, by showing confidence towards state institutions.
Moreover, the President was critical in his address towards a small group of ‘nationalists and ultra-rightists’, who undermined recent peaceful demonstrations of people, held outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, by trying to ‘take advantage of human suffering’ and ‘venturing to set the Presidential Palace aflame’.
Saying that such incidents are reminiscent of the 1974 events outside the Presidential Palace, during the coup and the Turkish invasion and occupation, the President added that the consolidation of order is a collective responsibility.
Continuing his address, President Christofias noted that
the government has already asked for help from the EU, in the framework of member states display of solidarity, to address needs after the blast. He added that government services are already working in order to repair damages.
Moreover, the President said that he understands people’s anger and grief and added that all should remain calm and try to look ahead, to the continuation of the Cyprus negotiations and the Presidency of the EU Council, in the second half of 2012.
The Cyprus negotiations and the EU Presidency are not an alibi for the situation in front of us and the ensuing responsibilities the President noted.
President Christofias concluded his televised address by saying that the government will continue its efforts concerning all aspects of the state`s administration and will wait for the results of the investigation before referring again to the people.
Source: Cyprus News Agency
