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The text below is the result of detailed Proact research and discussions with conservation groups and concerned individuals
on Cyprus. If you wish, edit the style and general content of the mail to add a personal touch.
A mail has
been sent with the names of ALL members of the Proact Team; but members who want to write individually as well are of course
free to do so. The more the merrier!
Mark, cut and paste into an email to President of Cyprus and the responsible
ministers, Click on the email link below. If you have time please move the Proact mail addresses to the cc. or bcc. box of
your mail programme.
For those who wish to paste in the addresses themselves, or who are unfamiliar with the
Proact mailing procedure or are new to the internet, please click here:
Mailing procedure/mail addresses in full
[Mails can be 'filtered out' by title if the recipient(s) are being snowed under. Vary the title in the subject box if you
have time - and a vivid imagination!]
MAIL TO THE PRESIDENT & MINISTERS
... and don't forget your nearest Embassy or Consulate ...
CLICK HERE
Mark, copy and paste from below this line .....
THIS ILLEGAL MASS-KILLING OF BIRDS IS UNACCEPTABLE!
To:
The President of Cyprus
Mr Glafkos Clerides
The Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Minister for the Interior, Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Minister for
Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Mr Ioannis Kasoulides
Mr Christodoulos Christodoulou
Mr
Costas Themistokleous
Mr Nicos Rolandis
Dear President,
Dear Minister,
In 2 years time, in 2004, the Republic of Cyprus will almost certainly accede to the European Union. The Government
of Cyprus, in terms of effective implementation of environmental protection laws, are however far from meeting EU requirements.
This is nowhere more evident than in the blatant flouting of bird protection legislation. Cyprus and Cypriots must accept
that the illegal trapping for consumption of small birds is a practice for which the economic and nutritional necessity ended
early in the last (20th) century. Furthermore, in the eyes of most fellow-Europeans, it is a barbaric and cruel practice;
and adversely affects the survival of protected species which breed in Northern and Central Europe. Cyprus is an important
geographic stepping stone for millions of migrating birds. Instead of finding rest and strength for their long journey north
they find a lingering and cruel death.
In the year 2000 some twenty MILLION birds were illegally trapped or
shot on Cyprus. The majority of these birds are migratory species and are therefore part of the pan-European natural heritage.
As signatory of the Berne Convention, and applicant for full membership of the European Union, you have a moral responsibility
to your citizens, and the rest of Europe, to put a stop to these criminal, barbaric and outdated practices. In this respect
pressure is also being put on the British SBA authorities, and their departments in Whitehall, to finally close the notorious
'safe havens' or 'no-go areas' of Cape Pyla and the Paralimni district. We urge you to cooperate with them closely.
In addition to the 'traditional tourists' in Ayia Napa and other similar resorts, many of whom one can meet on the nature
trails of the Akamas with off-road jeeps and a plentiful supply of alcohol, there are an increasing number of eco-tourists
coming unremarked to Cyprus to enjoy its nature and wildlife. The motto of all tourists in our shrinking natural world should
be "take only photographs - leave only footprints." The signatories of this letter almost certainly belong to this
category; or are considering visiting Cyprus in the future. This trend will increase and will put the rewards in the pockets
of all of the islanders - not just a few developers. It is however first essential that the criminal, but highly profitable
activity, of trapping and illegal shooting of birds, is stopped. No one wants to come and see dead birds; or hear stillness
where there should be vibrant birdsong.
Reports indicate that more is now being done; but too little and too
slowly. From the end of February 2002 the return migration will begin and millions of protected 'European' birds will again
be criminally slaughtered in order to provide illegal delicacies for the table. It is time for energetic and effective action
to be taken to:
1) Destroy the 'killing arenas' which are or will be prepared for the trapping season.
2) Prevent the re-establishment of these killing fields by constant demonstrative policing by the Game Fund.
3)
Search for, confiscate and destroy relentlessly the trapping devices (mist nets and liming equipment).
4) Use the
full powers of available legislation to harass and penalise offenders.
5) Keep up this activity throughout the migration
period (to end of May).
As concerned nature lovers, conservationists, birders or ornithologists, we urge
you to to place this matter high on your agenda and take quick and concerted action against the criminal elements who practise
this very lucrative illegal trade. We hope that you will see the matter in terms of its potentially severe impact on global
and European bird populations; and not be motivated by misleading or short-sighted perceptions of local political sensibility
or expediency.
Similar communications will be sent to the British Government, the SBA authorities, individual
members of the European Parliament and the news media in European countries and on Cyprus.
In the hope of
being informed of real progress in this important issue we remain,
yours sincerely,
[Name
and Address - essential!]
..... to above this line
For help in sending a mail click on ...
Mailing Methods
ADDRESSES IN FULL:
President Glafkos Clerides
Presidential Palace
Dem. Severis Ave.,
1400 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Cyprus
e-mail: grafio.proedrou@cytanet.com.cy
-x-
Mr Ioannis Kasoulides
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dem. Severis Avenue
1447 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Cyprus
e-mail: minforeign1@cytanet.com.cy
-x-
Mr Christodoulos Christodoulou
Minister of the Interior
Dem.Severis Ave.,
Ex-Secretariat Offices,
1453
Lefkosia (Nicosia),
Cyprus
e-mail: minint3@cytanet.com.cy
-x-
Mr Costas Themistokleous
Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
Loukis Akritas Ave.,
1411
Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Cyprus
Email: ministeranre@cytanet.com.cy
-x-
Mr Nicos Rolandis
Minister for Commerce, Industry and Tourism
6 A. Araouzos St.,
1424 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Cyprus
e-mail: ministercom.ind.tourism@cytanet.com.cy
CYPRUS REPRESENTATION IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY
You can also contact the official representatives of the Republic of Cyprus in your own continent or country and tell them,
in your own words and language, that this mass slaughter of birds is barbaric, presents a negative image of a country almost
wholly dependent on tourism, and is not fitting for a prospective member (in 2004) of the European Union. You can amend some
of the text blocks in the text above and include them. The contact details, usually with an email address, are shown on the
following link:
CYPRUS MISSIONS ABROAD
If you send an email, please copy it to:
project-cyprus@proactnow.org
contact-cyprus@proactnow.org
This helps us, at Proact and on Cyprus, to monitor the scope of the campaign and increase our effectiveness in future.
Thank you,
David Conlin
Proact Coord
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