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While Committee Fight and the Gournes
Development and Environment
Association step up their efforts to block the
possibility of huge resource-draining private developments at the old
American base, other groups around Crete
are continuing similar fights.
In
the Lasithi area, the Pan-Cretan Network of Environmental Organizations (EcoCrete),
has announced that it has written to the government asking it to withdraw
approval for Loyalward Limited, a British company, to build a vast hotel and
golf resort complex at Cavo Sidero.
The group claims that the project, which includes at least three golf
courses, would have a damaging effect on the environment of the area in
Lasithi, particularly in terms of its demand on water resources.
EcoCrete also said it doubts the validity of the contract that has allowed
Loyalward to lease some 2,600 hectares of land for 80 years.
Meanwhile, it was reported that representatives of the same
corporation, as well as several other private investors, began lining up to
sink their teeth into the Gournes’ prime seafront acreage.
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At
a recent Gouves town council meeting apparently some representatives of
private developers were spotted exchanging cell-phone numbers with
high-ranking township officials.
However, Mayor Yiorgo Nikolakakis, back in town after a fact-finding meeting
in Athens with all the government organizations involved in overlooking the
development of the base property, said, “I
categorically stated that we will not accept or even discuss a casino, any 5
star hotels or a mall”.
“I
believe all involved in the base property management will proclaim some
pieces for investors, but it will happen when
we want it and are ready. No one
will run me. They will run to our
rhythm as long as I am the mayor.”
The mayor has assembled his own
fact-finding committee to keep tabs on the overall situation. Its members,
besides the mayor, include: Archbishop Irineos; Councilman Eleftherios
Zouros; Yiorgos Gramatikakis; attorney Dimitrios Ksyritakis; economist Niki
Yiamalaki and Yiorgos Kornelakis.
At press time, the committee was in the process of preparing a comprehensive
report to be presented to the entire town council and the public.
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