S. Cyprus: Second thoughts about €100m navy boats

RULING party DISY appears to be having second thoughts on spending millions on military hardware right now, when thousands of people are unemployed and others are having a tough time meeting their basic needs.

Sources said the party wants to delay procurement of two Israeli-made naval craft that will be used primarily for patrolling the waters in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The cost of the boats is €100 million and Cyprus would have to give €25 million as down-payment for the deal to go ahead.

“It would be a bit too much to pay €25 million,” a party source told the Cyprus Mail, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It bothers us even if it is justified.”

The source said the party wanted to push the decision further down the road, to see how the economic situation goes.

Media reports suggested that all parties had initially agreed to release the funds, and DISY’s about turn angered the others.

AKEL is now saying it too, does not agree with spending so much money.