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repulsewarrior
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Where do we want to be in a year?
By Stefanos Evripidou
THE BUZZ over the past few weeks has been all about reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of 2009, something which one EU diplomat describes as just one of the “ideal scenarios” doing the rounds.
“There isn’t a timetable of any sorts but what you’re getting is people talking about ideal scenarios. There are suggested deadlines, and people are working back from those, saying if we want to get to a referendum by this point, we have to get to this stage by then,” said the EU diplomat.
“There are certainly no deadlines but people are thinking aloud, ‘where do we want to be in a year’s time’,” he added.
It might be wishful thinking by the two leaders and the diplomatic community, but the stars certainly seem to be aligning for such a development.
Last week, Hasan Ercakica, spokesman for Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, laid out a three-phase plan for a solution by the end of the year. Talks until April, followed by a bout of give-and-take sparring, ending with a final plan by autumn.
Observers could point to the fact that Talat was equally overconfident that a solution would be found last year. But that was more about him pandering to his audience after Tassos Papadopoulos’ exit, and trying to get an early one up on newly elected President Demetris Christofias.
Either way, there are two, three events on the calendar that make 2009 that bit more crucial than 2008. There will be ‘parliamentary’ elections in the north this April, which the National Unity Party, founded by Rauf Denktash, is tipped to win. This could make the more hardline Dervis Eroglu ‘prime minister’ again.
As ‘president’, Talat will remain community leader and continue to participate in the talks. Besides, Eroglu does not have the broad shoulders needed to go against Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, should the latter increase his enthusiasm for a solution.
However, the first quarter of 2010 will bring ‘presidential’ elections in the north. This is where things could get tricky, as Talat and Christofias are considered the first couple to both be dedicated towards a solution. Any change there could see a serious obstacle to a solution.
“Talat’s election affects everyone. Christofias needs him in power. This is the first time both leaders are committed to a solution and Christofias would find it very, very difficult to negotiate with someone else,” said the EU diplomat.
Another key date is the end of year EU review of the Ankara Protocol which obliges Turkey to open its ports and airports to Cyprus-flagged ships and planes. This is a key stumbling block in Turkey’s EU accession path as the candidate country has shown no desire to meet its obligations before a solution.
At the same time, a number of countries are keen to see the Cyprus problem solved, removing one of the obstacles to Turkish accession while also clearing the path for more EU-NATO cooperation.
Even EU Enlargement Commissioner expressed confidence in a solution this year during his recent visit to the island.
“The understanding is if the Cyprus talks are going well, the EU could take a more lenient view, but if they ground to a halt, there might be difficult obstacles to the accession process,” said the diplomatic source.
“Technically, it’s not flexible but the EU wouldn’t want to spike the solution process if it’s going well. It won’t haul Turkey over coals on the Ankara protocol. One doesn’t ever quite know what the EU will do but it might give a delay.”
However, if there is no reason to hold off, then those less keen on Turkish accession could make a fuss.
So, the factors seem to be converging for greater momentum in the coming months to bang out a solution that both leaders can sell to their communities. The UN is not oblivious to this which is why it has gathered a team of experts to advise UN envoy Alexander Downer and assist in the talks, particularly the “second phase” of quid pro quo.
“Everyone’s aware of all the pointers, and everyone is keen to see momentum pick up, so it doesn’t drag on, including the two leaders. Downer’s team is here to do that and to help him,” said the diplomat.
But what kind of “ideal scenario” are people looking at exactly? Could we find ourselves in referendum fever again before Christmas?
“Different people hope to have a solution plan ready by the end of the year, others hope for a referendum. It gets revised all the time depending on the talks,” he said.
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repulsewarrior
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Turning a place of tears into a place of hope
By Jacqueline Theodoulou
THE LEDRA Street crossing was yesterday described “a meeting point of people’s hopes” by the President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Luc Van den Brande.
“Today, walking down Ledra Street, we have seen that it is possible to turn a place of tears into a place of hope, to turn a hostage of history into a place of freedom,” said Van den Brande who was invited to Nicosia by Mayor Eleni Mavrou.
The CoR head, aside from the emotion he expressed during his visit to the crossing point, also had some strong words of advice for the island’s politicians.
"The time will come – and I hope it will be soon – to explain to your citizens the implications of an agreement reached on the future of Cyprus. You, as local politicians will be expected to be there, to talk, explain and support what has been achieved in the interests of your community. The involvement of local politicians is fundamental for building the necessary support for a sustainable solution, “ he said.
Van den Brande, who was accompanied by the chairs of the CoR’s political groups, visited the old town with Mavrou who invited him to Cyprus following Van den Brande’s proposal last year to name the CoR’s meeting place in Brussels “Open Ledra Street”.
“I would like to thank Mayor Eleni Mavrou – not just for inviting us here, to help us to understand the complexity of local issues better, but also for sharing with us the hope that the two communities of Nicosia are experiencing in their everyday lives, at a time which offers a window of opportunity that cannot be missed for the future of Cyprus,” said Van den Brande.
“It was with genuine emotion that I visited the buffer zone earlier this morning, where Ledra Street crosses Lokmaci...a crossing point that is also a meeting point of people’s hopes,” he told a news conference. “Opening Ledra Street meant opening a road, which is a difficult road to walk along straight to the end, but which is also a one-way-street leading to the reunification of the island.”
Van den Brande likened the street’s opening to one of several obstacles in reaching a final solution to the Cyprus problem.
“But it was and remains an important symbol, in particular for building confidence and showing the world the strong commitment of the two Cypriot communities and the positive role of local authorities.”
Van den Brande also drew parallels with the fenced off ‘ghost town’ of Varosha in occupied Famagusta.
“The regeneration of the whole surrounding region of Famagusta, including the return of its fenced off area to life, has to be taken into consideration and turned into a win-win solution for both communities and into a win-win perspective for the enlargement of Europe and the restoration of the international rule of law’s respect by all parties concerned.”
Thanking the EU delegation, the Nicosia Mayor added, “They have made it possible to bring at the heart of the home of the cities and regions of Europe the cause of Nicosia and the message of our resolve to continue working in cooperation for a shared future”.
Van den Brande also met with President Demetris Christofias earlier in the day, where they exchanged views on the Cyprus problem.
Later, the Committee President was awarded with the Medal of the City of Nicosia and an honorary diploma in a ceremony at the Municipal Council.
The delegation also got the chance to visit regeneration projects that were co-funded by the EU, as well as bicommunal projects.
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repulsewarrior
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Top secret talks document leaked
By Elias Hazou
IT WAS déjà vu all over again after a classified document on the Cyprus talks was leaked to the press less than 24 hours after it was handed to politicians.
The document, circulated to the National Council at the body’s meeting on Friday, lists the points of convergence and disagreement on key issues of a reunited state, covering governance and power-sharing.
Simerini newspaper yesterday ran a full-page story, quoting extensively from the document and publishing snapshots of excerpts. The document’s cover page is stamped “Secret.”
The 35-page manuscript records serious disagreements between the two communities. In a nutshell, the Turkish Cypriots are said to want a weak central government—anathema to Greek Cypriots.
According to the leaked document, the Turkish Cypriot side states: “The relationship between the Federal Government and the Constituent States shall not be one of dominion, supremacy or hierarchy”—a view the government interprets as advocating a loose association where the two constituent states are not accountable to the central government.
“The Greek Cypriot side cannot accept the use of wording which is incommensurate with federal systems and which harks to a confederal rather than a federal system,” the document notes.
It was hardly the first time the National Council’s laundry was exposed to the public eye.
“We express our grief, disappointment and intense concern that National Council documents were not only leaked, but also delivered unedited to the mass media,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanos told a news briefing.
“This is irresponsible and unacceptable behavior on the part of a member, or members, of the National Council, in clear violation of a commitment for confidentiality and discretion.”
Stefanou said the disclosure came hot on the heels of a renewed pledge by members of the NC to maintain secrecy.
“Such behaviors therefore undermine the function and role of the National Council itself. Worse, they undermine the President’s efforts to achieve a solution on Cyprus that would reunite the island and its people within the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.”
The document describes the Turkish Cypriot position thus: “…neither the executive, the legislature nor the judiciary of the Federal Government shall exercise superiority over the organs of the constituent states. Likewise, the organs and officials of the federal government shall not claim a right to issue orders or instructions to the respective organs of the constituent states.”
Moreover, “the Federal Government shall entrust the implementation of federal laws, including the collection of specific taxes, to the constituent states.”
And, “Any measure enacted by federal organs shall not supersede measures enacted by the competent authorities of the constituent states.”
It’s a disagreement that strikes at the core of the Cyprus problem. Conventional wisdom has it that Turkish Cypriots, as the minority, want as much self-rule as possible. Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, are pressing for a strong central government as a safeguard against possible secession.
Citizenship of the new state was one of a handful of issues on which the two communities see eye to eye.
Vast disagreements exist also on the structure of the federal government. The Turkish Cypriots want a Presidential Council to be elected by the Senate on a five-year term. The President and Vice-President (one from each community) would alternate every 12 months.
By contrast, the Greek Cypriot side proposes that the President and Vice-President be elected on a single ticket “via universal secret ballot by the citizens of the Federal Republic.”
On the thorny issue of security guarantees, the Turkish Cypriots call for Cyprus to “maintain the special bonds of friendship [with Turkey and Greece] and to respect the balance between Greece and Turkey…Cyprus shall afford these two countries equal treatment until such time as Turkey becomes a member of the European Union. Issues of equal treatment shall be regulated by enacting relevant laws.”
During Friday’s three-hour session of the National Council, President Christofias briefed on the course of direct talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Party leaders are to give their feedback in writing when the body next convenes on March 10.
Coming out of the meeting at the Presidential Palace, a number of party chiefs said they were left with the impression that the Turkish side was veering toward a confederation. The leaders included DIKO’s Marios Garoyian, EDEK’s Yiannakis Omirou and the European Party’s Demetris Syllouris.
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repulsewarrior
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Christofias in defiant mood
By Stefanos Evripidou
President gives embattled education minister his full support
THE CONSTANT barrage of criticism against education reform is “incomprehensible”, President Demetris Christofias stressed yesterday during a review of his first year in office.
The president threw his weight behind beleaguered Education Minister Andreas Demetriou, declaring that the government was fully behind his efforts at education reform and had no intentions of removing him from office.
“We will implement the programme (on education reform). I’ve said it many times, education reform is an absolute necessity for Cyprus and its people, and for our children, the future generations,” said Christofias.
In an otherwise subdued press conference on the government’s achievements to date, Christofias appeared more agitated when the issue of education reform came up.
The president condemned the daily number of “untold attacks” against Education Minister Andreas Demetriou, describing them as “incomprehensible”.
“The attack against education reform, with the pretext of the history books, is incomprehensible, as is the scandal about the schools in Rizokarpasso. And I condemn the attacks against the minister and the scheming,” he said.
Christofias noted that the history books have to change if Cyprus wants to be a modern state
“Regardless of who and how many react, changes to the history books are needed if we want to be a modern state and if we want to have a somewhat objective view of our modern history,” he added.
He noted that if Cyprus did not create conditions of co-existence with the Turkish Cypriots, then the next step was to decide on partition.
“We are destined to live with Turkish Cypriots for centuries unless we decide to live alone,” he said.
Christofias rejected notions that the government planned to whitewash history and the EOKA’s colonial struggle against the British.
“Who said we would tarnish the struggle of EOKA. Who said we would change it?” he asked.
The president noted that his presence at the Grigoris Afxentiou memorial and meetings with EOKA leaders indicated the government was not about to ignore and tarnish the historical struggles.
“And if mistakes were made, let’s admit them. We were all pursuing enosis (union with Greece). Where is this union? We got a truncated independence, we didn’t let it work, and we are responsible, as the others are too, of course.
“And some continued to fight for union… If all this, the sacrifices with blood, invasions and occupations are misfortunes of history, then let’s call them that, and what unlucky people we are. But it’s not like that,” he said,
“We will honour the struggles and the heroes who gave their lives… but at the same time mistakes were made, omissions were made, people died unnecessarily. Will we have the power to give these people justice? These are the questions the political leadership has to answer collectively and responsibly, and history itself.”
On the question of joining NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP), the president charged opposition deputies in the Euro-parliament with trying to undermine his position on so-called ideological grounds.
He censured the MEPs who “worked hard to scrape together this small majority in the European Parliament” by writing letters saying he was a communist who objected to PfP on ideological grounds.
Christofias said he was only following the same policy on PfP as his last two predecessors.
“Where is this going? And they talk about my ideological distortions. I think some people need to look in the mirror,” he said.
Answering questions from the press, the president noted the shortage of women in power was a weakness of the government though he rejected the notion that it was a gerontocracy. In fact, it worked on the basis of meritocracy to the point where AKEL party members were complaining that they could not reap the benefits of having a left-wing government, added Christofias.
He also acknowledged the “big problems” in the civil service, saying “You can’t take a broom to the civil service”.
Asked whether he considered the government unlucky to have drought, economic crisis, police scandals, and the Russian arms ship saga all in its first year, he said: “Of course I don’t consider us lucky… But it depends how you handle it.”
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repulsewarrior
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Cyprus deal must not unravel
UN SPECIAL Envoy Alexander Downer said yesterday it was important not to rush into a Cyprus deal that might unravel in the future.
“You have to put together an agreement which will hold in place,” he said after a meeting with President Demetris Christofias.
Downer said the 1960 constitution “disintegrated in effect”.
“You need to have an agreement now that will hold in place for the duration, for the future, it is not easy but the two leaders are very committed to it. When you have two leaders committed to the process you can be optimistic about them succeeding,” he added.
“Of course the sooner you can finish the negotiations the better, but the negotiations themselves have to finish, there is no point in coupling together something that won’t work just for the sake of finishing it nice and fast.”
At the same time he said the momentum needed to be kept up or as fast as was manageable. It also required patience.
“I am cautiously optimistic about the process. I would not be here if I were not cautiously optimistic about it. I think there are good prospects of there being a successful negotiation here. But these are complicated issues”, he said.
He said it had to be borne in mind that the leaders of the two communities, also had other obligations.
“They have other work to do in terms of their own communities and President Christofias has a lot of international obligations Cyprus is part of the EU and so on. All of these things have to be done and the peace talks have to be incorporated into those agendas”, he said.
Downer said the leaders would continue their discussions on EU issues when they meet again next week.
Yesterday afternoon technical experts were to meet to talk about the legal issues in relation to the EU chapter where the representatives of the two leaders will hold a broader discussion about the process.
“Today is a day when there will be the focus on a lot of technical issues in relation to the EU and they are largely legal issues. They are issues that relate to Cyprus’ membership of the EU and how all of that will work with the new arrangement of the federated Cyprus”, he said.
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repulsewarrior
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UN visitors ordered out of Famagusta
A GROUP of UN officers on a cultural tour of occupied Famagusta were ordered out of the occupied areas by Turkish Cypriot military police.
Failure to leave the area immediately would result in their arrest, they were told.
The incident occurred on Saturday when a convoy of ten cars crossed over to the occupied areas as part of the UN Officers’ Club’s cultural tours of the north and south. The group of sightseers included ambassadors, EU members, UN officials and civilians.
Three of the 10 cars were UN vehicles carrying three uniformed staff and other civilian staff in plainclothes.
When the group reached the centre of Famagusta town it was stopped by three plainclothes Turkish Cypriot military police who had been following the car from the moment it had entered the district.
The Turkish Cypriot ‘authorities’ told the UN officials that they would be escorted out of the occupied areas or face arrest.
A heated discussion is believed to have followed with the Turkish Cypriot side telling the group that UN personnel were not allowed into the walled city of Famagusta unless they were on official business with a letter stating the purpose of the visit.
“Apparently if you are civilian UN worker you cannot go there in a UN car. You have to go in a civilian car,” one of the group said.
In the end the group turned back and returned to the free areas.
UNFICYP spokesman Jose Diaz said the UN was looking into the matter and was seeking clarification of the exact procedure and how it was applied.
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repulsewarrior
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Christofias says gaps can be bridged
THERE is potential to fill the gaps between the two sides in the current talks, President Demetris Christofias said yesterday after meeting Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Christofias said yesterday’s meeting, where the leaders continued discussion on EU affairs, was “good without generating feelings of euphoria”.
“We still have both convergences and divergences on the table, that is why we are saying that we have to intensify our work,” he added.
Asked whether they will ask for the help of EU technocrats in case there are differences in the views of experts, he said the EU was interested but said it was up to the two sides to solve any problems.
UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said yesterday it was possible that the leaders would move on to economic matters after their discussions on the EU.
“For two hours they had discussions on EU matters on the basis of the work done by the experts last week and this week. The leaders have agreed to meet again next Tuesday morning to continue these discussions,” he said.
He also announced that before that there would be two back to back meetings of aides to the leaders; one today at 3pm and tomorrow at 4pm of the representatives and the experts.
“It’s been a good discussion. As you know the EU matters was one of the issues on which there has been quite a lot of convergence and on which there was a joint paper that came out through the working groups. So the discussion was thorough and substantive and it is an engaged process,” said Zeirhoun.
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repulsewarrior
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Leaders lend support to joint business initiative
By Simon Bahceli
PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday lent their joint support to a business initiative aimed at bringing the economies of the island closer together.
The project, the brainchild of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot Chambers of Commerce and sponsored by the UNDP, aims at building stronger economic links between the two communities.
“The project aims at reinforcing, fostering and nurturing the economic interdependence between the two communities and contributing to efforts of economic integration,” head of the Cyprus Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) Manthos Mavrommatis told businessmen gathered at a ceremony to mark the start of the project.
Mavrommatis said he was confident trade would grow between the communities, and pointed to a growing level of business since the crossing points between the two sides opened in 2003.
Turkish Cypriot businessmen agree that greater levels of trade are needed to bring the north of the island into line with the south, which joined the EU in 2004.
“Solution of this long-lasting problem will bring two compatible and competitive economies together following a transition period and will generate the economic potential of the island as a whole,” head of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce said.
The two leaders, in giving their support to the venture, told businessmen they believed negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem were largely on track.
“Building confidence is based on the agreement; the agreement is based on confidence. It may seem that we are faced with a dilemma, but Demetris and I are determined to overcome it,” Talat said.
“No one knows better than the business community the opportunities lost because of unnatural and unnecessary restrictions to movement and to personal opportunities,'' Christofias added.
For two Cypriot community leaders to attend such a ceremony and give their joint backing to a cause is unprecedented in modern Cypriot history.
The ceremony at the Goethe Institute in the UN-controlled buffer zone ended with the two Chamber heads and the two leaders signing an agreement to start the project, prompting one member of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber to say, “Let’s hope we see a similar signing in the near future”.
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repulsewarrior
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Relative progress in Cyprus talks
By Stefanos Evripidou
THE TWO leaders made “relative progress” in the direct talks on EU matters yesterday, said President Demetris Christofias after meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
“We’ve got to say that there’s been relative progress and it is positive,” said Christofias.
The president said the two leaders would stay on the same topic at the next meeting on April 2. After that, the two will begin discussions on the economy, regardless of whether they conclude talks on EU matters or not.
“Serious discussions on some aspects of EU matters are taking place, and it is likely some of the issues will remain open,” he added.
Replying to a question, Christofias said that “to an extent” technocrats had contributed to narrowing the difference between the two sides on EU matters.
Asked if the two leaders had discussed Talat’s forthcoming visit to the USA during the tête-à-tête meeting, Christofias said “No, of course not”.
The UN’s Special Representative in Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun told reporters after the meeting that the leaders held their usual tete-a-tete meeting first and then continued the discussion on EU matters “in a positive and constructive manner”.
He also noted that the UN’s special envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer would be back on the island in time for the meeting planned on the economy.
Zerihoun said the leaders’ representatives would meet this Friday again and early next week to continue their discussions on EU matters, “with a view to helping the leaders conclude their discussions on this subject” at their next meeting.
The UN official said during their initial private meetings the two leaders “have made advances on particular chapters” which they will try to put in one document for the leaders to consider on April 2.
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repulsewarrior
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‘No one talks about Ledra Street as they did a year ago’
By Elias Hazou
Ledra Street no longer stands as the symbol of the island’s division. And that’s no bad thing, say the experts.
The crossing point was opened a year ago next Friday, amid much fanfare and hype. The balloons released into the air during a ceremony on the morning of April 3 2008 reflected a renewed optimism, a new hope for a breakthrough in the Cyprus stalemate. The opening of Ledra Street after 40 years was widely heralded as an historic moment. But was it that big a deal?
The bullet-riddled buildings on either side of the thoroughfare are a reminder of the area’s violent past; the street certainly packs a great deal of history. In the late 1950s, Ledra Street was dubbed ‘Murder Mile’ by British forces during the EOKA campaign, due to the hazards presented to patrolling British troops by nationalist fighters.
“No doubt the opening meant a lot. Coming after the election of Demetris Christofias to the Presidency, it signalled a new hope for reunification,” says Hubert Faustmann, Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Nicosia.
Beyond the symbolic meaning, the opening represented also one of those rare moments where the two sides on Cyprus were willing to play ball.
“I think both leaders of the two communities played a big part. On the Greek Cypriot side, Christofias was instrumental in the opening in that he was willing to turn a blind eye to some provisions of a deal which Tassos Papadopoulos objected to.
“And it goes without saying that a deal would never have been possible without the nod from the Turkish army, which cited concerns over military formations in the area.”
A year on, the euphoria surrounding Ledra has fizzled out - but that was to be expected, says Faustmann. The loss of interest can be put down to two reasons: the perceived lack of progress in the Cyprus talks, but also the simple fact that people now take the crossing for granted.
“No one talks about Ledra Street as they did a year ago… it’s become routine.”
But the fact that the 80-metre walkway has lost its value as the symbol of division is no bad thing. At the very least, neither side can any longer use Ledra to score brownie points against each other, says Faustmann.
Stavros Tombazos, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Cyprus, agrees.
“For years, Ledra Street, and the fact it was closed, served to fuel a Cold War climate on the island. But no more.”
Moreover, says Tombazos, the opening of the crossing point “dispelled the myth that Greek and Turkish Cypriots could not live side by side peacefully.”
But he hastens to add that one should be cautious not to read too much into it.
“No doubt the free movement of people is a step in the right direction. But it doesn’t touch on the substance of the Cyprus problem, which is a far more complex issue. To be fair, politicians did highlight this point when the street was being opened.”
On a practical level, the opening has boosted commerce in the area, although Ledra has not regained its sparkle as Nicosia’s trade hub of old.
“We need a new political leap of will to follow up on the actual opening of the crossing points,” UN spokesman Jose Diaz told the Sunday Mail.
Diaz was referring to the mooted renovation of the thoroughfare via the United Nations Development Programme. The project has stalled as the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
“Ledra’s opening was an historic event. It captured the optimism of the time, and demonstrated that almost anything is possible if you have the necessary political will and foresight.”
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repulsewarrior
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Mine-free Cyprus by 2011
UN Special Representative and Chief Mission in Cyprus, Taye-Brook Zerihoun yesterday called for , a concerted push to achieve the goal of a mine-free buffer zone in Cyprus by 2011.
“Recent incidents have served as tragic reminders of the dangers these devices still represent”, Zerihoun said, recalling the injuries sustained by de-miners and civilians in landmine explosions in 2008.
“Landmines can kill and maim, and they prevent Cypriots from enjoying the beauty and the potential abundance of large areas of their country,” he added.
Zerihoun echoed the hope expressed by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for stronger action on de-mining. In a message to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action today, the Secretary-General urged the international community to renew its commitment to carry out the “life-saving work” of freeing the world of the threats caused by landmines and explosives remnants of war.
“Beyond removing weapons, mine action means ensuring a safe environment for civilians, developing local capacity and restoring dignity to survivors through job opportunities and other reintegration programmes”, the Secretary-General said.
“The benefits of mine action are evident in Cyprus”, Zerihoun said. He said over 6.5 million square metres of land comprising 55 minefields have been “released” since 2004, thanks to the Mine Action Centre Cyprus. Mine action has made it possible to open crossing points between the north and south, including at Ledra Street in Nicosia, and to return land to farmers, he said.
But much work remained to be done.
“The job is difficult but it is possible”, he said. “Provided there is a concerted demonstration of political will and continued funding, we can rid the buffer zone of landmines by April 2011. The people of Cyprus deserve no less.”
Since it began its work in 2004, the Mine Action Centre Cyprus, a European Union-funded project of the UNDP’s Partnership for the Future, has, with the support of UNFICYP, removed and destroyed 6410 anti-personnel mines and 3990 anti-tank mines. A total of 6.5 million square miles of land have been rendered mine-free, comprising 55 minefields.
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repulsewarrior
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New book aims to set the record straight
By Stefanos Evripidou
A NEW bilingual book on the bloody history of Cyprus, called Bloody Truth has been launched by a team of anonymous researchers, backed by the Movement for Freedom and Justice in Cyprus.
Presenting the book at a bilingual launch in Nicosia yesterday, DIKO deputy Andreas Angelides described it as “a collection of documents from a team of researchers, who without a particular reason or agenda, chose to record the testimonies that are laid out in the 366 pages of this book and the 169 footnotes, so as to enlighten and challenge the mind that reads them”.
Angelides noted that the book’s only ambition was “to document the truth of events that took place during the past 65 years (the period of time that the book covers), and to initiate an open debate through the undisputed testimonies that it holds”.
The deputy also referred to the Annan plan, referendum and NO vote, highlighting that a similar solution plan would bring another NO.
Journalist and author Fanoulla Argyrou said the Bloody Truth had come at a “very crucial moment in time”.
“At a time, when so many have embarked on a ruthless, systematic campaign of total distortion of historical facts, making truth the first and direct victim in order to reach their goals,” she said, referring specifically to the turbulent events of 1963-64.
The “strongly documented evidence” in the book provided a real perspective of what happened on the island in the last 65 years, she noted.
President of the Movement Panos Ioannides referred to the “lies” propagated on developments between 1955 and 1974.
“The truth, regrettably a bloody truth, is fully documented in this book. Whoever intends to express an honest opinion on the Cyprus issue is urged to first study the book.”
However, before he could finish his sentence in English, an angry audience member interrupted the president’s bilingual address, shouting: “Mr Panos, can you see an English man here?”
Ioannides then continued to speak to the largely elderly Greek Cypriot audience in Greek, before thanking Archbishop Chrysostomos II for his presence. The primate was joined on the front row by former Central Bank governor Christodoulos Christodoulou and former Finance Minister Makis Keravnos.
Asked why the book, which contained documented evidence, did not also have documented authors, Ioannides replied: “The book was written anonymously by over 10 researchers from Cyprus and abroad so that any responsibility falls on the Movement which is a legal entity.”
Asked to clarify, he said that if somebody wanted to sue, they would have to sue the Movement, and not the authors.
The Movement was founded by Greek Cypriots on May 11 2008 in Nicosia and their signatures were witnessed by the Archbishop. The Movement’s objective is to “employ every legitimate means in watching over, enlightening and promoting the fundamental rights of Cyprus, so that the principles of Freedom, Democracy, Human Rights and Justice do prevail”.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
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http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=45277
Eroglu will need to rein in his impulses
By Elias Hazou
THE EMERGENCE of nationalists in the north may not portend well for the reunification talks, but it is probably too early to start worrying that Dervis Eroglu’s National Unity Party (UBP) will scupper the peace process, observers say.
The UBP advocates a two-state settlement on Cyprus, at odds with the federal model now being discussed by Talat and Christofias, and the party's control of parliament may give Talat less room for manoeuvre in talks. Talat’s ‘Prime Minister’ Ferdi Sabit Soyer has already tendered his resignation, and a new ‘Cabinet’ is expected to be sworn in around mid-May.
Eroglu has already made the first play, indicating he wants to appoint a representative of his to “monitor” the talks taking place in the UN-controlled buffer zone. This statement of intent has been seen as the first sign of “meddling” in the process.
But for the time being at least, the negotiation process is safe, said a Greek Cypriot source close to the talks:
“Talat remains the interlocutor of the Turkish Cypriot side, so I don’t think there’s any question of fiddling with the actual structure of the talks. From what we hear, this representative of Eroglu’s would have observer status. We don’t know yet,” the source told the Mail
It’s understood Talat’s office would be none too thrilled with an Eroglu man on the negotiating team, but it’s still an open issue in the north.
Talat spokesman Hasan Ercakica told a news briefing yesterday: “In the ongoing negotiations to find a solution for the Cyprus problem the Turkish side is represented by President Mr.Talat.”
“The discussion regarding the inclusion of a representative from the UBP in the negotiating team should be considered to be within this framework. The negotiating team is determined by the President himself,” Ercakica said.
Greek Cypriots should not push the panic button just yet, said the same source.
“If you noticed, during the last few days Eroglu has changed his tune. For example, he no longer rehashes the slogan that ‘a non-solution is the solution’, which was a throwback to two separate states on the island. He’s modified the rhetoric somehow. Now, he says that he wants a federation ‘with the right content’.
“Does that ring a bell?” the source remarked.
Whatever his real agenda, Eroglu will probably need to rein in his impulses.
“Logically, he needs to tread carefully. He knows he cannot risk losing the backing of Ankara, both political and financial. If Turkey stops the cash flow, how will the breakaway regime pay its civil servants?” the source told the Mail.
In a strongly-worded statement on Tuesday, Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan had warned the UBP that Ankara would not support “any action that weakens the hand [of Talat], who started these negotiations.
"It would be very wrong for the new government to end the negotiations or to continue the negotiations on a basis different than the one that has been followed so far," Erdogan said. "The process must continue exactly as before.”
In the breakaway regime, the increasing pressure on Talat will be political, not institutional, says Iosif Iosif, a professor of International Relations at the University of Cyprus.
“If the leaders of the two communities were to clinch a deal then they will go directly to the people with a referendum. Theoretically, Talat does not need his ‘parliament’ to endorse the agreement, but the UBP can make life very difficult for him in the meantime,” said Iosif.
“What’s really disconcerting about Eroglu’s win,” he added, “is not so much his ability to manipulate events directly, but rather that the election result has shown, in no uncertain terms, the shift toward more hardline views among the Turkish Cypriot population.”
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009 |
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repulsewarrior
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Bildt: unique window to solve island’s division
By Jacqueline Theodoulou
THERE IS now a unique window of opportunity for settling the Cyprus issue, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said yesterday. The visiting politician added that Turkey’s failure to meet certain criteria will be taken into consideration during its EU assessment at the end of the year.
Bildt arrived on the island yesterday for a series of meetings and was speaking to the media after his meeting with Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou.
The Swedish FM, whose country will take over EU presidency in July, pointed out that a solution to the Cyprus problem would result in positive economic dynamics for both sides of Cyprus, as well as positive dynamics in the eastern Mediterranean, between the EU and NATO, and other international issues.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=45306 |
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Breaking from the traditional silence or the ‘diplomatic speak’ that usually precedes such visits, Bildt pointed out that “a game was being played out” before his visit, with hints being given to him as to who he should and should not meet, and the various implications of his decisions.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=45329 |
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Is Eroglu then an ultra nationalist in the vein of hardman Rauf Denktash? Eroglu insists he isn’t.
“Some see us as Denktash’s party, but we are not, although he did form the UBP,” Eroglu says, adding however that he and Denktash “parted” in 1992. The main difference between himself and Denktash, he says, is that Denktash could never contemplate any kind of deal on Cyprus other than a two state one.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=45334 |
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repulsewarrior
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The content of the statement was expected to be of an encouraging and facilitative nature, with all five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK and the US) seeking to congratulate the two Cypriot leaders on their achievements so far in working towards a final settlement.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=45414
Security Council agrees on draft statement on Cyprus talks progress |
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