ROLANDIS PROPOSES A ROAD MAP TO TALAT

[Bananiot]

I will give an outline of a letter sent by Nicos Rolandis (ex Foreign Minister of Republic of Cyprus) to “Politis” newspaper on Thursday September 2.

Dinner for two (with an old friend)

I have known Mehmet Ali Talat for many years. He was always friendly, moderate and rational. Recently he asked to see me for a dinner and a discussion on the Cyprob. We met on August 24.

As always, Talat was friendly and open minded and he reassured me that he cares only for the solution of the Cyprob and the reunification of Cyprus. Reunification and not partition, he repeated with emphasis. He asked for my views. I told him that I worry because of the stalemate. Mr Prendergast came recently and noticed a big gap between the two sides, only 15 months after many people, including AKEL, thought that with some minor changes both sides could agree to accept the Annan Plan.

I put my ideas to Talat. He listened carefully and we debated some aspects. I told him that we need to start a dialogue which will be characterized by the following:

(a) Real will and decisiveness by everyone for a solution and not just verbal support.
(b) Both sides should show a will to recognize their mistakes, which of course will inevitably affect the outcome.
(c) Pragmatism, moderation, good faith and sincerity by each side to understand the worries and the practical difficulties of the other side. This dialogue does not need time to be prepared. We have been preparing for the dialogue for 42 years without a result, because those elements I have listed were always missing.

I put to Talat the following roadmap towards the solution:

1. Stage 1 (2 months): The negotiations start, on the basis of the Annan Plan. Both sides claim that they accept this basis, under the auspices of the UN. The 200 pages of the Plan should be read, word by word and the disagreements should be noted
2. Stage 2 (2 months): Sincere and intense effort to bridge the gaps on the points which were pinpointed in the first 2 months where there are opposing views.
3. Stage 3 (2 months): Intense efforts to solve any differences that remained outstanding after the second stage, with the help of the Greek and the Turkish governments as well as the European Union.
4. Stage 4 (2 months): Arbitration according to article 33 of the UN Constitution. I believe strongly that without intervention and arbitration by the UN there will be no solution. For more safety the intervention and the arbitration of the UN could be undertaken by 4 entities, the UN, EU, USA and Russia, that is the entities that oversee the Middle East efforts for peace.
5. Stage 5 (1 month): Referenda, where the people will decide but the referenda this time round will be overseen by the 4 entities, without distortions and false promises.

Talat listened carefully and he seemed to agree with my road plan. We could have a solution in 9 months if all Cypriots behave rationally. He said that for the good of all of us we should start a dialogue the soonest. He bid me goodnight with a promise we shall meet again.

[cannedmoose]

Good letter Bananiot, thanks for the translation

[brother]

Very good letter bananiot but what are the chances of this road map coming to play in reality, Talat agreeing is all good and fine but what about tassos the Mr.oxi.

[Bananiot]

Do you have to remind me of the weak link, brother?

[brother]

[bg_turk]

[magikthrill]

This roadmap is more flawed than the roadmap for a supposed palestinian nation. IN order to get to step 2 3 4 etc you have to get through step 1.

[garbitsch]

Magik, apart from Mr. Oxi, the Greek Cypriot government (i.e. AKEL) expressed their sympathies to the A plan and they haven't rejected it completely. The G.C side has their own drawbacks from the plan, so they will ask for the betterment of some regulations and these issues will be discussed with the T.C side.

[brother]

Lets start talking and then argue about what works and not.