Lots of News from Cyprus

CYPRUS MAIL
Shroeder trip bids to boost business to north
Shroeder will fly into the north on Friday in an apparent effort to boost business in the north, the German Embassy confirmed yesterday. Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy Joachim Heidorn said “I can confirm that he is coming to the island on Friday and that he will be accompanied by a group of businessmen.” Heidorn stressed however that Schroeder was visiting the island as a “private citizen” and not as a representative of the German government.
CYPRUS MAIL
Turkish Cypriots say they have no information on Securitas fugitive
Turkish Cypriot police said yesterday they had no information on the whereabouts of British fugitive Sean Lupton, and denied knowledge of British attempts to track him down in the north. Statements from the Turkish Cypriot police spokesman to the Cyprus Mail yesterday indicated that the British police had not informed them of Lupton’s escape and possible arrival in the north. The British Commission refused to comment on the case yesterday. Questions were also raised yesterday over the ease with which Lupton would be able to launder millions of pounds of cash in northern Cyprus. Former economy minister of the north Ayse Donmezer told the Mail that trying to pass off that cash in banks in the north would be “all but impossible.”
TIMES ONLINE
Fugitives holed up in northern Cyprus
The net is closing on a group of fugitives from the £53 million Securitas raid who are hiding in northern Cyprus. The Times has learnt that British investigators have been liaising with Turkish Cypriot authorities to track a number of men believed to have smuggled suitcases full of cash out of Britain. It is feared, however, that most of the missing £32 million has already been laundered into untraceable assets and invested in other criminal activities, including the drugs trade. There is neither an extradition treaty nor formal diplomatic ties with northern Cyprus, but a working relationship has been forged that has resulted in a number of other criminal suspects being deported to Britain. Sean Lupton, 47, who was arrested in connection with the 2006 robbery and then released on bail, is believed to be in Cyprus, as are two Turkish Cypriot brothers linked to the gang. Sources close to the inquiry said that a number of other Securitas suspects are also holed up in the Turkish-controlled part of the island.
Tuesday, January 29
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
(Greek) Cypriot FM meets with European Parliament group leaders
The Cyprus problem and the measures of the (Greek) Cypriot government and the EU to assist with the development of the Turkish Cypriot community, were the main issues Marcoullis discussed in Brussels with the leaders and representatives of political groups in the European Parliament. Marcoullis held separate meetings with Chairman of the Socialist Group Martin Schulz, Chairman of the Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left Francis Wurtz, and Co-President of the Union for Europe of the Nations Group Brian Crowley. She also met with Chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Graham Watson, who was accompanied by Karen Resetarits, member of the Contact Group of the European Parliament with the Turkish Cypriot community. Marcoullis furthermore held a meeting with member of the Independence/Democracy Group Georgios Georgiou, who is also a member of the Contact Group. Marcoullis wrapped up her meetings at the European Parliament with a meeting with the Chairwoman of the Contact Group and member of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats Francoise Grossetete. During her meetings, Marcoullis discussed the Cyprus problem and the measures of the (Greek) Cypriot government and the EU to facilitate the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, within the framework of international law. On the Cyprus problem, the need to support the efforts of the international community for the implementation of the 8 July 2006 agreement and the Gambari process was pointed out. The role of the European Parliament towards the reunification of Cyprus and its people was also pointed out. Marcoullis departs from Brussels on Wednesday for Finland.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
(Greek) Cypriot FM discusses Cyprus and Kosovo with Enlargement Commissioner
The Cyprus problem, the funding regulation for the Turkish Cypriots and Kosovo were the main issues discussed during a meeting on Tuesday in Brussels between Marcoullis and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. During the meeting, Marcoullis expressed Cyprus' readiness to begin implementing the 8 July 2006 agreement, after the presidential elections on the island. She noted that the 8 July agreement and the Gambari process had already been adopted by the UN Security Council, the European Council of December 2007 and the General Affairs Council on Monday, in the framework of adopting the reviewed partnership agreement between EU and Turkey. Marcoullis said Turkey should be influenced towards implementing the agreement and the process, adding that the EU's role was important in order to secure that what is agreed on would be in line with the acquis communautaire and EU principles. On Kosovo, Marcoullis explained the government's positions regarding recognition and the legal basis for the EU mission to the area. According to Marcoullis, Rehn expressed the Commission's readiness to contribute towards the commencement of the process after the presidential elections, the first round of which will be held on February 17 and the second on February 24. He pointed out the importance of the agreement to be based on EU principles, adding that the Commission was ready to play a part in the process, although the Cyprus problem should remain within the UN framework. On Monday afternoon, Marcoullis met with High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem and the issue of Kosovo, elaborating on the government's positions.
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Marios Matsakis: division, a painful but necessary option
Marios Matsakis, one of nine presidential hopefuls running in next month’s elections, believes that a political settlement in Cyprus is imperative as soon as possible and proposes “division, a painful compromise but a necessary option”, which will bring together the two states to be under the European Union umbrella. In an interview with CNA, Matsakis appears a strong advocate of Turkey’s accession to the EU, saying that this will create a “win-win” situation for everybody concerned and serve everybody’s interests. He appears convinced that Cyprus is not in a position to block Ankara’s accession course. He maintains that his candidacy aims at “rocking the boat of the political establishment where parties have the upper hand in whatever happens” and at “dismissing the myth about bizonal bicommunal federation by providing an alternative solution that may not be what people want but it is feasible and could offer peace.” Matsakis is all but convinced that the share of the vote he garners will determine who the new President of the Republic will be, in that the two candidates who will be in the run off election will need these votes to tip the balance in their favour. The Euro MP is very critical of the political parties in Cyprus, saying ''they are economical with the truth''. He also believes that the parties want to maintain the current status quo in the political establishment. However, he hopes his candidacy, by offering an alternative voice, will “crack” this establishment and give the Cypriots what he calls “a breath of freedom”. Outlining his proposed solution, he says this would involve two independent separate states, united within the EU, without any outside borders, administering their own territory, with a common foreign policy and economy – that of the EU - disconnected from the two motherlands (Greece and Turkey). The right of the refugees to return to their property will be afforded to everybody, and those who will not be able to return, they will be compensated through expropriation of their property by the state the property lies in, through EU funding. Greek Cypriots will have no voting rights if they opt to live in the Turkish Cypriot state and vice versa, he said. Questioned on the restrictions on voting rights, he acknowledged that this is the case but pointed out that “if we want a solution, we have to make concessions, compromises; this is the outcome of the military coup in July 1974, we are paying for our defeat and are trying to save whatever we can.” He says that all Cypriots will enjoy the right to property, settlement and free movement and Famagusta and Morphou will belong to the Greek Cypriot state. Turkish settlers in Cyprus will become the responsibility of the EU who will be either compensated or be settled elsewhere. “This is a necessary solution, a solution providing division, painful but not as painful as the UN solution plan of 2004 or a bizonal bicommunal federation, which is neither functional nor viable,” he told CNA. Matsakis wants both states to join NATO, and military installations on the island to be used by the Alliance, they will not have the right to enter into agreements with either Turkey or Greece. He said his proposal has received “informal but positive reaction”, and warned that if things are left as they are, Cyprus will be divided in the worst possible method. “Given that we were defeated in 1974, that we are not going to find an ideal solution, I am proposing that the Turkish Cypriots control 20% of the country and the Greek Cypriots 80%''. He says the current situation will lead inevitably to de facto division whereby Ankara will control the Turkish Cypriots and the northern part of the country but it will also have a say in the rest of the country. Responding to questions, he said political parties are “deceiving” the electorate by not explaining what a bizonal bicommunal federation actually means. Asked if such a proposal could be acceptable by the international community and Turkey, he had this to say: “this is a compromise but everybody can win through such a solution. Turkey will get rid of the biggest obstacle in its European aspirations, its accession course will sail through, Greco-Turkish relations will improve, the Turkish occupation troops will withdraw, the Turkish military will cease to claim that Cyprus is a threat to its security, Cyprus will join NATO.” Asked how Turkey’s membership bid could have an impact on solution efforts, the Euro MP said that everybody agrees that Turkey’s accession must be supported, including the government of Cyprus because a democratic Turkey is far better a neighbour than a non democratic and hostile Turkey. Commenting on Ankara’s failure to comply with its EU obligations and the possibility of a veto exercised by Greece and Cyprus, he said that “Europe is willing to do away with all sorts of things, make concessions to Turkey, it has never really make a serious recommendation because it needs Turkey and any appeals lack severity and content.” As for a veto from Cyprus or Greece, he was adamant that there is and there will be no Cypriot with “the guts to stand up at a Council meeting and block Turkey’s accession course or block anything for that matter.” On Greece’s role on such issues, he believes that Greece puts Greece first and will continue to put do that. Explaining the reasons he is contesting the elections, he said he wants to feel comfortable with his conscience that he has done all he could for a solution and to “unravel the myth of bizonal bicommunal federation, to crack the party political establishment and free the Cypriots.” On prospects for alliances in the second round of the elections, he said “my candidacy will probably determine who will be elected president and any vote, I get is not a wasted vote.” Matsakis referred to a possible 2-3 per cent of the vote, adding that “those who will be in the run off election will need this percentage.” He expressed dismay at the different alliances he has observed over the years between political parties, saying some have aligned their policies with parties of different political affiliation.