Good news from Cyprus?

FINANCIAL TIMES

Papadopoulos defeat offers hope of Cyprus peace talks

Tassos Papadopoulos, the nationalist incumbent, was eliminated from Cyprus's presidential election race yesterday, opening the possibility of a new initiative to reunify the island. A run-off vote next Sunday will pit Yiannakis Cassoulides, a European Parliament member and former foreign minister, against Demetris Christofias, the Cyprus communist party leader. Both candidates have campaigned on a platform of resuming peace talks - frozen for five years under the Papadopoulos administration - with the Turkish Cypriots at the earliest possible date under United Nations auspices. However, UN officials have made clear it will take a serious commitment from both Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders before the international community is willing to support a new peace initiative... "[Mr Cassoulides] made a successful comeback from being seen as too distant from Cypriot politics, too much a European," said one analyst. "But the expat vote tipped the balance." Analysts said the run-off vote would be close fought, but that Mr Cassoulides would have an edge over his rival. "It's likely that Papadopoulos supporters will want to punish the communists for breaking with the president and putting forward a candidate of their own," said Loucas Charalambous, a Nicosia-based analyst... Analysts said Mr Papadopoulos also lost support because of his continuing defence of the Greek Cypriots' rejection of a UN-sponsored peace plan at a 2004 referendum.The "no" vote blocked the impoverished Turkish Cypriot republic in north Cyprus from European Union accession, damaging relations between the communities.

THE INDEPENDENT

Shock defeat opens door to united Cyprus

Hopes of progress towards a united Cyprus soared last night with the unexpected defeat of Papadopoulos in the first round of the country's presidential elections... Mr Papadopoulos, 74, a hardliner on Greek Cypriot rights, was regarded as a barrier to new negotiations to end the 34-year-old division between the island's Greek and Turkish-speaking communities. He was beaten narrowly into third place in a cliff-hanger contest, in which he had been expected to come first... Papadopoulos led the fight against the peace plan, complaining that it allowed settlers from the Turkish mainland to remain on the island but restricted the rights of Greek-Cypriots to reclaim property in the north. Failure to resolve the dispute is seen as one of the main obstacles to negotiations on Turkish entry to the EU. Both candidates who won through to the second round have welcomed the idea of new UN-sponsored talks with the Turkish community. The fact that they both succeeded, at the hardline President's expense, might suggest that the Greek-Cypriot community has become less militant in the past four years. It certainly opens the way to new talks, whoever wins on 24 February. "If you want to extract a political message out of it, 65 per cent of Greek Cypriots voted for clear pro-solution candidates," said a political analyst, Hubert Faustmann. "The Greek Cypriots are back at the negotiation table." But past experience of false dawns will lead other European governments, and the UN, to be, at best, cautiously hopeful of a settlement... Middle-class voters appear to have turned against the President. Emerging from a polling booth, Phedra Kyprianides, 42, a businesswoman, said: "I didn't vote for Papadopoulos because I want to live in a state where it is no longer 'them and us' ... and where we all feel safe."

TELEGRAPH

Cypriot vote shows desire for re-unification

Cypriot voters rejected their hard-line president on Sunday night in an election that could prove crucial to kick-starting talks on the re-unification of the island. assos Papadopoulos conceded defeat after exit polls showed that he was behind his two reformist opponents. he result sends a clear signal that Cypriots have had enough of the obstructive Mr Papadopoulos, who sank efforts four years ago to reunite the island after 34 years of partition... Analysts said that Mr Papadopoulos's elimination signalled that Greek Cypriots were ready to return to the negotiating table... Hubert Faustmann, a political analyst, said: "If you want to extract a political message out of it, 65 per cent of Greek Cypriots voted for clear pro-solution candidates. The Greek Cypriots are back at the negotiation table." The election result has been hailed by the Greek Cypriot press as the most crucial since independence in 1960.

TIMES ONLINE

Cyprus reunification back on agenda after presidential poll favours moderates

The hardline President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, conceded defeat after the first round of presidential elections last night, raising hopes that international efforts to re-unite the divided island could be back on track... The President’s departure could also ease the accession of Turkey to the European Union, according to regional analysts... “Kasoulides and Christofias are seen as two candidates who represent the chance for a solution. I think there will be a lot of attention now (from the international community) giving one last really good go at re-unification,” James Ker-Lindsay, a Cyprus expert at Kingston University, London, told The Times... “These results show perhaps that people didn’t vote ’no’ in 2004 because they hated the (Annan) plan but simply because they felt there was a chance to get some improvements and Papadopoulos hasn’t delivered on that,” Mr Ker-Lindsay told The Times. The UN is set to despatch a senior envoy to Cyprus next month to assess whether it is worth launching another settlement drive. Tired of its Sisyphean role, it had warned it would not risk another failure unless the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders demonstrated the “necessary political will”. “The UN and EU will be greatly encouraged that that the winner will now be chosen from two candidates who have committed themselves to be much more pro-active in search of a settlement,” a senior European envoy in Nicosia told The Times. This year represents a narrow window of opportunity for a settlement because there are no elections pending in other concerned capitals and the EU is due to assess in 2009 Turkey’s bid to join the bloc.

EUOBSERVER

Cypriot president defeated in first round of elections

Papadopoulos has been defeated in the first round of the divided country's presidential elections in which a relaunch of the island's peace process was the dominant issue... In 2004, Mr Papadopoulos successfully encouraged the Greek Cypriot community to reject a peace plan devised by then UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, that had been overwhelmingly supported by the island's Turkish community. In campaigning, the president warned that his rivals would "sell out" Greek Cypriot interests if they were elected. Both Mr Christofias and Mr Kassoulides meanwhile campaigned on a re-launch of peace talks that had stalled after the 2004 referendum on the Annan Plan...Despite the incumbent's warnings, some two thirds of voters seem to have embraced the idea of returning to the negotiating table.... Analysts are saying the defeat of Mr Papadopoulos means Greek Cypriots have rejected the president's hardline approach and is good news for the peace process.

"Ghost town" of Famagusta

Earlier this month, the European Parliament's petition committee investigated the plight of Famagusta, often referred to as the last ghost town in Europe and a veritable symbol of the island's divisions.... Marios Matsakis, a Greek Cypriot MEP, who sits with the liberals in the parliament, was a candidate in the 2008 Cyprus presidential elections, although not one of the three frontrunners. He told EUobserver that he believes the resolution of the Famagusta issue could create a dynamic that propels the island towards reunification and even aid Turkey's accession to the EU. Nonetheless, he said: "Famagusta must be differentiated from the Cyprus issue," implying properties belonging to the Famagustans must be returned to them immediately, ahead of any further negotiations.... Yalcin Vehit meanwhile, the representative in Brussels of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – a state that is only recognized by Turkey - said Varosha should be "used as an incentive to find a compromise." ... ‘Famagusta mayor’ Alexis Galanos, in Brussels as part of the municipal delegation, said: "The return of the town of Famagusta constitutes a European responsibility." The petition committee will meet to consider the petition later this month.

WASHINGTON TIMES

Voters reject leader's policies

Greek Cypriot voters yesterday rejected the no-compromise policies of Papadopoulos, unexpectedly ousting the five-year leader in the first round of the presidential election. The outcome reflected growing dissatisfaction with Mr. Papadopoulos, whose refusal to consider any form of compromise with the Turkish Cypriots or Turkey has prompted a gradual erosion of the country's international standing.... The blow was unexpected to the 74-year-old veteran of the struggle against British colonial rule, who campaigned on his record of opposition to compromise with Turkey and to the concept of a bi-zonal federation between the Mediterranean island's communities. Urged by Mr. Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriots in 2004 rejected a U.N. plan to reunite the island. The Turkish Cypriot minority accepted the plan... Local analysts said Mr. Christofias hopes for support from Mr. Papadopoulos' center-right party. If he wins on Sunday, it would make Cyprus the first EU member to be led by a communist president.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cypriot President Loses in First Round

Papadopoulos of Cyprus was defeated Sunday in a cliffhanger first round of a presidential election — a surprise result that could signal a renewed drive to end the island’s decades-old division.... The election is seen as pivotal to the search for a deal to reunify the ethnically divided island, a division that has proven to be a major stumbling block to Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union. Both Mr. Christofias and Mr. Kasoulides are seen as more moderate than the incumbent, and have said they want speedy negotiations with the Turkish Cypriots... Despite coming from opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, Mr. Kasoulides and Mr. Christofias both emphasized the need for diplomacy to stave off the threat of permanent partition. Talks to reunite the island have been deadlocked for years. The election had been billed as a verdict on the center-right Mr. Papadopoulos, 74, and his handling of the island’s division. The president was instrumental in the Greek Cypriots’ rejection of a United Nations reunification plan in 2004, which the Turkish Cypriots approved separately...

CYPRUS MAIL

Cyprus says ‘no’ to Tassos

Greek Cypriots yesterday delivered a resounding ‘no’ to the policies of Papadopoulos, ousting him from the presidential race... “Today, the first step ws made so that all together we will create the tomorrow we deserve, the tomorrow we dream of,” Kasoulides told hundreds of jubilant supporters outside his campaign headquarters. “Now we can make the second and more defining step... “I now bow before the Cypriot people,” said Christofias. At Papadopoulos’ headquarters just down the road from Kasoulides, the incumbent conceded defeat in an atmosphere of gloom. “The people have judged and decided,” Papadopoulos said. “My thoughts, decisions and actions were always guided by my love for the country and care for the people.”

CYPRUS MAIL

Bases seek to sell land back to Cyprus

A long-standing offer by the British bases to sell a large tract of land near Polemidhia back to the Cyprus government may have to go to arbitration after the two sides failed to reach a deal on the price. The 250,000 square metres around the Berengaria region used to house the married quarters for British troops, but has been abandoned for a number of years, a bases spokesman said yesterday. The area is not officially ‘sovereign bases territory’ like Episkopi and Dhekelia, but is what is termed “retained territory.”... The value difference centres on the fact that the bases say the land is residential and have put a €65 million price tag on it , while the Cyprus government has classed it as agricultural land and wants it for around €20 million.

Sunday, February 17

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Christofias to meet DIKO-EDEK ahead run off election

Christofias said he would be meeting with the Democratic Party (DIKO) and the Movement of Social Democrats EDEK in view of the second round of the presidential elections on Sunday February 24. Christofias expressed respect to Papadopoulos, who was running for re-election, noting that ''it is a fact that, irrespective of our disagreement with some choices, the President served the interests of our country.'' ''Time is working against the Republic of Cyprus. Based on this reality, next Sunday the citizens of Cyprus will be called upon to answer a pivotal dilemma concerning the direction and content of a just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem,'' he said. He added that ''the threat of division does not come from the intransigence of Turkey alone, but also from the possibility of a bad solution.'' ''We will never accept a solution that will not meet the fundamental principles we have shaped all these years,'' Christofias said. He also referred to the option Cypriots have, between a mixed economy and social justice which AKEL represents and neo-liberal recipes which Kasoulides represents. ''I am certain that we share these dilemmas with the leadership and the people who vote for DIKO and EDEK, the Ecologists and other movements, with which we have given common struggles for progressive solutions to the problems of our people,'' he added. Christofias said he would make the most out of relations with the Turkish Cypriots, built over the years, through common struggles, for the benefit of the country. Papadopoulos was backed by DIKO and EDEK in the first round of elections.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Papadopoulos: people’s decision fully respected

Papadopoulos congratulated presidential candidates Ioannis Kasoulides and Demetris Christofias, who secured their participation in the run off election of February 24, noting that the decision of the people was fully respected. In remarks after the announcement of the final results of the first round of presidential elections, Papadopoulos said the concerns he expressed during the pre-election period were sincere and called on the people to be vigilant in view of developments in the Cyprus problem. Papadopoulos thanked all the citizens who voted for him and the political parties that supported him, noting that ''the people judged and decided.'' ''Their decision is fully respected,'' he said and noted that ''during my term in office I have always spoken with sincerity to the citizens, my thoughts, decisions and actions were always guided by my love for the country and my concern for the people.'' Papadopoulos said that his five years in office were ''years of creation and service, and we lived historic times with the citizens.'' ''We lived our accession to the EU. We saved the Republic of Cyprus in April 2004. We experienced economic growth, social cohesion, the adoption of the euro, the presence of Cyprus in the heart of Europe,'' he added. He expressed pride in ''all that which we have lived and achieved together,'' adding that ''there will be developments in the Cyprus problem and I call on the people to be vigilant.'' ''Personally I will always be present, beside the people. For our Cyprus,'' Papadopoulos concluded.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Kasoulides calls for unity ahead of second round of elections

Kasoulides, who went through to the run-off election of February 24, called on the people of Cyprus to join forces and remember everything that unites them. ''I call on every Cypriot citizen to come with us. Better days are ahead. Let us live them together,'' Kasoulides said. He thanked all those who supported him and gave him the first place in the first round of the elections, noting that ''today the first step was taken to create, all together, the tomorrow we deserve, the tomorrow we envisage.'' ''What we need now is to translate into action all the optimism and the hope we have built for a Cyprus in the 21st century,'' he said. Kasoulides added that ''the time has come for all those who believe Cyprus should become a modern European state to meet, to overcome whatever separated the people of Cyprus, especially over the past few years, to remember the fundamental values that join us.'' ''Now is the time to move forward united,'' Kasoulides said and congratulated the other presidential candidates, especially Demetris Christofias, who will be in the run-off election, and Tassos Papadopoulos, whom he described as a politician who ''served the country in the way he saw fittest'' and which ''every citizen should acknowledge and show respect owed to him.'' Kasoulides noted that ''the only way forward for the question of Cyprus is through a diplomatic offensive,'' adding that ''it is time to meet with those who believe that the only way for Cyprus is that of Europe and the strengthening of our international presence.'' He said that ''it is time to leave yesterday behind and look to the future,'' adding that ''at this crucial juncture it is time to join forces, to remember that which unites us.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Presidential elections - Christofias - Vote

Christofias has said that the sovereign people of Cyprus will determine the result in Sunday’s presidential elections, adding that the outcome will be fully respected. Speaking after casting his vote at a polling station in Nicosia district, Christofias said ''these hours are a celebration of democracy'' as everyone casts his vote. “I would like to believe that these elections are the last presidential elections in a divided country. Our aim is to reunite this ill-fated land and this proud people,'' he added. He said Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, ''in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with their human rights and freedoms guaranteed, will at last be able to build together a happy and prosperous Cyprus.'' Christofias said ''the people deserve a better fate, a homeland we will rebuild in the framework of a fairer society, with a more human approach to the ordinary man.'' “The people know that, they have been in touch with us throughout this election campaign, and they will judge every single one of us. The people will speak today. The opinion of the people, the decision of the sovereign people shall be fully respected,” he concluded.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Presidential elections - Kasoulides - Vote

Kasoulides said on Sunday that the people of Cyprus ''are deciding to take Cyprus forward for a modern European state, which will respect its citizens and start a real struggle to rid the country from the Turkish occupation.'' Speaking after casting his vote at a poling station in Nicosia, Kasoulides said ''these are the first presidential elections since Cyprus became a full member of the EU'' in May 2004. The people of Cyprus, he added, ''are listening to the new generation and are ready to trust that generation.'' ''Today we are voting for those we love, for the future of this country. Today we are voting for a better quality of life but above all for a Cyprus with a better image, credibility and international clout. Today is the day of optimism and hope,'' he said.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Presidential elections - Anastasiades - Vote

President of the Democratic Rally Nicos Anastasiades said that the people, with their vote in Sunday's presidential elections, will leave the past behind and look to the future, voting for new hope and for better days to come. Speaking after casting his vote at a polling station in Limassol, Anastasiades expressed certainty that ''the proposals of Ioannis Kasoulides, which are comprehensive and modern and give answers to the many problems in home governance, but equally importantly to our national problem, will be accepted, will be approved and tonight Cyprus will be the winner.'' Anastasiades said these presidential elections are ''the most crucial since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus,'' adding that there is only one choice, ''between our homeland and ideologies.'' ''These elections are not for socialism or communism or liberalism to win. They are for our homeland to win, to have the opportunity for the reunification of the country, so that we can cooperate with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, to create together a truly European Cyprus,'' he said. Anastasiades expressed certainty that these elections will highlight the prevailing civilized political climate and added: “tonight we can all rejoice, even those who will lose because they will decide for the country to move forward.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Presidential elections - Clerides - Vote

Former President of the Republic Glafcos Clerides expressed hope on Sunday that the result of the presidential elections ''will give us the opportunity to negotiate a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem.'' Casting his vote at a polling station in Nicosia, Clerides said ''the people will elect the President of the Republic,'' adding that this would be ''constructive if handled properly.'' ''Especially at this time, these elections are of particular importance, because we have experienced a stage of stagnation in the Cyprus problem,'' Clerides said.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Presidential elections - Vassiliou - Vote

Former President of the Republic George Vassiliou has described Sunday's presidential elections as very important for Cyprus. Speaking after casting his vote at a polling station in Nicosia, Vassiliou said ''this day is truly very important for Cyprus and its future.'' ''We hope that these elections, which are not party elections but aim at saving our country, will lead to the reunification of the country the soonest possible,'' he added.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Presidential elections - Papadopoulos - Vote

Papadopoulos expressed hope on Sunday that with the help of the people he would be able to achieve the solution Cyprus deserves. Casting his vote at a polling station in the Nicosia district, Papadopoulos said ''the elections are the foundation of democracy'' and that ''participation in the elections is the ultimate moment of expressing democracy by every democratic citizen,'' who ''will be deciding on the future of our country for the years to come.'' Papadopoulos said ''we have established sound foundations for stable economic development with social consideration, we have created better conditions to achieve the solution we deserve.'' ''Today Cyprus is stronger than ever. Our future is in your hands. I hope that with the help of the people we will be able to achieve the solution we wish for and we deserve. The future is in your hands. Together, I am sure we can achieve it,'' Papadopoulos concluded.

COMMENTARY

CYPRUS MAIL

A resounding defeat for Tassos by Cyprus Mail

“... Despite the vote-buying social measures of the last few months, a lucrative campaign, the support of the television stations and contesting the election as president, Papadopoulos still finished third. Yesterday’s result was an emphatic defeat of his sterile policy on the Cyprus problem, which, despite his protestations, was geared at maintaining the status quo. He was unwilling to take any initiative or to show the slightest hint of good faith in dealings with the other side, focusing all the government’s efforts on preventing ‘the upgrading of the status of the pseudo-state’ by the international community. It is these policies that have brought us perilously close to permanent partition, which were resoundingly defeated by the Greek Cypriot public yesterday...”