News from Cyprus

CYPRUS MAIL

UN planned to pull out had Tassos won

The UN was making plans to extricate itself from the Cyprus quagmire had Papadopoulos had been reelected next Sunday, the Cyprus Mail learned yesterday. Last month it emerged that the UN was planning to send a team of envoys to Cyprus after the elections to assess the situation on the ground... If Papadopoulos had been returned to power, the team’s assessment would have focused, not on new talks, but “to see how gracefully the UN could remove itself from Cyprus.” The move was “already in the works,” according to Mail’s information.

CYPRUS MAIL

EDEK set to back Christofias as horse-trading begins

Socialist EDEK last night backed Christofias for president in the second round of elections on Sunday. Following a lengthy meeting of the party’s political bureau, EDEK president Yiannakis Omirou told reporters he wold recommend that his party’s central committee support Christofias. The party’s central committee is expected to make its final decision when it convenes tomorrow... Earlier in the day the question on everybody’s mind was who would pair with whom and at what price to secure the presidency... Christofias and Kasoulides spent the day touring the political party scene, trying to secure the support of both DIKO and EDEK, while EVROKO and the Greens were left holding the balloons in the corner. There was much strutting ans wooing but little concrete signs as to where the former partners of the Papadopoulos government would go. Political analysts shared the view that whatever horse-trading and alliances were made, and they could go either way, the presidency was still up for grabs for both candidates as historically, DIKO and EDEK votes were always split. After meeting with Papadopoulos yesterday, Kasoulides told reporters that Papadopoulos said he would not be endorsing either candidate in the second round, nor would he tell his party DIKO how to vote.

CYPRUS MAIL

Kasoulides: results open path for hope

Kasoulides said yesterday that the people’s choice on Sunday had “opened the path to unity and hope for our country.”... Kasoulides said his main concern was bringing a new beginning for all Cypriots. “The things that unite us are far more than those that divide us,” he said. “We are united by the common desire for progress in our country; we are united by the national need for a fair and viable solution, a solution that will not be imposed from outside Cyprus, but will come from the Cyprus people themselves, who wish to live in peace, security and respect of its cultural identity in a unified and safe country.”... German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday expressed her satisfaction at Kasoulides’ lead in the first round of the elections. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin... Merkel refused to comment when asked whether Papadopoulos’ exclusion from re-election would open new positive prospects for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Wurtz welcomes Christofias' qualification for second round of elections

President of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left Group in the European Parliament Francis Wurtz has welcomed that fact that left-wing AKEL Secretary General Demetris Chrsitofias qualified for the second round of presidential elections in Cyprus, to take place February 24. “I welcome as very good news the fact that following the first round of presidential elections in Cyprus, Dimitris Christophias - Secretary General of the AKEL party - qualified for the second round of this decisive election for the future of the island, with the remarkable score of 33.3%!,” Wurtz said in a written statement. As he noted “this mark of confidence by his fellow citizens is a sign of recognition for the leading role that has been played by this statesman for a long time in the social and political life of his country and for the reunification of the island.” “In my capacity as President of the GUE-NGL Group in the European Parliament, I am proud to maintain excellent relations with Dimitris Christophias, his party and his MEPs. We wish you every success for next Sunday,” he concluded.

FINANCIAL TIMES

Turkey keeps quiet on Cyprus poll

Turkey gave a muted response yesterday to the defeat of Tassos Papadopoulos in the first round of voting in the presidential election in Cyprus, although some commentators said his defeat might open the way to ending the isolation of the island's Turkish Cypriot community...

There was no official reaction in the Turkish government. But the media were quick to hail the ousting of the man some referred to as "Mr No". Mr Papadopoulos is widely blamed in Turkey for repeatedly blocking efforts by the international community to end the 34-year division of Cyprus. "We will wait and see," said a Turkish official about next weekend's run-off vote between two candidates who favour moves to reunify Cyprus... During his time as Cypriot president, Mr Papadopoulos repeatedly blocked aspects of Turkey's negotiations to join the European Union, which Cyprus joined in 2004. He represented the internationally recognised government of the island. Turkey has defied EU attempts to get Ankara to acknowledge its existence so that Turkey's EU path will not be blocked.

TODAY’S ZAMAN

Katherine Clerides: We need resolution; otherwise KKTC gets recognition

Katherine Clerides, the daughter of legendary Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Clerides and a board member of the party whose contender won the first round of the Greek Cypriot presidential elections on Sunday, says the Turkish Cypriot side currently holds an advantageous position in the Cyprus issue and that unless a plausible resolution to the dispute over the divided island is found, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) will secure international recognition.Emphasizing that the recent independence of Kosovo may set a precedent in the long run, despite it being an entirely different case, Clerides says the Greek Cypriots should aggressively seek a resolution to the problem before the division of the island becomes permanent. Amid speculation about the results of the upcoming round that will determine the next Greek Cypriot president on Sunday, Clerides, a member of the Democratic Rally party (DISY), spoke with Today’s Zaman. She says that if current KKTC President Mehmet Ali Talat had been president back when her father was the Greek Cypriot leader, they could have agreed on a permanent and lasting solution. The greatest fear of the DISY, which led a campaign back in 2004 to ensure approval of the Annan plan to resolve the Cyprus issue, is recognition of the KKTC by the international community. Clerides says: “If northern Cyprus is recognized, it joins Turkey. We will have to share a new border with Turkey. In that event, Turkish troops will stay on the island forever.” Clerides explains that they made reference to this fact during their election campaign. She says she was ill at ease about the diplomatic efforts of President Talat to attract international support for KKTC recognition and adds that these efforts will contribute to the recognition of a separate Turkish state on the island in the long run. Asserting that the Greek Cypriots are opposed the Annan plan but not to the resolution of the problem in general, Clerides says: “Most of them want a solution. They rejected the plan because they believed that it was more favorable to Turkey.” She holds that the resolution of the dispute depends on the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island and the return of the Turkish settlers who migrated to Cyprus after 1974. Clerides says a solution is possible as long as both parties express interest in negotiation. She argues that the election of Papadopulous as president would be the worst election result possible and stresses that the Greek Cypriots’ image in the international arena has been damaged by Papadopulous’ failures.

Monday, February 18

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

Cyprus expresses grief on UDI of Kosovo

The Republic of Cyprus expresses its grief on the unilateral declaration of independence by the majority in Kosovo, which ''constitutes a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia''. A written statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo says that “this secessionist act falls outside the framework of international legality, and is therefore legally null and void, in violation of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and of Resolution 1244 of the Security Council (1999), which affirms the adherence of UN member states to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia”. The statement notes that the Republic of Cyprus, consistent with its principles, has supported and continues to support the view that international problems should be solved on the basis of the UN Charter and relevant Security Council Resolutions. “We are convinced that an agreed solution between the two parties on the final status of Kosovo can and should be found in the framework of a dialogue and negotiations, and should next be approved by the Security Council, the body which has the primary role in preserving international peace and safety”, it concludes.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

GAERC calls upon Turkey to normalize its relations with Cyprus

The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) ratified Monday the revised EU – Turkey Partnership Agreement in which Turkey is called upon to normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus as soon a possible. Among the short term priorities for Turkey is the implementation of the July 8th Agreement. The EU 27 call upon Turkey to support actively the Agreement as a basis for the promotion of a viable solution in Cyprus. The Partnership Agreement underlines Ankara’s obligations towards Cyprus and especially the need to implement the additional protocol regarding the Customs Union Agreement between Turkey and Cyprus as well as the lifting of the Turkish embargo imposed on vessels flying the Cypriot flag or Cypriot aircraft. It is also noted that the EU has decided not to open eight negotiating chapters or close any other chapter unless Turkey meets its obligations. According to the Agreement, Turkey must draft an action plan including the measures Ankara intends to take in order to meet its obligations. Turkey is also urged to proceed to reforms on human rights as well as settle its international obligations.

COMMENTARY

WASHINGTON POST

The Consequences of Kosovo by Anne Applebaum

“As not everybody now remembers, the wars of Yugoslavia began not in Bosnia, not in Croatia, but in Kosovo. The chain of events that led to the Srebrenica massacre and the bombing of Belgrade started there, in the late 1980s, when Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic launched a series of repressive measures against this mostly Albanian, semi-independent, "autonomous province" within Serbia. These culminated in 1990, when Milosevic ended the semi-independence, revoked Kosovo's autonomy, installed a new police force, shut down Albanian newspapers, fired university professors, and generally inflicted economic and political chaos. Milosevic's intention was to reassert Serbian and Orthodox dominance over Kosovo, the site of a historically significant battle between the Serbs and the Ottoman Empire in 1389 (the Serbs lost), and home to a genuinely substantial Serbian minority. And the result? This week, nearly two decades later, Kosovo -- an Albanian-speaking, majority-Muslim state in which, it's safe to guess, Serbs will be less than fully welcome and no Orthodox church will be safe from vandalism -- has just declared independence from Serbia. A more eloquent demonstration of the law of unintended consequences would be hard to find. In fact, watching the crowds celebrate Saturday night in the streets of Pristina, I wondered there isn't a deeper lesson here for other would-be neighborhood bullies. Milosevic's stated goal was, after all, the greater glory of Serbia (he had other, unstated goals as well, such as the perpetuation of a communist-era power structure; but never mind). Spouting Serbian nationalism, he helped turned Serb minorities across Yugoslavia into mini-militias. They, in turn, inspired the creation of other mini-militias -- Croatian, Bosnian, Albanian and others -- which began fighting one another in a series of small, nasty wars. You can fairly accuse me here of oversimplifying this chronology, but I think it is nevertheless correct to say that the result of this activity -- discrimination, ethnic cleansing, warfare -- was a complete disaster for Serbia. The Serbian economy went down the tubes; the Serb dominance of ex-Yugoslavia evaporated; Belgrade, the Serb capital, was bombed. Now Serbia looks set to be dismembered as well: Some European countries and the United States have recognized Kosovo's independence, something that wouldn't have happened two decades ago. Milosevic the super-nationalist -- the would-be leader of a revived, powerful, successful Serbia -- damaged no country nearly so much as he damaged Serbia itself. Keep that lesson in mind over the next few months as others in Europe -- and possibly elsewhere -- attempt to use the Kosovo example as a precedent. After all, if the Albanians can be independent from Serbia, the Abkhazians and South Ossetians would like to be independent from Georgia, the Basques and the Catalonians don't see why they shouldn't be independent from Spain, and who knows what could happen in Cyprus. In some of these cases, there are other, larger neighbors that might be interested in facilitating the split, just as Serbia was keen to encourage ethnic Serbs in Bosnia or Croatia. Most notably, and most notoriously, the Russians have made ominous noises and dropped dark hints about those Georgian separatist groups, and one can certainly see their logic. What a perfect way to take revenge on those difficult, NATO-loving Georgians: Encourage Georgia's ethnic minorities to launch civil war. Besides, the timing could hardly be better. In the waning days of the Bush administration, is Abkhazia anybody's central concern? During the most interesting U.S. presidential campaign in decades, is anyone going to spare a thought for South Ossetia? Except that if Abkhazia and South Ossetia were to secede, and civil war in Georgia were to follow, the Russians would then have a failed state on their borders. And, as we know from Yugoslavia, the Middle East and Africa, ethnic and religious civil wars have a nasty way of spreading to their neighbors. Chaos in Georgia might be in the short-term interest of a small group of Putinites, desperate to raise the specter of warfare, annoy the West, and cling to power (much like Milosevic, once upon a time), but it is most definitely not in the long-term interest of Russia.Russia's policy toward these would-be separatists over the next few weeks will therefore reveal a great deal about the mentality of Russia's ruling clan. If the denizens of the Kremlin have a shred of concern about their compatriots' future well-being, they'll shut up and try to calm everyone down. If not -- well, I hope they remember that the risks of the law of unintended consequences apply to them, too.”