9.05.2008

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

`Cyprus President` outlines vision of a solution

Christofias has analysed the progress achieved so far during his meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, outlined his expectations from the negotiating process, referred to the difficulties that may arise, explained the government positions and his vision for a unified Cyprus. `The President` told his audience in Sweden that future generations in Cyprus must live without the agony of survival, as other generations have experienced, and expressed hope that the Talat will overcome his problems. Speaking at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Christofias said that his vision is a free from the Turkish troops Republic of Cyprus, a homeland of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who will live together under the umbrella of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, without any rights of intervention or guarantor powers. Replying to a question about the property issue, Christofias acknowledged that this will be one of the difficult issues during the direct talks with Talat and said that it will be the second issue on the agenda of the talks, after governance. “Unfortunately, in a very well planned way, the Turkish side has encroached Greek Cypriot properties, a development that has made the negotiation on that issue very difficult,” Christofias stressed. Christofias noted that in an agreed solution, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots should retain the right to choose how to use their properties. “They should have the right of free access to their property, the right to get compensated for it and the right to exchange it,” Christofias said, and added: “Our side insists that all property owners should retain all three rights, but the Turkish side is in favour of the latter.” On implementing a solution, Christofias pointed out that it would be more difficult to implement the solution than to agree on. Nevertheless, he said, an eventual solution will be implemented gradually. `The President` referred also to the issue of the `illegal Turkish settlers,` saying that the government, taking into account humanitarian factors, has made compromises. “I have already said that I am ready to accept 50 thousand settlers as legal citizens of the Republic o Cyprus,” he said and added that the large majority of Turkish settlers should return back to Turkey. Regarding the issue of Turkey`s guarantor status, Christofias made it clear that it is time for the Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, to get detached from their mother-lands. Referring to Turkey`s EU accession course, Christofias stressed that the country should fulfill its obligations towards the EU and normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since 2004. At the same time he noted that in Turkey there is a struggle that will shape its future, between premier Erdogan`s party and the military. Asked about a UN-proposed solution plan of 2004, Christofias said that it was an imposed plan that was rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriots in a referendum in April 2004. “Of course, Talat will insist on bringing some provisions of the Anan plan, because they are in favour of the Turkish Cypriot side. I will set my positions, which are based on principles, on UN resolutions, the High Level agreements and the international and the European law,” Christofias pointed out. In addition, `the President` said that after a series of meetings with Talat, “we have agreed on common principles. that the solution should be based on a federal, bi-zonal, bi-communal state, with one sovereignty, one citizenship, and one international personality.” “We can build a federal, multicultural state, by avoiding what separates us, and promoting what connects us,” he said and concluded: “It is the time for the new generation to live without the agony of their survival, and without the psychological barriers that we used to have for many years. This is my vision and I hope Talat will overcome his problems, in order to achieve our target.”

US to support both sides during direct negotiations

The US has pledged to support both sides, the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot side, as they proceed with direct negotiations, aiming at reunifying Cyprus. Robert Wood, Deputy US State Department Spokesman, said Thursday that the US will do what they can “to support both sides as they go forward in their negotiations”. He expressed satisfaction with the commencement on September 3rd of direct talks between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, saying that the US support a bizonal, bicommunal federation. “We are very pleased by the talks between the two parties. And obviously, our policy is to support a bizonal and bicommunal federation”, Wood said. Asked whether the US share the optimism expressed by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that a solution could be reached by the end of this year, Wood noted that the US “would love to see an agreement reached as soon as possible”. “Whether that is feasible or not will depend on how much progress the parties make. But definitely we would love to see an agreement between the two sides as soon as possible,” he commented. On a possible US mediation role in the talks, Wood replied that the US do not play a mediation role but “we have and will make ourselves available to assist the parties in the best way that we can”. “But I`m not aware of any real direct role right now. That`s really going on between the two parties”, he concluded.

CYPRUS MAIL

School delayed in Rizokarpaso

Greek Cypriot children in the `occupied areas` missed the beginning of the new primary school year yesterday because their teachers had yet to be “approved” byt the Turkish Cypriot authorities. Teachers from the Republic were prevented from entering northern Cyprus while the delivery of text books was also blocked. A list of the teachers` names had been given to the Turkish Cypriot authorities two and a half months ago, said Dimitris Mikellidis, the president of the primary school teachers union. The north had offered no explanation for blocking the entry of the teachers and books to schools in the Rizokarpaso area, he added.

September 4

NEWS

UN NEWS CENTRE

Security Council lauds launch of negotiations in reunifying Cyprus

The Security Council today warmly welcomed the launch of full-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, aimed at the reunification of the island. In a presidential statement the 15-member body praised the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for advancing discussions since their first meeting on 21 March. “The Security Council calls on both sides to continue to work together in a constructive and positive manner in order to reach a comprehensive and durable settlement,” said Ambassador Michel Kafando of Burkina Faso, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month. “The Security Council looks forward to progress in the negotiations and reiterates its readiness to support the process,” he added. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon`s recent appointment of Alexander Downer as his Special Adviser on Cyprus was also warmly received by the Security Council. Today`s presidential statement echoes Mr. Ban`s message yesterday to the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in which he commended them “for their seriousness of purpose, sense of compromise and commitment to seeing the peace process through to a successful conclusion.”

FORBES

The Cyprus Re-Connection

Cyprus, the third-largest island in the Mediterranean best known for its perpetual sun, placid sea, and political strife, is finally growing closer to unification... Christofias and Talat will want to concentrate on the larger economic picture in continued discussions over the coming weeks. Unification of the island would likely give rise to a flood of foreign investment, and also provide a big boost to Turkey`s hopes of joining the European Union. It may even reignite last year`s oil and gas study by the Greek Cypriot Government of untapped resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. A 70,000 square kilometer sea area south and south-west of the island could contain reserves of between 6 and 8 billion barrels of crude. This is the fifth time the two leaders have met in 2008, and the outcome is looking positive for peace. The two moderate figureheads are backed by a pro-unification consensus from all the key international organizations and governments. "All the stars: the United Nations, EU, United States, Turkey, Cyprus and the United Kingdom, are aligned for the first time," said David Lee of specialist risk consultancy, Control Risks. But challenges will lie ahead as discussions, continuing on Sept 11, turn to the economy. Economic issues caused the termination of talks in 2004, with the Greek-Cypriots unable to see the benefits of unification at that time; many of the Greeks who lost their homes in the North at the time of the division, would not have got them back. Businesses in Cyprus are struggling too--a report in the Cypriot Financial Mirror`s showed this week that profits for companies listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange tumbled 47.0% year-on-year, to 465.5 million ($669.4 million) in the first six months of 2008. And the two sides of the island are still economically unmatched. The Greek-Cypriot South is a prosperous, popular holiday destination, which sees over three million tourists per year, and has been on the International Monetary Fund list of the 32 "Advanced Economies of the World" since 2001. The Turkish-Cypriot North, by contrast, is heavily dependent on agriculture and government service, and has a gross domestic product approximately a third the size of the South. The North has suffered from an international trade embargo and little foreign investment as many have been wary of its de facto administration that is recognized by just one country, Turkey. Lee says that the most important issue for unification is not the economic disparity between the two sides at present, but the "technical issues" central to the country`s reform, the most pressing of which is how a unified government would run on a day-to-day basis. The potentially explosive issue of housing rights also remains. Many families, especially Greeks who lived in the North, are still not convinced they will reclaim their lost homes.

FINANCIAL MIRROR

Biden calls for full withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus

US Senator Joe Biden, running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and an experienced diplomat, has called for the “full withdrawal” of Turkish troops from northern Cyprus in an interview posted on``Kathimerini`` on- line edition. According to a press release, Biden, chairman of the Senate`s Foreign Relations Committee – who has referred to the Cyprus occupation as an “anomaly” – told Kathimerini that Washington`s relations with Ankara “will be influenced by how the Cyprus problem is solved, namely by the full withdrawal of Turkey, and from how Greek and Turkish differences in the Aegean are settled.” Biden said the stance of Cyprus leaders made him “more optimistic than ever” that a settlement will be agreed upon. Obama`s running mate pledged Washington`s “constant and active support” for peace talks. “We have the opportunity, with the cooperation of Greece, to find a logical solution to Cyprus and end the occupation,” he said. As for tactics for breaking the deadlock, Biden said negotiators should focus on existing common ground and build from there. “Part of diplomacy is determining which issues serve common interests and focusing on these to find a solution,” he noted.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

`Cypriot FM`:solution must conform to European and UN principles

Kyprianou stressed here today that there can be no solution in Cyprus which does not conform to European principles and UN resolutions. The Minister advocated a “wait and see” approach as far as the positions the Turkish Cypriot side outlined at Wednesday`s launch of direct negotiations for a solution, which reiterate long-standing Turkish positions for two states in Cyprus and the maintenance of Turkey`s role as a guarantor power. “It is incomprehensible to agree to a solution of the Cyprus issue which will not conform to European principles or which is not based on UN resolutions”, Kyprianou said, in statements before departing for talks in Madrid with his Spanish counterpart. Kyprianou said that actual substantive negotiations will begin next week, under UN auspices, noting that this is when the international community and EU have to contribute towards the peace process, especially at experts` level, to encourage and even exert pressure on Turkey to maintain a positive and constructive approach. Referring to statements by Talat about a new partnership of two states through `virgin birth`, Kyprianou pointed out these positions are not new “and we should not be alarmed that they were repeated yesterday.” Such comments reconfirm once again the great difference of views that exist, he added. On Turkey`s attitude, Kyprianou said that before the start of the talks, Turkey had stated its support to the process. “We have repeatedly said that we want support on the substance of the issue and this is what we expect from Ankara and especially Talat, who is the negotiator; they have to comply with the form of a solution as prescribed by UN resolutions and EU principles”, he added. He said it was an oxymoron to hear on the one hand Talat talk about a continuation of the 1960 treaties and on the other hand see him proposing the creation of a new state. “The messages that we get from the other side are not encouraging but we were expecting this. We know that the Turkish side always hardens its position prior to entering a negotiating procedure”, Kyprianou added. Kyprianou said Christofias will insist on the positions of the Greek Cypriot side, adding that the `President` was clear in his additional remarks during Wednesday`s talks. “He made it clear that a bizonal, bicommunal federation was a major concession by the Greek Cypriot side in order to achieve a solution. We cannot go beyond this”, he stressed.

Russian Foreign Ministry welcomes beginning of direct talks

The Russian Foreign Ministry has welcomed the beginning of direct talks on the Cyprus problem. In a press release issued today, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that “we expect that the process of the talks will continue constructively, in a spirit of trust, mutual understanding and respect, without attempts from abroad to exert pressure and supervision, and that this will lead to compromising agreements, on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, to the benefit of all Cypriots.” “We hail the beginning on September 3 of direct full-fledged talks, under the UN auspices, between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus”, the press release adds, which is posted on the Foreign Ministry`s official website.

EPP-ED EP Group: Division of Cyprus an anachronistic situation

Chairman of the EPP-ED Group of the European Parliament, MEP Joseph Daul, has expressed satisfaction with the launching of direct negotiations between the two leaders of Cyprus, aiming at reunifying the island. In a statement on the occasion of the commencement of direct negotiations, Daul said that the EPP – ED Group supports “a viable and respectful solution of international legality which will put an end to an anachronistic situation of a European Union country which is still divided”. ``The EPP-ED Group very much hopes that this new process of talks succeeds with positive and balanced results, and ultimately in the reunification of Cyprus``, Daul noted. The EPP – ED Group, he said, “calls on the negotiators to show goodwill, a constructive spirit and mutual understanding”. He expressed the view that these new negotiations are an historic opportunity to reunite a population ``wounded by years of division``. “The EPP-ED Group has always stood for reunification and supports the important role that the European Union plays alongside the UN in finding a solution to this problem``, Joseph Daul concluded.

COMMENTARY

GUARDIAN

Hope, at last, for Cyprus by Mary Honeyball

With leaders on both sides striving for unity, it`s the best chance yet for a deal to end the island`s division

“Cyprus, that small, beautiful, troubled island beloved of British holidaymakers, is again making news. It may, for a change, be good news. The days of division and distrust could finally be coming to an end. The first United Nations sponsored talks for more than four years have just started in a ramshackle building situated in the no man`s land between the Turkish north and the Greek south.

Most observers feel that it is different this time. The leaders of the two sides, north and south, Greek and Turkish, are genuine in their desire for a settlement to the "Cyprus problem". Demetris Christofias, president of the Republic of Cyprus, and Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish leader in the north, are in complete agreement about the future, a future they see together, not apart.

A sea change has indeed taken place in Cyprus. At the presidential elections in the republic held in February this year, the two candidates who gained the most votes, Christofias and his right-wing opponent Ioannis Kassoulides, were both in favour of a settlement. The separatist former president, Tassos Papadopoulos, came a poor third. The same is true in the north; Talat has a strong record of working to reunite Cyprus. Unlike previous attempts to find a solution, Cypriots are this time talking to Cypriots with minimum foreign interference. Importantly, both sides are aiming for the same conclusion.

There are of course other players. Aside from the UN, which always sought to be the honest broker in past attempts to bring peace to Cyprus, Turkey is an obvious force to be reckoned with. But now Turkey wants to join the European Union, there is for the first time a key that can open the door to a solution in Cyprus. The democratically elected president of Turkey, together with the prime minister, has made clear the connection between Turkey`s European Union prospects and a settlement in Cyprus. Now that the court case brought by Turkey`s chief prosecutor against the AKP to which both PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul belong has failed, Turkey is free to pursue its European ambitions. A settlement in Cyprus is a prerequisite for their success.

The previous ruler of the northern part of Cyprus (the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), Rauf Denktash, was, to all intents and purposes, a puppet of Turkey. He also took it upon himself to derail every attempt to negotiate a solution to the division of the island. He has now gone and Turkey has turned itself around, even apparently reconsidering its need to maintain a large military presence on the north of the island. Likewise the Greeks in the south are more amenable to a settlement that they were even four years ago when they rejected the plan put forward by the then UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.

Other countries with interests in Cyprus are supportive but wisely for the present keeping quiet. It goes without saying the UK is completely behind a solution. The US was very much in favour of achieving a settlement during the previous round of talks and there is no obvious reason why their attitude should have changed.

Cyprus is a problem the international community wants to end. Turkey is as signed up for a deal as it has ever been. Despite the opening of several border points, the Cypriot capital Nicosia remains the only divided capital in Europe. There is every chance that this sad and sorry situation may come to an end very soon.”

DEUTSCHE WELLE

Opinion: Cyprus is Starting to Get its House in Order by Peter Philipp

“Good will is always encouraging. But good will alone is rarely enough. In Cyprus, leaders from both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities have demonstrated that they are indeed resolved to find a solution to the decades-old problems besetting this Mediterranean island. But their first meeting was mainly symbolic. In the future, meetings will take place once a week. One can imagine how long it will take before both sides reach any sort of agreement.

Even so, it is also encouraging that it was the Greek and Turkish Cypriots themselves who initiated the talks. The United Nations merely plays host in the international buffer zone at Nicosia airport. The EU, meanwhile, welcomes the negotiations but knows full well that they have their limitations, given disagreements even within the respective parties -- the same disagreements that stalled previous talks.

And once again, the devil will be in the detail -- even with Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, representing the Greek Cypriot community, and his Turkish counterpart cheerfully stating their "common will and common desire."

Key to this is an awareness that the clocks cannot be turned back thirty or more years, and that the vision of a united Cyprus remains a dream that proved unrealistic soon after the founding of the republic of Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriots have always been a minority, and they cannot demand the same rights to power enjoyed by the majority. Their rights can, however, be protected in the largely autonomous Turkish part of Northern Cyprus, led -- like Greek southern Cyprus -- by a weak central government.

So far, so good. But then come the details that could jeopardize this consensus: The Greek Cypriots are calling for the withdrawal of the 40,000 Turkish troops stationed in northern Cyprus and the 100,000 settlers who were shipped from the mainland to Cyprus after 1974. The Turks refuse.

Any return of Greek Cypriots to the North is seen as an equally unlikely option. Compensation claims made by both sides for the suffering of the last 48 years could also undo this fragile progress.

The Cyprus question illustrates what happens when the ethnic and religious rights of minorities take on a political dimension. There are many other similar examples, from Iraq to the former Yugoslavia. But Cyprus also illustrates the importance of reconciling long-acknowledged political necessities and compromises -- painful to some as they may be -- with personal feelings, and of not always insisting on revenge and recompense.

Ultimately, Cyprus also illustrates what damage outside influence can cause. The British fanned the flames of animosity between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with Greece believing it could sink its claws into Cyprus and Turkey responding with Invasion and occupation.

Most of the time, the Cypriots are never asked, but merely instrumentalized. And that is why we should welcome their attempts to solve their problems by themselves.”

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