Latest Cyprus News

[akritas]

PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS ON THE BUFFER ZONE
Nicosia, 5 December 2005 (13:39 UTC+2)
MPA

Cyprus Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos revealed the existence of a plan by the Turkish army to occupy half of the buffer zone in Cyprus.

On the occasion of the continuing projects constructed by the occupation forces in the buffer zone area at Lydra Street in Nicosia, the Cyprus Republic President warned that the Lydra Street case will not be allowed to become a precedent to be used by the occupation forces to claim about half of the buffer zone. It appears that this is their plan for the whole Cyprus, stated Mr. Papadopoulos

[Orphic_Hymn]

U.S. ready to trade with Turkish Cypriots

By Nicholas Kralev
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 21, 2006

The United States is preparing to begin direct trade with northern Cyprus for the first time since it was occupied by Turkey three decades ago, including steps opposed as "creeping recognition" by the Greek-Cypriot government in Nicosia.

The American government and U.S. companies already are working with the Turkish Cypriots to bring the sanitary working conditions and the business practices of potential exporters up to world standards, U.S. officials said.
"We are laying the foundation," said one State Department official, who explained that the United States sees easing the isolation of northern Cyprus as the best way to reunify the island.

"We provide direct aid to facilitate direct trade. Economic disparity is pretty big between the north and the south right now. To unify, you need to mitigate those disparities."

Like all U.S. officials interviewed for this article, he spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Northern Cyprus has been virtually isolated since Turkish troops occupied the territory in 1974, one week after a Greek-backed coup in Nicosia. Turkey still provides an economic lifeline to the north and is the only country to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) government.

The Greek-Cypriot government agrees that economic, business and social ties with the Turkish Cypriots should be encouraged, but opposes direct contact with the political leaders of the north at a time when the United States, Britain and other European countries are seeking to end that isolation.

Washington and London have called for permitting direct trade to pass through northern Cypriot ports, while Nicosia wants the goods to be taken by truck to southern ports controlled by the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus government.

Opening ports in the north would be de facto recognition of a Turkish-Cypriot state, said Euripides Evriviades, the Cypriot ambassador in Washington.

Meetings with Turkish-Cypriot political leaders pose the same problem, he said, referring to British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's insistence last month on meeting with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at his office.

Mr. Evriviades said such contact "downgrades the legitimacy of our government and upgrades the legitimacy of the TRNC."
But U.S. officials sided with Mr. Straw, rejecting the notion that a visit with Mr. Talat or dealing with his government means legitimizing the breakaway republic. A U.S. official who plans to visit northern Cyprus this year said he, too, would meet Turkish-Cypriot officials.

"We do not -- and his administration will not -- recognize the so-called TRNC," a State Department official said. "We don't want two separate states. We want a unified island. Nothing we do should be seen as creeping recognition."
He said the Turkish Cypriots "made serious concessions in the Annan plan" to reunify the island in a 2004 referendum and "need some sort of a reward or a sign that what they did was good to shore up their political positions."
The Greek Cypriots rejected the plan, sponsored by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, days before joining the European Union, angering both the United States and Europe. The entire geographic space of Cyprus is now part of the European Union, but the union treaty is suspended in the north.
Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Mr. Annan are scheduled to meet in Paris on Feb. 28 to resume negotiations on reunification.
Turkey, which began talks to join the European Union in the fall, has an obligation to open its ports to Greek-Cypriot ships and aircraft. On Friday, Cyprus threatened to veto Ankara's membership if it fails to meet the EU requirement.
Mr. Evriviades said the United States "has been looking at Cyprus through the prism of its strategic relations with Turkey -- a pivotal secular Muslim country."
He described the United States, Britain and Turkey as "three overlords" who are squeezing the Greek Cypriots.
"It's almost neocolonialism," the ambassador said. "With those overlords, we don't stand a chance."

http://washtimes.com/world/20060220-102915-8116r.htm

[zefs]

‘The American secretary left a bitter aftertaste in both Greece and [Greek] Cyprus,’ says a Greek Cypriot daily in a front-page commentary

ANKARA - TDN with Reuters


Greek and Greek Cypriot media and opposition parties earlier this week attacked remarks by visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, saying the comments revealed American favoritism towards Turkey.

Rice, on a five-day visit to Europe and Iraq, told journalists in the Greek capital on Tuesday that Greek Cyprus should not stand in the way of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

She called on the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot half of the divided island to ease the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), which is recognized only by Ankara.

“The American secretary left a bitter aftertaste in both Greece and [Greek] Cyprus,” wrote Greek Cypriot daily Simerini in a front-page commentary, echoing statements by several opposition parties on the island.

Since joining the EU two years ago, Greek Cyprus has increasingly become a sticking point in the European ambitions of its giant northern neighbor, Turkey.

Divided since a 1974 Turkish military intervention in response to a coup in Nicosia engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece, Cyprus has defied repeated reunification efforts and has been the major hurdle in Ankara's hopes of joining the 25-state bloc.

Greek Cypriots rejected a U.N. peace plan in a referendum in 2004, days before joining the EU. The isolated, poorer Turkish Cypriots approved it.

Turkey opened EU accession talks last October and must expand a customs union agreement to new EU members, including opening up ports to Greek Cypriot traffic. But it has refused so far, demanding an easing of restrictions for the Turkish Cypriots in exchange.

In Athens, the main opposition Socialist PASOK party said some of Rice's comments on Cyprus were “unacceptable.”

“Ms. Rice's visit, in the end, only created more uncertainty and brought more anxiety to the Greek people,” said PASOK official Christos Papoutsis.

Government officials in both countries were more reserved in their reaction but made clear they disagreed with U.S. policy.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that despite being strategic allies with the United States, Greece “does not completely agree with American policy.”

In Nicosia Greek Cypriot government spokesman George Lillikas told journalists that Turkey must meet its EU commitments.

“We support the accession of Turkey to the EU, under certain conditions as laid out by the EU itself,” he said. “Turkey's EU accession course depends only upon itself.”

[zefs]

ANKARA - Turkish Daily News


The United States said Turkey's fulfillment of its European Union membership obligations was an issue between Ankara and Brussels.

Asked about the U.S. position concerning the EU's warning of serious consequences if Ankara failed to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot traffic under a customs union protocol, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, “Well, our position is that those are internal EU discussions as well as discussions that are taking place between the EU and Turkey.�

Reiterating U.S. support for Turkey's EU bid, McCormack said: “We continue to be supportive. We encourage all sides to take those steps that they need to take in order to ultimately realize the goal of accession. I'm not going to script out what Turkey should do. Those are things that the Turkish government needs to decide for itself and then, working with the EU and its individual member states, figure out what steps Turkey needs to do. But we do support Turkey's accession to the EU.�

Asked whether the United States intervened in Turkey's EU process, the U.S. spokesman said: “I'm sure on a daily basis we are in contact with EU member states as well as Turkey concerning these questions. But fundamentally these are decisions that the EU as well as Turkey need to take for themselves.�

[Ptolemy]

ALERT - CYPRUS

30 August 2006

Turkish Cypriot forces detain television team

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels


(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 25 August 2006 IFJ media release:

Journalists Condemn "Intimidation" as Turkish Cypriot Forces Detain TV team

The International Federation of Journalists and its European network, the European Federation of Journalists, today called for the immediate release of two journalists subject to "intolerable and unacceptable intimidation" while covering events in the northern part of Cyprus.

Reporter Adonis Pallikarides and cameraman Nikitas Dalitis of the private SIGMA TV covered an event involving a Turkish Cypriot politician and former president of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce who called for the demolition of a bridge built by the Turkish army, being the obstacle to opening a new crossing point at a commercial street of Nicosia, on the demand of both communities.

The two journalists were arrested when they started interviewing Turkish Cypriot shopkeepers near the bridge. They were accused of videotaping military installations, detained overnight on Friday and were held before appearing before a court today.

"These journalists should be freed immediately and all charges against them lifted," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "It is another case of intolerable and unacceptable intimidation of colleagues who are trying to carry out legitimate journalistic work."

The IFJ and European Federation of Journalists have supported protests of its member organisation, the Union of Cyprus Journalists, which has accused Turkish occupation forces in the northern part of Cyprus of three serious cases of such violations over the past two months when Greek Cypriot journalists have been arrested while covering events in the northern part of Cyprus, controlled since 1974 by Turkish military forces.

The president of the Union, Andreas Kannaouros, says in previous cases the arrested Greek Cypriot journalists were quickly released after being punished, but this is the first time a further detention had been ordered. Turkish Cypriot journalists in the north of the country, represented by the IFJ-affiliated Basin Sen, also condemned the arrests and demanded the release of the two journalists.

For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200 or +322 235 2207, fax: +322 235 2219, e-mail: rachel.cohen@ ifj.org, Internet: http://www.ifj. org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of IFJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit IFJ.
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ________
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EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
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Internet site: http://www.ifex. org/

[zefs]

British wankers British pair win Cyprus land row
\


A British couple yesterday won a legal battle to keep a holiday home they have built in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, on land originally belonging to a Greek-Cypriot.

Last year, a Nicosia court ordered David and Linda Orams to demolish their villa and return the land to its dispossessed owner Meletios Apostolidis, who fled northern Cyprus after the Turkish invasion of 1974.

But a High Court judge in Britain yesterday backed the couple’s appeal against the previous judgment.

Judge Rupert Jack ordered Apostolidis to pay three-quarters of the Oram’s legal costs, the exact amount of which was not clear yesterday.

But the lawyer for Apostolidis - who filed his claim on the land in Lapithos in October 2004 - said that his client would appeal the decision, adding that he was “very optimistic the end result will be positive.”

The Orams - whose case attracted international attention due to its potential legal ramifications and their high-profile lawyer, Cherie Booth, wife of Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair - called the judgment a “total vindication” of their position.

[Amyntas]

http://english.people.com.cn/200609/07/eng20060907_300426.html

[Tsontos]

Greece hails EU report
Review on Turkey positive for national interests, say Athens and Nicosia

Athens and Nicosia yesterday both expressed their satisfaction with a European Commission report criticizing Turkey for its lack of progress in accession efforts.

Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis described the report as «positive for issues of Greek interest... mentioning all points of interest to us.» These points reportedly include Turkey's treatment of Orthodox Christians and its obligations to foster good relations with its neighbors.

As Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis put it, «the report contains all the necessary data for one to assess Turkey's progress toward the European Union.»

But Valinakis stressed that Turkey's failure to implement EU-oriented reforms was not a reason for Greece to rejoice. «We are not gloating about this; quite the opposite - it troubles us,» he said. He expressed Greece's desire to see «a truly European Turkey join the EU» but emphasized that «the final responsibility lies with Turkey.»

Athens also welcomed the section of the EC's report referring to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) insistence on calling itself «Macedonia,» condemned by Greece which has a northern province of that name, as «an unresolved problem.»

The EC's report, and particularly its demand that Ankara open its ports to Cyprus by mid-December, was also welcomed in Nicosia yesterday.

«We are satisfied because (the report) says Turkey has to fulfill its obligations to Cyprus,» Cypriot Foreign Minister Giorgos Lillikas said. But Lillikas also called for a political debate to determine how Turkey should be dealt with if it fails to honor its EU obligations. «We need a political discussion over Turkey's non-compliance to see if there is a convergence of views on this subject,» he said.

Meanwhile, Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was quoted by Agence France-Presse as dismissing attempts by the EU's Finnish presidency to break a deadlock over Cyprus threatening Ankara's EU bid, claiming that the Finnish formula was «unbalanced.»

[Amyntas]

DEMONSTRATING AGAINST TURKISH CYPRUS
Wednesday, 15 November 2006

The members of the organization of Cypriot students in Greek universities, PEOF, launched a three-day hunger strike outside the Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki on Monday in a protest marking the anniversary of the illegal proclamation of the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus on November 15, 1983.

Student organization members gathered across the street from the Turkish consulate building holding banners and posters with slogans against the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.

http://www.hri.org/news/greek/ana/2006/06-11-14.ana.html#25

[Tsontos]

GREAT NEWS IMHO:

EU deadline for Turkey?
Greek FM proposes giving Ankara 18 months to open ports and airports

Greece expressed its disagreement with European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn yesterday as Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said that Turkey should be given an 18-month deadline to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and airplanes.

Rehn urged European Union leaders yesterday not to press for a limit on accession talks with Turkey after the European Commission decided last week to partially freeze Ankara's membership process.

However, Bakoyannis said that Greece's views «do not converge with Mr Rehn's.» She proposed setting a deadline for Turkey to meet its commitments to Cyprus which should not be linked to any efforts to begin reunification talks on the island.

Bakoyannis said that the timetable was necessary otherwise «nobody knows when their commitments have to be fulfilled.»

Speaking from Brussels, where she attended an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting, Bakoyannis said the 18-month deadline which Greece wants to set Turkey should not lead to an end of membership negotiations if Ankara does not comply but should bring about a thorough review of EU-Turkish relations.

The foreign minister admitted that the views of the 25 member states on Turkey's accession talks were not united.

This divergence of views was evident during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi to Athens yesterday after he met with Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis.

Prodi adopted a more conciliatory stance than Karamanlis toward Ankara.

«Our position is that we should leave the door open and ensure that the rules of EU integration are equal for all,» the Italian prime minister said. He added that the number of policy areas where membership talks have been frozen is «a technical issue.»

«Unfortunately, Turkey has not shown in real terms its will to adopt European values and principles and to take the steps which are necessary to progress on its European course,» said Karamanlis.
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_05/12/2006_77394

[Tsontos]

London (ANA-MPA / L. Tsirigotakis) - Documents referring to the late Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis dating from the year 1976 were unveiled on Friday, when the British Foreign Office confidential archives for that year were automatically declassified with the passage of 30 years.

Of particular interest for Greece are the reports by the then British ambassador to Greece Sir Brooks Richards on the domestic situation in Greece and the efforts by Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis to make Greece a member of the EEC and improve Greek-Turkish relations.
In his report, dated December 23, 1976, Sir Brooks Richards wrote, among others, that Greeceʼs parliamentary system depended to a great degree on Karamanlis, stressing that without him it would have been considerably less stable. He also believed that his staying in power would benefit the West, stressing that he was most capable to lead (Greece) to an agreement with Turkey on their bilateral differences. In addition, he stressed, that the likelihood of a coup was small at that time but Karamanlis was still at risk of being assassinated.

The British senior diplomat also mentioned that Karamanlisʼ move to the countryʼs presidency was likely to cause a rift in the New Democracy party, a view also shared by government minister Athanasios Tsaldaris according to a confidential document signed by British diplomat John Denson.

On the state of the Greek opposition parties during that time, the British ambassador wrote that the main opposition party is weak and the creation of a united political front with the participation of centrist and leftist parties before the next parliamentary elections appeared to be unlikely. He stressed that the party of Georgios Mavros (Union of the Center - New Forces party) will not collaborate with PASOK or a leftist party while, on his part, Andreas Papandreou (the founder of PASOK) would find it very hard to adjust his policies and personality to such a political formation.

In another report to the British Foreign Office, Ambassador Sir Brooks Richards points out that the two major priorities for Constantine Karamanlis were Greeceʼs accession into the EEC and the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations. Greeceʼs accession into the EEC was Karamanlisʼ great obsession because he believed that it could protect and stabilize democracy in Greece while ensuring the European Communityʼs support on the issue of Cyprus, underlined the British diplomat.

On the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations, the Greek prime minister had entered into a correspondence with his British counterpart Harold Wilson. In a seven-page-long letter he had outlined Greek positions regarding Greek-Turkish differences, stressing that Greeceʼs intention was to bring Greek-Turkish differences on the Aegean to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The British prime minister, in his diplomatic response, had ruled out the likelihood of an initiative by the British government, saying that there was no role for third countries in settling Greek-Turkish differences on the Aegean.

Meanwhile, the documents also unveiled that a partition solution for Cyprus was being considered as a possibility by the British Foreign Office at that time. The then British ambassador to Ankara Sir Horace Philips had mentioned in a document addressed to British Foreign Secretary Anthony Crosland that, in the case that the two sides could not agree on a federation solution and if, particularly the Turks, appear to favor partition, Britain shouldnʼt be reluctant to discuss an alternative solution.

[Tsontos]

Greek Cyprus's Oil Desire May Cause War in E. Mediterranean


* Greek Cyprus's desire to eliminate Turkish rights over the Cyprus island may cause hot conflict in the eastern Mediterranean

* Turkey has dispatched warships to international waters off Cyprus island in response to oil exploration deals that Greek Cyprus signed with Egypt and Lebanon. Turkish military chief of staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said the warships are a routine patrol and that there has been no additional force sent to the region.


ANKARA - A dispute between Turkey and Greek Cyprus over Greek Cypriot attempts to open tenders for offshore oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean took on new dimensions yesterday when news reports said the Turkish military had sent warships to the international waters off Cyprus.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaþar Büyükanýt denied the reports soon after they were first broadcast on Turkish television, saying there were no additional ships in the Mediterranean other than those that were already on duty in the area.

"We always have warships on duty in the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean. This is not something new. There is no need to send any new warships," Büyükanýt told reporters before a closed-door meeting with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül.
But tension was high in Greek Cyprus, where officials said national forces were ready to respond to Turkish military moves. "We are monitoring the situation in consultation with the National Guard and other security and intelligence forces, and we will act accordingly in the event that our territorial waters are violated," said Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry official Alexandros Zenon. "We have to confirm all this and formulate our response," he added.
Zenon also criticized Turkey's stance over the oil issue as a "provocation" and "unbefitting" a country aiming for membership in the European Union.

Tension has been brewing since Ankara became aware of an agreement between Greek Cyprus and Lebanon, signed on Jan. 17, to delineate their undersea border to facilitate future oil and gas exploration. Similar accords were struck with Egypt last year.

Turkey had warned Lebanon and Egypt on Tuesday not to press ahead with the oil and gas exploration deals signed with Cyprus, saying Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots also had rights in the region. It also warned that it is "determined to protect its rights and interests in the eastern Mediterranean and will not allow attempts that would erode them."
Greek Cyprus, on the other hand, said Wednesday it would protest to the UN and the EU over Turkey's warnings and vowed to press ahead with a tender for the project.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, speaking to journalists in �stanbul yesterday, said the Turkish Cypriot state would not give up on exploration rights. “In the same way that we did not give up on Cyprus, we won’t give up our rights to its resources,� Talat said. “We have equal rights on the island.�

Greece, a natural ally of Greek Cyprus, has criticized the Turkish position. “(Turkey’s reaction) is not productive and opposes aims that are peaceful and are designed to promote economic development in the eastern Mediterranean region,� Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. “(It) is in total contradiction with international law and the right of sovereign governments to negotiate international agreements,� he said. Previous estimates put natural gas and oil reserves underneath the seabed off Cyprus at around 6 to 8 million barrels worth $400 billion.

* Lebanon gives assurances

In Beirut, the Lebanese government on Wednesday reassured that it was committed to “excellent� relations with Turkey despite signing the agreement with Greek Cyprus for delineating underseas areas for future oil and gas exploration in the Mediterranean.
Hisham Dimashkieh, a senior official at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, discussed the Turkish warning and other issues with Turkish Ambassador �rfan Acar at the Foreign Ministry, according to a statement carried by Lebanon’s official National News Agency.

“Dimashkieh stressed to Acar that Lebanon is committed to its excellent relations with Turkey and clarified that Lebanon stands at an equal distance from all friendly countries out of keenness to preserve the rights of all parties,� he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press in the statement.

There are two states on the island: Greek Cyprus and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). However the Greek side does not recognise the North and claims that all of the territorial and water areas of the island are belongs to the Greek Cyprus. The Greeks joined the European Union in 2004 while the Turkish Cypriots were kept outside the EU. The Greek Cyprus is the first and only state which was accepted as full member to the EU with border disputes.

[Orphic_Hymn]

Μετέτρεψε εκκλησία σε γκαλερί
8/2/2007 11:09:00 πμ


Πηγή: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ

Αμερικανίδα, με την ανοχή του παράνομου κατοχικού καθεστώτος, αγόρασε παράνομα την εκκλησία των Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου, στο κατεχόμενο χωριό Φτέρυχα στην επαρχία Κερύνειας, μετατρέποντάς την σε κατοικία, εργαστήρι τέχνης και γκαλερί. Την αποκάλυψη αυτή έκανε ο πρόσφυγας Αλέξης Χαραλάμπους σε τηλεοπτική εκπομπή του ΡΙΚ. Ο πρόσφυγας είχε επισκεφθεί πρόσφατα το κατεχόμενο χωριό του. Στο χωριό Φτέρυχα, παρατηρείται μια άνευ προηγουμένου εκμετάλλευση των ελληνοκυπριακών περιουσιών, καθώς τα περισσότερα σπίτια αγοράσθηκαν παράνομα και αναπαλαιώθηκαν από Βρετανούς και Γερμανούς.

Source:
ert.gr

[Half Greek]

Turkey's aim is control of Cyprus

Turkey’s aim is control of Cyprus, Tassos tells UN


Reaffirms commitment

to July 8 agreement



TURKEY’S long-standing objective is to gain political and military control over Cyprus and even the allure of accession to the European Union has not changed Ankara’s intentions, President Papadopoulos said.

Addressing the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the President also accused Turkey of systematic violations of Cyprus’ air and maritime space, of demolishing Greek Cypriot houses and destroying cultural and religious heritage in the occupied north and of stepping up the exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties there.

At the same time, he reaffirmed his commitment to the July 8 agreement and to a settlement of a bizonal, bicommunal federation "with the correct meaning of each of these terms".

"The only process that can take us forward is that established by the July 8 agreed process", he added.

Taken from Cyprus Weekly

[pankration]

Are the majority of Americans banging their heads against the walls in response to every moronic decision made by their Foreign Secretary's office? Iraq, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Cuba et. al. represent a list of foreign policy blunders that would make a raving lunatic blush. These bureaucrats actually believe (and state) that Turkey will be their key MUSLIM anchor in the region. Wasn 't that Iraq's job before Hussein told them to screw themselves? What about Saudi Arabia, the most repressive country in the civilized world? Aren't they a key Muslim country? The motivation to establish a Turkish Cyprus is so laughable that you wonder for the collective mental health of this administration. Greek Cypriots have been on that land forever and the neo-colonialism of the Turks and the opportunistic feeding frenzy of the English carpetbaggers will not change that. Turkey will NEVER be a European country; it's as Muslim as Iran. Eventually, secularism will be pushed aside and Muslim radicals will overrun the moderates and we'll have another Iraq. American Greeks, where are you?

[zefs]

Look how nice the Turks are. They sure want to join the EU.Assholes.
Turkish politicians support restoring former names of villages in KKTC
A proposal regarding the restoring of former names of villages within the borders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) has found support from ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Zeynep Dağı and former parliamentary foreign affairs commission leader Mehmet Dülger.





Academic Mehmet Hasgüler brought the issue to the agenda as a "passive call for peace." Dağı emphasized that cultural heritage should be protected, while Dülger said there are examples of signage with place names written in different languages such as those in Brussels.
According to Hasgüler, the names of approximately 300 villages in the KKTC were changed in 1974, including the village where the newly elected president of the Greek Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias, was born. Christofias' village, Dikmen, is located in Girne -- a town on the northern coast of the island known for its historic harbor and castle.

Dağı, who is also the head of the Turkish group at the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary assembly, stated that this new project would be viewed positively among the public and would be a step for peace. Dülger emphasized that the current names should be kept and the old names should be added to signs, saying that to drop the current names would be wrong in terms of cultural continuity. He also stated that keeping the former names of the villages would be a goodwill gesture.

Dülger reiterated that a change in the names of locations without keeping the current names also on the signs would break people's links to the past.

[Truth Bearer]

Cyprus leaders to meet next week
The new Cyprus president, Demetris Christofias, is due to meet the Turkish Cypriot leader on 21 March, according to a UN office on the divided island.
After he was elected last month, Mr Christofias asked the UN to arrange a meeting with Mehmet Ali Talat to revive peace talks which stalled in 2004.

A spokesman said the meeting would take place at the UN compound in Nicosia.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north, after a coup by Greek Cypriots.

In 2004, Greek Cypriots rejected UN-backed proposals to reunite Cyprus which had been backed by Turkish Cypriots.

The island's partition has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU, and remains a source of contention between Nato allies Turkey and Greece.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey.

Last month, Mr Talat congratulated Mr Christofias on his election triumph and said: "I believe that it won't be a surprise if we solve the problem by the end of 2008".



Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7291459.stm

Published: 2008/03/12 10:08:41 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

[Tsontos]

I have a bad feeling about this.



From the BBC:



Cyprus leaders begin peace talks

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44507000/jpg/_44507365_duo_ap203bo.jpg

Friday, 21 March 2008

The new president of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, is holding talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat aimed at reunifying the divided island.

It is the first time the two men are meeting since Mr Christofias was elected president last month.

Both leaders are from the political left and have been optimistic about the chance to work towards a settlement.

Talks have been stalled since 2004 when Greek Cypriots rejected a UN peace plan that was backed by Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Christofias and Mr Talat shook hands at the start of their meeting in a UN buffer zone near the abandoned Nicosia airport.

"We will have Cypriot coffee together," Mr Christofias said, AFP news agency reports.

Differences

The question now is whether that goodwill can be translated into the elements of a solution, the BBC's Tabitha Morgan reports from Cyprus.

Both leaders have promoted contact between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, but it is not clear how negotiations will proceed.

Mr Talat favours returning to the 2004 UN-backed plan. But because the plan was rejected by 75% of Greek Cypriot voters, Mr Christofias prefers discussions to build on an agreement reached in July 2006.

This focused on individual confidence-building measures and practical areas where progress could be made.

Before the talks, Mr Christofis said he hoped for a deal to open a crossing point at Ledra street, a pedestrian thoroughfare in Nicosia that runs along the city's dividing line.

The street has come to symbolise the partition of the island.

Our correspondent says that whatever route is decided, negotiations are likely to be long and complex, for - as Mr Christofias himself has said - this diplomatic initiative cannot afford to fail.

The talks are being moderated by the UN's special representative to Cyprus, Michael Moller.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been divided since 1974, when Turkey sent troops into the north, after a coup by Greek Cypriots who wanted union with Greece.

The island's partition has long stood as an obstacle to Turkey's bid to join the EU. The Greek Cypriot south, which joined the EU in 2004, hold veto rights over Turkey's accession.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7308128.stm

[Truth Bearer]

Tsontos the idea from Christofias is to develop a Cyprian consciousness as the only way of settling the divide.That will mean change of anthem(Greek) create "Cyprian" national holidays develop a "Cyprian" language(maybe a mixture b/w Greek & Turkish?) that way they can appease the Turkish minority.Christofias needs to neutralise the Greek influence and Turkish influence of the people.Whether u or me agree I suppose is irrelevant it's up to the Cyprians themselves to decide.I don't know the solution it will sadden me when or if they try to eradicate the Hellenistic nature of the majority but I suppose what else can they do?I don't have any answers nor solutions mate.

[olvios]

Turkish consciousness and goals will not change and if Cypriots choose not to be Greeks they are sealing their fate.They would be taken over by Turkey and finito.

[Truth Bearer]

No the Turkish Cyprians will drop the Turkish and just become Muslim Cyprians and Orthodox Cyprians.The country will have 2 religious minorities one people.Reducation at schools to respect each other's beliefs and both their loyalties will be to Cyprus not Greece or Turkey.
Watch this space and see.....

[Tsontos]

Christofias on EU-Turkey relations

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias on Sunday was quoted here as stressing that the European Union must become more exacting vis-à-vis the obligations assumed by EU candidate-state Turkey towards the Union.

"Assessment of Turkey's accession course is a juncture that must be exploited in order to promote efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem," Christofias, the recently elected president of the island republic, was quoted as saying by the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Vima".

Asked about "guarantees", the veteran Cypriot politician emphasised that the people of Cyprus "are mature enough so that they do not need guarantees and guarantors…"

"Besides, Cyprus' accession to the European Union is a major guarantee for not repeating the traumatic situations of the past, which hurt our people as a whole, or one or the other community. If the abolition of guarantees is unfeasible at present, we will at least insist on there not being any right by a guarantor power for unilateral intervention in the Republic of Cyprus' internal affairs," he said.

www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6290570&maindocimg=6212901&service=100

[Tsontos]

FM confers with UN official

4/8/08

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Monday conferred here with visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe over developments on the Cyprus issue, and specifically, on a March 21 agreement between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

The UN official arrived in Greece after his visit to Cyprus, and before heading to Turkey.

After the meeting, Pascoe said: "We had very fruitful talks with Ms. Bakoyannis about Cyprus. We both agreed that there is a very good chance to proceed and we must find a way to help. We will work together in order for procedures to be accelerated. We will cooperate firmly with Greece, Turkey and all the people in Cyprus to reach a solution".

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos stressed that Bakoyannis reiterated Greece's position for the resumption of a well-prepared negotiations process in order to accomplish a just and viable solution for Cyprus.

Later in the day, Pascoe will meet separately with Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6315013&maindocimg=6314581&service=100

[zefs]

The Cyprus problem: a simplified solution framework
By Panayiotis Demetriou

Recent developments in Cyprus – the restarting of negotiations between the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot leaders, the opening of Ledra Street, the setting-up of working groups and technical committees - all mark a new era for the divided island. Hopes for an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem have revived locally and internationally.

If President Christofias and Mr Talat show the appropriate good will and understanding, and particularly if Turkey?s political and, most importantly, its military leadership is determined to solve the problem fairly, the vision of a reunited Cyprus could become a reality soon.

Leaving aside complexities and maximalistic targets, the two communities can elaborate on the following simple framework:

First, the constitutional structure which will consist of a federal bicommunal and bizonal state, which will reunite Cyprus politically, economically and geographically in a single sovereign state, with one legal personality and citizenship.

Second, European values and human rights have to be safeguarded; any derogation in this respect necessitated under present relevant circumstances should apply for a transitional period only.

Third, withdrawal of all foreign troops must start as from the day an overall settlement of the problem is reached and be concluded within reasonable time. Demilitarisation of the island should be the final goal.

Fourth, the EU and UN should guarantee the implementation of the settlement; the
existing guarantees - the source of the present evils in Cyprus - should be set aside.
In order for a solution to be achieved the EU has to play an active catalytic role in the negotiating process, complementary to that of the UN. The EU should be primarily concerned with a functional and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, which after all is also a European problem.


n Panayiotis Demetriou is a Member of the European Parliament

http://www.phantis.com/

[zefs]

Barroso: Turkey should open its ports to Greek Cypriots

THE PRESIDENT of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday urged Turkey to fulfil its European Union obligation and open its ports to Cyprus.
“We have a historic opportunity in Cyprus,” Barroso, on a three-day visit to Turkey, said of the recent agreement between Greek and Turkish Cypriots to restart stalled reunification talks.

“I know all the necessary steps will be made on this issue but during this procedure, Turkey should open its ports to Greek Cypriots,” he said during in a speech in the Turkish parliament.

“This is today the main obstacle for significant progress in Turkey's accession process."

The EU has blocked several of Turkey’s negotiating chapters over its refusal to open its ports and airports to Cyprus.

“And no chapter can be closed until Turkey ensures full implementation of the additional protocol," Barroso said.

Ankara says it will fulfil its obligation if the EU fulfils its pledge to end the Turkish Cypriots’ economic isolation.

Erdogan said his country backed a rapid settlement to Cyprus' 34-year division between its Turkish and Greek communities, which lies at the core of the dispute.

On Wednesday, Barroso warned that attempts to ban Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted governing party could harm ties with the European Union.

“It is not normal that the party that was chosen by the majority of the Turkish people is now under this kind of investigation,” Barroso said.

Turkey's Constitutional Court has agreed to hear the chief prosecutor's case for shutting down the party and banning Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and 70 others from politics for five years.


http://www.phantis.com/

[zefs]

Christofias’ remarks against Turkey poisoning environment’
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has harshly criticized Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias for his remarks targeting Ankara by calling on permanent members of the UN Security Council to put pressure on the Turkish government to change its policy on the Cyprus issue.
What is this?
The polemic between the two leaders follows a landmark meeting of the two on March 21 when they agreed to restart stalled talks on reunifying the ethnically divided island. Talat and Christofias then agreed to meet again in three months to discuss reunification efforts. Aides have begun consultations on negotiation topics as part of preparations for the talks scheduled to take place in three months. Over the weekend, speaking at a memorial service, Christofias was quoted by Greek Cypriot media as saying: "[The Greek Cypriot people have] realized it was not at all easy to reverse the facts created by the invasion, the long-standing occupation and division of our homeland. We know that we are not dealing merely with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots."
Underlining the role of the international community, Christofias also noted: "More than ever, we need the international community to exert pressure on Turkey. Because, we repeat once again, that if Turkey does not alter its policy on Cyprus, the road for a solution will not open, in spite of the good will on our side."

Both the Turkish Cypriot Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) and Turkey have exerted significant efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue and they do not have to prove these obvious efforts, Talat said in response, in remarks delivered to the Turkish News Agency-Cyprus (TAK) and the state-owned Bayrak Radio and Television (BRT).

The party which needs to prove its will for resolution and a change in its policy is the Greek Cypriot side, Talat added, while noting the fact that both the KKTC and Ankara at the time backed a UN-led reunification plan which was simultaneously voted on by the two sides of the divided island in 2004. The plan, however, became null and void after the Greek Cypriots rejected it shortly before entering the EU as official representatives of the entire island. Despite overwhelmingly supporting the plan, the Turkish Cypriots were left out without being granted EU rights.

"These kinds of statements serve nothing but to poison the environment," Talat said when asked about the probable impact of Christofias' remarks on the new process of reunifying the island.

"It should also not be ignored that Turkey -- whose role as an important actor in resolving the Cyprus issue cannot be denied -- could feel hurt, could even feel furious, if these kinds of approaches are repeated, although it is known that these are clearly wrong and lies," Talat said.

The four-decade-old Cyprus problem actually erupted after the eastern Mediterranean island was granted independence from Britain in 1960, soon followed by an outbreak of inter-communal clashes in 1963, the KKTC leader underlined, in response to Christofias, who described the Cyprus issue as "an issue of invasion," in apparent reference to the 1974 Turkish military intervention under the terms of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee after diplomacy failed to end unrest on the island.

Today's Zaman Ankara
phantis.com

[zefs]

Naked detainee beaten, chained in Greek Cypriot cell: rights watchdog
Published: 4/15/2008







STRASBOURG - A detainee was stripped and beaten then chained by the ankles and wrists in a Greek Cypriot cell, the anti-torture committee of the Council of Europe said Tuesday in a highly-critical report.

The investigation by the anti-torture committee of the rights watchdog said this example was just the worst from many disturbing episodes of police malpractice on the Mediterranean island to come to light.


The Greek Cypriot government in Cyprus rejected the allegations, saying the man in question had later been convicted to life imprisonment for murder.


The report said the man, a foreigner whose country of origin was not identified, had been beaten twice on one day in a police cell in Nicosia in 2004, first while dressed, then stripped naked, and finally chained standing up.


After hospital treatment he had written a nine-page confession admitting to charges laid against him by police.


In a response to the criticism the Greek Cypriot government said a tribunal had ruled that the detainee`s accusations of police brutality were without foundation. The man had later been sentenced to life imprisonment for complicity in murder and arson.


The committee had investigated frequent reports of alleged mistreatment by Greek Cypriot police of foreigners found without proper residence qualifications or arrested on suspicion of a felony.


The report published at Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg said it had found Greek Cypriot police behaviour generally remained "problematic."


The committee was also greatly concerned by the lengthy periods of sometimes up to 40 months during which foreign detainees were held in custody.


The report was written following an investigative visit by committee members to the island.


The Greek Cypriot authorities in their response had also stressed that intensive further training had improved police behaviour and reduced the identified cases of alleged mistreatment. Only four were recorded in 2005 compared with 32 in 2003.


The committee also criticised over-crowding in Greek Cypriot jails, and recommended improvements in such areas as prisoner activities, medical care and access by lawyers to detainees.


South Cyprus became the 16th member of the Council of Europe in 1961. It is also a member of the European Union.


tj/da/mat
turkishpress.com

[zefs]

Britain sees real possibility of Cyprus reunification

There is a real possibility that renewed talks to reunify the ethnically divided island could succeed, Joan Ryan, Britain’s envoy to Cyprus, said on Thursday at the end of a three-day visit to the island.


Ryan said the revived peace drive now under way is the best opportunity in many years to reunify Cyprus, and it should not be missed.

She said Britain will do all it can to encourage and support the process. Ryan added she was convinced of the "commitment and desire" of rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to reach an agreement.

Ryan met both Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat during her visit.

Greek and Turkish Cypriots will launch preparatory works for new Cyprus reunification talks on Friday, the United Nations mission on the divided island informed on Wednesday. Experts from both sides will hold their first ceremonial meeting on Friday, in the presence of the chief aides to Christofias and Talat who are slated to start reunification talks by June.
hurriyet.com
Photo: AP

[zefs]

Turkey rejects British-Greek Cypriot agreement

A memorandum of understanding signed between Britain and the Greek Cypriot administration "casted a shadow" on efforts to reach a permanent and a fair settlement to the Cyprus problem, Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.


British Premier Gordon Brown and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding which made reference to "a federation based on a bi-communal and bi-zonal structure in the ethnically divided island."

"The memorandum of understanding, which is away from being constructive at a time when the two leaders of the island engaged in a negotiations process, is a negative intervention," the ministry said in a statement.

hurriyet.com

[Amarantos]

Ένοχη η Τουρκία για τις δολοφονίες Ισαάκ -Σολωμού και την υπόθεση Φωκά

Λευκωσία


Καταδικαστικές είναι για την Τουρκία οι αποφάσεις του Ευρωπαϊκού Δικαστηρίου Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων (ΕΔΑΔ) σε σχέση με τις υποθέσεις που αφορούν τις δολοφονίες των Τάσου Ισαάκ και Σολωμού Σολωμού, τον 1996. Ένοχη η Αγκυρα και για την υπόθεση της Ελένης Φωκά.

Συγκεκριμένα, το ΕΔΑΔ έκρινε την Τουρκία ένοχη για παραβίαση του άρθρου 2 της Ευρωπαϊκής Συνθήκης για τα Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα που αφορά το δικαίωμα στη ζωή καθώς και για παραβίαση του άρθρου 2 σε ό,τι αφορά τη μη διεξαγωγή αποτελεσματικής έρευνας για τις συνθήκες θανάτου των Ισαάκ και Σολωμού.

Το Δικαστήριο επεδίκασε 80.000 ευρώ ως αποζημίωση στη χήρα του Ισαάκ, άλλες 35.000 ευρώ στη χήρα του Ισαάκ, τους γονείς του Ισαάκ και στον πατέρα του Σολωμού, ενώ η Αγκυρα θα πρέπει να καταβάλει επίσης το ποσό των 15.000 ευρώ σε κάθε ένα από τα αδέλφια των Ισαάκ και του Σολωμού. Επιπλέον η Τουρκία θα πληρώσει 12.000 ευρώ δικαστικά έξοδα.

Οι προσφυγές κατατέθηκαν από τις οικογένειες των δολοφονηθέντων Τάσου Ισαάκ και Σολωμού Σολωμού εναντίον Τουρκίας.

Το ΕΔΑΔ, με προηγούμενη απόφασή του, έκανε αποδεκτή την προσφυγή που καταχωρήθηκε από την οικογένεια του Τάσου Ισαάκ το 1998. Ο Ισαάκ δολοφονήθηκε το 1996 στη νεκρή ζώνη στην περιοχή της Δερύνειας κατά τη διάρκεια αντικατοχικής εκδήλωσης μοτοσικλετιστών.

Το 1999, το ΕΔΑΔ, αποδέχτηκε την προσφυγή της οικογένειας του Σολωμού Σολωμού, ο οποίος δολοφονήθηκε μετά την κηδεία του Τάσου Ισαάκ, όταν άοπλος, προσπάθησε να σκαρφαλώσει στον ιστό της τουρκικής σημαίας στο φυλάκιο των στρατευμάτων κατοχής της Δερύνειας για να την κατεβάσει.

Η προσφυγή των δύο οικογενειών στηρίχθηκε στα άρθρα 2 (δικαίωμα στη ζωή), 8 (δικαίωμα στο σεβασμό της ιδιωτικής και οικογενειακής ζωής) και 14 (απαγόρευση στη διάκριση), της Ευρωπαϊκής Σύμβασης Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων. Οι οικογένειες καταγγέλλουν την παράνομη δολοφονία των συγγενών τους από πράκτορες της τουρκικής κυβέρνησης και την αδυναμία των τουρκικών Αρχών να διεξάγουν έρευνα για τις δολοφονίες.

Η υπόθεση του Σολωμού στηρίχθηκε επίσης στο άρθρο 1 (υποχρέωση στο σεβασμό των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων) και 3 (απαγόρευση απάνθρωπης και εξευτελιστικής μεταχείρισης

Υπόθεση Φωκά

Το ΕΔΑΔ έκρινε ένοχη την Αγκυρα και για την υπόθεση της Ελένης Φωκά. Ειδικότερα, το δικαστήριο έκρινε την Τουρκία ένοχη για παραβίαση του άρθρου 10 της Ευρωπαϊκής Συνθήκης για τα Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα, που αφορά την ελευθερία της έκφρασης.

Σύμφωνα με ανακοίνωση του ΕΔΑΔ, η Ελένη Φωκά προσέφυγε στο ΕΔΑΔ για θέματα που αφορούσαν τη μεταχείριση της οποίας έτυχε από στρατιώτες του ψευδοκράτους. Συγκεκριμένα, η κ. Φωκά κατηγορεί την Τουρκία ότι τον Ιανουάριο του 1995, κατά την επιστροφή της στην Αγία Τριάδα από τις ελεύθερες περιοχές, όπου πέρασε τις διακοπές των Χριστουγέννων με την οικογένεια της, είχε συλληφθεί και έτυχε κακομεταχείρισης από ένστολους αξιωματικούς του ψευδοκράτους, στο οδόφραγμα του Λήδρα Πάλας.

Οι κατηγορίες της κ. Φωκά αφορούσαν, επίσης, την κατάσχεση προσωπικών της αντικειμένων από την τσάντα της (κασέτες, βιβλία, ημερολόγιο και χάρτη), αλλά και το γεγονός ότι συνελήφθη λόγω της εθνικής της καταγωγής, των θρησκευτικών της πεποιθήσεων, και τη στάση της κατά της τουρκικής κατοχής του βορείου τμήματος της Κύπρου.

Η προσφυγή της κ. Φωκά στηρίχθηκε στα άρθρα 3 (απαγόρευση απάνθρωπης ή εξευτελιστικής συμπεριφοράς), 5 (δικαίωμα στην ελευθερία και ασφάλεια), 10 (ελευθερία έκφρασης), 8 (δικαίωμα στο σεβασμό της ιδιωτικής και οικογενειακής ζωής), 9 (ελευθερία σκέψης, συνείδησης και θρησκείας), και 14 (απαγόρευση στη διάκριση), της Ευρωπαϊκής Σύμβασης Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων.

Το Δικαστήριο ομόφωνα έκρινε ένοχη την Τουρκία για παραβίαση του άρθρου 10, και επέβαλε ποινή 300 ευρώ για οικονομικές ζημιές και 5.000 ευρώ για κόστη και έξοδα. Ωστόσο, έκρινε ότι δεν υπήρξε παραβίαση των άρθρων 3 και 5. Επίσης, έκρινε ότι δεν ήταν αναγκαίο να εξεταστεί εάν υπήρξε παραβίαση του άρθρου 8, 9, και 14.

Η Ελένη Φωκά εργαζόταν ως δασκάλα στο κατεχόμενο σχολείο της Αγίας Τριάδας στην Καρπασία.

Newsroom ΔΟΛ, με πληροφορίες από ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ

http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=913501&lngDtrID=244

[Amarantos]

Διαρροή στον Τύπο

Το περιεχόμενο των προτάσεων Χριστόφια - Ταλάτ δημοσιεύει τουρκική εφημερίδα

Αθήνα
Τελευταία ενημέρωση 14/09/08 00:15

Στις προτάσεις της ελληνοκυπριακής και της τουρκοκυπριακής πλευράς για το θέμα της διακυβέρνησης, στο πλαίσιο των διαπραγματεύσεων του προέδρου της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας Δημήτρη Χριστόφια με τον Τουρκοκύπριο ηγέτη Μεχμέτ Αλί Ταλάτ αναφέρεται σε δημοσίευμα της, την Παρασκευή, η τουρκική εφημερίδα Milliyet.

Η διαρροή του περιεχομένου των συνομιλιών στον τουρκικό Τύπο έγινε παρά τη μυστικότητα που συμφώνησαν οι δύο πλευρές πριν από την έναρξη των απ' ευθείας διαπραγματεύσεων.

Σύμφωνα με το δημοσίευμα της τουρκικής εφημερίδας, που αναφερόταν στη συνάντηση των κ.κ. Χριστόφια-Ταλάτ την περασμένη Πέμπτη, και το οποίο αναδημοσιεύθηκε στον κυπριακό Τύπο, οι δύο πλευρές κατέθεσαν συγκεκριμένες προτάσεις για τις αρμοδιότητες της κεντρικής κυβέρνησης.

Κατ' αρχάς, η ελληνοκυπριακή πλευρά φέρεται από τη Milliyet να προτείνει:

1) Ομοσπονδιακή κυβέρνηση η οποία θα διοικείται με το προεδρικό σύστημα. Ο πρόεδρος και ο αντιπρόεδρος θα εκλέγονται από τους πολίτες της Ομόσπονδης Δημοκρατίας.

2) Η προεδρία της χώρας θα είναι εκ περιτροπής, με τον Ελληνοκύπριο πρόεδρο να έχει θητεία 4 ετών και τον Τουρκοκύπριο 2 ετών.

3) Η σύνθεση του Υπουργικού Συμβουλίου θα αποτελείται από 6 Ελληνοκύπριοι και 3 Τουρκοκύπριοι. Όπου δεν υπάρχει ομοφωνία, οι αποφάσεις θα λαμβάνονται με απλή πλειοψηφία, υπό την προϋπόθεση ότι θα είναι θετική η ψήφος τουλάχιστον ενός μέλους από κάθε πλευρά.

4) Η τουρκοκυπριακή συνιστώσα πολιτεία θα αντιπροσωπεύεται στη Βουλή της χώρας με ποσοστό 25%.

Από την πλευρά τους, οι Τουρκοκύπριοι ζητούν:

1) Το ομοσπονδιακό κράτος θα διοικείται από το Προεδρικό Συμβούλιο (4 Ελληνοκύπριοι και 3 Τουρκοκύπριοι) το οποίο θα εκλέγει τα μέλη του Κοινοβουλίου μέσα από λίστα.

2) Ο πρόεδρος της Ομόσπονδης Δημοκρατίας θα έχει θητεία 3 ετών. Η αλλαγή στον πρόεδρο και τον αντιπρόεδρο θα γίνεται κάθε 12 μήνες.

3) Στις αποφάσεις του Προεδρικού Συμβουλίου που θα λαμβάνονται με απλή πλειοψηφία θα πρέπει να υπάρχουν 2 μέλη της κάθε κοινότητας που θα έχουν δώσει θετική ψήφο.

4) Στη Βουλή η τουρκοκυπριακή συνιστώσα πολιτεία θα αντιπροσωπεύεται κατά 1/3.

Newsroom ΔΟΛ



http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=937536&lngDtrID=244