GOODWILL FORWARD

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

Neutral water and silly questions

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=39367

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

http://www.isria.info/RESTRICTED/D/2008/JUNE_6/diplo_06june2008_45.htm

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

Memorandum dents relations
By Jean Christou

IMPROVED relations between the two sides have become strained over the signing this week of a memorandum of understanding between London and Nicosia.

Following angry statements from the north on Thursday when details of the memorandum were released, President Demetris Christofias said yesterday on his return to Cyprus that if that was the stance of Turkish Cypriot side, then “it is clear we have a long way to go”.

The dent in relations comes only ten days before the two leaders are due to meet at a dinner hosted by UN Undersecretary General Lynn Pascoe, who is due on the island on June 17.

Within days after the dinner, the leaders are due to meet again under the agreement they made during their last meeting on May 23.

The memorandum that has caused the flare up provides that Britain and Cyprus would commit themselves to working together to reunify the island based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and political equality, as defined by the relevant UN resolutions and the principles upon which the EU is founded.

“This settlement must be based on a single sovereignty, international personality and a single citizenship,” it said.

Hasan Ercakica, the spokesman of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, called the memorandum unacceptable, and contrary to the agreements Talat and Christofias made in their meetings on March 21 and May 23.

Ercakica alleged that the memorandum does not reflect the realities in Cyprus and contains approaches which will influence negatively the efforts for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

“By accepting this memorandum, Christofias is behaving inconsistently on the issue of the agreements reached with our president and he is bringing to light a credibility problem which will influence the negotiating process,” Ercakica said in a written statement.

He also said the Greek Cypriot side was searching for a solution to the Cyprus problem in places other than the UN and that the UK was supporting this effort for the sake of improving its relations with the Greek Cypriot side.

“The fact that in this memorandum there is reference to the measures taken by the Greek Cypriot side for the Turkish Cypriot people, and Britain expressed its support to these measures, is an example of complete recklessness,” Talat’s spokesman added.

“It is not the duty of the Greek Cypriot side to take measures for the Turkish Cypriot people, in the same manner the approval of these measures is not entrusted to Britain. If there are such measures, their evaluation is a matter of the will of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

Ercakica said the British were providing support to the Greek Cypriots “which they do not deserve” with the motive of preserving their military bases on the island.

As Christofias had no authority and power in the northern part of Cyprus and over the Turkish Cypriot people, the signed memorandum would hold no validity with them, Ercakica said.

Commenting on statements emanating from the north, Christofias said that Ercakica was a spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot community but he himself was the one that visited London as President of the Republic of Cyprus and concluded an agreement between two equal EU member states.

“I regret that the memorandum between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom does not satisfy Mr. Ercakica and Mr. Talat. But this says something about them and the way they see a possible settlement of the Cyprus question,” Christofias said.

“It is clear that we have a long way ahead of us if we disagree on the basis of a Cyprus settlement. The basis on which the Cyprus problem will be solved is that described by the UN resolutions, the high level agreements, and the memorandum of understanding between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom has reaffirmed nothing much or nothing less.”

Asked if he thought the development would affect progress in the working groups and technical committees, Christofias said normally it should not.

“But if they persist in this position surely we will have problems, but normally we should not,” he said.

Greek Cypriot political parties have all welcomed the memorandum.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

Agreement for co-operation on health, heritage and environment
By Jean Christou

AIDES to the leaders yesterday announced the extent of progress at four of the seven technical committees, which have agreed on joint measures on road safety, health, culture and environment.

At a joint news conference with UN Special Representative Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami, aide to the Turkish Cypriot leader, said further agreements would be announced in the coming days.

Zerihoun said that since the process began in April, over 180 meetings had been held. “Some of the committees and working groups have made more progress than others, but what is important is that the process remains engaged,” he said.

The agreements made include putting in place a mechanism that will allow ambulances to cross without delay in emergency situations, issuing road safety leaflets for handing out at crossing points, co-operation on waste issues, the establishment of a joint health committee, and the adoption of joint educational programmes on cultural heritage and the environment.

“You may think six projects is not much for 180 meetings but there is a lot more coming,” said Iacovou. “We wanted to present some of those we have agreed.”

Iacovou said the environment committee was working particularly well. ‘And it shows how sensitive we are becoming on environmental issues and in protecting our joint environment,” he added.

“Everyone has put in a lot of long hours and lots of time and energy, and good will, and they have concentrated on the issues, rather than on the political side of things,” Nami added.

He said the agreement on cultural education was important because it would promote respect for the cultural heritage of both the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. ‘It’s aimed at the younger generations,” he said.

For the moment funding for all of the agreed projects will be borne by both sides.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

By Jean Christou

THE TWO leaders in Cyprus will meet on July 1, and will likely hold a second meeting within the month, but full-fledged talks are not likely before the autumn.

It was originally thought that President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat would meet before the end of June, and again in July.

But Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou yesterday said the first meeting would be on July 1. Asked when fully-fledged negotiations might start he said: “The simple answer is, whenever we decide to start.”

“The meeting in June is now in July but that doesn’t mean the [other] meeting in July will not be held,” said Iacovou who was speaking at a joint news conference with Ozdil Nami, advisor to Talat.

Iacovou and Nami oversee the 13 working groups and technical committees that are designed to lay the groundwork for new negotiations.

It was initially hoped negotiations would start by the end of this month but Christofias felt there was not enough progress at the working groups, which cover substantive issues.

Talat wanted to press ahead regardless, citing the leaders’ agreement on March 21 to meet three months from that date.

Christofias interpreted it differently, saying the groups and committees would have to work for a full three months. They started on April 21.

The two meetings in July are probably a compromise between the date wanted by Talat and the date wanted by Christofias.

The meetings are to be ‘talks about talks’ because both sides have differing views on the basis and aim of negotiations.

“There is no common language between the two communities,” said Iacovou. “We are aiming for clarification. I am sorry there seems to be some different opinion on the Turkish Cypriot side but this is why we need to meet and discuss these issues and find a common language."

Nami added: "We are working very hard to start full-fledged negotiations. The work of the working groups will be used to start the talks.”

Nami also referred to the Annan plan, but Iacovou said it could not go on the table.

“The Turkish Cypriot community can if the so wish, present parts of it during negotiations. We are not talking about negotiations now. We feel we need clarifications. There must be no doubt we are working towards a common objective.”

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

Best chance ever for Cyprus peace
Monday, 23 June 2008

http://www.turkishny.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25747&Itemid=675

...a hopeful article, and interesting.

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

a most encouraging event...

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

Cyprus settlement back on track

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

Christofias tight-lipped over Downer’s appointment
By Alexia Saoulli

UN Secretary-general special adviser on the Cyprus problem, Alexander Downer, has an auxiliary role to play in the Cyprus issue, President Demetris Christofias said yesterday.

Commenting on Downer’s appointment, which was announced on Friday, at Larnaca airport before his departure for Paris where he will participate at the EU summit for the Mediterranean, Christofias said that the former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs would be judged by his actions.

He said Secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon’s intentions were well known, and added that each and every one “will be judged by his action and his productivity”.

Furthermore Christofias expressed the belief that the UN and its officials could play a positive role in the joint efforts towards a Cyprus settlement based on the Security Council resolutions.

The president added that the Greek Cypriot side would evaluate the progress or work being done by the technical committees and working groups ahead of his July 25 meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. During the meeting he would express the Greek Cypriot side’s estimation and opinion on the matter, he added.

This month’s meeting is the fourth since Christofias’ election in February. It is a review of the progress achieved at discussions between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts on various aspects of the Cyprus question, including territory, governance, the economy and property. The leaders will decide whether direct negotiations between them can begin.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008