GREEK and Turkish Cypriots on the streets of Nicosia yesterday were wary of the chances of a solution by May 1, despite Friday’s breakthrough deal in New York, which paves the way for referenda on the Annan plan by the end of April.
Used to disappointments and mistrustful of politicians, most of those asked in a straw poll were eager for a reunited Cyprus, but sceptical of the chances of a deal before EU accession.
Fatma Urfali was out shopping in southern Nicosia. She told the Sunday Mail she had followed the talks in New York and was hopeful that negotiations would lead to a solution.
“I do believe there will be a solution and that a united island is the only option in the future,” she said. “However, I doubt the problem will be solved before accession to Europe on May 1.”
Another Turkish Cypriot woman, Zeynep Olcmen, longed for peace on the island. “I cross over to the south to do shopping mostly, and I await the day when the border will cease to exist and we will no longer be divided,” said Olcmen.
Her mother, who only spoke Turkish, said she believed a solution would bring prosperity and peace to Cyprus. “Greek and Turkish Cypriots will be able to live peacefully together.”
However, Greek Cypriot Kyrenia refugee Andreas Theodosiou said he was doubtful a solution could be reached before accession.
“There must be a resolution to the island’s division and the talks in New York had a positive outcome,” said Theodosiou.
“But Denktash is a stubborn old mule and I believe he was pushed into agreeing to resuming negotiations. I don’t think he wants a solution.”
One young Turkish Cypriot on Ledra Street said he was concerned about the future of the Cyprus.
“I don’t think that the talks were very productive,” he said. “I want a solution to be found for the economical growth of the island, and we as Turkish Cypriots will benefit more than anyone in every aspect. There will be more jobs and more opportunities for us.”
Another Greek Cypriot, who had just visited his village in the occupied north and was returning via the Ledra Palace checkpoint, said he was positive about the two sides reaching a solution.
“The talks in New York paved the way towards negotiations, which are necessary to reach a solution.”
But he feared that Denktash would not give way that easily. “The Greek Cypriot side is willing to negotiate, we want a solution. But in my opinion Denktash does not want one. I doubt the problem will be resolved before May 1.”
And the refugee added that even though a solution was the next step, he could not forget everything he had lost after the Turkish invasion. “Many Greek Cypriots lost their homes and a solution will not change that.”
But Omer Ahmed and his wife were excited at the prospect of negotiations between Greek and Turkish sides. “We believe in a solution for a better, more prosperous Cyprus. A united island will help us,” said Ahmed.
“We can live together as one. We did before the invasion and can do so again,” he said, proudly displaying the couple’s Republic of Cyprus identity cards, which they had obtained when the checkpoints opened in April 2003.
“We are all Cypriots and must live together as one, on one island, with one objective… peace.”
