Christofias: stop the name-calling

HOUSE President Demetris Christofias yesterday stressed the need to avoid abusive name-calling following comments by DISY deputy Christos Pourgourides that politicians and the media should watch their vocabulary when talking about Turkish Cypriot politicians, who might be partners of tomorrow.

Following a meeting with the leader of the Movement for Peace and Democracy, Mustafa Akinci, Christofias said, “all of us, including Mr Pourgourides and myself should avoid characterisations for anyone; our stance should be political even if we disagree.”
“At the end of the day, we will end up being one-sided if we are not careful,” Christofias said.

He added: “A lot of characterisations are heard on that side about Tassos Papadopoulos and everyone else.”

“But name-calling from any side that creates hate, preserves, exaggerates, develops hate and passions have no place. The issue is simple,” he said.

Akinci said offensive characterisations should be avoided by both sides, especially in the current conditions.

On Tuesday, Pourgourides suggested it was time for both politicians and the media to change their vocabulary and start speaking with more respect about their future possible partners.

“If we go to a solution, Rauf Denktash will be co-president of the United Republic of Cyprus with President Papadopoulos for 30 months,” Pourgourides said.

Several deputies criticised Pourgourides, arguing that any positions held by Turkish Cypriots were illegal and supported by the Turkish occupation forces.

The same group of deputies – mostly from DIKO — on Tuesday suggested tabling a bill that would raise the necessary majority to approve a solution in the referendum.

The group of deputies, which opposes the United Nations plan, suggested that the percentage necessary to approve the solution should be raised to something between 60 and 70 per cent.

Pourgourides rejected this position as “political nonsense” and pointed out the simple majority system was in place even in the most underdeveloped countries.

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