GREEK Cypriot politicians were divided yesterday on the results of a meeting between party leaders from both sides, with some indicating there had been tensions during the discussions, particularly over property and settlers.
DIKO representative Nicos Cleanthous came out saying that Turkish Cypriot ‘Prime Minster’ Mehmet Ali Talat had said unacceptable things on property, while the Green Party walked out of the meeting and said in a statement that it would consider ceasing its attendance at future talks.
United Democrats vice chairman Michalis Papapetrou said, however, the meeting had been useful and criticised Cleanthous for giving only “half” the story, while AKEL’s Eleni Mavrou and DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades both left the meeting without commenting.
Reports from the north said Talat had reiterated the Turkish side’s readiness to return to the negotiating table, but that the resumption of Cyprus talks “depends on convincing” UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan.
“Annan asked Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos to present a list including possible changes they want in his plan. I think Annan is waiting for this list,” Talat said.
“Papadopoulos should rapidly present the list to Annan. We should have this list and see concerns of the Greek Cypriot side.”
Talat said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could discuss the Cyprus issue with Annan in Madrid this week. “We are always ready for talks which target solution of Cyprus problem,” said Talat.
“We are expecting concrete proposals from the Greek Cypriot side. I have not learned yet what the concerns of Greek Cypriots are. Also the [UN] secretary-general expects to learn about them. We should see the list clearly so that we can put forth our concerns as well. We should remove these concerns mutually.”
But Cleanthous said the meeting had only shown once again that the solution to the Cyprus problem lay with Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriot side. “The discussion showed the truths and realities that for us confirms the key it is found in Ankara,” he said adding that discussions based on any other basis would be fruitless.
He said that positions he heard from Talat at yesterday’s meeting not only caused a reaction amongst the Greek Cypriot politicians but also among the Turkish Cypriot parties.
Cleanthous said when the issue of Greek Cypriot properties was brought up, Talat said that “a constitution, laws and state” existed to resolve that issue. The DIKO representative decided the comment was unacceptable and that it appeared to him Talat was telling them he had no say in the issue due to the “constitution”.
He also said Talat had reminded him that 76 per cent of Greek Cypriots had rejected the Annan plan and that it appeared they would still say ‘no’.
”If this it is estimate of the Turkish Cypriot side then why does it seek a resumption of talks,” he said.
Some of the Greek Cypriot parties were also angered at Democratic Party leader Serdar Denktash, Cleanthous said after Denktash said the Turkish side would give the Greek Cypriots “one last chance” to return to the table. “This was an explicit threat,” said Cleanthous: “You can’t listen to such threats and remain silent”.
The Green Party took offence to comments made by the Turkish Cypriot side relating to settlers, saying they were “provocative”.
Party leader George Perdikis said the central committee would meet to decide if it would continue to attend the meetings.
Papapetrou, however, said the meeting had been useful. When asked about Cleanthous’ statements, he said the DIKO assistant chairman had only reported only “half” what was said by Talat.
“This is not a place to come to push patriotic reasoning, but to see how we can find a convergence and leave behind who is to blame to see if we can build a future,” he said.
“If we do not hurry up I am afraid that situations will be created that will render a solution and reunification more difficult and I believe that the ball is in our court.”
Yesterday, government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said the government did not rule out a meeting between President Tassos Papadopoulos and Talat on bicommunal issues under the auspices of the UN and the Secretary-general’s mission of good offices.
He said Papadopoulos had been informed by House President Demetris Christofias earlier in the day of the latter’s meeting with Talat on Tuesday, the first since the referendum last April.
Chrysostomides said the government believed that contacts between political parties on both sides were positive and would help in the right direction. But he said any meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat could only happen through the UN framework.
“Contacts between political parties contribute to creating a climate of co-operation and understanding which would help towards the resumption of consultations for a final solution to the problem and the island’s reunification,” he said.
