Christofias in new outburst against Britain

HOUSE President Demetris Christofias yesterday launched a new attack on the UK during a gathering in London, only seven months after calling Britain the island’s “evil demon”.

The new attack comes as EU member states, under its current British presidency, attempt to thrash out a compromise response to Turkey’s declaration not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

Nicosia feels Britain is not acting impartially and is pushing the Turkish agenda, sparking a new round of anti-British feeling not seen since early this year when the Greek Cypriot side accused Britain of having its fingerprints all over the failed Annan plan.

London and Nicosia had in the past few months attempted to mend fences, until Britain took over as EU president and was accused of being the champion of Turkey’s accession.

The latest outburst centred on news yesterday that Britain had struck a deal with France on the text of the EU response. Until then, France appeared to be on the side of Cyprus, chastising Turkey over non-recognition.

“London is now in bilateral contact with France with a view to weaken the French position with the argument that the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus will be tabled on the eve of Turkey’s accession,” Chriostofias said during the gathering of Cypriots in the UK.

“Britain has always been behind moves against Cyprus. This role has become a leading one with Britain taking on the EU presidency,” he added.

Christofias called on the Greek Cypriot community in Britain to step up efforts towards changing this stance.

“We must collectively analyse the whole situation and measure our potential,” he said. “Although our aim is not to veto Turkey, we must not rule out any option, if that is deemed necessary.”

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.