ALL PRO-GOVERNMENT parties yesterday came out of the National Council meeting pleased with recent developments on Cyprus, while opposition DISY continued to boycott the body.
President Papadopoulos convened the Council to inform political leaders on the EU’s trade regulations with the Turkish Cypriots, the President’s recent meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Paris and the results of his contacts with the Greek leadership.
Government spokesman George Lillikas summed up yesterday’s discussion in a brief statement:
“We need to work… and help in any way we can so that the efforts of the UN Secretary-General bear fruit,” he said
“Our aim is that the Cyprus problem should not be turned into a public-relations affair on the international scene, where one side or the other would try to gain the upper hand.”
Lillikas said all but one party – the United Democrats – were satisfied with the outcome of Papadopoulos’ meeting with Annan.
Speaking for the United Democrats, deputy candidate Louis Igoumenides said:
“We would be happy if there was a real initiative after this. But we feel the whole point behind the meeting was to give the impression of mobility. That was President Papadopoulos’ incentive. Sadly, we don’t believe this mobility will lead anywhere.”
Meanwhile the government spokesman insisted that the technical committees of Greek and Turkish Cypriots would be discussing some of the “hot issues,” which include de-mining, disengagement of forces and gradual demilitarisation.
Conflicting interpretations emerged shortly after the meeting in the French capital, with the Turkish Cypriots objecting they had only agreed to discussing “soft issues,” such as waste management, crime and road safety.
“The message from Paris is clear,” contended Lillikas.
“We are ready to discuss low-level policy issues as well as confidence-building measures, but first and foremost we wish to discuss core issues that would allow us to prepare the ground for talks aimed at a comprehensive settlement.”
Opposition DISY, which recently walked out of the National Council in protest at the President’s refusal to reveal his thoughts during meetings for fear of leaks, withheld comment yesterday.
“Since we were not briefed, we cannot say anything,” DISY spokesman Tassos Mitsopoulos told the Mail.
He said that the party would likely hold a news conference today on its reaction to the latest National Council meeting, but did not elaborate.
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