TURKISH Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday sent a New Year message to President Tassos Papadopoulos, urging a Cyprus solution in 2007.
In a statement sent to the Anatolia news agency, Talat called on Papadopoulos join him in the New Year’s resolution: “Let’s say hello to United Cyprus in 2007.”
“My message is to sit at the table and solve the Cyprus issue, reunite Cyprus and end the Cyprus issue in 2007,” Talat said.
The message came two days after Talat announced that the Turkish Cypriot side was going to remove the controversial footbridge that was preventing the opening of a crossing point on Ledra Street.
Work began on Friday but will not continue until next Thursday due to the holiday period in the north.
The Greek Cypriot leadership will be issuing their New Year’s statements today so it is not known yet what Papadopoulos’ message to Talat will be.
The government and political parties for the most part have welcomed the move to dismantle the bridge, saying it could help contribute to the resumption of Cyprus talks in 2007.
Yesterday House President Demetris Christofias said any move promoted between the two sides or their leadership was positive.
Evaluating developments in 2006, Christofias said many battles had taken place on different levels with regards to the Cyprus issue. He suggested the agreement in July under the auspices of UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, which outlines a process leading up to new talks, could very well create the conditions for a solution in 2008.
Opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades, speaking to CyBC radio suggested Papadopoulos meet Talat to discuss what needs to be done for the opening of Ledra Street.
The two leaders are due to meet periodically under the Gamabari agreement to review progress of the technical committees, but the DISY leader said they should meet to discuss the Ledra issue, and also disengagement of the Green Line and buffer zone in general.
“They could also discuss the reasons why the technical committees are not functioning yet,” said Anastassiades.
He said the dismantling of the bridge was a positive move and that it would become clear shortly whether it was “for show” or not.
Unlike Christofias, Anastassiades said there was little about 2006 that created optimism on the Cyprus issue for the coming 12 months.
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