Limnitis residents want to meet the two leaders

THE RESIDENTS of the Pyrgos Tyllirias communities have called for a common meeting with President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, to clarify once and for all who of the two is in favour of opening the Limnitis checkpoint.

The residents yesterday met with Christofias at the Presidential Palace, where the President expressed his consent to the common meeting.

In the two community leaders’ meeting tomorrow, Talat is expected to reply whether he insists on his demand for the transportation of fuel to the Kokkina army base.

“We are leaving the presidential palace totally satisfied with the positions of the President,” said the mukhtar of Kato Pyrgos, Costas Michaelides.

“This is a decision that was made by the President of the Republic in cooperation with us. Yes, he accepts and we accept to supply electricity to the area, but we agree with him that fuel can’t be given, as requested by the occupying leader.”

Michaelides’ Turkish Cypriot counterpart agreed. “Christofias is saying everything was okay but he can’t supply fuel. The man is right. Now we need to see Talat. For 40 years now he could take 100 litres of fuel there by boat. He can still do that if he wants.”

Talat now has to respond whether he will participate in the common meeting with the residents.

Meanwhile, Talat was quoted saying on Monday that opening Limnitis would have no benefits for the Turkish Cypriot side but it would for the Greek Cypriots.

DISY President Nicos Anastassiades said Talat’s statements were negative when linked with efforts for a resolution to the Cyprus problem

“This was an error; an error as a message, error as policy and error as a prospect,” said Anastassiades.

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