PRESIDENT DEMETRIS Christofias yesterday said he would not seek a second term in office if there was no solution to the Cyprus problem by 2013, responding to critics who claim he is delaying in the talks to get re-elected.
Speaking yesterday during a televised press conference on his two years in office, Christofias said the accusation that he was stalling in the talks so hardliner Dervis Eroglu could become the next Turkish Cypriot leader was “truly an affront and an insult”. He added that ending the Turkish occupation and reunifying the island’s people was “a vision and a lifetime goal” for him.
“Let me underline very clearly: if by the conclusion of my term of office a solution to the Cyprus problem has not been achieved, I will not seek a second term. The present term will be my first and last.
“I have made this very clear before and after the elections. A few people, though, insist that, supposedly, I follow a tactics policy with a view to the 2013 elections. I view 2013 only in light of the solution to the Cyprus problem. I have said it before and I will say it again, it is the purpose of my life,” he said.
To those who argue in favour of shifting strategy on the Cyprus problem, the president warned that abandoning the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to a bizonal, bicommunal federation “would be a disastrous mistake and would constitute the greatest gift for Turkey”.
It would be equally wrong to abandon the intercommunal dialogue between the two leaders, he said, adding that he would continue the negotiations always bound by the principle that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.
Christofias noted that direct negotiations had not yet produced the anticipated result, which was convergence in all chapters. Most of the convergences have been achieved in the governance chapter, with fewer in the economy and EU affairs chapters and even less in property.
He argued that the determining factor for progress in the talks was not the frequency of the meetings but the content of the proposals submitted. “If the proposals are grounded in the logic of one functional state, the conditions are established to achieve convergences. If the proposals do not pursue this prospect, then problems are caused and the efforts are jeopardised,” he said.
The president also clarified that he does not have any particular objections to issuing a joint communiquι with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat after the final meeting between the two on March 30 before elections in the north, depending on how it would be presented.
“Of course, Mr Talat needs an announcement. I can understand that. I have no particular objections to that. It depends on how this announcement will be presented. “Will it be presented as an intermediate agreement for example? Or will it simply be an announcement concerning convergences and divergences?”
Christofias hinted that he was not the only one who could raise objections, but the political parties too. “Just as Mr Talat is working collectively with Ankara, on my part, I’m working collectively with the National Council.”
The president said he heard recent statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation with satisfaction.
“If this statement does not form part of a communications game on Turkey’s part then, with the hope that the negotiations will continue on the basis agreed with Mr Talat, I consider that a perspective for the solution of the Cyprus problem will shortly open up.”
“We will see. We have patience and we believe that (Erdogan’s) declaration will be put to the test,” he said, adding “we have every right to be cautious bearing in mind Turkey’s course on these issues. I wish he means what he says and he proves it in deed. We want that very much.”
On Erdogan’s call for a four or five-party international conference on the Cyprus issue, Christofias issued a counter-proposal, an international conference with the participation of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the EU, Greece, Turkey, the Republic of Cyprus and representatives of the two communities.
The conference would focus on the international aspects of the problem, like troop withdrawal, settlers and guarantees.
“If Mr Erdogan’s statements on an international conference are not made in order to create a certain impression, let him take a positive stance towards our proposal.”
The difference between the two proposals is that the latter ensures the Republic is safeguarded as a state entity, while the problem itself remains within the UN framework.
Christofias argued that Turkey was calling for a four, five or six-party conference because it wanted to set up another Burgenstock-style negotiation.
“But Burgenstock was not a conference. Those who say that this (type of conference) happened in Burgenstock and why not do it now are wrong. I was there. Nobody said good morning to each other. Even the two negotiators never met. If it’s that kind of conference they want, we cannot accept.”
“Our position is clear. We have a say too. We are the victims of this story. Are we meant to obey? We have a role to play and a say,” he said.
Regarding the international community’s approach to Turkey, he said it wants to help Turkey democratise and reach Europe but at the same time it warns Turkey that failure to solve the Cyprus problem will be an obstacle to implementing its goals.
Christofias highlighted the “radical shift” in relations between the Cyprus government and the international community compared to five years ago, noting the great effort undertaken to improve the climate. He warned, however, that Turkish diplomacy was very competent and goal-orientated with strong allies.
“And we here focus on how we will disagree with one another. These things count. The president cannot alone bring these things to pass, he needs support. If the message that we’re giving to the international community is that we are fighting day and night, that is not a good message. And that worries the international community.”
