REPORTS OF Turkey opening the fenced off part of Famagusta town to Greek Cypriot residents under Turkish Cypriot rule has left many scratching their heads as to what lies behind the press report.
Some analysts consider it an “opening salvo” by the Turkish side ahead of UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer’s report on the status of the peace talks to pressure the Greek Cypriots. Others say there is a clear legal agenda behind the move, while some see it simply as a bluff.
President Demetris Christofias yesterday made it clear that the preconditions for the return of Varosha (the fenced off area of Famagusta) to its legal inhabitants are explicit and defined by the UN.
Asked to comment on a report by Turkish daily Milliyet about a possible opening of Varosha on July 1, when Cyprus will assume the six-monthly rotating EU presidency, he said there has been a lot of speculation on the report, adding one can expect anything from the Turkish leadership.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said the report was mere speculation, noting that it would be wrong to discuss such matters when peace talks were ongoing. However, the report specified that the move to open Varosha would come after July 1, the date that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have set as a deadline for the end of talks.
“As far as we are concerned, the conditions for the return of Varosha are crystal clear and have been defined and reaffirmed by the UN Security Council,” said Christofias.
The president recalled his three-tier proposal submitted in 2010 to return Varosha, open Famagusta port under EU supervision and open Turkey’s EU accession chapters, which was rejected.
“From there on everything else is a possible ploy or possible scenario which no-one can rule out. It is unproductive and not right to discuss hypothetical scenarios,” he said.
Christofias advised Famagusta citizens to remain “calm and cautious” and trust the political leadership.
“Nobody knows what Mr Eroglu will tell us tomorrow in the meeting,” said Christofias.
Whatever “tricks” Turkey may be preparing, the Greek Cypriot leadership is ready, he added.
Varosha was captured by the invading Turkish forces in August 1974 and sealed off after its residents had fled advancing troops. It remains uninhabited and under the direct control of the Turkish military.
UN Security Council Resolution 550, adopted in 1984, considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.
Downer yesterday denied having any knowledge of the alleged proposal saying Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu did not discuss the issue, neither did Eroglu.
The unconfirmed reports have got people talking, with debates already starting on whether former inhabitants would be willing to return under Turkish Cypriot control or not.
Head of the Reconstruction and Resettlement Council Nicos Mesaritis said it would take a year to make the town livable again, as all the infrastructure, sewerage and water, needs a complete overhaul.
One observer with close knowledge of the talks said he was puzzled as to whether this news was leaked by Turkey or the Turkish Cypriots or whether it was leaked at all.
“It’s left everyone scratching their heads, saying where did this come from?” he said.
The author of the article, who was in Ankara at the time of writing, insists his source is highly placed and reliable.
With Downer days away from writing his report to the UN chief on the status of the talks, and the July 1 self-imposed deadline nearing for the Turkish side, could this be a warning shot?
“They could be testing the waters on a Plan B by dangling the loss of Varosha more than anything else. It’s a step towards recognition in a way. They’re saying ‘you’re going to have to deal with us at some point if you want Varosha back. If not, fine, we’ll develop it into a tourist destination’,” he said.
Another observer who wished to remain anonymous said the specific details in the report about allowing the legal owners in 1974 to return and not their heirs smacked of strategic legal planning.
“It seems the way this was drafted has legal connotations which leads to the conclusion that Turkey has been seriously considering the legal implications of Varosha. This in turn can only lead to the conclusion that they’re concerned about damages they may have to pay for the fenced off city,” he said in reference to numerous high profile applications by Varosha former residents to the north’s Immoveable Property Commission.
“Don’t forget there is no argument to deny legal owners return of Varosha as its empty,” he added.
