By Jean Christou
TURKISH Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on Wednesday tried to allay fears in the north over an agreement he made with President Nicos Anastasiades to respect the property rights of owners and current users, for which they have both received flak during the past ten days.
During a breakfast briefing with Turkish Cypriot media, Akinci attempted to ease concerns over a number of issues from property to settlers to guarantees. UN Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide said during the week that there had been a number of misconceptions about what was going on at the talks, particularly in the Turkish Cypriot media.
Akinci had been accused of being silent on what was being discussed with Anastasiades who has received his own fair share of criticism from the hard-line Greek Cypriot parties who have accused him of “equating property owners with usurpers”. The leaders agreed that the individual’s right to property would be respected under a solution and that an independent property commission would resolve cases based on return, compensation or exchange.
The negotiators of the two sides are currently working on the specific criteria.
During his briefing, Akinci said the leaders were aiming for a solution that would respect the human rights of all.
The right to individual ownership has always existed but 40 years of living in the same place was also important, he said. “Change is painful,” he added.
Akinci said a number of concrete steps had been taken on the confidence building measures (CBMs), including the sharing of information regarding minefields, the abolition of ‘visa slips’ at the crossing points, efforts to join power grids and phone networks, ending radio frequency clashes and proposals for the opening of new crossing points.
“Our aim is to achieve results and not to torpedo the process,” he said, referring to misleading media reports. “We remain committed to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal settlement.”
The Turkish Cypriot leader said a lot of progress had been achieved on the chapter of governance and power sharing, except when it came to the rotating presidency. “This issue is an indispensable part of our political equality,” he said.
Property, territory and guarantees would be among the last items to be discussed, Akinci said, with the guarantees issue negotiated with the participation of all three guarantor powers; Greece, Britain and Turkey.
“Of course, all these issues will be discussed when the time comes. Our freedom, political equality and security are extremely important for us. Any agreement to be reached will safeguard all three elements”, he said
Commenting reports in the north that part of the population would be shipped back to Turkey, Akinci said that the reports were false. “The settlement to be reached will also safeguard the human rights of all residents on the island,” he said.
On territory, Akinci said that only criteria to be applied to the territory issue had been discussed during the talks. “We have not discussed any percentages, maps, villages, places or areas under the chapter of territory,” he said. He also attempted to reassure Turkish Cypriots that the process was UN-led, and not by the EU.
Akinci also said he had Turkey’s support for the process, without intervention. “Turkey also needs this solution,” he said.
“The EU wants a solution, Turkey and Greece want a solution, the UN Security Council wants a solution, but Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are the main actors.”
