PARTIES yesterday slammed Britain, which is seen as conspiring against Greek Cypriots, while at the same time they demanded the removal of the UN special adviser, accusing him of not being objective.
The latest burst of indignation came as reports out of New York said that Britain had raised the issue of the UN force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), saying its presence should be reassessed.
Beyond the financial parameters, the British also cited the absence of progress in the negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.
It took place as UN special adviser Alexander Downer briefed the Security Council on the outcome talks in New York between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, which failed to yield any results.
The report said the USA supported the British position, raising questions concerning the cost and lengthy presence of UNFICYP in Cyprus.
Russia, France and China disagreed, stressing that the matter was irrelevant with the discussion on the ongoing talks.
The report prompted parties to issue statements condemning Britain’s ‘blackmailing tactics’.
“It obviously aims at expediting the ‘end game’ which is the spearhead of the strategy processed by the UNSG’s associates,” DIKO said.
The party condemned the machinations of Britain and those attempting to “create conditions of suffocating pressure for the Greek Cypriot side” and highlighted the need for drafting a more assertive strategy that would neutralise such approaches.
EDEK demanded immediate, decisive and drastic reaction from the government to Britain’s blackmail, which was part of the effort ti impose an unfair solution on Greek Cypriots.
“Once more Britain displays its consistent anti-Cypriot behaviour,” EDEK official Demetris Papadakis said. “Instead of acting as a guarantor power, to defend and restore the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, it continued to openly conspire against Cypriot Hellenism.”
The socialist party was echoed by EVROKO, which suggested that it is an attempt to blackmail the Greek Cypriots and force them to “accept and unacceptable” solution.
The party said pressure and blackmail would increase as long as Christofias did not change his strategy.
Green party MP Giorgos Perdikis called on the government to seek countries which would be prepared to replace British personnel serving with UNFICYP if they decide to withdraw.
“The Greens do not consider withdrawal of the British a negative development; on the contrary they believe it would be desirable if they withdrew and replaced by forces which are friendlier to the Cypriot people and more reliable,” Perdikis said.
He also said he would talk to other parties in a bid to secure a unanimous decision by parliament declaring Downer undesirable.
The UN official has run into trouble with Greek Cypriot parties after he – supposedly deliberately — referred to the ‘Greek Cypriot’ EU presidency’ rather than using either the ‘Cyprus’ presidency or the Republic of Cyprus’ presidency’.
House President Yiannakis Omirou said the government should ask for Downer’s removal because he could no longer represent the UN objectively and reliably.
