PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias told journalists yesterday that he felt ‘very bitter’ because he received more support from abroad than he did at home.
Christofias’ outburst came after his address to the Council of Europe’s Forum for the Future of Democracy, held in Limassol.
“I am very bitter. Why shouldn’t I feel bitter?” he told journalists after one remarked that comments he made earlier seemed to indicate this was how he was feeling.
“We have a sensitive president,” added Christofias. “But we also have a president who defends the Constitution and basic principles and I want to clearly send this message.”
Christofias has come under a barrage of pressure to resign following the conclusion of the probe on the political responsibility of the July munitions blast. The report by independent investigator Polys Polyviou said he was personally and politically responsible for the events leading up to the explosion that killed 13 people and destroyed the Vassilikos power station.
He was also publicly criticised for not apologising to the relatives of the victims and for passing the buck to his ministers.
Earlier yesterday, before sharing his feelings about how bitter he felt, Christofias said that he received more respect and acknowledgement abroad than his was at home.
“Some, unfortunately, appreciate our efforts and conscientiousness and our struggle to find a solution to the Cyprus problem but only those outside [of Cyprus],” Christofias said.
Thanking the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, for appreciating his efforts on the Cyprus problem, Christofias said:
“I thank him because unfortunately only some from outside appreciate our efforts.”
A journalist commented on the renewed importance of the Cyprus problem negotiations because of Turkey’s numerous threats against the Republic’s oil and gas exploration prompting Christofias to add; “But of course. Although abroad we are doing very well. It’s at home that we can’t find a common language and understanding.”
“Here nothing the President does is good enough. Abroad everyone says that the President of the Republic of Cyprus does many good things,” Christofias said.
He said that he was appreciated as the representative of the Republic within the EU and other international organisations. “And if you allow me, everywhere else as well,” Christofias said.
“You see the stance that member countries of the Security Council, the EU and the Council of Europe take towards our efforts to find natural gas,” Christofias said. “Even for this we might be criticised [at home].”
Opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades was quick to respond to Christofias’ message that he defended the constitution.
“We watch with sadness the institution’s humiliation and the continuous contempt of basic principles of the Republic while using the constitution itself as a pretext,” Anastassiades said.
“It’s not us who appointed the [Mari] investigative committee. It’s not us who kept saying that we would assume to the fullest responsibility that was assigned to us from the lowest to the highest rank of state officials,” Anastassiades said, referring to the report by Polyviou who was appointed to the task by the Christofias Cabinet.
Christofias has been prone to frequent angry outbursts – and the occasional bout of tears – during his presidency.
