Christofias: time to act on poverty

PRESIDENT DEMETRIS Christofias yesterday pointed the finger at governments around the world for not matching their words with deeds when it came to fighting poverty, hunger and gender equality.
Addressing the UN High Level Plenary Meeting in New York on the challenges of poverty, hunger and gender equality, Christofias said: “We have been generous with words which, however, we have not matched with deeds.”
During the discussion on the Millennium Development Goals chaired by Turkish President Abdullah Gul, the Turkish premier addressed Christofias by his official title, as president of the Cyprus Republic, calling on him to speak. 
Christofias highlighted that the number of people living in extreme poverty could increase by 100 million, and called on governments to make up lost ground in the next five years.
Earlier in the day, he hosted a lunch for the representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council while last night he was due to meet with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Today he will meet with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and on Friday he will address the 65th session of the UN General Assembly.
On his arrival in New York on Sunday, Christofias was quoted as saying that Turkey was not ready for a solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of the year, though he remained determined to work for a solution.
“The change in the Turkish Cypriot community brought a leader who, in close contact and cooperation with Turkey, is submitting proposals and insisting on positions that surely do not lead to breaking the deadlock,” he said.
“On the contrary, I fear that we will be led to a new deadlock,” he said, adding that there has been no positive response to his own proposals.
“Turkey holds the key for a solution of the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem. I do not underestimate Mr Eroglu at all. However, while I speak with Mr Eroglu, I have the intense conviction that I am talking with Turkey in its absence,” he said.
Christofias is accompanied in New York by First Lady Elsi, Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou and others.
Meanwhile, back home, DISY opposition leader Nicos Anastassiades yesterday sent a document to the president and party leaders listing DISY’s observations on the property proposals, both from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiating team.
According to party spokesman Haris Georgiades the comments on the proposals are of substance, “which we believe can help to address the weaknesses and ambiguities of the Greek Cypriot positions and identify ways to handle the unacceptable Turkish Cypriot proposals”.
Acting government spokesman Christos Christofides said the public debate on the proposals was not helping the government in its task.

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