ANKARA HAS developed two different plans for Cyprus depending on whether incumbent President Tassos Papadopoulos or AKEL leader Demetris Christofias wins next month’s elections, Turkish Cypriot press reported yesterday.
Referring to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat’s recent visit to Turkey to discuss the Cyprus issue, Afrika newspaper said that if Papadopoulos wins the election Ankara would present the ‘Czechoslovakia model’.
If it was Christofias, Turkey would immediately ask the UN for discussions to begin on the basis of the Annan plan, the paper said.
“It seems that Turkey is chartering a separate plan for the two of them… that is, there is one plan if Papadopoulos wins and another plan if Christofias wins,” said Afrika. “It is understood that Ankara’s preference lies with Papadopoulos.”
The paper said Turkey would prefer Papadopoulos because it would be easier to ask the world for the ‘Czechoslovakia model’, essentially two separate states.
“However, if Christofias wins, it will not be considered as a surprise and this will put quite pressure on Ankara in the new period… because Christofias’ image in the world is not as tarnished as Papadopoulos’ image,” Afrika added.
Christofias was seen as favouring a solution and peace and supported contacts with the Turkish Cypriots.
“The Turkish side, which continuously prays for Christofias not to win the elections, is building up its real plan upon Papadopoulos’ victory,” the paper said.
If Papadopoulos is re-elected and the ‘Czechoslovakia model’ accepted for Cyprus, the ‘TRNC’ would then ask to become an EU member, Tymbou (Ercan) airport would then be opened and only then would Ankara open Turkey’s ports and airports to Greek Cypriot air and sea traffic, even though it’s a requirement of the EU before Turkey can join the bloc.
This was all imparted to Talat last week when he visited Ankara, Afrika said.
Speaking after his meeting with Talat, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, said that in his upcoming meeting with the UN Secretary-general in New York he would demand the launch of a new initiative on the Cyprus problem.
Gul said a viable solution in Cyprus depended on “the realities of the Island, the existence of two separate people, two democracies and two states”.
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