THE GOVERNMENT yesterday accused Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat of trying to exploit the island’s EU accession without having to comply with EU norms.
Spokesman Chrysostomides was referring to the issue of Greek Cypriots having to show passports when crossing to the north of the island.
On Friday the Turkish Cypriot authorities announced that EU citizens would not be obliged to show passports when crossing over. It was assumed this would also apply to Greek Cypriots, as Cyprus joined the EU on May 1. However the authorities in the north later clarified that for the moment, the privilege would not apply to Greek Cypriots and that EU citizens would be obliged to only show an ID.
Chrysostomides said Talat’s actions showed dishonesty on his part and called on him to explain why he changed his mind.
“The issue proves an attempt to take advantage of what Cyprus’ accession to the EU offers, but in the end he can’t act like in a European manner,” said Chrysostomides. “The Turkish Cypriots are trying to take advantage of the situation for tourism purposes and they do not create conditions that would unify the economy.”
Chrysostomides also said the issue of Greek Cypriots having to show passports proved that Talat was lacking in honesty and was too weak to confront those forces that wanted to maintain the status quo while exploiting the benefits of accession.
”It seems that Talat does not have the power to proceed with the lifting of this restriction and that somebody had interfered and put him in his place… Maybe the occupying authorities put him in his place,” he said.
“The whole issue proves his weakness to go against those who want to make occupation permanent: to maintain control in Cyprus and over the Turkish Cypriot community.
“Talat is nothing more than a representative of a subordinate command of the occupying forces.”
Chrysostomides also blasted Talat for not allowing EU Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou to cross over to the north without showing his passport last week. “His actions prove that the Turkish Cypriots are in contempt of EU representatives,” he added.
The checkpoints were opened on April 23 last year with all those crossing obliged to show their passports but since Cyprus joined the EU on May 1 the situation has changed and overnight stays in the north are no longer prohibited. Brussels is also working on measures to end the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. The measures are due to be announced following the publication of the UN Secretary-general’s report, which is expected by the end of this week.
Chrysostomides said the government had conveyed its positions on the report to Kofi Annan, the Security Council and UN special Cyprus envoy Alvaro de Soto.
“What we are seeking is to maintain the bridges of communication so that the effort for a political settlement can continue,” he said.
The report is expected to cover the results of the last round of negotiations, including the failed talks in Switzerland in March and last month’s referendum on the Annan plan, which over 75 per cent of Greek Cypriots rejected at the ballot box.
