TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash yesterday called for a return to the Ghali ‘Set of Ideas’ and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) that he rejected in the early nineties.
He also announced that Turkey would open its air and sea ports to Greek Cypriot traffic if Nicosia agreed, statements that were echoed by Ankara later in the day.
“If the Greek Cypriot side accepts (Denktash’s) proposal, Greek Cypriot ships and planes will be able to use Turkish sea and air ports and Turkish territorial waters and airspace,” Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters in Ankara.
“This will ensure the growth of bilateral trade,” said Gul, adding that he too had sent Annan a letter asking for support.
Turkey’s efforts to find a way to ease the trade restrictions are directly related to Cyprus’ entry to the EU next May, when Ankara – a candidate state – will find itself in the akward position of not recognising and refusing to trade with an EU member state.
Speaking at a news conference in occupied Nicosia, Denktash said he had sent a letter to UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan, whose recent solution plan he rejected last March, calling for the opening of part of Varosha and Nicosia Airport.
Varosha is the abandoned Greek Cypriot area of occupied Famagusta, and Nicosia Airport has been under the control of the UN since the hostilities in 1974.
“I sent a letter to his Excellency the Secretary-general. Benefiting from the positive atmosphere which has materialised with the opening of the borders, we believe another new step with in the continuation of confidence building measures would be useful to help set the foundation for a resolution of the long time unresolved Cyprus problem,” said Denktash.
Calling for the revival of the Ghali ‘Set of Ideas’ tabled by the United Nations in 1993, Denktash explained that past Secretary-generals had associated the lack of a solution to the feeling of insecurity between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.
Denktash said that both sides in principle had accepted former UN Secretary-general Boutros Boutros Ghali’s ideas, and difficulties only arose on details preventing any movement forward on the plan.
The “Set of Ideas” for a draft settlement was accepted as basis for negotiation by then President George Vassiliou, but Denktash rejected them, and a third round of talks in October 1992 was suspended without agreement.
When it proved impossible to continue intercommunal talks, attention shifted to the development of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), which were characterised by the possible return of Varosha and the reopening of the airport to facilitate tourism and trade between the two sides.
“We request the confidence building measures be brought back on the agenda,” said Denktash. “This means the opening of the Nicosia International Airport for both sides under the administration of the UN.
“As it was in the package (the Set of Ideas), again under the control of the UN a section of Varosha will be opened to the benefit of both sides,” said Denktash.
The details of his proposal would be announced at a later date, he added.
“If we are able to take positive steps with regards to this subject, we are learning from our contacts in Turkey that the Turkish government can open its seaports and airports, and trade can commence (between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus).
“Of course, the Greek Cypriot administration has to say ‘yes’ to this (proposal). Mr Papadopoulos needs to encourage the Secretary-general into believing that he will help in setting the foundation to help resolve the problem,” the Turkish Cypriot leader said.
“We will continue introducing more confidence building measures. You will see more of them. What we are gaining is a preparation of the foundation for peace.”
In response to Denktash, President Tassos Papadopoulos issued a written statement read out by Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides yesterday afternoon.
The statement recalled that Denktash rejected the Annan Plan at The Hague last March. “Since then he has introduced with the full co-operation of Ankara, a new strategy to maintain the occupation regime in establishing good neighbourly relations,” the statement said.
“The proposal for reopening the airport and potentially any other measures are included in this strategy. For lifting the illegal blockade on the airport by the occupation troops, he seeks as a return the lifting of what he calls the embargo against the Turkish Cypriots.”
Papadopoulos’ statement said the ‘Set of Ideas’ and the CBMs had only arrived at a deadlock due to Denktash’s insistence on recognition of his breakaway regime as a separate state.
The President reiterated that the Greek Cypriot side was ready to resume talks on the Annan plan. However, he said the National Council, the top advisory body on the Cyprus issue, would meet on Monday to discuss Denktash’s latest statements.
