TURKISH Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said yesterday he had written a second letter to President Tassos Papadopoulos regarding his confidence-building proposals despite the rejection of the Greek Cypriot side, saying an adequate answer had not been given.
Denktash said his proposals were still on the table. “In a letter I sent today to Papadopoulos, I repeat that the reason for the non-solution in Cyprus is the lack of confidence. This lack of confidence has been an obstacle during all the stages we have passed through until today,” Denktash said. “I have made my proposals in order to eliminate this (lack of confidence). These proposals are on the table and I want him to re- examine them.”
The Greek Cypriot side said it could not negotiate with the Turkish Cypriots outside UN parameters. It was backed by reaction from the international community.
Denktash said that if the Greek Cypriots led Cyprus into the EU on April 16, “they will finalise the division of Cyprus”.
“I have not written this in the letter, but I think that they would act in a wrong manner if they believe that they would solve the Cyprus problem in their favour by acceding to the EU. I think that this would have the opposite result,” he said.
Denktash said his proposals were not a substitute for UN negotiations. “The mission of good offices of the UN Secretary-general is still valid and both Turkey and we support this. Of course, this does not mean that the sides would be forced to accept thoughts or plans prepared by others. The good offices mission provides for an approach that will ensure harmony between the sides.”
Denktash’s measures announced at a news conference on Wednesday provide for the return of the ghost town of Varosha to the Greek Cypriots in exchange for the lifting of all trade restrictions on the north. He also suggested the near-complete freedom of movement between both sides, measures for the flow of goods, joint projects, and the creation of a bilateral reconciliation committee to promote tolerance and understanding between the two sides. The Turkish Cypriot side would also reinstate the freedom of movement of UNFICYP troops. The measures were announced only days before the expected issue of the Secretary-general’s report on the collapse of the talks in The Hague last month, when Denktash refused to hold a referendum on a UN reunification plan.
UN spokesman Fred Eckhard was yesterday quoted as saying that copies of the latest correspondence between Denktash and Papadopoulos had been received. Eckhard said the report would probably be issued on Monday.
Denktash’s proposals have failed to garner any support from the international community. The EU said on Thursday that it would prefer negotiations under the auspices of the UN while the US State Department yesterday made a similar statement.
“These confidence building measures between the two sides are really a matter for them to discuss. We believe that the best context for them to do so remains the UN good offices. Genuine confidence building measures arrived at through the UN good offices mission would certainly be welcome,” the statement said. “Our focus, however, remains on achieving a comprehensive, just and durable settlement to the Cyprus problem. Even genuine confidence building measures are not a substitute for this.”
Foreign Minister George Iacovou said yesterday that Denktash was attempting to negate the role of the UN.
“Denktash throws the good offices mission of the Secretary-general overboard in his proposal and it is clear he is ostracising this mission, he offers no discussion for a political settlement, he tries to sidetrack the question of finding a solution to the problem,” Iacovou said.
“Denktash’s attempt falls flatly down but we are interested to hear what he has to say to the letter the President sent him on Wednesday.”
The government intends to announce its own package of measures to hep the Turkish Cypriots after April 16, when the island signs the EU accession treaty in Athens.
Iacovou said the government would also consult with the EU about the package.
