Conference of Overseas Cypriots starts with fireworks

Archbishop Chrysostomos yesterday enraged President Christofias by openly criticising his policy on the Cyprus problem.

In a speech read out on his behalf by the Bishop of Paphos at the annual conference of Overseas Cypriots currently being held on the island, the Archbishop, who is away in China, doubted as to the wisdom of the policy and called for explanations and clarifications as to whether the solution will truly be by Cypriots for Cypriots, wondering how this fits in with Talat's statements regarding the existence of two people on the island. He also said the problem was being reduced from a question of invasion and occupation to an intercommunal dispute and questioned whether the rotational presidency was compatible with European principles.

Clearly perturbed, President Christofias subsequently took the podium and speaking off the cuff
questioned the Archbishop's support amongst the people, alluding to the way he was elected to the position and stressin that in contrast, he, himself, was elected President with the support of 55% of the population and not 8% or 10%. He went on to say that Cyprus is not a theocracy, but a modern state that emerged from the Zurich and London Agreements and stressed that it is a partnership state with the Turkish Cypriots. He added that it was patriotic declarations that have led us to this state of semi-destruction and if we continue along this path in the name of religion and our cultural heritage it will lead us to total destruction.

He stressed that a solution to the Cyprus problem will give rise to a united Federal Republic of Cyprus which will be a continuation and evolution of the Republic that was created in 1960 as the common home of Greek and Turkish Cypiots. He said our aim is to put an end to the occupation and colonisation of the island, to reunite the people, the institutions and the island as a whole and to restore human rights and basic freedoms for all its inhabitants.

The issue continued today with the Bishop of Paphos saying that the President had overreacted. "Perhaps the President is under stress, but if he reads the speech calmly he will see that there is nothing wrong with asking for clarifications or even having a different point of view". He agreed that this was not a theocracy but nor was it a totalitarian state and so everyone is allowed to have an opinion. He also said that after the conference he had spoken with the Archbishop on the phone, who had insisted that his position remained in line with that of the President.