Sunday papers

Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis says that 2009 augurs well for the Cyprus problem. He says that as a result of the survival of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, developments in Cyprus are expected to come thick and fast. He quotes reliable sources as telling the paper that the government has received confirmation from third countries to the effect that Turkey is determined to make a move on the Cyprus problem. Apparently Erdogan told Cyprus Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou on the sidelines of the Euro-mediterranean conference during which the Turkish PM told him it was unacceptable for the Cyprus problem to remain unsolved and that on his part he would do his utmost for a solution. Furthermore Talat told Christofias that he has both Erdogan's full support as well as his encouragement. After Erdogan left the north, all the criticism against Talat for having agreed with Christofias died down. That visit was significant in that it was the first time that a Turkish PM visited the north and didn't see Denktash. Erdogan is really powerful now. In his monthly speech to the Turkish people the other day after his election he described Turkey's "red lines" as regards the Cyprus problem - bizonality, political equality and an effective role for Turkey as guarantor. The G/C side has already accepted the first two, but wants the total abolition of the guarantees, although there are ways to solve the G/C sense of insecurity without the T/C feeling in turn less secure.

He concludes by saying this is the first time that all the players in the Cyprus problem are ready for a solution.
Turkey:
Erdogan is completely in control and has changed Turkey's policy from "the Cyprus problem was solved in 1974" to "no solution is not a solution".
Turkey has a strong and stable government
The leaders of the deep state are in prison.
The Turkish stock exchange is in favour of the EU.
Cyprus:
The government in power has convinced that it wants a solution and accepts a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
The opposition party fully supports the peace process.
Diko and Edek, as expected, have opted to stay in power rather than to choose positions of principle on the Cyprus problem. Even the Archbishop has accepted the start of talks.
Tassos Papadopoulos has realised there is nothing he can do to overturn the situation
Talat, who has found a common language with Christofias, enjoys Erdogan's full support to negotiate freely. Denktash is weak.
It has been proven that the economy of the north cannot grow without a solution.
Athens:
The Greek government is delighted with developments.
Pasok fully supports the new procedure.
The USA, EU, Nato:
Want to see the democratisation of Turkey though the process of trying to join the EU.