The municipal elections last week, says an editorial in the Cyprus Mail, ensured that next to no media attention was given to the interview of the UN Secretary-General’s special representative, Alexander Downer that was published in Kathimerini last Sunday.
Had it been a slow news day, his views would have sparked dozens of newspaper articles, party announcements and angry statements by politicians. Downer has been the target of concerted attacks for saying much less in the past, which is why the absence of a reaction, this time, came as a surprise.
Perhaps the media took note of the Australian’s complaints about the hostility the UN had always faced from the Greek Cypriot side and decided to show restraint. Downer said: “As I said, we have always been attacked here; not by the Turkish Cypriot side but by the Greek Cypriot. The UN since 1963 has been systematically attacked from certain elements in the Greek Cypriot community and some of the political parties. They continuously attack us. But if we left, if we said we are fed up of your attacks and we are leaving, what would they say?”
His frustration is understandable, given the way he has been treated by the Greek Cypriot politicians and media, which invariably describe his public comments as “provocative and unacceptable”. It was therefore difficult to understand why there had been no reaction to Sunday’s interview, in which he castigated the Greek Cypriot hostility towards the UN, blamed the lack of progress on both sides – not on Turkish intransigence as is the official line – and repeatedly stated that the Greentree meeting in January could be the end of the procedure.
“The Secretary-General sent the message that the window of opportunity for a settlement was closing,” he said adding that if by the time the leaders met Ban Ki-moon in Greentree, “we have not reached the desired result, it could mean the end of the procedure.”
Nobody seems to take his warnings that if the leaders failed to overcome their differences over the next few weeks, the peace process would collapse.
Ban spoke about the end-game, when he last met the two leaders in October, but nobody on the Greek Cypriot side seemed particularly concerned; the government was in denial, going as far as to say that no time-frames had been set.
Is it that nobody believes the UN would ever give up on the Cyprus talks, the paper wonders, or would we be relieved if it packed up and left?
Logically, given the hostility we have towards the UN’s envoys, we should be celebrating if the talks collapsed and Downer packed his bags and returned to Australia. Although we have been ignoring Downer’s warnings, this time, we could get what we wished for.
The recent census carried out in the north is causing a bit of a headache for the Kioneli ‘mayor’ after recording 7,000 fewer residents than in the local authority has registered in its books.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris, which ran the story, Kioneli community leader Ahmet Benli claims there are 23,000 people registered in his municipality.
The recent census carried out on December 3 on the orders of Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu recorded a population of 16,000 for the Nicosia suburb, leaving Benli scratching his head as to where the 7,000 ‘surplus’ residents went.
Sunday 25 December 2011
Sunday 18 December 2011
If not solution then interim agreement and international conference by July
Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today says that while politicians’ attention in Cyprus has been on the economy, talks on the Cyprus problem have been forging ahead, with the UN determined not to let the last five years of negotiations go to waste.
However, reaching an agreement before Cyprus undertakes the EU Presidency now seems unattainable and diplomatic efforts are now focused on at least getting an outline of a solution by then.
The writer says that according to his sources, the UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Alexander Downer, has asked the two sides to prepare a 20-page document outlining their positions on all the aspects of the Cyprus problem which will take the form of an outline of an overall solution. In short he has asked them to present their own solution.
The two sides responded positively and last Thursday handed the documents over to the UN. The entire UN team of experts is currently in Cyprus and is working on the documents and the to and fro diplomacy will continue despite the Christmas holidays.
“With the submission of these documents the talks have entered a new phase and will continue intensively up until Greentree 2”, the source said.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has already thrown some light on how he intends to proceed over the next few weeks at his end of year press conference in New York. He plans to present personally throughout the two days of talks at Greentree, that he intends to maximise progress up until the Cyprus Presidency, and he hoped to be able to move on to an international conference.
A more specific move from the UN S-G is expected in the next few days making is intentions even clearer in view of the tripartite meeting in January with the aim of producing a joint document that may open the way for a conference.
The UN’s aim is to capitalise on all that has been achieved over the four years of talks by incorporating it all in a 20-page document covering all aspects of the Cyprus problem and signed by both leaders.
This document will remain as a legacy to the next President who will be elected immediately after the Cyprus EU Presidency. The details of an overall solution could in the meantime be fleshed out during this current presidency.
As is known, President Christofias has publicly announced that he will not be running again, except if the Cyprus problem is near a solution. At a recent lunch he had with the ambassadors of EU member states, without referring to the possibility of there being an interim solution, he told them that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved now but that they would have to be continued by the next president. “I will not be a candidate, even though the party and others are pressuring me”, he said.
Diplomats who are closely following the Cyprus problem interpret this to mean that Christofias is already preparing the ground to stand again using as a slogan to be allowed to finish the talks. A politician who says he is being pressured to stand for election must be considered to be standing already.
After half a century of experience of the Cyprus problem, and especially after the last ten years, the international community is wise to the rules of the game that Cyprus’ politicians are playing – no president leaves power of his own accord, thereby admitting defeat. This particular president was elected with the mandate to solve the Cyprus problem. Continuing the talks is essential to his political survival.
The international community is willing to help him, but not, thanks to the experiences of the recent past, on empty promises alone, but with clear commitments. The talks can indeed be shelved for 9 months, but only if there is a clear intermediate commitment on the framework for a solution with the signature of both leaders.
As regards the international conference, the writer says that the UN seems determined to call the two sides to such a conference immediately after Greentree 2, in view of the fact that the Turkish side seems unable to discuss the territorial issue without the presence of Turkey, while Christofias refuses to discuss the property issue without the territorial issue being discussed in tandem.
He says the resolution renewing the UNFICYP resolution is not quite as the government spokesman interpreted it, namely that it would require the agreement of both sides to convene a conference. Yes, for a conference to take place both sides would have to agree. There is no way that anyone can force them to go. But this does not preclude the UN Secretary-General from inviting them to a conference. It would be up to them to accept or not. This is likely what will happen at Greentree 2, and given the Turkish position in favour of a conference, the dilemma will be Christofias’, who will have to decide whether to lead the talks to complete collapse, or to accept and find himself before the same dilemmas at a later stage.
However, reaching an agreement before Cyprus undertakes the EU Presidency now seems unattainable and diplomatic efforts are now focused on at least getting an outline of a solution by then.
The writer says that according to his sources, the UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Alexander Downer, has asked the two sides to prepare a 20-page document outlining their positions on all the aspects of the Cyprus problem which will take the form of an outline of an overall solution. In short he has asked them to present their own solution.
The two sides responded positively and last Thursday handed the documents over to the UN. The entire UN team of experts is currently in Cyprus and is working on the documents and the to and fro diplomacy will continue despite the Christmas holidays.
“With the submission of these documents the talks have entered a new phase and will continue intensively up until Greentree 2”, the source said.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has already thrown some light on how he intends to proceed over the next few weeks at his end of year press conference in New York. He plans to present personally throughout the two days of talks at Greentree, that he intends to maximise progress up until the Cyprus Presidency, and he hoped to be able to move on to an international conference.
A more specific move from the UN S-G is expected in the next few days making is intentions even clearer in view of the tripartite meeting in January with the aim of producing a joint document that may open the way for a conference.
The UN’s aim is to capitalise on all that has been achieved over the four years of talks by incorporating it all in a 20-page document covering all aspects of the Cyprus problem and signed by both leaders.
This document will remain as a legacy to the next President who will be elected immediately after the Cyprus EU Presidency. The details of an overall solution could in the meantime be fleshed out during this current presidency.
As is known, President Christofias has publicly announced that he will not be running again, except if the Cyprus problem is near a solution. At a recent lunch he had with the ambassadors of EU member states, without referring to the possibility of there being an interim solution, he told them that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved now but that they would have to be continued by the next president. “I will not be a candidate, even though the party and others are pressuring me”, he said.
Diplomats who are closely following the Cyprus problem interpret this to mean that Christofias is already preparing the ground to stand again using as a slogan to be allowed to finish the talks. A politician who says he is being pressured to stand for election must be considered to be standing already.
After half a century of experience of the Cyprus problem, and especially after the last ten years, the international community is wise to the rules of the game that Cyprus’ politicians are playing – no president leaves power of his own accord, thereby admitting defeat. This particular president was elected with the mandate to solve the Cyprus problem. Continuing the talks is essential to his political survival.
The international community is willing to help him, but not, thanks to the experiences of the recent past, on empty promises alone, but with clear commitments. The talks can indeed be shelved for 9 months, but only if there is a clear intermediate commitment on the framework for a solution with the signature of both leaders.
As regards the international conference, the writer says that the UN seems determined to call the two sides to such a conference immediately after Greentree 2, in view of the fact that the Turkish side seems unable to discuss the territorial issue without the presence of Turkey, while Christofias refuses to discuss the property issue without the territorial issue being discussed in tandem.
He says the resolution renewing the UNFICYP resolution is not quite as the government spokesman interpreted it, namely that it would require the agreement of both sides to convene a conference. Yes, for a conference to take place both sides would have to agree. There is no way that anyone can force them to go. But this does not preclude the UN Secretary-General from inviting them to a conference. It would be up to them to accept or not. This is likely what will happen at Greentree 2, and given the Turkish position in favour of a conference, the dilemma will be Christofias’, who will have to decide whether to lead the talks to complete collapse, or to accept and find himself before the same dilemmas at a later stage.
Saturday 17 December 2011
Time is short, says UN S-G
The window of opportunity for further progress in negotiations is very much limited, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in New York at his end of year press conference this week.
“I believe that time is quite limited”, he added as Cyprus is going to take the Presidency of the European Union from 1 July next year.
“It may be politically difficult and sensitive, when the Presidency of the European Union is now going to be part of this. And practically speaking, the Presidency of the European Union will be heavily involved in all other European issues. Therefore, we are trying to maximize this progress in Cyprus”, he explained.
He said he would be spending two days with the two leader at Greentree in late January for “a more intensive consultation, negotiation, than the previous Greentree negotiations”.
“We hope that with the positive result of the January negotiations, we can move ahead towards the international conference to deal with these issues. But let us hope that, before they come to Greentree, both leaders must engage and make progress, accelerating their pace of negotiation”.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 19 July 2012.
The Cyprus government described the resolution as sufficiently balanced.
“The resolution does not include the problematic provision, present in the first drafts, for convening an international conference without the prior achievement of an agreement on the internal aspects of the problem”, a spokesman said.
“The wording that was adopted and is included in the resolution’s preamble is based on the Secretary General’s statement at Green Tree, which sets as a precondition the resolution of the internal aspects of the problem, in order to be able to proceed to a multilateral conference”, he said.
He went on: “At the same time, the consent of the two sides for convening such a conference is added as a condition, a position which is in agreement with our side’s position on the specific issue. The resolution contains no form of timeframe. There is an appeal for further work towards the solution of the Cyprus problem in the next few months, a period for which the resolution has been approved. The importance of practical steps by interested parties on Cyprus is underlined, to assist the leaders of the two communities in the negotiations, a reference which indirectly refers to Turkey”.
Kibris reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, has said that five out of the six chapters of the Cyprus problem have been discussed.
He added that the Turkish Cypriot side had submitted a 50-page proposal on the property issue to the Greek Cypriot side and had informed them in a very clear manner about the criteria of the Turkish side on territory.
Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots were exerting no effort toward reaching an agreement in this direction said that the Greek Cypriot side should exert at least as much effort as the Turkish Cypriot side in order for an agreement to be reached in the negotiations. He said that even though the chapters are not closed yet, they continue to have hopes.
Eroglu argued that they are taking some steps and try to achieve convergences. He added: “The important thing is to increase these convergences and finalize the chapters”.
“I believe that time is quite limited”, he added as Cyprus is going to take the Presidency of the European Union from 1 July next year.
“It may be politically difficult and sensitive, when the Presidency of the European Union is now going to be part of this. And practically speaking, the Presidency of the European Union will be heavily involved in all other European issues. Therefore, we are trying to maximize this progress in Cyprus”, he explained.
He said he would be spending two days with the two leader at Greentree in late January for “a more intensive consultation, negotiation, than the previous Greentree negotiations”.
“We hope that with the positive result of the January negotiations, we can move ahead towards the international conference to deal with these issues. But let us hope that, before they come to Greentree, both leaders must engage and make progress, accelerating their pace of negotiation”.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 19 July 2012.
The Cyprus government described the resolution as sufficiently balanced.
“The resolution does not include the problematic provision, present in the first drafts, for convening an international conference without the prior achievement of an agreement on the internal aspects of the problem”, a spokesman said.
“The wording that was adopted and is included in the resolution’s preamble is based on the Secretary General’s statement at Green Tree, which sets as a precondition the resolution of the internal aspects of the problem, in order to be able to proceed to a multilateral conference”, he said.
He went on: “At the same time, the consent of the two sides for convening such a conference is added as a condition, a position which is in agreement with our side’s position on the specific issue. The resolution contains no form of timeframe. There is an appeal for further work towards the solution of the Cyprus problem in the next few months, a period for which the resolution has been approved. The importance of practical steps by interested parties on Cyprus is underlined, to assist the leaders of the two communities in the negotiations, a reference which indirectly refers to Turkey”.
Kibris reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, has said that five out of the six chapters of the Cyprus problem have been discussed.
He added that the Turkish Cypriot side had submitted a 50-page proposal on the property issue to the Greek Cypriot side and had informed them in a very clear manner about the criteria of the Turkish side on territory.
Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots were exerting no effort toward reaching an agreement in this direction said that the Greek Cypriot side should exert at least as much effort as the Turkish Cypriot side in order for an agreement to be reached in the negotiations. He said that even though the chapters are not closed yet, they continue to have hopes.
Eroglu argued that they are taking some steps and try to achieve convergences. He added: “The important thing is to increase these convergences and finalize the chapters”.
Tuesday 13 December 2011
Meeting on property “a failure”
President Christofias yesterday described his meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu as a “failure”, the Cyprus Mail reports.
Responding to a question on the meeting on his return to the Presidential Palace, the President replied: “Badly. We discussed the issue of properties and there is nothing to say.”
He added: “The meeting was a failure and we must let the people know, unfortunately.”
He elaborated on some of the sticking points on property, which the Greek Cypriot negotiating team has argued should be looked at alongside the question of territorial readjustments in a federal Cyprus.
He argued that during the last meeting with the UN chief in New York, it was decided to set up a committee to look into both these issues. However, “the Turkish Cypriot side is not responding”.
“We gave names, we are ready, we have found the necessary data for the issue of properties but unfortunately there is no response,” he added.
Asked about reports from New York that the British were working hard in the UN Security Council to push for an international conference on the Cyprus issue, Christofias said: “Things have changed.”
Cypriot diplomacy has taken the necessary steps, going as far up as British PM David Cameron, he said.
Regarding the UN Security Council’s upcoming resolution on the renewal of the UN peacekeeping force here, the President said the final draft would be “good” and “fair” and would “reflect what the UN Secretary-General has supported until now”.
Recent reports suggest British diplomats have been pushing for a provision in the resolution calling for an international conference before the internal aspects of a peace solution are agreed between the two communities, something which Christofias is vehemently against.
UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer also confirmed Christofias’ gloomy outlook.
“I think it’s fair to say the meeting was a fairly unsuccessful meeting. There was no progress made in terms of these discussions,” said.
“It is important to be frank with you. This meeting today could have been better. It was not a productive meeting and we look forward to next week’s meeting being much more productive.”
However, he added that the meeting was held in a very friendly atmosphere “as they invariably are”.
The Australian diplomat said the UN would meet with both leaders and their teams during the week to work on some of the issues.
Asked whether the two leaders will meet after the last scheduled meeting on January 9, Downer said this was a possibility since the date for another tripartite with the UN Secretary-General in New York has been set for January 22 until January 24.
However, he ruled out the possibility of cancelling the New York meeting in the Greentree complex should the leaders’ fail to make adequate progress.
He hoped that the meetings between the leaders, their representatives, between the UN and the two sides all “come together with some convergences on the core issues”.
He said he planned to discuss the issues of property, external relations, executive, territory and citizenship with the two sides during the course of this week.
But when asked to give an overall assessment of the peace talks, he revealed: “Overall, it could be going better. It could be going better.”
Responding to a question on the meeting on his return to the Presidential Palace, the President replied: “Badly. We discussed the issue of properties and there is nothing to say.”
He added: “The meeting was a failure and we must let the people know, unfortunately.”
He elaborated on some of the sticking points on property, which the Greek Cypriot negotiating team has argued should be looked at alongside the question of territorial readjustments in a federal Cyprus.
He argued that during the last meeting with the UN chief in New York, it was decided to set up a committee to look into both these issues. However, “the Turkish Cypriot side is not responding”.
“We gave names, we are ready, we have found the necessary data for the issue of properties but unfortunately there is no response,” he added.
Asked about reports from New York that the British were working hard in the UN Security Council to push for an international conference on the Cyprus issue, Christofias said: “Things have changed.”
Cypriot diplomacy has taken the necessary steps, going as far up as British PM David Cameron, he said.
Regarding the UN Security Council’s upcoming resolution on the renewal of the UN peacekeeping force here, the President said the final draft would be “good” and “fair” and would “reflect what the UN Secretary-General has supported until now”.
Recent reports suggest British diplomats have been pushing for a provision in the resolution calling for an international conference before the internal aspects of a peace solution are agreed between the two communities, something which Christofias is vehemently against.
UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer also confirmed Christofias’ gloomy outlook.
“I think it’s fair to say the meeting was a fairly unsuccessful meeting. There was no progress made in terms of these discussions,” said.
“It is important to be frank with you. This meeting today could have been better. It was not a productive meeting and we look forward to next week’s meeting being much more productive.”
However, he added that the meeting was held in a very friendly atmosphere “as they invariably are”.
The Australian diplomat said the UN would meet with both leaders and their teams during the week to work on some of the issues.
Asked whether the two leaders will meet after the last scheduled meeting on January 9, Downer said this was a possibility since the date for another tripartite with the UN Secretary-General in New York has been set for January 22 until January 24.
However, he ruled out the possibility of cancelling the New York meeting in the Greentree complex should the leaders’ fail to make adequate progress.
He hoped that the meetings between the leaders, their representatives, between the UN and the two sides all “come together with some convergences on the core issues”.
He said he planned to discuss the issues of property, external relations, executive, territory and citizenship with the two sides during the course of this week.
But when asked to give an overall assessment of the peace talks, he revealed: “Overall, it could be going better. It could be going better.”
Sunday 11 December 2011
Game of words
The discussions over the renewal of UNFICYP’s mandate are becoming crucial for the future outcome of the talks on the Cyprus problem, says Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today. He adds that a game of words is being played and if it works out could lead to a solution, at least on paper.
The key battle being waged is over the phrase is “international conference” and in particular whether or not the UN S-G will be able to call one immediately after the upcoming meeting at Greentree on 20-22 January. It is evident that Ban Ki-moon’s intention is to cap the negotiating procedure by calling an international conference and what is occupying the diplomatic scene at the moment is whether or not he will be able to do so without the approval of the two sides.
The UN S-G has already signalled his intention to call an international conference at the meeting in Geneva last January to which Mr Christofias reacted saying he had no right to do so without approval of the two sides or the approval of the Security Council.
The writer says that according to information the paper has acquired, Ban Ki-moon has sought the opinion of the legal department of the UN and was told he could call an international conference on any issue without needing the agreement of the Security Council and it is up to the sides whether to respond positively or negatively. He said as much in his report on the progress of the talks in March this year when he said that when he deems that enough progress had been achieved in the main issues, and after consulting with the two sides, he could call a multilateral conference. This report, which was approved by the Security Council, leaves the decision up to the S-G. He could consult with the sides but their opinion is not binding.
The writer says that the UN had planned to include mention of heading towards a conference in the statement after the talks at GreenTree but Christofias reacted and it was taken out. However, that doesn’t mean that their intention had changed in any way. It seems that now the British and Americans are trying to have this included in resolution extending the UNFICYP mandate. In fact the Security Council is divided with the British and Americans wanted a clear reference to be made for an international conference, while France proposes something vaguer to the effect that it will be called if the sides approve. It is expected that some kind of compromise will be reached by Tuesday, otherwise the mandate won’t be renewed and the UN troops will have to leave, something highly unlikely. But it won’t be to the extent of removing the UN S-G’s right to call one if and when he deems suitable.
The Greek Cypriot side is hoping that the Security Council stops such an eventuality but its powers are limited. The most it can hope to achieve is to include the phrase “consultations with the two sides” but not as a precondition.
The population census conducted in the north is valid, says Politis.
The paper quotes UN sources as saying that both the methodology used for the census, which took place under UN supervision, as well as the results are reliable.
It was announced that the population in the TRNC us 295,000, including the foreign visitors, but excluding the Turkish army officers and personnel.
The paper says that the number sounds too small to be real, at least as regards the numbers of settlers from the mainland that the Greek Cypriots believe to be in the north. The census figures are also being doubted by the Turkish Cypriot opposition.
Commenting on the census before the figures were announced, President Christofias said this matter must be discussed in depth and that figures must be put on the table because “for us the 4:1 ratio is a very important issue”.
If the international community deems the figures to be valid, then the settler problem is not as great as was thought, and the 4:1 ration is possible in a new solution plan.
The key battle being waged is over the phrase is “international conference” and in particular whether or not the UN S-G will be able to call one immediately after the upcoming meeting at Greentree on 20-22 January. It is evident that Ban Ki-moon’s intention is to cap the negotiating procedure by calling an international conference and what is occupying the diplomatic scene at the moment is whether or not he will be able to do so without the approval of the two sides.
The UN S-G has already signalled his intention to call an international conference at the meeting in Geneva last January to which Mr Christofias reacted saying he had no right to do so without approval of the two sides or the approval of the Security Council.
The writer says that according to information the paper has acquired, Ban Ki-moon has sought the opinion of the legal department of the UN and was told he could call an international conference on any issue without needing the agreement of the Security Council and it is up to the sides whether to respond positively or negatively. He said as much in his report on the progress of the talks in March this year when he said that when he deems that enough progress had been achieved in the main issues, and after consulting with the two sides, he could call a multilateral conference. This report, which was approved by the Security Council, leaves the decision up to the S-G. He could consult with the sides but their opinion is not binding.
The writer says that the UN had planned to include mention of heading towards a conference in the statement after the talks at GreenTree but Christofias reacted and it was taken out. However, that doesn’t mean that their intention had changed in any way. It seems that now the British and Americans are trying to have this included in resolution extending the UNFICYP mandate. In fact the Security Council is divided with the British and Americans wanted a clear reference to be made for an international conference, while France proposes something vaguer to the effect that it will be called if the sides approve. It is expected that some kind of compromise will be reached by Tuesday, otherwise the mandate won’t be renewed and the UN troops will have to leave, something highly unlikely. But it won’t be to the extent of removing the UN S-G’s right to call one if and when he deems suitable.
The Greek Cypriot side is hoping that the Security Council stops such an eventuality but its powers are limited. The most it can hope to achieve is to include the phrase “consultations with the two sides” but not as a precondition.
The population census conducted in the north is valid, says Politis.
The paper quotes UN sources as saying that both the methodology used for the census, which took place under UN supervision, as well as the results are reliable.
It was announced that the population in the TRNC us 295,000, including the foreign visitors, but excluding the Turkish army officers and personnel.
The paper says that the number sounds too small to be real, at least as regards the numbers of settlers from the mainland that the Greek Cypriots believe to be in the north. The census figures are also being doubted by the Turkish Cypriot opposition.
Commenting on the census before the figures were announced, President Christofias said this matter must be discussed in depth and that figures must be put on the table because “for us the 4:1 ratio is a very important issue”.
If the international community deems the figures to be valid, then the settler problem is not as great as was thought, and the 4:1 ration is possible in a new solution plan.
Friday 9 December 2011
Time for decisions, not more talks
The lack of political will is the final obstacle to an agreed solution on the Cyprus problem, says Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis last Sunday. Acquiring it does not depend on any external factor. The two sides themselves must find the political courage, not just to solve the problem but to make sure it works. This seems to be how the UN sees the future of the talks, he adds.
According to a source involved in the talks, on the level of technocrats the talks are proceeding very well, but as soon as the issues reach the leaders they get blocked as a result of cowardice and lack of political will to break the deadlock.
The attempt of the Greek Cypriot side to play for time and if possible get the talks put on ice has not succeeded. The UN insist that the Green Tree talks were successful, but the commitment that Christofias and Eroglu undertook that in two months they will be able to bridge their differences on the main issues has not materialised in practice.
However, the UN are not watching with arms crossed. Alexander Downer is working on various scenarios in order not to leave a single stone unturned and to make sure that he has exhausted all possibilities for reaching an agreed solution or at least to be able to substantiate that federation is impossible. The UN have no intention of imposing a solution so that if the process fails it will not be the UN that failed but the two sides.
As Downer said in a recent interview on CyBC, what will be decided in the immediate future is whether or not federation is a possible solution or not.
“If there is deadlock then that will be the end of the search for a solution on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation”, he said.
Tuekey sees June 2012 as the deadline for a solution (including a referendum) due to Cyprus taking over the EU Presidency. The UN see things even more simply. If after three years of talks and almost 50 years since the collapse of the Zurich agreement and 40 years since the invasion, the issues have been discussed ad nauseam. It is no longer a question of talks but decisions.
As a Western diplomat remarked, it is interesting that every time the UN tries to push things forwards reactions are hysterical, whereas when the news is bad, this is accepted with relief. After the joint statement issued after Greentree which spoke of progress, panic ensued in Cyprus, but when Christofias gave assurances that “nothing’s happening”, everyone calmed down.
Irrespective of Eroglu’s stance, or whether Turkey is genuine or not, what has become blatantly obvious is that Christofias is afraid to take a step forward and is simply playing for tie. But time is running out and the margins for an agreed solution are tightening. While his interlocutors agree that Christofias doesn’t have a problem with federation per se, his political cowardice prevents him from taking further steps. In diplomacy intentions don’t count, actions do. Eight years since the 2004 referendum the UN have reached the same conclusion as the UN S-G Kofi Anan who said that the plan that the Greek Cypriots had rejected was not just some plan, it was federation itself. Tassos didn’t want it, Christofias does, but hasn’t got the guts. The result is the same.
Federation will be considered unfeasible for Cyprus and the next talks which will be held will be over straightening out the borders and outlining codes of cooperation between the two states.
According to a source involved in the talks, on the level of technocrats the talks are proceeding very well, but as soon as the issues reach the leaders they get blocked as a result of cowardice and lack of political will to break the deadlock.
The attempt of the Greek Cypriot side to play for time and if possible get the talks put on ice has not succeeded. The UN insist that the Green Tree talks were successful, but the commitment that Christofias and Eroglu undertook that in two months they will be able to bridge their differences on the main issues has not materialised in practice.
However, the UN are not watching with arms crossed. Alexander Downer is working on various scenarios in order not to leave a single stone unturned and to make sure that he has exhausted all possibilities for reaching an agreed solution or at least to be able to substantiate that federation is impossible. The UN have no intention of imposing a solution so that if the process fails it will not be the UN that failed but the two sides.
As Downer said in a recent interview on CyBC, what will be decided in the immediate future is whether or not federation is a possible solution or not.
“If there is deadlock then that will be the end of the search for a solution on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation”, he said.
Tuekey sees June 2012 as the deadline for a solution (including a referendum) due to Cyprus taking over the EU Presidency. The UN see things even more simply. If after three years of talks and almost 50 years since the collapse of the Zurich agreement and 40 years since the invasion, the issues have been discussed ad nauseam. It is no longer a question of talks but decisions.
As a Western diplomat remarked, it is interesting that every time the UN tries to push things forwards reactions are hysterical, whereas when the news is bad, this is accepted with relief. After the joint statement issued after Greentree which spoke of progress, panic ensued in Cyprus, but when Christofias gave assurances that “nothing’s happening”, everyone calmed down.
Irrespective of Eroglu’s stance, or whether Turkey is genuine or not, what has become blatantly obvious is that Christofias is afraid to take a step forward and is simply playing for tie. But time is running out and the margins for an agreed solution are tightening. While his interlocutors agree that Christofias doesn’t have a problem with federation per se, his political cowardice prevents him from taking further steps. In diplomacy intentions don’t count, actions do. Eight years since the 2004 referendum the UN have reached the same conclusion as the UN S-G Kofi Anan who said that the plan that the Greek Cypriots had rejected was not just some plan, it was federation itself. Tassos didn’t want it, Christofias does, but hasn’t got the guts. The result is the same.
Federation will be considered unfeasible for Cyprus and the next talks which will be held will be over straightening out the borders and outlining codes of cooperation between the two states.
Monday 28 November 2011
Talks were ‘long and lively’
A long and lively discussion on governance and the division of powers was held this afternoon between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus part of the ongoing talks on the Cyprus problem, as the UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Alexander Downer reported.
He said the discussion would continue on Thursday morning and that afterwards the meetings would follow the schedule whereby the leaders will be more or less meeting every Monday up until the middle of January.
“This may vary from time to time”, he said “depending on the circumstances, but this is the intention at this stage”.
Mr Downer added that further talks would take place with both sides during the week touching on issues that were raised today as well as other questions that the two leaders had in relation to the talks.
Moreover, he said that the two leaders had jointly invited him and Lisa Buttenheim to a dinner in Pyla on 5 January, which he warmly accepted on behalf of the UN and was looking forward to it.
Turkish daily Zaman reports that Turkey’s Chief Negotiator for EU affairs, State Minister Egemen Bagis, warned that the Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island could be internationally recognized as an independent state if the Greek Cypriots continue to drag their feet in negotiations for a settlement on the island.
“Turkey has a certain amount of leverage. There are countries waiting for a signal to recognize the TRNC, to initiate diplomatic relations with it”, he said.“If the Greek Cypriots really want a solution, they should make good use of the coming six-month period; otherwise they will regret it”, he added.
Turkey has offered to bow to EU demands and open its ports, airports and airspace to Cyprus under what it called a "Taiwanese-style" diplomatic arrangement to help drive Cypriot reunification talks resuming on Monday under U.N. pressure for a breakthrough, the Cyprus Mail reports quoting Reuters.
Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis told Reuters he believed that the simple arrangement would help free up talks over Cyprus and would not require recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but would merely reflect a trade relationship. He said Turkey will open all of her airports, sea ports and airspace to Greek Cypriot planes and vessels as soon as a British Airways, an Air France, a KLM or a Lufthansa airplane lands at the Ercan airport in northern Cyprus.
He said the discussion would continue on Thursday morning and that afterwards the meetings would follow the schedule whereby the leaders will be more or less meeting every Monday up until the middle of January.
“This may vary from time to time”, he said “depending on the circumstances, but this is the intention at this stage”.
Mr Downer added that further talks would take place with both sides during the week touching on issues that were raised today as well as other questions that the two leaders had in relation to the talks.
Moreover, he said that the two leaders had jointly invited him and Lisa Buttenheim to a dinner in Pyla on 5 January, which he warmly accepted on behalf of the UN and was looking forward to it.
Turkish daily Zaman reports that Turkey’s Chief Negotiator for EU affairs, State Minister Egemen Bagis, warned that the Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island could be internationally recognized as an independent state if the Greek Cypriots continue to drag their feet in negotiations for a settlement on the island.
“Turkey has a certain amount of leverage. There are countries waiting for a signal to recognize the TRNC, to initiate diplomatic relations with it”, he said.“If the Greek Cypriots really want a solution, they should make good use of the coming six-month period; otherwise they will regret it”, he added.
Turkey has offered to bow to EU demands and open its ports, airports and airspace to Cyprus under what it called a "Taiwanese-style" diplomatic arrangement to help drive Cypriot reunification talks resuming on Monday under U.N. pressure for a breakthrough, the Cyprus Mail reports quoting Reuters.
Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis told Reuters he believed that the simple arrangement would help free up talks over Cyprus and would not require recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus but would merely reflect a trade relationship. He said Turkey will open all of her airports, sea ports and airspace to Greek Cypriot planes and vessels as soon as a British Airways, an Air France, a KLM or a Lufthansa airplane lands at the Ercan airport in northern Cyprus.
Sunday 27 November 2011
Solution or two states
There will either be a solution or recognition of the TRNC, Turkish President Abdullah Gul told British Prime Minister David Cameron during an official visit he paid to London this week.
According to Politis, he urged the British to do all they could now so that a solution can be achieved by June 2012 when Cyprus takes over the EU presidency. Otherwise there will be two states in Cyprus, as former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said would happen, he added. Many opportunities have been lost, he said, because they had insisted on things that could not be achieved.
Moreover, Bayrak television reported that, speaking at a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister, Gul said that both Turkey and Britain, as guarantor powers in Cyprus, supported the process and both sides in Cyprus needed to be encouraged to go for a settlement.
"I specifically emphasised that if the European Union fails to act with a strong political will, the reunification of the island might become impossible due to the Greek Cypriot side's unwillingness for a solution," Gul said.
Also, according to Turkey’s official website, Gul told members of the House of Commons that the EU Presidency of such a “half government” demonstrates a weakness on the part of the EU.
Reporting on comments Gul made to journalists on the plane on his way back from London, Politis says he said he had told Cameron that he hoped that a decision for reunification of the island would be reached, as this was the right time for this to happen.
“After that we will head towards two separate states when you too will be forced to recognise that which we already recognise”, he is reported to have said.
Gul said his hopes were that agreement could be reached by the end of the year, for there to be a new plan and then a referendum.
According to Politis, he urged the British to do all they could now so that a solution can be achieved by June 2012 when Cyprus takes over the EU presidency. Otherwise there will be two states in Cyprus, as former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said would happen, he added. Many opportunities have been lost, he said, because they had insisted on things that could not be achieved.
Moreover, Bayrak television reported that, speaking at a joint press conference with the British Prime Minister, Gul said that both Turkey and Britain, as guarantor powers in Cyprus, supported the process and both sides in Cyprus needed to be encouraged to go for a settlement.
"I specifically emphasised that if the European Union fails to act with a strong political will, the reunification of the island might become impossible due to the Greek Cypriot side's unwillingness for a solution," Gul said.
Also, according to Turkey’s official website, Gul told members of the House of Commons that the EU Presidency of such a “half government” demonstrates a weakness on the part of the EU.
Reporting on comments Gul made to journalists on the plane on his way back from London, Politis says he said he had told Cameron that he hoped that a decision for reunification of the island would be reached, as this was the right time for this to happen.
“After that we will head towards two separate states when you too will be forced to recognise that which we already recognise”, he is reported to have said.
Gul said his hopes were that agreement could be reached by the end of the year, for there to be a new plan and then a referendum.
Monday 21 November 2011
Solution possible in January
Foreign and European diplomatic circles believe that considerable progress in the Cyprus talks was achieved at Green Tree in New York, so much so that important developments will take place in January and possibly even a solution, says Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis yesterday.
This fits in with the UN announcement as well as information from Turkish sources, but is completely at variance with public statements by President Christofias and Akel. The writer finds it a complete mystery why everyone connected with the Cyprus problem believes that something positive may happen while in Cyprus the picture being painted is bleak.
He says this information doesn’t just come from journalists’ sources, but also from top European leaders. A case in point is Disy leader Nicos Anastasiades who came back from a trip to Europe last week saying that both the British Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel all of whom he met with, believe that progress has been achieved in the talks and expect even more progress to come.
Brussels too is of the same opinion. At meetings House President Yiannakis Omirou had with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the latter outrightly rejected the view that the talks aren’t progressing due to Turkish intransigence. Barroso, says the paper, is actively involved in the Cyprus problem and is convinced a solution can be reached now. Barroso’s representative, Jorge Cesar das Neves, attended the talks at Green Tree. The fact that EU leaders are firmly convinced that the talks are going well and will go even better in January cannot be a misunderstanding or a delusion.
Confusion, however, reigns supreme from the statements emanating from the Cyprus government. Two things are likely:
1. The talks did in fact go well and there are indeed prospects for a solution, but Christofias is keeping expectations low so that there will not be any preemptive reactions.
2. The two sides see things differently, and the UN and international community don’t share the Cypriot point of view.
The fact remains that the Cyprus government’s credibility is in doubt. No one takes what they are saying at face value. For example, in early 2010 all information indicated that agreement had been reached on the issue of governance, yet Christofias denied it, only today to accuse the Turkish side of reneging on what they had previously agreed.
What is certain is that the time for playing games is over. In January Christofias must either admit there has been progress and agree to an international conference giving rise to reactions internally, or he must lead matters to failure and take responsibility for it, thereby proving the Turks right when they say that the Greek Cypriots have got it good being in the EU and aren’t interested in a solution.
The rhetoric for talks without a timetable or arbitration has become ridiculous and is laughed at in diplomatic circles. Clearly, the talks have already entered their final phase following a very clear timetable and agenda. Last Wednesday Christofias and Eroglu agreed to a all the dates leading to Green Tree 2 which is due to take place around 20 January, as well as on a working programme covering all the chapters. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Lisa Buttenheim, informed the two leaders that the UN will expand its role during the final round of talks. The leaders will be meeting only once a week when they will simply confirm what has been agreed during the previous to-ing and fro-ing and there will also be meetings of UN technocrats with each negotiating team. Naturally there will be some kind of mediation and solutions will be put forward, but without each side knowing the other side’s ultimate position. Not allowing the UN to put forward proposals or to play a mediating role is tantamount to showing bad faith. Besides the whole process cannot be completed without the UN’s active involvement. The UN itself believes that the tools are there, the two sides’ positions understood, and all that is needed is political will. If they don’t reach an agreement now, they will never be able to do so, not in a year’s time, nor even in ten. What the UN is trying to do is to see whether a federal solution is ultimately feasible or not.
The UN S-G will outline his intentions in his forthcoming report on the renewal of UNFICYP. He expects that after Green Tree 2 this report will be positive. But if the process fails, he will explain why. Both sides are already urging Ban Ki-moon to point the finger at the other side. Their efforts not to take the blame does have the effect of somewhat pushing the process forward. But if they are doing so under the pressure of not wanting to take responsibility whereas in actual fact don’t really believe in the solution, then the solution will be a shotgun wedding and prospects of it succeeding are dim.
One thing that worries the international community is Turkey’s apparent lack of enthusiasm in a solution compared with before. The Turkish side is convinced that Christofias cannot solve the Cyprus problem. If he didn’t dare go for it when he was stronger internally and had Talat as his interlocutor, how is he going to be able to do so now that he is weak and has Eroglu on the other side? According to Turkish sources, this is why Erdogan changed his tune and hardened his rhetoric on Cyprus, while at the same time keeping tensions high over the natural gas exploration.
Alexander Downer is expected to visit Ankara in the next few days to check out the Turkish government’s intentions and to seek their support for the climax of the talks. Turkey exerted all its influence to get the UN to ensure that January is the endgame and June the date for wrapping up the procedure if the UN S-G proceeds to an international conference.
Turkey has made it clear that if the talks fail it will change policy and turn towards upgrading the TRNC and its economy with development work and will give TRNC citizenship to Turks in order to control local politics better. According to Turkish Cypriot sources, even Eroglu is concerned about the population increase in the north because the Turkish Cypriots will be undermined. That’s why agreement was reached on the citizenship issue in New York whereby those who had already received TRNC citizenship would be covered by international law in a future settlement.
This fits in with the UN announcement as well as information from Turkish sources, but is completely at variance with public statements by President Christofias and Akel. The writer finds it a complete mystery why everyone connected with the Cyprus problem believes that something positive may happen while in Cyprus the picture being painted is bleak.
He says this information doesn’t just come from journalists’ sources, but also from top European leaders. A case in point is Disy leader Nicos Anastasiades who came back from a trip to Europe last week saying that both the British Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel all of whom he met with, believe that progress has been achieved in the talks and expect even more progress to come.
Brussels too is of the same opinion. At meetings House President Yiannakis Omirou had with Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the latter outrightly rejected the view that the talks aren’t progressing due to Turkish intransigence. Barroso, says the paper, is actively involved in the Cyprus problem and is convinced a solution can be reached now. Barroso’s representative, Jorge Cesar das Neves, attended the talks at Green Tree. The fact that EU leaders are firmly convinced that the talks are going well and will go even better in January cannot be a misunderstanding or a delusion.
Confusion, however, reigns supreme from the statements emanating from the Cyprus government. Two things are likely:
1. The talks did in fact go well and there are indeed prospects for a solution, but Christofias is keeping expectations low so that there will not be any preemptive reactions.
2. The two sides see things differently, and the UN and international community don’t share the Cypriot point of view.
The fact remains that the Cyprus government’s credibility is in doubt. No one takes what they are saying at face value. For example, in early 2010 all information indicated that agreement had been reached on the issue of governance, yet Christofias denied it, only today to accuse the Turkish side of reneging on what they had previously agreed.
What is certain is that the time for playing games is over. In January Christofias must either admit there has been progress and agree to an international conference giving rise to reactions internally, or he must lead matters to failure and take responsibility for it, thereby proving the Turks right when they say that the Greek Cypriots have got it good being in the EU and aren’t interested in a solution.
The rhetoric for talks without a timetable or arbitration has become ridiculous and is laughed at in diplomatic circles. Clearly, the talks have already entered their final phase following a very clear timetable and agenda. Last Wednesday Christofias and Eroglu agreed to a all the dates leading to Green Tree 2 which is due to take place around 20 January, as well as on a working programme covering all the chapters. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Lisa Buttenheim, informed the two leaders that the UN will expand its role during the final round of talks. The leaders will be meeting only once a week when they will simply confirm what has been agreed during the previous to-ing and fro-ing and there will also be meetings of UN technocrats with each negotiating team. Naturally there will be some kind of mediation and solutions will be put forward, but without each side knowing the other side’s ultimate position. Not allowing the UN to put forward proposals or to play a mediating role is tantamount to showing bad faith. Besides the whole process cannot be completed without the UN’s active involvement. The UN itself believes that the tools are there, the two sides’ positions understood, and all that is needed is political will. If they don’t reach an agreement now, they will never be able to do so, not in a year’s time, nor even in ten. What the UN is trying to do is to see whether a federal solution is ultimately feasible or not.
The UN S-G will outline his intentions in his forthcoming report on the renewal of UNFICYP. He expects that after Green Tree 2 this report will be positive. But if the process fails, he will explain why. Both sides are already urging Ban Ki-moon to point the finger at the other side. Their efforts not to take the blame does have the effect of somewhat pushing the process forward. But if they are doing so under the pressure of not wanting to take responsibility whereas in actual fact don’t really believe in the solution, then the solution will be a shotgun wedding and prospects of it succeeding are dim.
One thing that worries the international community is Turkey’s apparent lack of enthusiasm in a solution compared with before. The Turkish side is convinced that Christofias cannot solve the Cyprus problem. If he didn’t dare go for it when he was stronger internally and had Talat as his interlocutor, how is he going to be able to do so now that he is weak and has Eroglu on the other side? According to Turkish sources, this is why Erdogan changed his tune and hardened his rhetoric on Cyprus, while at the same time keeping tensions high over the natural gas exploration.
Alexander Downer is expected to visit Ankara in the next few days to check out the Turkish government’s intentions and to seek their support for the climax of the talks. Turkey exerted all its influence to get the UN to ensure that January is the endgame and June the date for wrapping up the procedure if the UN S-G proceeds to an international conference.
Turkey has made it clear that if the talks fail it will change policy and turn towards upgrading the TRNC and its economy with development work and will give TRNC citizenship to Turks in order to control local politics better. According to Turkish Cypriot sources, even Eroglu is concerned about the population increase in the north because the Turkish Cypriots will be undermined. That’s why agreement was reached on the citizenship issue in New York whereby those who had already received TRNC citizenship would be covered by international law in a future settlement.
Monday 14 November 2011
Different things happened in New York to what Christofias says
President Christofias’ statements in Cyprus and even are in stark contrast to what actually happened in New York and to what the UN S-G himself said, according to Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis.
Even in his briefing of the National Council he referred to things that hadn’t even been discussed, and when asked to submit the convergences in writing to the Council he refused for fear of leaks.
According to reliable sources, he says that the UN S-G’s statement after the talks, which was approved by both leaders, is the only reliable description of the New York meetings and the only one that binds them.
The government tried to put a different spin on the UN S-G’s statements by claiming he had described the talks more optimistically than events prescribed and that when he talked of “encouraging progress” he just meant that the two sides understood each other’s positions.
A source that is fully informed as to what actually transpired at the talks told the writer that these interpretations are “sophistries” used to serve the needs of the political game being played in Cyprus.
The source said that the UN S-G said exactly what he meant and the Security Council supported this by saying that it is convinced that a solution is possible and that all that is needed is political will.
The source added that to some extent such political shenanigans are understandable in the internal game being played but the talks have now entered an extremely serious phase to be faced with such tactics.
Moreover, the source said, it’s worrisome that not only are false interpretations being made, but information is being leaked that does not correspond with reality.
One such example, the source said, was when President Christofias told the National Council, as was leaked in the press, that Ban Ki-moon was annoyed with Eroglu over the issue of the weighted vote. Apparently Christofias didn’t even raise such an issue and nor did he withdraw his proposal for rotating presidency. This was one of the more positive developments from the talks, and besides nor was the question of the weighted vote even discussed. In fact in his summing up the UN S-G said there were two proposals on the table as regards elections for the executive as follows:
- Christofias’ proposal for separate election for the first term of government and rotating presidency on a 4:1 ratio. Automatic adoption of weighted for the second term
- Eroglu’s proposal for separate elections for the first term and rotating presidency on a 7:3 ratio. Weighted voting in the second term provided it is approved by the Senate.
The differences are not unbridgeable and it was agreed to finish the discussion in Cyprus. Agreement was almost reached on the question of citizenship, while on the property issue it was agreed that the owner of the property would have first say provided that he lived in the property in 1974. Compensation will be given to inheritors.
The writer goes on to say that Western diplomats, who were briefed by the UN as to what happened at the talks, are puzzled by Christofias’ statements that nothing whatsoever happened in New York and that nothing is expected to happen in January either, and are trying to find explanations. If this is all for internal consumption, they wonder, how is he going to win the people over if there is agreement at Greentree 2? If he is afraid of reactions and is just wasting time, what will he do in January when time is up? Or perhaps he truly believes what he says, and if so, then maybe he has a problem of comprehension, agreeing on one thing and understanding something totally different.
Equally unfounded are Christofias’ statements that there will be other meetings with the UN S-G after the January meeting, and that the option also exists to freeze the procedure till after the elections. If anything was made absolutely clear in New York, it was that this is the endgame. Christofias told the S-G that only he can solve the Cyprus problem and complained bitterly about the opposition, particularly about Anastasiades’ transformation and that he would prefer that everything is over before an international conference so that there are no leftovers for the next President. It was in this context that he said he would not be sitting opposite them in 2013.
Despite the fact that it is clear that after New York the procedure is reaching its climax and one would expect that the climate would improve over the next few months, on the contrary what is actually happening is that the blame game is climaxing. According to information, the Turkish side has sent all of Eroglu’s statement and all of Christofias’ statements to Alexander Downer and asked him to compare them in an effort to show evidence for bad will on the part of the Greek Cypriot side in the event of failure at Greentree 2.
An editorial in the Mail on Sunday refers to an interview with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat who said that his friend President Christofias wanted a Cyprus settlement, “but he was a coward”, being afraid of his government alliance partners. The paper says this cowardice has been evident through most of the Christofias presidency, which has been singularly unable to deal decisively with any of the big issues it has faced. In these three-and-a-half years, Christofias has exhibited most of the traits of weak leadership from fear of taking unpopular decisions to abrogation of responsibility and hyper-sensitivity to criticism. On the Cyprus talks, his cowardice may have served him well, as the majority of the Greek Cypriots do not seem very keen on a settlement, but the do-nothing approach on public finances has led us to the brink of disaster. We just hope that in a few months’ time defenders of Christofias would not be using a variation of Talat’s observation – he wanted to save the economy but he was a coward.
Even in his briefing of the National Council he referred to things that hadn’t even been discussed, and when asked to submit the convergences in writing to the Council he refused for fear of leaks.
According to reliable sources, he says that the UN S-G’s statement after the talks, which was approved by both leaders, is the only reliable description of the New York meetings and the only one that binds them.
The government tried to put a different spin on the UN S-G’s statements by claiming he had described the talks more optimistically than events prescribed and that when he talked of “encouraging progress” he just meant that the two sides understood each other’s positions.
A source that is fully informed as to what actually transpired at the talks told the writer that these interpretations are “sophistries” used to serve the needs of the political game being played in Cyprus.
The source said that the UN S-G said exactly what he meant and the Security Council supported this by saying that it is convinced that a solution is possible and that all that is needed is political will.
The source added that to some extent such political shenanigans are understandable in the internal game being played but the talks have now entered an extremely serious phase to be faced with such tactics.
Moreover, the source said, it’s worrisome that not only are false interpretations being made, but information is being leaked that does not correspond with reality.
One such example, the source said, was when President Christofias told the National Council, as was leaked in the press, that Ban Ki-moon was annoyed with Eroglu over the issue of the weighted vote. Apparently Christofias didn’t even raise such an issue and nor did he withdraw his proposal for rotating presidency. This was one of the more positive developments from the talks, and besides nor was the question of the weighted vote even discussed. In fact in his summing up the UN S-G said there were two proposals on the table as regards elections for the executive as follows:
- Christofias’ proposal for separate election for the first term of government and rotating presidency on a 4:1 ratio. Automatic adoption of weighted for the second term
- Eroglu’s proposal for separate elections for the first term and rotating presidency on a 7:3 ratio. Weighted voting in the second term provided it is approved by the Senate.
The differences are not unbridgeable and it was agreed to finish the discussion in Cyprus. Agreement was almost reached on the question of citizenship, while on the property issue it was agreed that the owner of the property would have first say provided that he lived in the property in 1974. Compensation will be given to inheritors.
The writer goes on to say that Western diplomats, who were briefed by the UN as to what happened at the talks, are puzzled by Christofias’ statements that nothing whatsoever happened in New York and that nothing is expected to happen in January either, and are trying to find explanations. If this is all for internal consumption, they wonder, how is he going to win the people over if there is agreement at Greentree 2? If he is afraid of reactions and is just wasting time, what will he do in January when time is up? Or perhaps he truly believes what he says, and if so, then maybe he has a problem of comprehension, agreeing on one thing and understanding something totally different.
Equally unfounded are Christofias’ statements that there will be other meetings with the UN S-G after the January meeting, and that the option also exists to freeze the procedure till after the elections. If anything was made absolutely clear in New York, it was that this is the endgame. Christofias told the S-G that only he can solve the Cyprus problem and complained bitterly about the opposition, particularly about Anastasiades’ transformation and that he would prefer that everything is over before an international conference so that there are no leftovers for the next President. It was in this context that he said he would not be sitting opposite them in 2013.
Despite the fact that it is clear that after New York the procedure is reaching its climax and one would expect that the climate would improve over the next few months, on the contrary what is actually happening is that the blame game is climaxing. According to information, the Turkish side has sent all of Eroglu’s statement and all of Christofias’ statements to Alexander Downer and asked him to compare them in an effort to show evidence for bad will on the part of the Greek Cypriot side in the event of failure at Greentree 2.
An editorial in the Mail on Sunday refers to an interview with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat who said that his friend President Christofias wanted a Cyprus settlement, “but he was a coward”, being afraid of his government alliance partners. The paper says this cowardice has been evident through most of the Christofias presidency, which has been singularly unable to deal decisively with any of the big issues it has faced. In these three-and-a-half years, Christofias has exhibited most of the traits of weak leadership from fear of taking unpopular decisions to abrogation of responsibility and hyper-sensitivity to criticism. On the Cyprus talks, his cowardice may have served him well, as the majority of the Greek Cypriots do not seem very keen on a settlement, but the do-nothing approach on public finances has led us to the brink of disaster. We just hope that in a few months’ time defenders of Christofias would not be using a variation of Talat’s observation – he wanted to save the economy but he was a coward.
Sunday 6 November 2011
Never so close to a settlement
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have never before been so close to an agreed settlement but the next few months will be critical as the United Nations push for a deal before Cyprus assumes the presidency of the EU in July next year, Makarios Droushiotis says writing in Politis and the Cyprus Mail.
According to informed sources close to the negotiations, both leaders gave assurances to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, during their meeting in New York last week that they were committed to producing the convergences he had asked for by the time they meet him next in January.
Significant differences nevertheless remain between the two sides, but Ban made it absolutely clear to them that his good offices mission will be terminated in the next few months if the sides do not break the deadlock.
The timeframe for a solution is June 2012. Until then there must be an agreement; the two sides must hold referenda and a federal Cyprus will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU.
If the deadlock is not broken by February, the UN will shut its good offices mission in Cyprus, the source said.
The option of freezing the talks until 2013 is unrealistic and it is something both leaders have fully understood. In fact, Christofias told Ban that he would not be a presidential candidate for a second term and has no plans to continue the talks in 2013. Once the UN team had made sure that the two sides had clearly understood the time constraint, Downer and Pascoe asked both sides if they believed they could bridge their differences. Both Christofias and Eroglu said they could.
The fact that they understood the time factor is perhaps the biggest achievement of the talks at Greentree. Talks without a timeframe and arbitration no longer constitute valid rhetoric. A very clear roadmap and a new procedure have emerged culminating in the endgame. If there is political will and courage, an agreement is possible.
Talks in Nicosia will start again on Thursday with one weekly meeting between the two leaders.
The leaders’ aides and working groups will take it from there while UN representatives together with their experts will be shuttling between the two sides, enriching discussions with their ideas and suggestions.
The UN has assured that they are not interested in imposing any solution, seeking especially to dispel the fears of the Greek Cypriots who vehemently oppose arbitration. As Downer said after briefing the Security Council, “we cannot want a solution more than the Cypriots themselves”, stressing that the role of the UN is to help the two sides reach a solution not to impose it. “They must be happy with the solution they will have reached”.
According to the new roadmap, the final round of talks in Cyprus will cover all chapters that are still open - governance, territory, property and citizenship.
A new tripartite meeting will be held in New York around January 15. Ban expects that the new meeting would be part of the final phase and not its beginning in the sense that when the leaders go to New York they would have already agreed on the four remaining chapters. If they go to the new meeting empty handed they would just be confirming the deadlock in the talks.
Sources said there is neither time nor inclination for another tripartite meeting. In New York there would only be two possibilities - declaring a deadlock or an agreement on the internal aspects and scheduling a multilateral meeting. If all goes as planned, the multilateral meeting will again be held in New York at the end of February or early March. If the talks reach the point of a multilateral meeting their success is a given, but if they collapse, it will happen in February. However, while a settlement is feasible on paper, it would have no value if it is not approved by both communities.
The UN believes that Christofias can count on the strong backing of the EU in case of a settlement, while Russia has given assurances that it will back a deal that is acceptable by both communities. Turkey is still willing, but less enthusiastic than before. Ban has already asked for support from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan while his envoy in Cyprus, Alexander Downer is planning a trip to Ankara. The United States will not get involved in the talks but have pledged to provide help backstage. The UN Secretary-general has the backing of the Security Council. Its President, José Filipe Moraes Cabral, said that both Ban’s and Downer’s efforts have the Council’s strong support. He added: “The Council agreed that the sides should make additional efforts and display the necessary political will to move forward and conclude the negotiations in a positive way.”
Ankara believes all options are open as far as the Cyprus problem is concerned and is preparing for all eventualities, an article in Politis says.
Ankara is satisfied with the New York talks and wants it all cleared up by July 2012 when Cyprus takes on the EU Presidency.
“We are optimistic, we hope that the talks on Cyprus will have a positive outcome” and that they will be able to reach a federal solution by January, a Turkish diplomatic source told the paper, although they are also concerned that the internal political situation in Cyprus might create complications.
If the problem is solved, Ankara predicts it will be followed by positive developments. First the road for Turkey’s entry into the EU will open, although it acknowledges that obstacles still remain and that Cyprus is just the excuse for keeping Turkey out. Secondly a solution will smooth out relations with Greece, and thirdly it will put an end to the crisis in the East Mediterranean over exploration for natural gas, as Turkey will stop its exploration efforts in Cyprus’ EEZ and will recognise the rights of a united Cyprus to exploit its natural resources.
However, if there is no solution, Ankara will harden its stance. It already has a plan B namely to turn the occupied part of the island into a kind of Taiwan, as it realises it doesn’t have much chance of getting the north recognised. Above all it will continue its exploration for natural gas and plans to drill in the same area as Noble Energy.
Another ‘thriller’ unfolded in New York last Monday, says the Cyprus Mail’s satirical column Coffeeshop, at least in the eyes of cliché-peddling newspaper headline writers, who are under the illusion they can sex-up a typically dull Cyprob story on their front page by labelling it a ‘thriller’. Let’s face it Cyprob talks are as exciting and suspenseful as a visit to the supermarket.
We seem to witness exactly the same thriller every time the two hillbilly leaders go to Big Apple for three-way handshakes and smiles with the normally poker-faced Ban Ki-moon.
In the run-up to the thriller, all the opposition parties predicted that there would be traps for the comrade – laid by Big Bad Al and his evil Yank backer, Lyn Pascoe, the pro-Turkish Under-Secretary-General, affectionately referred to as ‘an employee of the UN’ - who would be forced to participate in give-and-take, discuss UN bridging proposals, accept arbitration, an international conference and asphyxiating time-frames.
The comrade and his entourage meanwhile insist that nothing of the sort would happen, implying that the meeting would lead nowhere, in short, just another thriller without the thrills. This is the intergalactic scale of the lunacy that the Cyprob inspires. The government considers it a mega political success, a reason to gloat, when a meeting with Ban produces no results.
And the opposition parties, which had been ringing alarm bells about the danger of progress being made, forget about the traps and complain that Ban issued a statement that did not condemn the Turkish side’s intransigence. If, God forbid, Ban reported progress, they start to moan that he is covering up the intransigence and the comrade was to blame, for not taking a tougher stance.
Last week they were outraged about the change of the format of the talks when the UN decided to have proximity talks instead of direct talks with Ban. All our parties protested, fearing that the change of format could produce results, the last thing they wanted. DIKO warned that “there was a possibility proximity talks would lead to indirect arbitration and the procedure would be laden with other dangers” like the danger of progress. All the parties suffered the same proximity talk panic-attacks.
The presidential mouthpiece Haravghi, meanwhile kept reassuring us that nothing would happen in New York, and all the doom and gloom merchants had been proved wrong. ‘Alarmism rejected’ read Tuesday banner headline, the paper quoting Stef-Stef as saying there were no traps, surprises or covert arbitration.
And on Wednesday the paper carried the triumphant headline - ‘There was no big step’ – thus silencing the alarmists. The comrade had once again been victorious, avoiding all Pascoe’s traps and heroically ensuring against anything positive being achieved in New York.
But the Greentree meeting was not the disappointment we were all praying for, according to our establishment’s information. We hate to be the bringer of bad tidings, but apparently Tof and Ero promised to return to the Big Apple in January with convergences on all issues, so that a date for the multi-party conference that would settle security and guarantees, would be set. If they failed to do so, which is entirely possible, Ban told them he would end the talks and close his good offices mission in Kyproulla. When this happens the church bells will be ringing, there will dancing in the streets and the comrade will return to a hero’s welcome, having once again proved the alarmists wrong.
According to informed sources close to the negotiations, both leaders gave assurances to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, during their meeting in New York last week that they were committed to producing the convergences he had asked for by the time they meet him next in January.
Significant differences nevertheless remain between the two sides, but Ban made it absolutely clear to them that his good offices mission will be terminated in the next few months if the sides do not break the deadlock.
The timeframe for a solution is June 2012. Until then there must be an agreement; the two sides must hold referenda and a federal Cyprus will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU.
If the deadlock is not broken by February, the UN will shut its good offices mission in Cyprus, the source said.
The option of freezing the talks until 2013 is unrealistic and it is something both leaders have fully understood. In fact, Christofias told Ban that he would not be a presidential candidate for a second term and has no plans to continue the talks in 2013. Once the UN team had made sure that the two sides had clearly understood the time constraint, Downer and Pascoe asked both sides if they believed they could bridge their differences. Both Christofias and Eroglu said they could.
The fact that they understood the time factor is perhaps the biggest achievement of the talks at Greentree. Talks without a timeframe and arbitration no longer constitute valid rhetoric. A very clear roadmap and a new procedure have emerged culminating in the endgame. If there is political will and courage, an agreement is possible.
Talks in Nicosia will start again on Thursday with one weekly meeting between the two leaders.
The leaders’ aides and working groups will take it from there while UN representatives together with their experts will be shuttling between the two sides, enriching discussions with their ideas and suggestions.
The UN has assured that they are not interested in imposing any solution, seeking especially to dispel the fears of the Greek Cypriots who vehemently oppose arbitration. As Downer said after briefing the Security Council, “we cannot want a solution more than the Cypriots themselves”, stressing that the role of the UN is to help the two sides reach a solution not to impose it. “They must be happy with the solution they will have reached”.
According to the new roadmap, the final round of talks in Cyprus will cover all chapters that are still open - governance, territory, property and citizenship.
A new tripartite meeting will be held in New York around January 15. Ban expects that the new meeting would be part of the final phase and not its beginning in the sense that when the leaders go to New York they would have already agreed on the four remaining chapters. If they go to the new meeting empty handed they would just be confirming the deadlock in the talks.
Sources said there is neither time nor inclination for another tripartite meeting. In New York there would only be two possibilities - declaring a deadlock or an agreement on the internal aspects and scheduling a multilateral meeting. If all goes as planned, the multilateral meeting will again be held in New York at the end of February or early March. If the talks reach the point of a multilateral meeting their success is a given, but if they collapse, it will happen in February. However, while a settlement is feasible on paper, it would have no value if it is not approved by both communities.
The UN believes that Christofias can count on the strong backing of the EU in case of a settlement, while Russia has given assurances that it will back a deal that is acceptable by both communities. Turkey is still willing, but less enthusiastic than before. Ban has already asked for support from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan while his envoy in Cyprus, Alexander Downer is planning a trip to Ankara. The United States will not get involved in the talks but have pledged to provide help backstage. The UN Secretary-general has the backing of the Security Council. Its President, José Filipe Moraes Cabral, said that both Ban’s and Downer’s efforts have the Council’s strong support. He added: “The Council agreed that the sides should make additional efforts and display the necessary political will to move forward and conclude the negotiations in a positive way.”
Ankara believes all options are open as far as the Cyprus problem is concerned and is preparing for all eventualities, an article in Politis says.
Ankara is satisfied with the New York talks and wants it all cleared up by July 2012 when Cyprus takes on the EU Presidency.
“We are optimistic, we hope that the talks on Cyprus will have a positive outcome” and that they will be able to reach a federal solution by January, a Turkish diplomatic source told the paper, although they are also concerned that the internal political situation in Cyprus might create complications.
If the problem is solved, Ankara predicts it will be followed by positive developments. First the road for Turkey’s entry into the EU will open, although it acknowledges that obstacles still remain and that Cyprus is just the excuse for keeping Turkey out. Secondly a solution will smooth out relations with Greece, and thirdly it will put an end to the crisis in the East Mediterranean over exploration for natural gas, as Turkey will stop its exploration efforts in Cyprus’ EEZ and will recognise the rights of a united Cyprus to exploit its natural resources.
However, if there is no solution, Ankara will harden its stance. It already has a plan B namely to turn the occupied part of the island into a kind of Taiwan, as it realises it doesn’t have much chance of getting the north recognised. Above all it will continue its exploration for natural gas and plans to drill in the same area as Noble Energy.
Another ‘thriller’ unfolded in New York last Monday, says the Cyprus Mail’s satirical column Coffeeshop, at least in the eyes of cliché-peddling newspaper headline writers, who are under the illusion they can sex-up a typically dull Cyprob story on their front page by labelling it a ‘thriller’. Let’s face it Cyprob talks are as exciting and suspenseful as a visit to the supermarket.
We seem to witness exactly the same thriller every time the two hillbilly leaders go to Big Apple for three-way handshakes and smiles with the normally poker-faced Ban Ki-moon.
In the run-up to the thriller, all the opposition parties predicted that there would be traps for the comrade – laid by Big Bad Al and his evil Yank backer, Lyn Pascoe, the pro-Turkish Under-Secretary-General, affectionately referred to as ‘an employee of the UN’ - who would be forced to participate in give-and-take, discuss UN bridging proposals, accept arbitration, an international conference and asphyxiating time-frames.
The comrade and his entourage meanwhile insist that nothing of the sort would happen, implying that the meeting would lead nowhere, in short, just another thriller without the thrills. This is the intergalactic scale of the lunacy that the Cyprob inspires. The government considers it a mega political success, a reason to gloat, when a meeting with Ban produces no results.
And the opposition parties, which had been ringing alarm bells about the danger of progress being made, forget about the traps and complain that Ban issued a statement that did not condemn the Turkish side’s intransigence. If, God forbid, Ban reported progress, they start to moan that he is covering up the intransigence and the comrade was to blame, for not taking a tougher stance.
Last week they were outraged about the change of the format of the talks when the UN decided to have proximity talks instead of direct talks with Ban. All our parties protested, fearing that the change of format could produce results, the last thing they wanted. DIKO warned that “there was a possibility proximity talks would lead to indirect arbitration and the procedure would be laden with other dangers” like the danger of progress. All the parties suffered the same proximity talk panic-attacks.
The presidential mouthpiece Haravghi, meanwhile kept reassuring us that nothing would happen in New York, and all the doom and gloom merchants had been proved wrong. ‘Alarmism rejected’ read Tuesday banner headline, the paper quoting Stef-Stef as saying there were no traps, surprises or covert arbitration.
And on Wednesday the paper carried the triumphant headline - ‘There was no big step’ – thus silencing the alarmists. The comrade had once again been victorious, avoiding all Pascoe’s traps and heroically ensuring against anything positive being achieved in New York.
But the Greentree meeting was not the disappointment we were all praying for, according to our establishment’s information. We hate to be the bringer of bad tidings, but apparently Tof and Ero promised to return to the Big Apple in January with convergences on all issues, so that a date for the multi-party conference that would settle security and guarantees, would be set. If they failed to do so, which is entirely possible, Ban told them he would end the talks and close his good offices mission in Kyproulla. When this happens the church bells will be ringing, there will dancing in the streets and the comrade will return to a hero’s welcome, having once again proved the alarmists wrong.
Wednesday 2 November 2011
Ban calls for move to the endgame
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Cyprus leaders to move forward to the “endgame of negotiations” over the following two months, calling a new three-way summit for January.
“The sides have made some encouraging progress during these two days on some of the remaining core issues,” Ban said yesterday at the end of the talks on the Cyprus problem with the leaders of the two communities Demetris Christofias and Dervis Eroglu.
“This has given me confidence that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved. Both leaders have assured me that they believe that they can finalise a deal,” he added.
The leaders met Ban and senior UN officials in Long Island, New York on Sunday and Monday, the fourth such summit with the UN chief as part of ongoing reunification talks.
Despite the progress made, the UN chief acknowledged that “there is still work to be done”.
He said both leaders agreed that further efforts are essential over the next two months “to move to the end game of the negotiations”.
Ban said that by January he expects the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem to have been resolved “so that we can move to the multilateral conference shortly thereafter”.
Calling the two-day discussions “constructive and intensive”, Ban said considerable progress has been achieved in the areas of the economy, European Union matters and internal aspects of security.
“Much less progress was made in the important areas of governance, property, territory and citizenship,” he added.
President Christofias said yesterday no great progress was achieved during the meetings to allow for a turning point in the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
“Unfortunately, during the meeting it was not possible to make that great leap to allow for a turning point in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem”. He said talks would henceforth focus on bridging the outstanding divergences between the two sides on the core issues.
“It will be tough, given the differences. Tough, but not unfeasible,” he noted.
“As long as the talks continue, we will show good will and we will be ready for a solution that will be agreed, be functional, based on principles and serve the best interests of all the people of Cyprus”, he underlined.
He also expressed the surprise the Greek Cypriot delegation had felt when on arrival in New York they discovered that proximity talks would be taking place, whereupon they lodged a complaint asking Ban to become personally and directly involved in the process.
The UN chief oversaw much of the discussion, Christofias said. He stressed that the UN did not engage in any mediation or arbitration attempts nor did it formulate bridging proposals.
Christofias said the Greek Cypriot side wanted a multilateral conference to be convened under UN auspices, with the participation of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the EU and the three guarantor powers.
But his reading of the UN chief’s statement was that such a conference would be held if the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem were first ironed out.
“Of course we want to come back here [in January]” he added. “Why are we conducting negotiations, after all? Is it to kill time?”
For his part, Eroglu appeared satisfied with Ban’s remarks, particularly the UN’s perceived intention to lead the talks into a final stage.
“After the January meeting, the staging of a conference would suggest we are coming to an end. As you know, from June next year south Cyprus will exercise the EU Presidency, and it will be hard to conduct negotiations during this time.”
In Nicosia, DIKO warned that it was clear the UN is working on a timetable to wrap up the talks, while main opposition party DISY called the outcome of the New York summit “disappointing.”
“It is clear that, without any substantive progress having been achieved, we are headed toward the conclusion of the negotiating process, with a very real danger of being faced with the dilemma of choosing between a collapse or a multilateral conference,” DISY leader Nikos Anastasiades said.
“The sides have made some encouraging progress during these two days on some of the remaining core issues,” Ban said yesterday at the end of the talks on the Cyprus problem with the leaders of the two communities Demetris Christofias and Dervis Eroglu.
“This has given me confidence that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved. Both leaders have assured me that they believe that they can finalise a deal,” he added.
The leaders met Ban and senior UN officials in Long Island, New York on Sunday and Monday, the fourth such summit with the UN chief as part of ongoing reunification talks.
Despite the progress made, the UN chief acknowledged that “there is still work to be done”.
He said both leaders agreed that further efforts are essential over the next two months “to move to the end game of the negotiations”.
Ban said that by January he expects the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem to have been resolved “so that we can move to the multilateral conference shortly thereafter”.
Calling the two-day discussions “constructive and intensive”, Ban said considerable progress has been achieved in the areas of the economy, European Union matters and internal aspects of security.
“Much less progress was made in the important areas of governance, property, territory and citizenship,” he added.
President Christofias said yesterday no great progress was achieved during the meetings to allow for a turning point in the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
“Unfortunately, during the meeting it was not possible to make that great leap to allow for a turning point in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem”. He said talks would henceforth focus on bridging the outstanding divergences between the two sides on the core issues.
“It will be tough, given the differences. Tough, but not unfeasible,” he noted.
“As long as the talks continue, we will show good will and we will be ready for a solution that will be agreed, be functional, based on principles and serve the best interests of all the people of Cyprus”, he underlined.
He also expressed the surprise the Greek Cypriot delegation had felt when on arrival in New York they discovered that proximity talks would be taking place, whereupon they lodged a complaint asking Ban to become personally and directly involved in the process.
The UN chief oversaw much of the discussion, Christofias said. He stressed that the UN did not engage in any mediation or arbitration attempts nor did it formulate bridging proposals.
Christofias said the Greek Cypriot side wanted a multilateral conference to be convened under UN auspices, with the participation of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the EU and the three guarantor powers.
But his reading of the UN chief’s statement was that such a conference would be held if the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem were first ironed out.
“Of course we want to come back here [in January]” he added. “Why are we conducting negotiations, after all? Is it to kill time?”
For his part, Eroglu appeared satisfied with Ban’s remarks, particularly the UN’s perceived intention to lead the talks into a final stage.
“After the January meeting, the staging of a conference would suggest we are coming to an end. As you know, from June next year south Cyprus will exercise the EU Presidency, and it will be hard to conduct negotiations during this time.”
In Nicosia, DIKO warned that it was clear the UN is working on a timetable to wrap up the talks, while main opposition party DISY called the outcome of the New York summit “disappointing.”
“It is clear that, without any substantive progress having been achieved, we are headed toward the conclusion of the negotiating process, with a very real danger of being faced with the dilemma of choosing between a collapse or a multilateral conference,” DISY leader Nikos Anastasiades said.
Sunday 30 October 2011
Talks begin in New York
The UN are following a process of proximity talks with the leaders of the two communities in New York in an effort to move the process forward, Politis reports. Each team will have separate contacts with the UN during which the UN experts will also put forward bridging proposals, with neither side knowing how the other side positions itself on the issues put on the table.
The procedure began in the morning with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the first topic under discussion was that of government, specifically the executive powers. It was followed by the other three difficult chapters, namely the property issue, the territorial issue and settlers.
The UN Secretary-General will not be at the Green Tree Estate in Long Island where the talks are being held during the proximity talks but he will return tomorrow after lunch to continue the procedure with talks together with the two leaders.
One last minute change will be that the UN S-G will issue his final statement on Tuesday morning and not Monday evening. According to reports this was after a request by Mr Christofias that he wanted greater involvement of the UN S-G in the process. Thus Mr Ban will preside over the talks from 3 pm on Sunday to Monday evening (rumour has it they may go on till 10 pm).
It is believed that Mr Ban will submit bridging proposals to overcome any deadlocks.
Last night Mr Ban had a private meeting with his representative Alexander Downer during which he was briefed as to the progress of the talks in Cyprus.
President Christofias said yesterday that he did not have high expectations from the two-day intensive negotiations in New York between himself, the Turkish Cypriot leader and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which started today.
“I had hoped we would be close to an agreement. However we are not and I hope that the UN S-G is correctly informed by his advisors and of course has the correct appraisal of the situation,” Christofias said.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that although the Turkish Cypriot side was working towards a timely solution, the Greek Cypriot side was trying to postpone any possible solution for 2013, the Cyprus News Agency reported.
Eroglu said that his side was entering the talks with a clear strategy and would discuss all chapters except property, territory and guarantees.
Eroglu said that they had not reached convergence on all issues because the Greek Cypriot side failed to respond on certain areas.
Failing to reach agreement on property has being worrying UN circles with one person close to the talks saying that failing to reach agreement on who gets what meant that the future was bleak for the remaining chapters.
Christofias said that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots were wrongly trying to convey the impression a solution was close.
“Unfortunately, that is propaganda. So I want to believe that during this conference there will be genuine progress, and the condition for that is for the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey in general to shift away from the intransigent positions they have been putting forth,” Christofias said.
The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday called on both leaders to grasp the opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement now”.
Barroso said that after more than three years of talks, which started in September 2008, “the time has come to close all outstanding core issues”.
The revelation that President Christofias had withdrawn his proposal for a rotating presidency, because Dervis Eroglu has reneged on the issue of weighted, cross-voting, which he now wants removed, confirms that the only thing that Christofias has achieved with his amateurish handling of the Cyprus problem was to trap himself deep in a labyrinth, from which it is impossible to find a way out, says Loucas Charalambous writing in the Cyprus Mail.
Even his claim that Eroglu has reneged on what had been agreed is incorrect. When Mehmet Ali Talat was the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, he had agreed to cross-voting only if there was a rotating presidency. But this was never put in writing because Christofias was afraid that his allies, DIKO and EDEK would not approve of it and block it. Talat was furious with this behaviour.
And now Christofias is claiming that the Turkish side reneged on the agreement, without being able to document this because the agreement, thanks to his objections, was never formalised.
It also has to be mentioned that this business with weighted cross-voting and a rotating presidency has turned into a farce. Until a few days ago, Christofias considered it his achievement, but nobody else, on either side accepted it. With weighted voting Greek Cypriots, in effect, would be able to vote whichever Turkish Cypriot they wanted. This is the reason why Eroglu is opposed to it. None of the Greek Cypriot parties (apart from the president’s) accept it either (I still have not understood why). What is significant here is that this chaotic mess was created by Christofias’ insistence that the sensible provision of the Annan plan about the establishment of a presidential council, was scrapped and replaced by a president and vice-president.
This dogmatic obstinacy was motivated by one thing - his ambition to become the first president of the federal Cyprus state, when it eventually came into being. And the most ridiculous thing is that he wasted a year and a half of talks, focusing almost exclusively on this proposal, in order to persuade Talat to accept it.
The fact that now he has decided to withdraw his proposal, having wasted so many hours of talks on it, is another indication of how clueless and incompetent he is, not to mention his staggering lack of judgement.
For three years, he was negotiating, supposedly in order to secure a settlement of the Cyprus problem, but his primary concern, which also dictated his stance at the talks, was not to displease DIKO and EDEK in the hope that they would re-elect him president in 2013. Now that this hope has been dashed he has been left to roam alone inside his labyrinth.
We were very close to a solution with Christofias, says former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in an interview with Politis’ Makarios Droushiotis.
He says that all the issues on the chapter of government apart from the question of citizenship, had been agreed upon in early 2010, when the UN Secretary-General was due to come to Cyprus and announce what progress had been achieved.
However, nothing was announced, he said because “Christofias was afraid of his partners in government.” He added: “Since we had agreed, what was the problem with announcing it?”
Christofias made various excuses such as that this wasn’t real progress, he said, and now he says that Eroglu is reneging on previous agreements. “For me these things are incomprehensible”.
Asked whether they had ever discussed the question of a change of Turkish Cypriot leadership, Talat said many times. “I told him, Dimitri, you will not find anyone like me who wants a solution to the Cyprus problem. Come let’s solve it now. My mission is to solve the problem, Eroglu’s is partition. My objective in politics was a solution, nothing else. I was not interested in politics without a solution. If we solve the problem, I will withdraw. He was telling me if we solve it we will stay another term to implement it. I said, come let’s solve it first and we’ll see”.
He said Christofias didn’t recognise the danger that Eroglu coming to power presented. He believed that Turkey wanted a solution and that the Turkish Cypriots would just go along.
“But things aren’t like that at all”, he added. “ Turkey cannot impose a solution without the Turkish Cypriots’ cooperation”.
Asked how come in 2004 Turkey turned against Denktash, Talat said “I was the leader in 2004 and the people were out in the streets calling for a solution. Today things are different.
We lost another opportunity in 2010 as we did in 2004, he said. “I assure you in all honesty that we were ready for a solution and Turkey was with us. Now things have changed. It’s a shame because I believe we could have solved it”.
Despite the fact that he acknowledged Christofias had the good intention to solve the problem, he didn’t have the same sense of urgency that Talat had.
“I maintained that if we didn’t solve it now things would get even more complicated. We would all be lost. I tried to convince him that we should involve Greece, Turkey and the international community. The burden of finding a solution was too great for us to carry on our own. Unfortunately he did not respond to this sense of urgency”.
Talat went on to say that Christofias seemed afraid to proceed. “Dimitris wanted, but was cowardly. He wanted to majority of Greek Cypriot to support him, 80%. This is unreasonable”.
He added that possibly his backing off in 2004 was for the same reason. “What he did then, remains an open wound”, Talat said, although they never discussed it. “I felt he didn’t want to”.
“That decision was a black hole in the history of Akel”, he added. “They made many mistakes, for example their support for Enosis. But 2004 was a special mistake. To say no to an agreement which you say was good, was a mistake that will go down in history, especially if the opportunity doesn’t come up again”.
He also admitted that at Burgenstock he had asked Christofias whether he would vote yes for the plan he replied “are you mad, of course yes”.
“He later denied it. Perhaps he forgot. But I remember”, Talat went on. We know that when he came back from Burgenstock he persuaded his Political Bureau to vote yes and criticised Papadopoulos for saying that the Anan plan was partition. Then at the Central Committee they said that I had said that we would not implement the plan. Now that was a big lie and they used it for propaganda to excuse their change of stance”.
Talat also gave his view on the natural gas issue. He said he believes that all the island’s natural resources belong to both communities, as was in the Anan plan. “This is a fair position”, he said. “But you are wrong to think that the nationalists on our side want a portion of the gas. They don’t. They want boundaries. What’s in the south let the Greek Cypriots have, what’s in the north the Turkish Cypriots. That’s their position. Me, I don’t want borders, neither on land nor in the sea”.
The procedure began in the morning with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the first topic under discussion was that of government, specifically the executive powers. It was followed by the other three difficult chapters, namely the property issue, the territorial issue and settlers.
The UN Secretary-General will not be at the Green Tree Estate in Long Island where the talks are being held during the proximity talks but he will return tomorrow after lunch to continue the procedure with talks together with the two leaders.
One last minute change will be that the UN S-G will issue his final statement on Tuesday morning and not Monday evening. According to reports this was after a request by Mr Christofias that he wanted greater involvement of the UN S-G in the process. Thus Mr Ban will preside over the talks from 3 pm on Sunday to Monday evening (rumour has it they may go on till 10 pm).
It is believed that Mr Ban will submit bridging proposals to overcome any deadlocks.
Last night Mr Ban had a private meeting with his representative Alexander Downer during which he was briefed as to the progress of the talks in Cyprus.
President Christofias said yesterday that he did not have high expectations from the two-day intensive negotiations in New York between himself, the Turkish Cypriot leader and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which started today.
“I had hoped we would be close to an agreement. However we are not and I hope that the UN S-G is correctly informed by his advisors and of course has the correct appraisal of the situation,” Christofias said.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that although the Turkish Cypriot side was working towards a timely solution, the Greek Cypriot side was trying to postpone any possible solution for 2013, the Cyprus News Agency reported.
Eroglu said that his side was entering the talks with a clear strategy and would discuss all chapters except property, territory and guarantees.
Eroglu said that they had not reached convergence on all issues because the Greek Cypriot side failed to respond on certain areas.
Failing to reach agreement on property has being worrying UN circles with one person close to the talks saying that failing to reach agreement on who gets what meant that the future was bleak for the remaining chapters.
Christofias said that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots were wrongly trying to convey the impression a solution was close.
“Unfortunately, that is propaganda. So I want to believe that during this conference there will be genuine progress, and the condition for that is for the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey in general to shift away from the intransigent positions they have been putting forth,” Christofias said.
The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday called on both leaders to grasp the opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement now”.
Barroso said that after more than three years of talks, which started in September 2008, “the time has come to close all outstanding core issues”.
The revelation that President Christofias had withdrawn his proposal for a rotating presidency, because Dervis Eroglu has reneged on the issue of weighted, cross-voting, which he now wants removed, confirms that the only thing that Christofias has achieved with his amateurish handling of the Cyprus problem was to trap himself deep in a labyrinth, from which it is impossible to find a way out, says Loucas Charalambous writing in the Cyprus Mail.
Even his claim that Eroglu has reneged on what had been agreed is incorrect. When Mehmet Ali Talat was the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, he had agreed to cross-voting only if there was a rotating presidency. But this was never put in writing because Christofias was afraid that his allies, DIKO and EDEK would not approve of it and block it. Talat was furious with this behaviour.
And now Christofias is claiming that the Turkish side reneged on the agreement, without being able to document this because the agreement, thanks to his objections, was never formalised.
It also has to be mentioned that this business with weighted cross-voting and a rotating presidency has turned into a farce. Until a few days ago, Christofias considered it his achievement, but nobody else, on either side accepted it. With weighted voting Greek Cypriots, in effect, would be able to vote whichever Turkish Cypriot they wanted. This is the reason why Eroglu is opposed to it. None of the Greek Cypriot parties (apart from the president’s) accept it either (I still have not understood why). What is significant here is that this chaotic mess was created by Christofias’ insistence that the sensible provision of the Annan plan about the establishment of a presidential council, was scrapped and replaced by a president and vice-president.
This dogmatic obstinacy was motivated by one thing - his ambition to become the first president of the federal Cyprus state, when it eventually came into being. And the most ridiculous thing is that he wasted a year and a half of talks, focusing almost exclusively on this proposal, in order to persuade Talat to accept it.
The fact that now he has decided to withdraw his proposal, having wasted so many hours of talks on it, is another indication of how clueless and incompetent he is, not to mention his staggering lack of judgement.
For three years, he was negotiating, supposedly in order to secure a settlement of the Cyprus problem, but his primary concern, which also dictated his stance at the talks, was not to displease DIKO and EDEK in the hope that they would re-elect him president in 2013. Now that this hope has been dashed he has been left to roam alone inside his labyrinth.
We were very close to a solution with Christofias, says former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in an interview with Politis’ Makarios Droushiotis.
He says that all the issues on the chapter of government apart from the question of citizenship, had been agreed upon in early 2010, when the UN Secretary-General was due to come to Cyprus and announce what progress had been achieved.
However, nothing was announced, he said because “Christofias was afraid of his partners in government.” He added: “Since we had agreed, what was the problem with announcing it?”
Christofias made various excuses such as that this wasn’t real progress, he said, and now he says that Eroglu is reneging on previous agreements. “For me these things are incomprehensible”.
Asked whether they had ever discussed the question of a change of Turkish Cypriot leadership, Talat said many times. “I told him, Dimitri, you will not find anyone like me who wants a solution to the Cyprus problem. Come let’s solve it now. My mission is to solve the problem, Eroglu’s is partition. My objective in politics was a solution, nothing else. I was not interested in politics without a solution. If we solve the problem, I will withdraw. He was telling me if we solve it we will stay another term to implement it. I said, come let’s solve it first and we’ll see”.
He said Christofias didn’t recognise the danger that Eroglu coming to power presented. He believed that Turkey wanted a solution and that the Turkish Cypriots would just go along.
“But things aren’t like that at all”, he added. “ Turkey cannot impose a solution without the Turkish Cypriots’ cooperation”.
Asked how come in 2004 Turkey turned against Denktash, Talat said “I was the leader in 2004 and the people were out in the streets calling for a solution. Today things are different.
We lost another opportunity in 2010 as we did in 2004, he said. “I assure you in all honesty that we were ready for a solution and Turkey was with us. Now things have changed. It’s a shame because I believe we could have solved it”.
Despite the fact that he acknowledged Christofias had the good intention to solve the problem, he didn’t have the same sense of urgency that Talat had.
“I maintained that if we didn’t solve it now things would get even more complicated. We would all be lost. I tried to convince him that we should involve Greece, Turkey and the international community. The burden of finding a solution was too great for us to carry on our own. Unfortunately he did not respond to this sense of urgency”.
Talat went on to say that Christofias seemed afraid to proceed. “Dimitris wanted, but was cowardly. He wanted to majority of Greek Cypriot to support him, 80%. This is unreasonable”.
He added that possibly his backing off in 2004 was for the same reason. “What he did then, remains an open wound”, Talat said, although they never discussed it. “I felt he didn’t want to”.
“That decision was a black hole in the history of Akel”, he added. “They made many mistakes, for example their support for Enosis. But 2004 was a special mistake. To say no to an agreement which you say was good, was a mistake that will go down in history, especially if the opportunity doesn’t come up again”.
He also admitted that at Burgenstock he had asked Christofias whether he would vote yes for the plan he replied “are you mad, of course yes”.
“He later denied it. Perhaps he forgot. But I remember”, Talat went on. We know that when he came back from Burgenstock he persuaded his Political Bureau to vote yes and criticised Papadopoulos for saying that the Anan plan was partition. Then at the Central Committee they said that I had said that we would not implement the plan. Now that was a big lie and they used it for propaganda to excuse their change of stance”.
Talat also gave his view on the natural gas issue. He said he believes that all the island’s natural resources belong to both communities, as was in the Anan plan. “This is a fair position”, he said. “But you are wrong to think that the nationalists on our side want a portion of the gas. They don’t. They want boundaries. What’s in the south let the Greek Cypriots have, what’s in the north the Turkish Cypriots. That’s their position. Me, I don’t want borders, neither on land nor in the sea”.
Sunday 9 October 2011
Cyprus problem about to blow up
While everyone on the island is focused on Mari and its aftermath, important developments are coming in a few weeks time that will determine the outcome of the talks and the future of the island, with Cyprus soon having to face ultimate partition, says Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today.
At a meeting recently in New York the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Gordon, urged Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Erato Markoulli, to come up with ideas to face the forthcoming developments because it is expected that the Turkish side will aim to upgrade the TRNC in such a way as to make reunification impossible.
The forthcoming meetings on 30 and 31 October may very likely be the end of the road for the talks only this time there won’t be another round of talks with federation as a basis.
A UN source told the paper that what is at stake is whether the Cyprus problem can be solved on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation as has been sought since 1974 or whether this has now become impossible with whatever that may entail.
The UN’s roadmap since before Mari has been:
1. Discussion of all chapters (done)
2. Give and take till 20 October (started on Friday)
3. New tripartite meeting (to be held on 30 and 31 October)
4. International conference towards the end of the year (doubtful)
Since then, however, Christofias’ standing amongst the population has totally been shot, falling to 20%, the lowest ever.
The UN had hoped at first that the Mari events would prove to be an incentive rather than an obstacle for a solution. But after the Polyviou report and the almost universal loss of confidence in the President by the whole of society (with the exception of the hard core of Akel), noone has the illusion that the talks can possibly conclude with a conference.
Friday was the start of the ‘give and take’ phase of the talks. According to reliable sources, President Christofias started off by outlining the internal problems he was facing, the House of Representatives’ decision to discuss the Polyviou report and emphasised the difficulty he had in participating in a ‘give and take’ process. His contribution at the table was similar to his reaction afterwards when in statements to the press he said he’d had it ‘up to here’ with the attacks of the parties and that in any case no ‘give and take’ had taken place.
The truth lies somewhere between the statements of the UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim, who said that they had “entered a new phase” and that of Christofias, who said no give and take had taken place, in other words the process has indeed entered a new phase but nothing substantial has been achieved. The leaders wasted a large part of their time reading documents.
The writer says that it is doubtful that this last phase in Nicosia will result in anything with the two sides having different expectations from the New York meeting. President Christofias wants the meeting to take place but to be just a repeat of all the previous ones, namely an evaluation of the talks and their continuation in Nicosia. The Turkish side wants the New York meeting to be conclusive as was agreed in July and for the UN to allocate responsibility for their failure.
According to Turkish sources, the Assistant UN Secretary-General has assured the Turkish side on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that the procedure will climax and will end either with a solution or total collapse. This seems to be the position of Alexander Downer, who will push the two sides to make a final and effective give and take.
President Christofias’ internal problems don’t affect the UN’s plans, besides there has never been a lack of problems on either side and nor has Christofias’ contribution been any different when he was in full control of the internal situation. It’s up to the leaders to evaluate the timing, a foreign diplomatic source told the paper.
At a meeting recently in New York the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Gordon, urged Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Erato Markoulli, to come up with ideas to face the forthcoming developments because it is expected that the Turkish side will aim to upgrade the TRNC in such a way as to make reunification impossible.
The forthcoming meetings on 30 and 31 October may very likely be the end of the road for the talks only this time there won’t be another round of talks with federation as a basis.
A UN source told the paper that what is at stake is whether the Cyprus problem can be solved on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation as has been sought since 1974 or whether this has now become impossible with whatever that may entail.
The UN’s roadmap since before Mari has been:
1. Discussion of all chapters (done)
2. Give and take till 20 October (started on Friday)
3. New tripartite meeting (to be held on 30 and 31 October)
4. International conference towards the end of the year (doubtful)
Since then, however, Christofias’ standing amongst the population has totally been shot, falling to 20%, the lowest ever.
The UN had hoped at first that the Mari events would prove to be an incentive rather than an obstacle for a solution. But after the Polyviou report and the almost universal loss of confidence in the President by the whole of society (with the exception of the hard core of Akel), noone has the illusion that the talks can possibly conclude with a conference.
Friday was the start of the ‘give and take’ phase of the talks. According to reliable sources, President Christofias started off by outlining the internal problems he was facing, the House of Representatives’ decision to discuss the Polyviou report and emphasised the difficulty he had in participating in a ‘give and take’ process. His contribution at the table was similar to his reaction afterwards when in statements to the press he said he’d had it ‘up to here’ with the attacks of the parties and that in any case no ‘give and take’ had taken place.
The truth lies somewhere between the statements of the UN Special Representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim, who said that they had “entered a new phase” and that of Christofias, who said no give and take had taken place, in other words the process has indeed entered a new phase but nothing substantial has been achieved. The leaders wasted a large part of their time reading documents.
The writer says that it is doubtful that this last phase in Nicosia will result in anything with the two sides having different expectations from the New York meeting. President Christofias wants the meeting to take place but to be just a repeat of all the previous ones, namely an evaluation of the talks and their continuation in Nicosia. The Turkish side wants the New York meeting to be conclusive as was agreed in July and for the UN to allocate responsibility for their failure.
According to Turkish sources, the Assistant UN Secretary-General has assured the Turkish side on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that the procedure will climax and will end either with a solution or total collapse. This seems to be the position of Alexander Downer, who will push the two sides to make a final and effective give and take.
President Christofias’ internal problems don’t affect the UN’s plans, besides there has never been a lack of problems on either side and nor has Christofias’ contribution been any different when he was in full control of the internal situation. It’s up to the leaders to evaluate the timing, a foreign diplomatic source told the paper.
Thursday 29 September 2011
Oil and gas issue must not derail the talks, says Downer
UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer said that a new phase in the Cyprus talks will begin next week, as all the chapters will have been discussed by tomorrow when the two leaders meet again.
“I will be talking with the leaders tomorrow about how we’re going to handle this new phase”, he said, adding that they had obviously given that some thought.
He said this will be a phase leading up to the meeting with the Secretary-General. Although no date has been confirmed on that yet, it is likely to be towards thee end of October, he said.
“How that meeting will go will depend very much on what’s been achieved by then”, he added. The last meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for 21 October.
Mr Downer was speaking after Tuesday’s meeting between the two leaders during which they discussed European Union matters, one of the less contentious chapters in the negotiations.
He said the meeting would be followed by meetings of experts as happened in the discussion on the economy chapter, which, he said “was pretty successful and they certainly have moved forward”.
Asked how concerned he was that the controversy over the hydrocarbons could derail the peace talks, Mr. Downer replied: “Well, it hasn’t so far, it has to be said. And, indeed, during today’s meeting, there was no discussion about the controversy over hydrocarbons. The process is continuing in exactly the same vein as it had been before this controversy erupted”.
He recalled that the two men had met with the UN Secretary-General in New York and that he had made it very clear that it’s important that restraint is exercised, and that everything must be done to ensure the talks are successful”.
“We don’t want to see anything happen that would derail the talks. So far that hasn’t happened and we hope that that remains the case”, Downer said. “If these talks are successful then the new united federal Cypriot government will have responsibility for resources issues, that is, natural resources and water is the exact language used in a document”.
He added that that is something that has already been agreed and there is already a convergence between the two sides that in the event of an agreement, a solution to the Cyprus problem, once revenues start flowing, it will flow to the federal government.
“Both sides have a real incentive to make sure that they can…lots of incentives; this is not the only one, there are lots of incentives, including this, to make sure they can reach agreement on the Cyprus question, and I think it underlines a simple point, that the stability of the region will be very much enhanced by an agreement here in these negotiations”.
Replying to a question, Mr Downer said that Mr Christofias is aware of certain proposals Mr Eroglu made to the Secretary-General last week about the hydrocarbons and that the UN had received a paper from the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue.
“How the Greek Cypriots respond to this is a matter that I’ll leave to them”, he added. “If we were asked by the two sides to play a role, we’d refer that to the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General would make a decision about that. But that hasn’t happened yet”.
The Cyprus Mail reports that local politicians rounded up on UN and EU officials over comments reportedly questioning Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore and exploit its natural resources.
Drawing most of the fire was UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer for comments made on regarding a possible mediation role for the UN over the oil and gas dispute should both sides request it.
Also under the spotlight was EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule who said on Tuesday: “All problems need to be solved through peaceful means, if needed through arbitration from the International Court of Justice and threats of use of force need to be rejected”.
His statement was not well received by a number of media organisations and public figures.
House President Yiannakis Omirou said yesterday: “Downer’s statement on mediation exceeded the terms of his mandate, which relate solely to the direct negotiations. Not to issues of sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades said Downer’s statements were “unacceptable”. He advised the UN Special Adviser to “focus on the work within his mandate” and not try to raise doubts over UN resolutions which make absolutely clear that no one can dispute the sovereignty of a full member state of the UN, like Cyprus.
Asked to comment, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore for natural gas was not the subject of negotiation. “It’s clear. It’s a sovereign right.”
He highlighted that Downer’s role as that of a facilitator, not mediator, calling on everyone to stick to their roles.
Speaking after a meeting with President Demetris Christofias yesterday at the presidential palace, Downer tried to set the record straight: “I have looked at what has been said by people in the media. I would say that doesn’t reflect what I said but I spoke in English so I am being generous in saying, if people wish to reinterpret what I say, perhaps it’s a linguistic breakdown and we are happy to get a translation done.”
The Australian diplomat also announced tentative dates for the tripartite meeting in New York next month as being October 30 and 31.
“Just to avoid any further speculations about this, one possibility is we might devote a couple of days to the talks,” he added.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has presented new proposals to the UN as a way of solving the problem regarding Cyprus’ oil and gas explorations in the Mediterranean, Ankara Anatolia news agency reported.
Following a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York last Saturday, Eroglu told reporters the proposals contained four topics as follows:
“1. suspend the oil and natural gas exploration simultaneously until a comprehensive solution is found to the Cyprus problem.2. If not, then set up an ad-hoc committee made up of representatives of both sides with authority to discuss issues such as explorations, agreements and licences depending on the written approval of both sides, and negotiate the ratio of sharing the richness which will be found.
3. use the income to finance the comprehensive talks.
4. Adoption of the plan shall not harm the positions of both sides.”
When asked whether the “TRNC could give authorization to explore oil and natural gas only for the north of the island after signing the agreement on the delineation of continental shelf with Turkey”, Eroglu said that the “Turkish Cypriots had rights on all underwater wealth around Cyprus island and so the TRNC had the right to give authorization both north and the south of the island”.When asked how this process would affect the Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that “the TRNC wants to pursue talks”. Eroglu then had a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu.
“I will be talking with the leaders tomorrow about how we’re going to handle this new phase”, he said, adding that they had obviously given that some thought.
He said this will be a phase leading up to the meeting with the Secretary-General. Although no date has been confirmed on that yet, it is likely to be towards thee end of October, he said.
“How that meeting will go will depend very much on what’s been achieved by then”, he added. The last meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for 21 October.
Mr Downer was speaking after Tuesday’s meeting between the two leaders during which they discussed European Union matters, one of the less contentious chapters in the negotiations.
He said the meeting would be followed by meetings of experts as happened in the discussion on the economy chapter, which, he said “was pretty successful and they certainly have moved forward”.
Asked how concerned he was that the controversy over the hydrocarbons could derail the peace talks, Mr. Downer replied: “Well, it hasn’t so far, it has to be said. And, indeed, during today’s meeting, there was no discussion about the controversy over hydrocarbons. The process is continuing in exactly the same vein as it had been before this controversy erupted”.
He recalled that the two men had met with the UN Secretary-General in New York and that he had made it very clear that it’s important that restraint is exercised, and that everything must be done to ensure the talks are successful”.
“We don’t want to see anything happen that would derail the talks. So far that hasn’t happened and we hope that that remains the case”, Downer said. “If these talks are successful then the new united federal Cypriot government will have responsibility for resources issues, that is, natural resources and water is the exact language used in a document”.
He added that that is something that has already been agreed and there is already a convergence between the two sides that in the event of an agreement, a solution to the Cyprus problem, once revenues start flowing, it will flow to the federal government.
“Both sides have a real incentive to make sure that they can…lots of incentives; this is not the only one, there are lots of incentives, including this, to make sure they can reach agreement on the Cyprus question, and I think it underlines a simple point, that the stability of the region will be very much enhanced by an agreement here in these negotiations”.
Replying to a question, Mr Downer said that Mr Christofias is aware of certain proposals Mr Eroglu made to the Secretary-General last week about the hydrocarbons and that the UN had received a paper from the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue.
“How the Greek Cypriots respond to this is a matter that I’ll leave to them”, he added. “If we were asked by the two sides to play a role, we’d refer that to the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General would make a decision about that. But that hasn’t happened yet”.
The Cyprus Mail reports that local politicians rounded up on UN and EU officials over comments reportedly questioning Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore and exploit its natural resources.
Drawing most of the fire was UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer for comments made on regarding a possible mediation role for the UN over the oil and gas dispute should both sides request it.
Also under the spotlight was EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule who said on Tuesday: “All problems need to be solved through peaceful means, if needed through arbitration from the International Court of Justice and threats of use of force need to be rejected”.
His statement was not well received by a number of media organisations and public figures.
House President Yiannakis Omirou said yesterday: “Downer’s statement on mediation exceeded the terms of his mandate, which relate solely to the direct negotiations. Not to issues of sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades said Downer’s statements were “unacceptable”. He advised the UN Special Adviser to “focus on the work within his mandate” and not try to raise doubts over UN resolutions which make absolutely clear that no one can dispute the sovereignty of a full member state of the UN, like Cyprus.
Asked to comment, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore for natural gas was not the subject of negotiation. “It’s clear. It’s a sovereign right.”
He highlighted that Downer’s role as that of a facilitator, not mediator, calling on everyone to stick to their roles.
Speaking after a meeting with President Demetris Christofias yesterday at the presidential palace, Downer tried to set the record straight: “I have looked at what has been said by people in the media. I would say that doesn’t reflect what I said but I spoke in English so I am being generous in saying, if people wish to reinterpret what I say, perhaps it’s a linguistic breakdown and we are happy to get a translation done.”
The Australian diplomat also announced tentative dates for the tripartite meeting in New York next month as being October 30 and 31.
“Just to avoid any further speculations about this, one possibility is we might devote a couple of days to the talks,” he added.
Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has presented new proposals to the UN as a way of solving the problem regarding Cyprus’ oil and gas explorations in the Mediterranean, Ankara Anatolia news agency reported.
Following a meeting with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York last Saturday, Eroglu told reporters the proposals contained four topics as follows:
“1. suspend the oil and natural gas exploration simultaneously until a comprehensive solution is found to the Cyprus problem.2. If not, then set up an ad-hoc committee made up of representatives of both sides with authority to discuss issues such as explorations, agreements and licences depending on the written approval of both sides, and negotiate the ratio of sharing the richness which will be found.
3. use the income to finance the comprehensive talks.
4. Adoption of the plan shall not harm the positions of both sides.”
When asked whether the “TRNC could give authorization to explore oil and natural gas only for the north of the island after signing the agreement on the delineation of continental shelf with Turkey”, Eroglu said that the “Turkish Cypriots had rights on all underwater wealth around Cyprus island and so the TRNC had the right to give authorization both north and the south of the island”.When asked how this process would affect the Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that “the TRNC wants to pursue talks”. Eroglu then had a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu.
Sunday 25 September 2011
Christofias promises natural gas benefits to Turkish Cypriots
The Greek Cypriots are willing to share the benefits of any natural gas find with the Turkish Cypriots before a peace deal is reached, President Demetris Christofias said in his speech before the UN General Assembly on 22 September in New York.
“We believe that the possible discovery and extraction of hydrocarbons shall constitute yet another incentive for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to expedite a just, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, so that both communities can enjoy the natural wealth of our country in conditions of peace, security and prosperity.
He said tensions between the two communities must be solved, but that gas revenues can still be mutually beneficial until then.
“I wish to reassure our Turkish Cypriot compatriots that regardless of the circumstances, they will benefit from the possible discovery and extraction of hydrocarbons”, he stressed.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking before the UN General Assembly, called on the UN member states to exert active efforts to stop the activities of the Greek Cypriots which, he alleged, might cause tension not only on the island but in the entire region.
“Otherwise we will do whatever is necessary”, he threatened. Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris reports that Erdogan further said that a just, comprehensive and lasting solution should at last be reached to the problem which has been continuing for 50 years now. “The target is for the negotiations to reach a result by the end of this year and after the approval of the solution plan in a referendum in the beginning of next year, the new Cyprus to take its place in the European Union”, he said.
“We as Turkey will continue to provide any kind of support for reaching a solution the soonest within the framework of the above-mentioned timetable. However, in case the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side does not allow this, I want to stress also that as guarantor country we will not allow for the future of the Turkish Cypriot people to be uncertain forever”.
He went on to say that Turkey cannot allow the Greek Cypriot side to act as if it is the only administration of the island or as if it has the authority to decide in the name of the Turkish Cypriots. “The attempt of the Greek Cypriot side to determine alone the areas of jurisdiction in the sea and explore for oil and natural gas in these areas, is an extremely irresponsible attitude from the point of view of its timing and possible consequences”, he said. Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency reports that Erdogan told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that "if the Greek Cypriots were to end their efforts for exploration of oil and natural gas, the Turkish side would take a step back".Erdogan asked Mr Ban Ki-moon to encourage the Greek Cypriots to end their efforts to explore for oil and natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean and briefed him on the continental shelf delimitation agreement signed between Turkey and the TRNC on Wednesday.
Erdogan stressed that although Turkey supported a comprehensive solution in Cyprus, if the Greek Cypriots insisted on exploring for oil and natural gas, this would hurt the negotiations process.
Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today says that Christofias has a lousy sense of judgement, has no timing and is constantly running after events. Three examples –
- He is the only President of Cyprus who benefitted from the best coincidence of events in the history of the Cyprus problem for solving it in the first two years of his presidency. He had an interlocutor from the Left. He had the support of the opposition Democratic Rally. Turkey wanted a solution. About 70% of Greek Cypriots wanted a solution. He didn’t take advantage of any of these factors and now they have all disappeared.
- He refused to allow what he had agreed with Talat to be documented and announced and led Ban Ki-moon’s visit fail. Now he wishes he had them.
- The government thought Turkey would want a solution after the Turkish elections in June 2011 and rejected all openings. In the end the opposite was true. Turkey was ready for a solution before the elections and changed tack afterwards.
Makarios goes on to say that in his speech in New York, President Christofias admitted that when Talat was his interlocutor there were important convergences in crucial aspects of the Cyprus problem, such as government, economy, EU matters and other issues”. One of the members of the negotiating team, Toumazos Tsielepis was even clearer when he said in an interview that at the time half the chapters were ready for a final round of negotiations. “Frankly, now I really don’t know where we are”, he admitted.
So what we are hearing now from the horse’s mouth is that at the end of Talat’s term of office, in April 2010, the Cyprus problem was to a large extent solved. Then why didn’t the final round of negotiations take place before the end of Talat’s term, the writer wonders.
He goes on to speculate that had a solution been reached, the financial benefits from the natural gas finds would have been enormous. With political stability and good relations with Turkey, Cyprus would be on the energy map of Europe, being able to supply the continent with gas via Turkey. This would also be the best guarantee for our security and prosperity. So why have things gone so badly off track so that instead of stability we are now practically on the verge of war with Turkey?
It was no surprise that Talat was going to lose the elections when he did. In view of this opposition leader Nicos Anastasiades was calling for the time left to be made full use off. But Christofias refused even to consider this possibility and said he would continue the talks with whoever won the elections.
In view of the forthcoming elections the Turkish side on 4 January 2010 submitted a package of proposals accepting Christofias’ proposals for president, vice president, weighted vote. They accepted clearly that the state would be federal, would have a singe nondivisible sovereignty and would have a single national airspace, territorial waters as well as Exclusive Economic Zone. These were the most progressive positions the Turkish side had submitted in writing to date. The UN believed that this would be a breakthrough but Christofias reacted negatively. He put it to the party leaders and in the negative climate that the media had created, it was decided that this was a communications ploy on the part of Turkey. The government spokesman issued a statement saying the proposals were ‘unacceptable’ and were miles from what had been agreed as regards a bicommunal bizonal federation so could not be discussed.
Of course things were not really like that. An open discussion was held on the basis of this ‘unacceptable’ document at the intensive talks in January 2010 ending with an agreement on power sharing which this paper has long said existed but which the government is only now admitting.
With this agreement in mind, the UN S-G decided to visit Cyprus towards the end of January hoping to bind them to what had been agreed and push them to a final round on the property issue and a conference before April. The government and Akel then got going. They asked why is the S-G coming, what sort of a game is Downer playing, we’re not going to play this game, the President won’t agree to pretend progress just to create impressions, etc.
The ‘pretend progress’ was the considerable convergences on important aspects. Ban’s visit, under protest from the government, failed. Then in February, came Erdogan’s interviews to Greek Cypriot journalists in a clear effort to send a positive message so that the talks can finish before the elections. The Turkish side clearly warned that this was a window of opportunity which would not stay open for ever. The government thought these were more communication tricks. In April 2010 a final effort was made through Spain for holding a conference with EU participation. The government called this information the imaginary scribblings of journalists.
In the end what everyone was afraid of happened. Despite the impression that the Greek Cypriots have that Turkish Cypriot leaders are simply pawns for Turkey’s policies, the person sitting on the other side of the negotiating table is very important. As Tsielepis revealed in his interview, Talat would go to Turkey and persuade the Turkish government to make overtures. In contrast, Eroglu follows his own policy.
In view of the fact that Turkey’s EU entry is blocked and Turkey’s belief that Cyprus is being used to prevent them from joining, Erdogan has now changed his policy on Cyprus. According to Turkish political analysts, Erdogan is now preparing Turkish public opinion for the breakdown of the talks. From being a catalyst for a solution, Turkish policy on Cyprus is now becoming a catalyst for partition.
“We believe that the possible discovery and extraction of hydrocarbons shall constitute yet another incentive for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to expedite a just, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, so that both communities can enjoy the natural wealth of our country in conditions of peace, security and prosperity.
He said tensions between the two communities must be solved, but that gas revenues can still be mutually beneficial until then.
“I wish to reassure our Turkish Cypriot compatriots that regardless of the circumstances, they will benefit from the possible discovery and extraction of hydrocarbons”, he stressed.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking before the UN General Assembly, called on the UN member states to exert active efforts to stop the activities of the Greek Cypriots which, he alleged, might cause tension not only on the island but in the entire region.
“Otherwise we will do whatever is necessary”, he threatened. Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris reports that Erdogan further said that a just, comprehensive and lasting solution should at last be reached to the problem which has been continuing for 50 years now. “The target is for the negotiations to reach a result by the end of this year and after the approval of the solution plan in a referendum in the beginning of next year, the new Cyprus to take its place in the European Union”, he said.
“We as Turkey will continue to provide any kind of support for reaching a solution the soonest within the framework of the above-mentioned timetable. However, in case the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side does not allow this, I want to stress also that as guarantor country we will not allow for the future of the Turkish Cypriot people to be uncertain forever”.
He went on to say that Turkey cannot allow the Greek Cypriot side to act as if it is the only administration of the island or as if it has the authority to decide in the name of the Turkish Cypriots. “The attempt of the Greek Cypriot side to determine alone the areas of jurisdiction in the sea and explore for oil and natural gas in these areas, is an extremely irresponsible attitude from the point of view of its timing and possible consequences”, he said. Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency reports that Erdogan told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that "if the Greek Cypriots were to end their efforts for exploration of oil and natural gas, the Turkish side would take a step back".Erdogan asked Mr Ban Ki-moon to encourage the Greek Cypriots to end their efforts to explore for oil and natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean and briefed him on the continental shelf delimitation agreement signed between Turkey and the TRNC on Wednesday.
Erdogan stressed that although Turkey supported a comprehensive solution in Cyprus, if the Greek Cypriots insisted on exploring for oil and natural gas, this would hurt the negotiations process.
Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today says that Christofias has a lousy sense of judgement, has no timing and is constantly running after events. Three examples –
- He is the only President of Cyprus who benefitted from the best coincidence of events in the history of the Cyprus problem for solving it in the first two years of his presidency. He had an interlocutor from the Left. He had the support of the opposition Democratic Rally. Turkey wanted a solution. About 70% of Greek Cypriots wanted a solution. He didn’t take advantage of any of these factors and now they have all disappeared.
- He refused to allow what he had agreed with Talat to be documented and announced and led Ban Ki-moon’s visit fail. Now he wishes he had them.
- The government thought Turkey would want a solution after the Turkish elections in June 2011 and rejected all openings. In the end the opposite was true. Turkey was ready for a solution before the elections and changed tack afterwards.
Makarios goes on to say that in his speech in New York, President Christofias admitted that when Talat was his interlocutor there were important convergences in crucial aspects of the Cyprus problem, such as government, economy, EU matters and other issues”. One of the members of the negotiating team, Toumazos Tsielepis was even clearer when he said in an interview that at the time half the chapters were ready for a final round of negotiations. “Frankly, now I really don’t know where we are”, he admitted.
So what we are hearing now from the horse’s mouth is that at the end of Talat’s term of office, in April 2010, the Cyprus problem was to a large extent solved. Then why didn’t the final round of negotiations take place before the end of Talat’s term, the writer wonders.
He goes on to speculate that had a solution been reached, the financial benefits from the natural gas finds would have been enormous. With political stability and good relations with Turkey, Cyprus would be on the energy map of Europe, being able to supply the continent with gas via Turkey. This would also be the best guarantee for our security and prosperity. So why have things gone so badly off track so that instead of stability we are now practically on the verge of war with Turkey?
It was no surprise that Talat was going to lose the elections when he did. In view of this opposition leader Nicos Anastasiades was calling for the time left to be made full use off. But Christofias refused even to consider this possibility and said he would continue the talks with whoever won the elections.
In view of the forthcoming elections the Turkish side on 4 January 2010 submitted a package of proposals accepting Christofias’ proposals for president, vice president, weighted vote. They accepted clearly that the state would be federal, would have a singe nondivisible sovereignty and would have a single national airspace, territorial waters as well as Exclusive Economic Zone. These were the most progressive positions the Turkish side had submitted in writing to date. The UN believed that this would be a breakthrough but Christofias reacted negatively. He put it to the party leaders and in the negative climate that the media had created, it was decided that this was a communications ploy on the part of Turkey. The government spokesman issued a statement saying the proposals were ‘unacceptable’ and were miles from what had been agreed as regards a bicommunal bizonal federation so could not be discussed.
Of course things were not really like that. An open discussion was held on the basis of this ‘unacceptable’ document at the intensive talks in January 2010 ending with an agreement on power sharing which this paper has long said existed but which the government is only now admitting.
With this agreement in mind, the UN S-G decided to visit Cyprus towards the end of January hoping to bind them to what had been agreed and push them to a final round on the property issue and a conference before April. The government and Akel then got going. They asked why is the S-G coming, what sort of a game is Downer playing, we’re not going to play this game, the President won’t agree to pretend progress just to create impressions, etc.
The ‘pretend progress’ was the considerable convergences on important aspects. Ban’s visit, under protest from the government, failed. Then in February, came Erdogan’s interviews to Greek Cypriot journalists in a clear effort to send a positive message so that the talks can finish before the elections. The Turkish side clearly warned that this was a window of opportunity which would not stay open for ever. The government thought these were more communication tricks. In April 2010 a final effort was made through Spain for holding a conference with EU participation. The government called this information the imaginary scribblings of journalists.
In the end what everyone was afraid of happened. Despite the impression that the Greek Cypriots have that Turkish Cypriot leaders are simply pawns for Turkey’s policies, the person sitting on the other side of the negotiating table is very important. As Tsielepis revealed in his interview, Talat would go to Turkey and persuade the Turkish government to make overtures. In contrast, Eroglu follows his own policy.
In view of the fact that Turkey’s EU entry is blocked and Turkey’s belief that Cyprus is being used to prevent them from joining, Erdogan has now changed his policy on Cyprus. According to Turkish political analysts, Erdogan is now preparing Turkish public opinion for the breakdown of the talks. From being a catalyst for a solution, Turkish policy on Cyprus is now becoming a catalyst for partition.
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Drilling shouldn’t interfere with the talks
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has “encouraged” President Christofias to continue efforts to increase convergences on all chapters in the peace talks, reiterating his expectation that the sides will move the process forward, prior to the next tripartite meeting with both leaders at the end of October, a UN statement said.
President Demetris Christofias on Monday also discussed the issue of Turkish threats over Cyprus’ gas exploration at a meeting with the UN S-G who also pledged to raise the issue further.
“The position of the Cyprus Republic is clear”, Christofias told reporters. “We will continue. It is the sovereign right of the Cyprus Republic to explore and hopefully hydrocarbons will be found. Our Turkish Cypriot compatriots have nothing to lose, indeed they have much to gain, and this must be understood by Turkey and Mr Eroglu”.
Christofias yesterday also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York where he thanked him for his ministry’s statement supporting Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore for gas. He said the Russian statement acted as a “shield for Cyprus” after which other countries followed suit.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou yesterday hailed as “very important” the US State Department statement supporting Cyprus’ right to exploit its energy resources. He noted the US made it clear “they respect and recognise the right of Cyprus to explore and exploit its own natural wealth, a self-evident sovereign right”. Also, “they disassociate this right from the solution of the Cyprus problem” while also supporting the ongoing peace process.
On Monday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Speaking to the media afterwards, a State Department official said Clinton reiterated US support to the peace process in Cyprus, adding that the two also discussed issues regarding energy development and gas exploration.
“The United States supports Cyprus’ right to explore for energy. It doesn’t believe that should undermine or interfere with the talks and agrees with all of those who believe that the best way to sort out the question of energy and economic development is through a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem,” the US official said.
Asked whether Clinton made that view clear to Davutoglu, the spokesman said that she was clear on how the United States sees the situation.
President Obama was due to meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan late last night and drilling for hydrocarbons in the region was believed to have been on the agenda.
Meanwhile Turkish daily Sabah reported that Turkey will begin drilling for oil and gas after Cyprus starts drilling and Turkey’s national security council will discuss the energy potential of the area in next month’s meeting.
The paper reported that in 2010 the Turkish army’s General Staff asked academics and legal maritime experts whether they thought it was worth going to war over the energy reserves of the eastern Mediterranean. The answer reportedly was ‘yes’.
Citing possession of a government document, Sabah said the Turkish government estimates there are around 15 trillion cubic metres of gas in waters between Egypt, Cyprus and Crete worth around $7 trillion.
According to the document, if Turkey fails to “hinder” drilling in Cyprus’ Block 12, this would lead to an international race for explorations in Cyprus’ remaining unlicenced blocks in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The document described the situation as “serious”, noting, “from this point onward we are headed full speed to a breaking point which will test Turkey’s decisiveness”.
Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz yesterday repeated Turkey’s threat to sign a continental shelf agreement with the north of Cyprus and proceed with seismic surveys in the area. He argued that the start of drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ was a provocation, violating international law and the rights of the breakaway state.
Senior member of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team in the peace talks, Toumazos Tselepis, yesterday commented on the possible signing of a pact between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, saying: “from an international law point of view, (the pact) will be worth as much as the paper it is written on.”
On Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said explorations could start off northern Cyprus within the week.
“Of course our steps will be supported by our military air force and navy. This is not a bluff,” Turkey’s deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said yesterday.
President Demetris Christofias on Monday also discussed the issue of Turkish threats over Cyprus’ gas exploration at a meeting with the UN S-G who also pledged to raise the issue further.
“The position of the Cyprus Republic is clear”, Christofias told reporters. “We will continue. It is the sovereign right of the Cyprus Republic to explore and hopefully hydrocarbons will be found. Our Turkish Cypriot compatriots have nothing to lose, indeed they have much to gain, and this must be understood by Turkey and Mr Eroglu”.
Christofias yesterday also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York where he thanked him for his ministry’s statement supporting Cyprus’ sovereign right to explore for gas. He said the Russian statement acted as a “shield for Cyprus” after which other countries followed suit.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou yesterday hailed as “very important” the US State Department statement supporting Cyprus’ right to exploit its energy resources. He noted the US made it clear “they respect and recognise the right of Cyprus to explore and exploit its own natural wealth, a self-evident sovereign right”. Also, “they disassociate this right from the solution of the Cyprus problem” while also supporting the ongoing peace process.
On Monday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Speaking to the media afterwards, a State Department official said Clinton reiterated US support to the peace process in Cyprus, adding that the two also discussed issues regarding energy development and gas exploration.
“The United States supports Cyprus’ right to explore for energy. It doesn’t believe that should undermine or interfere with the talks and agrees with all of those who believe that the best way to sort out the question of energy and economic development is through a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem,” the US official said.
Asked whether Clinton made that view clear to Davutoglu, the spokesman said that she was clear on how the United States sees the situation.
President Obama was due to meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan late last night and drilling for hydrocarbons in the region was believed to have been on the agenda.
Meanwhile Turkish daily Sabah reported that Turkey will begin drilling for oil and gas after Cyprus starts drilling and Turkey’s national security council will discuss the energy potential of the area in next month’s meeting.
The paper reported that in 2010 the Turkish army’s General Staff asked academics and legal maritime experts whether they thought it was worth going to war over the energy reserves of the eastern Mediterranean. The answer reportedly was ‘yes’.
Citing possession of a government document, Sabah said the Turkish government estimates there are around 15 trillion cubic metres of gas in waters between Egypt, Cyprus and Crete worth around $7 trillion.
According to the document, if Turkey fails to “hinder” drilling in Cyprus’ Block 12, this would lead to an international race for explorations in Cyprus’ remaining unlicenced blocks in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The document described the situation as “serious”, noting, “from this point onward we are headed full speed to a breaking point which will test Turkey’s decisiveness”.
Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz yesterday repeated Turkey’s threat to sign a continental shelf agreement with the north of Cyprus and proceed with seismic surveys in the area. He argued that the start of drilling in Cyprus’ EEZ was a provocation, violating international law and the rights of the breakaway state.
Senior member of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team in the peace talks, Toumazos Tselepis, yesterday commented on the possible signing of a pact between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, saying: “from an international law point of view, (the pact) will be worth as much as the paper it is written on.”
On Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said explorations could start off northern Cyprus within the week.
“Of course our steps will be supported by our military air force and navy. This is not a bluff,” Turkey’s deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said yesterday.
Sunday 18 September 2011
Solution unlikely
Turkey has begun implementing its plan B for Cyprus problem whereby the occupied north of Cyprus will become incorporated into Turkey.
Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today says that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has made it clear to the UN team working on the Cyprus problem that the end of the year will mark the end of the road for the talks. As the UN understands it, Ankara does not believe there will be a solution and blames the Greek Cypriot side for wasting time until the EU presidency, and making the natural gas drilling its priority instead.
However, the UN also sees an unwillingness for a solution on the Turkish Cypriot side whose priority has become trying to put the blame on the Greek Cypriot side in order to pave the way for upgrading the north. Turkey’s hardening stance has already become evident through his tough talk (Erdogan’s visit to the north in July and current war mongering over the natural gas drilling), something that has been absent since 2002 when the AKP came to power.
The Turkish Prime Minister, “drunk” from a 50% victory at the polls and from his popularity among the Muslims of the Middle East, believes that the EU tricked Turkey and has turned towards the East. The EU entry negotiations had been Turkey’s main motivator in its change of policy towards Cyprus in 2002. The fact that they have been frozen and that Turkey’s EU prospects have diminished due to France and Germany’s reservations, has made Turkey turn to the East and Cyprus will be the first victim.
It seems that perhaps for the first time since this latest round of talks started, the UN have finally realized that a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a single federal state with two ethnic regions is unlikely, if not impossible. Even though the “intense” negotiations are still continuing, no one believes they will get anywhere. While the UN would like a solution to be reached by the end of the year, there is nothing to indicate on the level of society, that this might be possible. On the contrary, relations between the two communities are cold. The UN team’s plan of action continues to be to push the two sides towards an agreed solution. The three-way meeting in New York continues to be a major landmark. By discussing all the chapters in “intense” talks following a prepared agenda, it will give the two sides a last chance to exhaust all aspects and achieve as many convergences as possible.
In New York the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is also expected to state the obvious truth that bilateral negotiations without a deadline and arbitration borders on the ridiculous, that a solution is possible and that all that is needed is the political will. He will ask them to discuss his document with him, otherwise he will give up his good-offices mission and given his verdict for the failure in a report to the Security Council. As none of the sides wants to be blamed for the failure of the talks, the UN believes that they will both agree, thereby paving the way for convening an international conference.
Nevertheless it’s not enough to force the two leaders to accept a document without them wanting a solution that will lead to reconciliation rather than a shotgun wedding. As former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim used to say, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”.
It’s true that Dervis Eroglu is not desperate for a solution and Christofias has shown he is afraid of his shadow and all he is doing is managing the Cyprus problem without following a specific policy. What’s more he is at his weakest since becoming president. With his political status in tatters and the majority of public opinion doubting his leadership and negotiating abilities, Christofias is in no position to sign a solution and persuade the people to accept it. He is therefore focusing on the blame game, and “Turkish intransigence” as the ultimate strategy. In reality Christofias’ weakness is giving the Turkish side a big advantage to win the blame game. The war mongering over the natural gas has given him some breathing space and at the very least will let him off the hook for the collapse of the talks internally despite the fact that the price would be that it would bring an end to the talks without any prospects of starting them again.
It seems that Turkey has realised that threats of war are not to its benefit and has changed tack, with the Turkish Vice President saying that “Turkey will act with prudence and will not give the satisfaction to those who want tension and crisis”. He repeated that Turkey’s tactic on the Cyprus problem is “one step forward”. Christofias’ weakness allows Turkey to make many steps forward.
Makarios Droushiotis writing in Politis today says that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has made it clear to the UN team working on the Cyprus problem that the end of the year will mark the end of the road for the talks. As the UN understands it, Ankara does not believe there will be a solution and blames the Greek Cypriot side for wasting time until the EU presidency, and making the natural gas drilling its priority instead.
However, the UN also sees an unwillingness for a solution on the Turkish Cypriot side whose priority has become trying to put the blame on the Greek Cypriot side in order to pave the way for upgrading the north. Turkey’s hardening stance has already become evident through his tough talk (Erdogan’s visit to the north in July and current war mongering over the natural gas drilling), something that has been absent since 2002 when the AKP came to power.
The Turkish Prime Minister, “drunk” from a 50% victory at the polls and from his popularity among the Muslims of the Middle East, believes that the EU tricked Turkey and has turned towards the East. The EU entry negotiations had been Turkey’s main motivator in its change of policy towards Cyprus in 2002. The fact that they have been frozen and that Turkey’s EU prospects have diminished due to France and Germany’s reservations, has made Turkey turn to the East and Cyprus will be the first victim.
It seems that perhaps for the first time since this latest round of talks started, the UN have finally realized that a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a single federal state with two ethnic regions is unlikely, if not impossible. Even though the “intense” negotiations are still continuing, no one believes they will get anywhere. While the UN would like a solution to be reached by the end of the year, there is nothing to indicate on the level of society, that this might be possible. On the contrary, relations between the two communities are cold. The UN team’s plan of action continues to be to push the two sides towards an agreed solution. The three-way meeting in New York continues to be a major landmark. By discussing all the chapters in “intense” talks following a prepared agenda, it will give the two sides a last chance to exhaust all aspects and achieve as many convergences as possible.
In New York the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is also expected to state the obvious truth that bilateral negotiations without a deadline and arbitration borders on the ridiculous, that a solution is possible and that all that is needed is the political will. He will ask them to discuss his document with him, otherwise he will give up his good-offices mission and given his verdict for the failure in a report to the Security Council. As none of the sides wants to be blamed for the failure of the talks, the UN believes that they will both agree, thereby paving the way for convening an international conference.
Nevertheless it’s not enough to force the two leaders to accept a document without them wanting a solution that will lead to reconciliation rather than a shotgun wedding. As former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim used to say, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”.
It’s true that Dervis Eroglu is not desperate for a solution and Christofias has shown he is afraid of his shadow and all he is doing is managing the Cyprus problem without following a specific policy. What’s more he is at his weakest since becoming president. With his political status in tatters and the majority of public opinion doubting his leadership and negotiating abilities, Christofias is in no position to sign a solution and persuade the people to accept it. He is therefore focusing on the blame game, and “Turkish intransigence” as the ultimate strategy. In reality Christofias’ weakness is giving the Turkish side a big advantage to win the blame game. The war mongering over the natural gas has given him some breathing space and at the very least will let him off the hook for the collapse of the talks internally despite the fact that the price would be that it would bring an end to the talks without any prospects of starting them again.
It seems that Turkey has realised that threats of war are not to its benefit and has changed tack, with the Turkish Vice President saying that “Turkey will act with prudence and will not give the satisfaction to those who want tension and crisis”. He repeated that Turkey’s tactic on the Cyprus problem is “one step forward”. Christofias’ weakness allows Turkey to make many steps forward.
Friday 9 September 2011
Talks on property end
The leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, Demitris Christofias and Dervis Eroglu, yesterday ended their discussion on property in an effor to build core convergences in that chapter, as UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer said.
Downer said that both leaders come to the table with new proposals at every meeting, something which the UN encourages.
“I hope they will continue to do that and when we get to October we will have a look at some of these issues again. But in the meantime, we are going through this process chapter by chapter,” he said.
The talks will cover citizenship and immigration issues next Monday and Wednesday, while Friday’s meeting will focus on the economy.
Downer also briefed the leaders on the one and a half hour discussion he had on Wednesday night with the UN Security Council (UNSC) via video link.
“I made it very clear to the Security Council that, I make no predictions about what will happen, but an agreement on reunifying Cyprus is possible, it is certainly within the grasp of the leaders,” he said.
“But to achieve it requires a lot of courage and a lot of determination, but it is possible,” he stressed and praised the commitment of the leaders and their engagement to the “tough aspects” of the problem.
However, he noted that time was an issue, and the two leaders had two choices, either to solve the problem now or miss what may be the best chance to do so.
The Australian diplomat said all 15 members of the UNSC spoke during the teleconference and showed great interest in the Cyprus issue, with some asking “very well informed and focused questions”. He said they were very supportive of the process and that there was a strong view that after 37 years the issue must finally be resolved through a successful reunification of Cyprus consistent with Security Council resolutions.
“People shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the strong support of the Security Council for the successful conclusions of these negotiations. I hope everybody understands that,” he said referring to other important issues in the region preoccupying the world’s top diplomatic body, like Libya.
The UN diplomat said “quite a few” UNSC members raised questions and made statements in relation to natural gas exploration but refused to go into what was said.
Asked by the Russian representative why no reference was made in the UN chief's report to remarks by the Turkish Prime Minister during his visit to the occupied north in July, Downer reportedly replied that Turkey does not participate in the talks, adding that all those involved should take a constructive approach.
The Cyprus Mail quotes the Cyprus News Agency as saying that the US representative pointed out that the report calls on the sides to approach the talks constructively and avoid “blame games”, while the French representative said the Turkish Cypriots do not appear to be making any substantive concessions on crucial issues.
Regarding Turkish threats against Cyprus exploring for deposits in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the German representative said it was the sovereign right of every member state to delineate its EEZ and carry out explorations within the zone, while the British representative said Cyprus’ explorations were in line with international law but supported that statements should be made to reassure Turkey.
The European Commission yesterday issued its strongest rebuke yet to Turkey over its threatening behaviour towards Cyprus’ efforts to drill for hydrocarbon reserves within its own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Cyprus Mail reports.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued to raise the stakes in his row with Israel and Cyprus, vowing yesterday to stop them from exploiting natural resources in the area while also pledging to send warships to escort aid to Gaza.
The EU, through Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule yesterday “urged Turkey to refrain from any kind of threat, sources of friction or action, which could negatively affect good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of border disputes”.
In a released statement, Fule said, “The Commission regrets any statements that are not conducive to this objective,” noting that it “regularly reiterates these issues in its discussions with Turkey and will continue to monitor Turkey’s commitments to good neighbourly relations in the light of the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes”.
The Commission further highlighted the importance of progress in the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Cyprus and “stressed all the sovereign rights of EU member states which include entering into bilateral agreements, in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea”.
The Commission underlined the “urgent need” to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.
“Ahead of the crucial phase of Cyprus talks this autumn, it is essential that all parties concerned exert restraint and do their utmost to ensure a positive climate that will facilitate a successful completion of the process,” Fule’s statement said..
According to the Cyprus Mail, tensions in the eastern Mediterranean are growing by the day as top Turkish officials continue to make cutting comments on Turkey’s plans to beef up navy patrols in the region and secure free navigation of the seas, following its spat with Israel over nine activists killed in international waters last year. Apart from Turkish demands for an Israeli apology, compensation for the families of the dead and free passage to Gaza, the combative tone of the Turkish leadership is also viewed by some analysts as a response to Israel and Cyprus’ plans to explore for oil and gas in their respective EEZs.
According to Reuters, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went a step further yesterday in an interview with Al Jazeera saying Turkish warships will escort any Turkish aid vessels to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, preventing Israel from attacking them again.
Erdogan also said that Turkey had taken steps to stop Israel from unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey, as a guarantor of the Turkish republic of north Cyprus, has taken steps in the area, and it will be decisive and holding fast to the right to monitor international waters in the east Mediterranean,” he warned.
Deploying warships to escort aid vessels to Gaza and direct interference in the exploitation of Israel and Cyprus’ natural resources are the boldest statements yet to come from the outspoken Turkish leader.
Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was quoted in theTurkish Cypriot press yesterday criticising President Demetris Christofias for being “insanely brave” in daring to explore the island’s natural resources before a Cyprus solution.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday: “Turkey needs to get the message that all states should act within the framework of international law because this safeguards peace and good relations between neighbouring states. Unfortunately Turkey opts to provoke and opts for tension.”
In an interview with Voice of America, Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis called on Turkey to act like a European country and conduct its foreign policy based on the UN Charter and European principles and laws.
Head of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) Manthos Mavromatis yesterday said the American company was ready to begin drilling despite the threat. Noble presented its plans at a closed gathering on Wednesday organised by KEVE and the Cyprus-American Business Association, in the presence of US Embassy officials.
According to Mavromatis, Noble plans to move the oil rig to Block 12 for drilling after September 20. He noted that Noble is taking into consideration the threats but is proceeding normally, in coordination with the US State Department and Embassy here.
Downer said that both leaders come to the table with new proposals at every meeting, something which the UN encourages.
“I hope they will continue to do that and when we get to October we will have a look at some of these issues again. But in the meantime, we are going through this process chapter by chapter,” he said.
The talks will cover citizenship and immigration issues next Monday and Wednesday, while Friday’s meeting will focus on the economy.
Downer also briefed the leaders on the one and a half hour discussion he had on Wednesday night with the UN Security Council (UNSC) via video link.
“I made it very clear to the Security Council that, I make no predictions about what will happen, but an agreement on reunifying Cyprus is possible, it is certainly within the grasp of the leaders,” he said.
“But to achieve it requires a lot of courage and a lot of determination, but it is possible,” he stressed and praised the commitment of the leaders and their engagement to the “tough aspects” of the problem.
However, he noted that time was an issue, and the two leaders had two choices, either to solve the problem now or miss what may be the best chance to do so.
The Australian diplomat said all 15 members of the UNSC spoke during the teleconference and showed great interest in the Cyprus issue, with some asking “very well informed and focused questions”. He said they were very supportive of the process and that there was a strong view that after 37 years the issue must finally be resolved through a successful reunification of Cyprus consistent with Security Council resolutions.
“People shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the strong support of the Security Council for the successful conclusions of these negotiations. I hope everybody understands that,” he said referring to other important issues in the region preoccupying the world’s top diplomatic body, like Libya.
The UN diplomat said “quite a few” UNSC members raised questions and made statements in relation to natural gas exploration but refused to go into what was said.
Asked by the Russian representative why no reference was made in the UN chief's report to remarks by the Turkish Prime Minister during his visit to the occupied north in July, Downer reportedly replied that Turkey does not participate in the talks, adding that all those involved should take a constructive approach.
The Cyprus Mail quotes the Cyprus News Agency as saying that the US representative pointed out that the report calls on the sides to approach the talks constructively and avoid “blame games”, while the French representative said the Turkish Cypriots do not appear to be making any substantive concessions on crucial issues.
Regarding Turkish threats against Cyprus exploring for deposits in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the German representative said it was the sovereign right of every member state to delineate its EEZ and carry out explorations within the zone, while the British representative said Cyprus’ explorations were in line with international law but supported that statements should be made to reassure Turkey.
The European Commission yesterday issued its strongest rebuke yet to Turkey over its threatening behaviour towards Cyprus’ efforts to drill for hydrocarbon reserves within its own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Cyprus Mail reports.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued to raise the stakes in his row with Israel and Cyprus, vowing yesterday to stop them from exploiting natural resources in the area while also pledging to send warships to escort aid to Gaza.
The EU, through Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule yesterday “urged Turkey to refrain from any kind of threat, sources of friction or action, which could negatively affect good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of border disputes”.
In a released statement, Fule said, “The Commission regrets any statements that are not conducive to this objective,” noting that it “regularly reiterates these issues in its discussions with Turkey and will continue to monitor Turkey’s commitments to good neighbourly relations in the light of the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes”.
The Commission further highlighted the importance of progress in the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Cyprus and “stressed all the sovereign rights of EU member states which include entering into bilateral agreements, in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea”.
The Commission underlined the “urgent need” to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.
“Ahead of the crucial phase of Cyprus talks this autumn, it is essential that all parties concerned exert restraint and do their utmost to ensure a positive climate that will facilitate a successful completion of the process,” Fule’s statement said..
According to the Cyprus Mail, tensions in the eastern Mediterranean are growing by the day as top Turkish officials continue to make cutting comments on Turkey’s plans to beef up navy patrols in the region and secure free navigation of the seas, following its spat with Israel over nine activists killed in international waters last year. Apart from Turkish demands for an Israeli apology, compensation for the families of the dead and free passage to Gaza, the combative tone of the Turkish leadership is also viewed by some analysts as a response to Israel and Cyprus’ plans to explore for oil and gas in their respective EEZs.
According to Reuters, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went a step further yesterday in an interview with Al Jazeera saying Turkish warships will escort any Turkish aid vessels to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, preventing Israel from attacking them again.
Erdogan also said that Turkey had taken steps to stop Israel from unilaterally exploiting natural resources from the eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey, as a guarantor of the Turkish republic of north Cyprus, has taken steps in the area, and it will be decisive and holding fast to the right to monitor international waters in the east Mediterranean,” he warned.
Deploying warships to escort aid vessels to Gaza and direct interference in the exploitation of Israel and Cyprus’ natural resources are the boldest statements yet to come from the outspoken Turkish leader.
Former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat was quoted in theTurkish Cypriot press yesterday criticising President Demetris Christofias for being “insanely brave” in daring to explore the island’s natural resources before a Cyprus solution.
Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday: “Turkey needs to get the message that all states should act within the framework of international law because this safeguards peace and good relations between neighbouring states. Unfortunately Turkey opts to provoke and opts for tension.”
In an interview with Voice of America, Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis called on Turkey to act like a European country and conduct its foreign policy based on the UN Charter and European principles and laws.
Head of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) Manthos Mavromatis yesterday said the American company was ready to begin drilling despite the threat. Noble presented its plans at a closed gathering on Wednesday organised by KEVE and the Cyprus-American Business Association, in the presence of US Embassy officials.
According to Mavromatis, Noble plans to move the oil rig to Block 12 for drilling after September 20. He noted that Noble is taking into consideration the threats but is proceeding normally, in coordination with the US State Department and Embassy here.
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