Turks aiming for confederation?

A number of party leaders have expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriot side was pushing for a confederation, while others said these were just starting positions and that things would change as the talks progressed.

These conclusion were reached after the National Council convened today and yesterday during which President Christofias briefed the members on how the talks were going.

President Christofias said he believed thing would become clearer in the second round of talks due to start after the elections.in the north in April.
AKEL chief Andros Kyprianou acknowledged that the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions were not always within the framework of UN resolutions, but added that some progress had been made. DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades refused to be drawn into commenting, saying that the party would give its positions when the discussion of all chapters was over and things were clearer. "No one knows yet whether the positions given by the other side are negotiating positions or final positions", he said. DIKO leader, Marios Garoyian, said that he felt that the Turkish positions would lead to a confederation and had to change, while the head of EDEK, Yiannakis Omirou, said the Turkish position was to create two state entities, defined in international law as a confederation. EVROKO party leader Demetris Syllouris echoed the view that talks were leading towards a confederation, while Greens leader Georgios Perdikis said the situation did not inspire optimism, adding that the Greek Cypriot side needed a Plan B. Asked whether a Plan B was needed, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou referred to Christofias’ statements that at the current stage of the negotiations, the best plan was to proceed with positions that were fully in line with what has been discussed between the two communities, as regards the basis and the aim of a solution.