STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ASSOC. PROF. TURGAY AVCI

The atrocious stance of Dimitris Christofias, who during the Greek Cypriot presidential elections did not refrain  from making remarks  against the Turkish Cypriot side and has constantly directed insults against Motherland Turkey with statements similar to those made by Papadopoulos, was perceived particularly by the international observers  as being part of the election atmosphere and conditions.

Moreover, his statements made during the oath-taking ceremony at the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives and  at the press conference following his recent visit to Athens, demonstrate that Christofias will continue to make exactly the same statements. The Greek Cypriot leader’s constant reference to Turkey as an “invader”, which was compelled to intervene to Cyprus by using the rights and authorities vested in the international agreements in order to prevent the annexation of the island by Greece and the repetition of the events of 1963 and bloodshed of Turkish Cypriots, is unacceptable. Christofias should not forget that, just like himself, the only reason why many of the  AKEL supporters are living today and were not killed by the fascist junta is because of Turkey and the 1974 Peace Operation.

On one hand Christofias mentions about a federative settlement but on the other makes requests aimed at eliminating UN Charter and solution parameters regarding Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot leader raises demands which derogate the Turkish Cypriot people into a minority status within its own state and compel many of them to immigrate again and with an inhumane understanding make part of them, who for more than thirty years have become an inseparable part of the Turkish Cypriot people, to leave the island.

Delivering a speech very recently at the commemoration ceremony of  terrorist EOKA member Grigoris Afksentiu, Christofias by disregarding the Turkish Cypriot side and its elected president claimed that  the Greek Cypriot side was ready for a settlement and if Turkey was also ready, a settlement could be achieved. It can be understood that the habit of former Greek Cypriot leaders, including Papadopulos, to disregard the Turkish Cypriot side and negotiate directly with Turkey is exactly being adopted by Christofias.

For a long time now, Christofias just like his predecessor Papadopulos and officials from his coalition partners DIKO and EDEK, has been mentioning about a so-called invasion. It is a historical fact that there was an invasion in Cyprus. This was the invasion carried out by the Greek Cypriots with force of arms during which the Turkish Cypriots were ousted from the 1960 Partnership Republic at the cost of their lives.

While pointing out that he wants to reach a settlement, the Greek Cypriot leader Christofias’ remarks to the effect that the ties between the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey should be severed, demonstrate that the mentality prior to the elections still continues without any change. At a  time when the Greek Cypriot administration is making assessments together with guarantor state Greece, the statement of Christofias to the effect that the ties between the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey should be severed, is unacceptable. It is the most natural right of the Turkish Cypriot side to be in consultation and coordination with Motherland Turkey as the other guarantor power of the island.

The Turkish Cypriot side is ready for a new partnership on the basis of the political equality of the two peoples, bi-zonality, the equal status of the co-founding states and Turkey’s continued guarantee.  To this end,  the end of the year 2008 was accepted as a target. It is amply clear that Motherland Turkey supports this stance adopted by the Turkish Cypriot side. However, the statements made by the Greek Cypriot leader,  display that the Greek Cypriot side is not ready to reach a settlement in the near future and is planning to maintain the existing status quo so as to gain time.

On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that the 8 July process, that is repeatedly being mentioned by Christofias, is only a preliminary stage. If a settlement is desired  in Cyprus, it is clear that this can only be possible through the resumption of meaningful negotiations. We hope that Christofias will abandon exploiting the 8 July process just for the sake of gaining time and consider the proposals put forward by our President.

The Turkish Cypriot side, with many constructive and confidence building measures that it has prepared in good will in order to find a settlement on the island, has extended its hand of peace to the Greek Cypriot side and is still waiting for the Greek Cypriot side to accept it. On one hand   Christofias calls upon the “leaders not to make comments” but on the other, even before sitting down at the negotiating table, he makes requests that can be considered as preconditions that escalate the atmosphere for a settlement. This  is an unacceptable stance. On the other hand, on the eve of a meeting between President Mr Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Christofias,  the timing of such unfortunate statements, which have been made in Athens in particular, raises many question marks.

Despite the fact that they are forced to live under isolation as being deprived of their

most natural human rights and are subjected to double standards  by the international

institutions, the EU in particular, the Turkish Cypriot people are ready to sit at the negotiating 

table in good will and find an immediate settlement on the island. However, it is also our

natural rights to expect the other side to display the same good will and responsibility for a

lasting and just settlement.

7 March 2008, Lefkoşa.