Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avcý has pointed out that the international community is no longer giving credit to the Greek Cypriot administration’s policy which sets the removal of the Turkish Armed Forces from the island as a “precondition for a solution”.

Foreign Minister Avcý stressed that the withdrawal of Turkish Army from the island was possible only after a permanent and just settlement based on the political equality of the two peoples.

In a written statement issued yesterday (2 April) Foreign Minister Avcý stated that the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianu’s reaction to Turkish Chief of General Staff Full General Yasar Buyukkanýt’s words during his visit to the TRNC was unjust. Avcý said that a solution which would be accepted by the two sides and ensure Turkey’s effective guarantee was a precondition for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island adding that Kyprianu was confused about the preconditions.

Foreign Minister Avcý invited Kyprianu to support with goodwill the negotiation process between President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias instead of sabotaging it.

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe held a press conference at Ledra Palace Hotel in the bufferzone evaluating his contacts in Cyprus yesterday (2 April).

Pascoe stated that he has carried out very fruitful contacts with both sides and that currently a very cordial atmosphere was prevailing in the island.

Pointing out that he was very impressed and encouraged by what he has heard from the two leaders, Pascoe said he would convey his opinions on this issue to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council. Pascoe added that the aim of the UN Secretary General by sending him to Cyprus was to find out how the UN could contribute to the negotiation process started on 21 March between the two leaders.

Stating that if a comprehensive progress is achieved in the studies of the technical committees and working groups in the coming 3 months, the UN would appoint a special representative to Cyprus, Pascoe said: “We want to be there when the two leaders start full-fledged negotiations” adding that for now Elizabeth Spehar would act as interim head of the UN mission in Cyprus.

Pascoe stressed that the problem should be solved by the two leaders and supported by the two peoples in Cyprus.

Responding to a question whether any parameters have been determined for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Pascoe said many studies have been carried out for years on the issue however until the two sides agree on all the issues, they would act like none of the issues are agreed. “There is so much work to do; the two leaders know which basic parameters they will work on. It is important to fill the gaps and put forward a package which the two peoples would accept”, Pascoe said.

The visit the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Mr. Lynn Pascoe paid to Cyprus has been productive for the Turkish Cypriot side.

We believe that during the meetings Mr. Pascoe held with President Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat and with other Turkish Cypriot leaders, he had seized the chance to acquire information regarding the way the Turkish Cypriot side considers the issue.

The Turkish Cypriot side is in favor of maintaining the efforts of finding a solution to the problem under the umbrella of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General and with the involvement of the UN. We believe that the contacts Mr. Pascoe carried out in Cyprus for three days would be beneficial for the said process.

We also welcome the fact that this idea has been reflected in the statements Mr. Lynn Pascoe issued to the press at the end of his contacts.

The Lokmacý bordergate, which has been closed since 1963 when the inter-communal conflicts broke out, has opened with a ceremony this morning.

The opening ceremony was held with the participation of the Turkish Cypriot aide Ozdil Nami, Greek Cypriot aide Yorgos Yakovu, Mayor of Lefkosa Turkish Municipality Cemal Bulutoðlularý, the Mayor of South Lefkosa Eleni Mavrou, the UN Interim Special Representative to Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar and the UNDP Director Titiana Zennaro.

The ceremony took place at 9 and the Gate opened for public crossings at 9.30.

Lokmacý gate, which is the fifth crossing point opened in Cyprus since 2003, has undergone serious alterations because of being abandoned for 45 years. Lefkosa Turkish Municipality and Greek Cypriot Municipality have been carrying out intensive studies including asphalt laying and cleaning in the region since 21 March when President Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Christofias agreed on the opening of the gate.

Meanwhile, the TRNC Council of Ministers has decided to establish a committee which will work on the environmental and economic effects of the opening of the Lokmacý gate. The committee, which will implement measures to be taken jointly with Lefkosa Turkish Municipality, will be headed by the Minister of Interior Ozkan Murat. The committee will also include representatives from the Prime Ministry, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Craftsmen and Small Traders.

European Court of Human Rights has endorsed the settlement between the Immovable Property Commission in TRNC and Mike Tymvios (Greek Cypriot), to exchange his land left in North Cyprus with a Turkish Cypriot land belonging to Evkaf Foundation and to receive 1 million Dollars compensation.

The decision was an important step towards the acceptance of the Immovable Property Commission in the TRNC as a domestic remedy and it will set an example for similar cases. The decision was welcome by Turkish Cypriot side and considered to be important.

The Autonomous Missing Persons Committee, which has been carrying out excavation and identity identification studies for three years in order to determine the fate of Turkish and Greek Cypriot missing persons in Cyprus, has found the remains of around 400 missing persons (Turkish and Greek Cypriot) so far. The Committee identified 84 out of 400 and handed over them to their families and is planning to hand over the remains of another 200 missing persons this year.

The number of missing persons has now decreased to 1570.

According to the information received by the Committee’s Turkish Cypriot Member Gulden Plumer Kucuk, scheduled excavations are being carried out in Lefkosa and several places in Mesaria in the North. The remains of 7 Greek Cypriot missing persons have been found recently during the excavations in Mesaria.

It was stated that the excavations in South Cyprus was continuing in Yerasa region where Taskent (Dohni) martyrs are being searched. The excavations in this region have been carried out for 9 months because it is mountainous and steep. Most of the missing Taskent martyrs have been found but the excavations will continue for another 3 months in order to find all of them (42).