AVCI: “CHRISTOFIAS IS FAR FROM SINCERITY  AND WILL  FOR A SETTLEMENT”

In a statement issued yesterday (21 May, 2008) the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Assoc. Prof. Turgay Avci criticized the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias and said “the Greek Cypriot leader  is far from sincerity and will for a  settlement.”

The full text of the statement is as follows:

“At a time when comprehensive negotiations are expected to be launched, the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias continues to make statements as if he aims at blocking the process. By displaying absolute insincerity during his recent visits to various countries, Christofias suggested the leaders to make restrained statements to the press and opposed to set a timetable for negotiations and behaved courageous enough to attack against the guarantorship rights of Turkey.

            As the result of the difficulties they experienced  for almost half a century, the Turkish Cypriot people know very well that only an agreement securing the effective and continued guarantee of Turkey is sustainable. Although the vital importance of the issue for the Turkish Cypriot people is known very well by Christofias, his unacceptable statements clearly demonstrate  that the Greek Cypriot leader  is far from sincerity and will for a  settlement. It is understood that the real aim of Christofias is to exploit the positive atmosphere created following his election and portray the Turkish Cypriot side as the guilty party who rejects everything.

            On the other hand, we know very well the real intention behind Christofias’ strong opposition against a timetable for a settlement. By getting use of its unjustly usurped so-called title of Republic of Cyprus and particularly its European Union membership, the aim of the Greek Cypriot leadership is to drag the Turkish Cypriot side into an open ended process and create an atmosphere of uncertainty and instability which will weaken the TRNC. The Turkish Cypriot side clearly revealed that it is insistent on a timetable regarding a settlement which will put an end to the continuing injustice against them. The objections of Christofias regarding a timetable remind us Papadopulous and his policy against a settlement. Therefore, the claim that there is a meaningful and real difference between Christofias and his predecessor, still needs to be proved.

            On one hand, the Greek Cypriot leader states that the Cypriots should solve the problem  but on the other during his continuous visits to the countries throughout the world, repeats his call to exert pressure on Turkey. Christofias’ insincerity is not limited with that. While asking the leaders to make restrained statements to the press, his statements to the press in every country is not an acceptable stance.

            It was observed that Christofias has also mobilized his partners for a campaign being carried out to exert pressure on Turkey. The leader of his coalition partner EDEK, Yannakis Omiru, during his recent visit to Germany, has also attempted to demand intervention regarding Turkey.