Cypriot president hopes in island reunification

Cyprus News Agency, Nicosia,
31 Dec 2006

Nicosia, Dec 31 (CNA) – Cyprus President Tasos Papadhopoulos expressed
hope that the New Year will mark the reunification of Cyprus, its
people and the country, signalling "the beginning of a new course
and the dawn of a better future for our homeland and all our citizens
without any exception."

In a message on the occasion of the New Year, President Papadhopoulos
reiterates his commitment to the July 8 agreement, stressing that the
dialogue for a solution is the responsibility of the two communities
in Cyprus, pointing out, however, that the key to the solution lies in
Ankara, which "dictates unacceptable terms and unreasonable demands."

"No dialogue can bring substantial results, if Ankara is not willing
to allow its fruition," the President says.

According to Papadhopoulos, the entry of 2007 will mark 33 years
since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the occupation of the
island’s northern third, 33 years of "tragedy, ordeals and agony."

"Thirty three years is a very long time," he notes, adding that
"even if, in all these years, it has not been possible to reach a
solution, a solution cannot be considered just as an unfulfilled
dream or something unattainable."

President Papadhopoulos notes that surely, it cannot be expected to
be given as a gift or imposed by foreigners.

"Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots together can reach the solution.
We ourselves, undistracted by outside interventions, we can bring
down the walls of separation and consolidate peace, prosperity and
progress in our common homeland, which is so big as to have room for
all of us, but too small to be divided," Papadhopoulos stressed,
adding that "the dialogue for a solution is the responsibility of
the two communities in Cyprus."

He however points out that "the key to the solution lies in Ankara,"
because "no dialogue can bring substantial results, if Ankara is not
willing to allow its fruition."

"No effort will succeed if Ankara continues to dictate unacceptable
terms and unreasonable demands," he notes, adding that "at this
specific moment, the promotion of the full implementation of the July
8 Agreement depends on Ankara."

Stressing the Greek Cypriot side’s commitment to the July 8 agreement,
Papadopoulos calls on "all those, who for their own reasons care
for the solution of the Cyprus problem, must turn to Ankara and make
their demands on Ankara."

According to the Cypriot President, "any attempts for political
upgrading of the pseudo-state and the monotonous slogans for the
lifting of the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, are not
conducive to a solution of the Cyprus problem."

"A solution to the Cyprus problem cannot be imposed by force, or
through blackmailing and oppressive dilemmas," he says, underlying
that "it is only through a sincere dialogue that a mutually acceptable
functional and viable solution may be found. Everybody should encourage
and support such a dialogue."

Papadhopoulos also points out that "if some people choose to encourage
and support a divisive entity, in the belief that by promoting its
political upgrading, they prescribe the final solution of the Cyprus
problem, I reassure them that they are making a big mistake, which
is worse than injustice."

Reiterating his "sincere, firm and unmovable positions" he adds
that "we remain committed to the solution of a bizonal, bicommunal
federation," noting that we "seek this solution through a peaceful
dialogue, within the framework and under the auspices of the United
Nations and in conformity with the fundamental principles of the
European Union -which should have a say and play a more active role
in the effort to find a solution."

"All our efforts and our policy are oriented to this goal. We are the
ones who first and foremost desire a solution, as it we who suffer the
negative consequences from the absence of a solution," Papadhopoulos
says, adding that "the only substantial difference with those who
pretend to desire a solution more than us, is that we want a proper,
functional and viable solution, leading to a real reunification of our
country, its land, its society, its economy and the institutions and
not just any arrangement that in the surface will settle the Cyprus
problem but in essence will reproduce it, victimizing once again the
people of Cyprus as a whole."

Addressing our Turkish Cypriots compatriots, Papadhopoulos conveys
"a message of sincere friendship," noting that "we understand their
difficulties, their concerns and their worries."

He also calls on Turkish Cypriots to understand the difficulties,
concerns and worries facing the Greek Cypriots, noting that "only
through common understanding, can we find the road to cooperation
and we can build together of a common future, based on our common
prosperity and progress. Only in a reunited and peaceful Cyprus can
we look forward to a better tomorrow for everybody."

"It is for this better future that we strive and struggle, with belief
and optimism, with good sense and vision," he adds.

The President concludes his message wishing "that the new year may
bring joy and happiness to all the lawful inhabitants of our island,
Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins.
Cyprus belongs to all of them. All of them deserve a happy Cyprus."

President Papadhopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat
agreed on July 8th 2006, during a meeting in the presence of UN
Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to
begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the
day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern
substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement
to the Cyprus problem.