CYPRUS HOUSE PRESIDENT WANTS TURKEY HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TALK DEADLOCK
by Gregoris Savva

Financial Mirror
Nov 3 2008

President of the House of Representatives and President of the
Democratic Party (DIKO) Marios Garoyian believes the Greek Cypriot
side should move in a preemptive manner so that, in the event efforts
to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem fail, it is clear which
side is responsible, and furthermore prevent efforts to upgrade the
puppet regime in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic.

In an interview with CNA, Garoyian referred to a "plan B" proposed by
DIKO to the National Council, the top advisory body to the President
of the Republic on the Cyprus problem. According to Garoyian, "plan
B" contains measures to make sure it is clear to the world that the
Greek Cypriot side made every possible effort to reach a settlement
of the Cyprus problem.

"Despite the earnest efforts of our side and the President of the
Republic, so far there is no proof that Turkey has abandoned its
well known intransigent and implacable stance. Of course, it is
too soon to assess and prejudge the course of events. However,
with the facts we have today, it appears that the Turkish side is
not behaving or giving prospects or possibilities for results in this
dialogue. Hopefully things will change. When we say we want a solution
of the Cyprus problem that will be functional, viable and just, the
soonest possible, we mean it and all our proposals, approaches and
behaviour comply with what we say," Garoyian pointed out.

He noted that the good will of the Greek Cypriot side was not enough
to reach a settlement and that the international community should
exert pressure on Turkey to comply with UN resolutions, international
law and the EU principles and values.

Garoyian said that, after the February 2008 presidential elections,
won by Demetris Christofias, certain decision-making centres are
impressed by the President’s initiatives and believe some of the
positions expressed by the Turkish side are worse than those presented
before 2004.

He pointed out that with the election of Demetris Christofias,
"a good impression has been made" but noted that this did not mean
that previous leaders had not done their utmost to reach a settlement.

"Indeed, despite our initiatives, despite the efforts of President
Christofias, it is clear that the Turkish side has not budged from its
positions and has not made any move forward. On the contrary, some of
its positions are worse than those presented before 2004. Therefore,
the problem is not our side. The problem is the Turkish side," he said.

Referring to "plan B", Garoyian said DIKO prepared and presented the
plan to the National Council because "we assessed the possible Turkish
policy, which does not leave room for Mr. Talat, even if he wanted to,
to make specific moves in substantive matters."

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began
direct negotiations on September 3 in an effort to reach a settlement.

Garoyian explained that DIKO proposed "plan B" in order to
"preemptively inform the international community on the various
phases of the Cyprus problem, so that it could judge whether our
side’s proposals complied with international law, UN resolutions and
the EU principles and values, and if the Turkish proposals complied
with them."

He said DIKO maintains its position that the basis of a settlement
has not been clarified but still insists on a solution through
negotiations. "We want a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus
problem and not a wishy washy closure," Garoyian pointed out.

"If the dialogue collapses or things do not work out in the right
direction, we must have carried out all the necessary work so that
Turkey feels the burden of its own breach of faith and its own
implacable stance, the pseudo state is not upgraded and at the same
time our side has the outside testimony that it did everything humanly
possible on the basis of principles, on the basis of functional
proposals, on the basis of the reunification of the institutions,
the people and Cyprus," he said.

He added that "at the same time it must be clear that this process
did not bear fruit due to the Turkish stance and behaviour."

Garoyian noted that the key for a settlement is in Ankara and that
pressure must be exerted on Turkey to comply with the principles of
a Cyprus settlement.

Referring to the EU role in efforts to reach a settlement, Garoyian
said a solution is being sought in the context of the UN but since
the Republic of Cyprus is an EU member and Turkey is aspiring to join
the bloc, the role of the EU should be "creative and substantive,"
on the basis of EU principles and values.

"This is why we believe the EU has a role to play," Garoyian said,
adding that the result of the negotiations should comply with EU
principles.

Regarding parliamentary diplomacy, Garoyian said he is planning a
series of trips abroad, including the USA, Russia, China, Armenia,
Albania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Moldavia, and African,
Central Asia and Arab countries, and pointed out the need for planning
so that the House may contribute to further strengthening the positions
of the Greek Cypriot side.

"Parliamentary diplomacy is a necessity today. The parliaments
in many countries are playing a very important role and indeed
many parliaments influence the decisions of their governments. We
believe that our parliament has the responsibility, the obligation,
the duty to do everything humanly possible on the basis of planning,
on the basis of a well prepared programme, so that we can contribute
to the efforts of the Government and promote the positions of our
side and at the same time open some roads, which we believe may be
in the interests of our cause," he said.

Garoyian noted that efforts were being made so that House committees
had more contacts abroad and memorandums were signed.

On the role of DIKO, which supported Demetris Christofias in the
second round of the presidential elections, Garoyian said "we will
continue to be creative and substantive," adding that "it is a sincere
and honorable relationship."

Regarding the European Parliament elections of March 2009, Garoyian
said the party would be taking its final decisions when the time comes.

"The issue of cooperation is always open. We are a party that wants
and pursues an open dialogue, an open discussion with all sides that
feel and believe they belong to the centre. DIKO will take its final
decisions when the specific time comes," he added.