Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-12-27

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT - PROTEST - CHRISTMAS MASS

[02] CHRISTOFIAS GENEVA MEETING

[03] GERMAN CHANCELLOR - WORKING VISIT

[01] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT - PROTEST - CHRISTMAS MASS

President Demetris Christofias said Monday the government has already undertaken action and reported to the UN and the EU as well as regional organisations, the unacceptable action by the Turkish occupation forces and the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime to stop a religious service on Christmas day, at the Turkish-occupied village of Rizoparpasso, where Christian Orthodox Cypriots continue to live under Turkish occupation.

Addressing the 37th Annual Conference of the Pancyprian Federation of Student Unions, President Christofias announced that the government had already reported the Turkish action to international organizations, stressing that there should be an end to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth tactics.

The occupation regime has to understand this. Some Greek Cypriots have to understand this as well, the President said, adding that vandalism against our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, damage to cars or violent attacks are being exploited by the Turkish propaganda. Such incidents, he pointed out, harm Cyprus.

The President was referring to last weeks incident when fans of a local Greek Cypriot basket ball team - APOEL - attacked players of the Turkish team Pinar Karsiyaka after an international mens basketball match in Nicosia. He condemned such actions, saying they do not promote unity, but instead they advocate division.

Division, he said, would mean destruction first and foremost for the people of Cyprus, adding that the Turkish Cypriot community is in danger of being depleted due to the mass influx of illegal settlers from Turkey.

Referring to the solution of a bizonal bicommunal federation, President Christofias said it was accepted in 1977 by the late President Makarios III and was confirmed by the Presidents of the Republic who succeeded him.

Bizonal, bicommunal federation, under certain conditions and prerequisites, is the only way and only solution to reunite our homeland and people and stop dependence on foreigners, the President stressed.

Commenting on the ongoing direct negotiating process, President Christofias emphasized that under no circumstances will the Greek Cypriot side accept either arbitration or strict deadlines.

He said the UN Secretary-General has no mandate from the Security Council to recommend arbitration or to impose a change in the mandate or the procedure. President Christofias said Ban Ki-moon is aware of this and even if some circles, which are very well known, are trying to convey this message, as long as the Security Council is being informed by us and we keep the correct line with our friends at the Security Council, there is no way the SG or anyone behind the SG will allow a change of his mandate. The UN SG cannot impose arbitration, enforced deadlines or anything else on the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot side.

President Christofias said he sits at the negotiating table with every good intention. We submit proposals within the framework of the Security Council which are based on principles and are realistic, at the same time. Proposals which can be accepted by the other side. We regret to note that the Turkish side fails to be just as creative, he remarked.

The Cypriot President said that the Republic of Cyprus maintains a multi-faceted foreign policy which aims to help the procedure to solve the Cyprus issue. We maintain very good relations with all neighbouring Middle East and North African countries and we can be a bridge between these countries and the EU, he added.

The Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 to find a mutually agreed settlement that will reunify the country, divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.

President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu met with UN SG in New York in November and agreed to meet again in Geneva late January.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS GENEVA MEETING

President Christofias, who was taking journalists questions on the sidelines of a Students Congress in Nicosia today, said that there has been no new development as to whether the meeting will actually take place, due to ill health the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has to deal with. He had to undergo emergency heart surgery in Ankara last week.

The government, the President added, will be talking to the UN about it.

Since the UN are convening the meeting, it is up to them to decide whether it ought to be postponed or not, he noted, expressing at the same time his readiness to respond positively whenever the UN SG invites him to such a meeting.

President Christofias confirmed that tomorrows scheduled meeting with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Dervis Eroglu will not take place. Eroglu underwent heart surgery last week in Ankara and is due to be discharged from hospital today.

A meeting between the advisers of the two leaders George Iacovou and Kudret Ozersai will take place instead, he said, adding that they will be waiting to find out when the Turkish Cypriot leaders health will allow him to take part in a meeting.

[03] GERMAN CHANCELLOR - WORKING VISIT

A spokesperson for the German Embassy in Nicosia told CNA Monday the visit has not been officially announced by the Chancellors office in Berlin. However he confirmed that the embassy is definitely working on a working visit by the Chancellor, and all preparations are underway.

The CNA has learnt that Merkel, who will be leading a delegation, will be arriving around midday at Larnaka International Airport. Her first stop will be the Presidential Palace for a tete-a-tete meeting with President of the Republic Demetris Christofias. After statements to the press there will be a working lunch with delegations from both sides.

Merkel will visit the Goethe Centre situated in the Ledra Palace area in the buffer zone and then the Ledra Street, for a guided tour by Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou.

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