TRNC News Today 25^th December 2014

Olgun: “Greek Cypriot side should stop taking unilateral steps”

Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergün Olgun stated that the Greek Cypriot side should abide by the ‘Joint Statement’ and stop taking unilateral steps in order to reach an agreement in Cyprus.

During the press conference that took place yesterday, Olgun briefed the press about the latest developments regarding negotiations. Olgun indicated that the Turkish Cypriot side has to take steps in return for each step the Greek Cypriot side takes.

In his speech at the beginning of the press conference, Presidential Spokesman – Osman Ertuğ said that as the Turkish Cypriot side, they do not consider the negotiation process which was suspended by the Greek Cypriot side in October as the ‘end of the way’. Expressing that the Turkish Cypriot side wants a solution in 2015, Ertuğ reminded statements of the UN Secretary General ‘This is the last chance to reach a settlement in Cyprus’, and President Derviş Eroğlu ‘Turkish Cypriots should not wait another 46 years for a solution in Cyprus’. Ertuğ renewed his call to the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table without preconditions.

Stressing that in the Joint Statement which was accepted as a road map and approved by both leaders on 11 February 2014 the current status quo is acknowledged as unsustainable, Ertuğ said “The mission is to achieve the goals set in the High Level Agreements and finally in the Joint Statement”.

Furthermore, Olgun explained some realities of the island, the non-changeover factors, solution opportunities and the obstacles in front of a solution. Olgun underlined that in Cyprus geography, one people cannot have authority over the other, sovereignty belongs to both communities and political equality is an unchangeable factor.

Regarding the opportunities which will encourage a solution in Cyprus, Olgun said that the ‘Joint Statement’ is qualified as a road map and this opportunity should not be missed. Stating that in case of a solution, the opportunities formed for cooperation in the region are stimulant to overcome economic difficulties experienced by both sides in the island, Olgun said that a solution to be reached in Cyprus will make great contribution to stabilise the region which has no stability.

Furthermore, stating that unity in the Turkish Cypriot side towards a solution is a constructive factor for a solution, Olgun said “There is communal support for a solution in the direction of the Joint Statement”

English Author’s book caused reaction in Greek Cypriot side

English author Victoria Hislop, who entered the bestsellers list in UK with her book “Island” written in 2005, caused reaction in the Greek Cypriot side with her new book‘ The Sunrise’ which is about Varosha.

Initially reactions were very positive towards author’s writing about Varosha and she was praised but later, when the book came out the reactions turned out to be negative.

In the book the author writes that the Greek Cypriots have dominant and conflicting identities which puts pressure on Turkish Cypriots and try to destroy them. The English author indicated that Turkish Cypriots are always forced to live under pressure.

Furthermore, in her book the author wrote that the Greek Cypriot organisation EOKA which was lead by Grivas used brute forces against British people in order to unite the island to Greece.

Hislop also wrote that Turkey carried out the Peace Operation in 1974 in order to protect the Turkish Cypriots from EOKA-B which was found as the most disturbing by the Greek Cypriot side. Hislop’s showing EOKA-B as the sole responsible for conflicts and as a barbaric organisation, and her describing the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT) as saver of the Turkish Cypriots raised reactions in the Greek Cypriot side. Greek Cypriots also criticized the book because it gave reasonable grounds for Turkish bombardment in the years of 1963-1964 and for showing the Greek Cypriot side as responsible for the 1963-1964 events.

The Greek Cypriot side is concerned if the book is translated into other languages which justifies the 1974 Peace Operation.