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Statement by Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26th January 2012, Nicosia
We believe that any Party that wants to be considered as politically responsible should always first seek information, before jumping into any conclusions regarding issues of vital importance, as Cyprus problem is.
We regret to point out that this is anything but the case with regards the opposition parties' behaviour.
Before the departure of the President of the Republic for New York, all the parties agreed to the critical nature and difficulty of the meeting. Political parties were expressing their concerns about "consolidating" the so -far agreed ("nothing is agreed until all agreed"), and a "codification" that the UN would impose etc. We regret that while the President of the Republic was waging a difficult battle for Cyprus at "Green Tree" certain forces here in Cyprus sought to weaken his position as a negotiator by exercising constant and unfair criticism to his political handlings.
Regarding the UN Secretary-General's statement, but also the general issues relating to the meeting, we would like to state the following, based on the information we have.
1. The President of the Republic waged a tough battle for Cyprus defending principles and decisions of the National Council.
2. We indicate as positive the fact that the concerns that were being expressed by the parties about a supposed interim agreement and an alleged "consolidation" of convergences have been refuted as a result of the President's stands.
3. The fact that the UN Secretary-General made it clear that the UN would not impose a solution on the two sides is also positive, namely that any agreement will be the result of substantial negotiations between the two communities under UN auspices.
4. The statement that the assessment regarding the recording of any progress must be in line with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions is also important.
5. At the same time as AKEL we express our concern about the fact that from circles of the UN there is a persistence on convening an international conference that would mark the end of the Cyprus problem. We reiterate the position of principle also put forth by the President of the Republic, that is to say that an International Conference must only be convened if there is agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem and with the consent of both communities.
6. We express our concern about the lack of progress on the substance of the Cyprus problem. This is due solely to the Turkish attitude that insists on positions outside the agreed framework. We urge the UN and the international community to turn their attention to the Turkish side and demand Turkey's compliance with the relevant UN Resolutions if they really want and seek a solution.
At the same time we express concern because the lack of progress charges the atmosphere more and perpetuates the negative facts for Cyprus and our people.
The common judgment made by all is that the coming months will be very crucial and decisive for the future course of the Cyprus problem, but also for Cyprus and the Cypriot people. The seriousness of the situation requires prudency and responsibility to be exhibited by all the political parties, mass media and generally by those involved in the Cyprus problem. Furthermore, this demands adherence to the framework that has been agreed for the solution and to the longstanding positions of the National Council. Any attempt to abandon or change them would be fatal for Cyprus and our people.
We regret to point out that the opposition parties' stand is the opposite of this. Unfortunately, petty-party expediencies and personal ambitions are dominant, placing the national interest in second place.
The Democratic Rally party (DISY), faithful to its constant transformations, is accusing the President of the Republic of allegedly having accepted timetables, which is not true. DISY tends to forget that its own President has been exercising fierce criticism of Demetris Christofias and AKEL, by saying that our insistence on not accepting timetables was not leading to a solution. It rejects the submission of ideas by the UN forgetting that it has been strongly criticising the President on his perseverance on a procedure under Cypriot ownership.
At the same time, other parties are expressing concern that the President will be forced to say No to the UN Secretary-General regarding a possible invitation for the convening of an international conference. To avoid this possibility they are advising him to say No right now. At the same time, they forget the jubilations regarding the No vote in the 2004 referendum.
Our appeal is that we should all rise to the occasion, express positions, opinions and criticism taking into account the critical nature of the situation and to discuss in detail the whole situation within the National Council by submitting proposals that will lead towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and not to the consolidation of the faits accomplis on the ground. This is how AKEL will act.
AKEL on UN Secretary-General´s Statement and Conclusion of New York Talks on the Cyprus Problem
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 26th January 2012, Nicosia
We believe that any Party that wants to be considered as politically responsible should always first seek information, before jumping into any conclusions regarding issues of vital importance, as Cyprus problem is.
We regret to point out that this is anything but the case with regards the opposition parties' behaviour.
Before the departure of the President of the Republic for New York, all the parties agreed to the critical nature and difficulty of the meeting. Political parties were expressing their concerns about "consolidating" the so -far agreed ("nothing is agreed until all agreed"), and a "codification" that the UN would impose etc. We regret that while the President of the Republic was waging a difficult battle for Cyprus at "Green Tree" certain forces here in Cyprus sought to weaken his position as a negotiator by exercising constant and unfair criticism to his political handlings.
Regarding the UN Secretary-General's statement, but also the general issues relating to the meeting, we would like to state the following, based on the information we have.
1. The President of the Republic waged a tough battle for Cyprus defending principles and decisions of the National Council.
2. We indicate as positive the fact that the concerns that were being expressed by the parties about a supposed interim agreement and an alleged "consolidation" of convergences have been refuted as a result of the President's stands.
3. The fact that the UN Secretary-General made it clear that the UN would not impose a solution on the two sides is also positive, namely that any agreement will be the result of substantial negotiations between the two communities under UN auspices.
4. The statement that the assessment regarding the recording of any progress must be in line with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions is also important.
5. At the same time as AKEL we express our concern about the fact that from circles of the UN there is a persistence on convening an international conference that would mark the end of the Cyprus problem. We reiterate the position of principle also put forth by the President of the Republic, that is to say that an International Conference must only be convened if there is agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem and with the consent of both communities.
6. We express our concern about the lack of progress on the substance of the Cyprus problem. This is due solely to the Turkish attitude that insists on positions outside the agreed framework. We urge the UN and the international community to turn their attention to the Turkish side and demand Turkey's compliance with the relevant UN Resolutions if they really want and seek a solution.
At the same time we express concern because the lack of progress charges the atmosphere more and perpetuates the negative facts for Cyprus and our people.
The common judgment made by all is that the coming months will be very crucial and decisive for the future course of the Cyprus problem, but also for Cyprus and the Cypriot people. The seriousness of the situation requires prudency and responsibility to be exhibited by all the political parties, mass media and generally by those involved in the Cyprus problem. Furthermore, this demands adherence to the framework that has been agreed for the solution and to the longstanding positions of the National Council. Any attempt to abandon or change them would be fatal for Cyprus and our people.
We regret to point out that the opposition parties' stand is the opposite of this. Unfortunately, petty-party expediencies and personal ambitions are dominant, placing the national interest in second place.
The Democratic Rally party (DISY), faithful to its constant transformations, is accusing the President of the Republic of allegedly having accepted timetables, which is not true. DISY tends to forget that its own President has been exercising fierce criticism of Demetris Christofias and AKEL, by saying that our insistence on not accepting timetables was not leading to a solution. It rejects the submission of ideas by the UN forgetting that it has been strongly criticising the President on his perseverance on a procedure under Cypriot ownership.
At the same time, other parties are expressing concern that the President will be forced to say No to the UN Secretary-General regarding a possible invitation for the convening of an international conference. To avoid this possibility they are advising him to say No right now. At the same time, they forget the jubilations regarding the No vote in the 2004 referendum.
Our appeal is that we should all rise to the occasion, express positions, opinions and criticism taking into account the critical nature of the situation and to discuss in detail the whole situation within the National Council by submitting proposals that will lead towards the solution of the Cyprus problem and not to the consolidation of the faits accomplis on the ground. This is how AKEL will act.
