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‘National unity’ explodes as government and opposition let rip on handling of the Cyprus problem
By Elias Hazou


THE spiralling row between opposition DISY and the government yesterday proved that the much-vaunted “consensus on the domestic front” was but wishful thinking.

Immediately upon returning from Athens, where he held meetings with Greek leaders and politicians, DISY boss Nicos Anastassiades came out all guns blazing against the government, accusing it of filibustering with regard to developments on the Cyprus issue.

The confrontation escalated during the weekend, when AKEL’s Demetris Christofias countered: “Enough already of this song and dance…this constant whining about the lack of initiatives is both counterproductive and self-injuring.”

More attacks came from the communist party’s spokesman, Andros Kyprianou, who yesterday accused DISY of duplicity.

“On the one hand, they pay lip service to the need to preserve national unity every chance they get; but on the other hand, what they are actually doing is disrupting the domestic front by undermining the President.
“In fact, Mr. Anastassiades’ comments are an insult both to the President and to AKEL,” added Kyprianou.

As the largest party on the island, AKEL’s stance on the Cyprus issue carries much weight both politically and with public opinion. But although their views are not always identical to the President’s, the coalition partners insist that all the pro-government parties agree on the broader aspects of a peace blueprint.

Asked to comment on the charge that the government was indolent, Kyprianou said there was good reason for the current lack of activity. He cited the upcoming elections in the north and recent statements by Turkish military officials that showed the establishment in Ankara continued to be intransigent.

“Given the above, any initiative now would be doomed…” explained Kyprianou.

But the opposition’s indictment went deeper, as DISY suggested the government totally lacked a vision or a strategy for a settlement. To back up this argument, the party’s spokesman Demetris Mitsopoulos said yesterday that Anastassiades’ impression from his Greece trip was unmistakable:

“From Greek government officials, to PASOK, to Aleca Paparigha of the Communist Party, to President Stephanopoulos, everyone asked us: ‘What solution do you seek?’”

This flew straight in the face of the government, which has been giving the impression that Papadopoulos and Karamanlis had decided on joint handling of the Cyprus problem and that the two leaders were on the same wavelength.

“We need to do three things,” Mitsopoulos continued. “First, define the basis for a settlement; second, determine the changes to the Annan plan so that it is acceptable to the people; and third, undertake a diplomatic initiative as soon as possible.”

DISY’s position is that diplomatic initiative needs to be taken as soon as possible, to make the international community aware of Greek Cypriots’ concerns, which will hopefully be incorporated into a future peace plan.
“But the government has not cleared up what it wants, far from it. Instead, what we have are contradictory and mutually exclusive statements, on a daily basis, which only compounds the confusion,” said Mitsopoulos.
The accusations were dismissed by government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides, who challenged: “DISY says it wants an initiative, yet it has not proposed anything specific.”

This provoked an angry response from Anastassiades.

“If that’s the way they want to play it, fine. I could always publicise the memo I submitted to the last National Council meeting,” threatened the DISY boss.

“Then the people can see who in fact is taking them for a ride.”

But the government spokesman called Anastassiades’ bluff, taunting the opposition leader to make good on his warning.

“I don’t understand this obsession with initiatives…This is not a race against time. It’s not about who undertakes an initiative first. It’s about laying the groundwork for the right circumstances that would lead toward a solution,” remarked Chrysostomides.

When journalists pointed out that DISY has suggested the President should meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and other politicians, Chrysostomides said there was “no point in this”.

“Mr Talat has been growing increasingly hardline, and has rejected all the measures proposed by our side for economic and other co-operation between the two communities.”

But asked what the government thought about AKEL’s planned meeting with Talat’s party, Chrysostomides said “we encourage meetings on a party level.”

More controversy raged over the background to Anastassiades’ Athens trip, with the DISY leader accused by pro-government parties of trying to upstage the President by visiting the Greek capital at the same time.
DISY yesterday denied the claims, saying the visit had been scheduled as far back as late December – the implication being that, knowing this, it was Papadopoulos who in fact sought to trump Anastassiades.

“Nevertheless, these are trivial things; we should instead be focusing on the bigger picture, that is, what do we do to reunite the island,” Mitsopoulos told the Cyprus Mail.

And the next episode in the row between the main opposition party and the government is set for sometime in February, when DISY plans to visit Turkey for talks with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party.