Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities have criticized Britain for a cooperation deal it signed with Greek Cyprus, saying the deal undermines efforts for peace in the island.
A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, released yesterday, said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias on Thursday in London was a "negative intervention" in the ongoing peace process in Cyprus and cast a shadow on efforts for a just solution on the island. The statement also said Ankara had difficulties in understanding why Britain ever signed such a deal.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) also slammed the agreement, saying it was "unacceptable" and would have a negative impact on efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
"With their recent efforts, the Greek Cypriot side has indicated that they are looking for the solution of the Cyprus problem somewhere else. Unfortunately, for the sake of mending its aggravated relations with the Greek Cypriot side, the UK has provided support to this effort of the Greek Cypriot side as well and became an instrument to the efforts of shaping the Cyprus problem in an environment where one of the relevant parties is absent," Hasan Erçakıca, spokesperson for Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, said late on Thursday.
"By signing this memorandum, Mr. Christofias has acted in a way that does not coincide with the agreements he has reached with President Mr. Talat and that will lead to a problem of confidence which will have negative effects over the negotiation process. For the authorities of the UK, by providing support for such actions, they, themselves have led to suspicion regarding their statement that they support the new negotiation process in Cyprus which was launched by 21 March agreement," Erçakıca said in a written statement, the English version of which was also posted on official Web page of the KKTC presidency.
Britain signed an agreement with Turkey on Oct. 23 that referred to the northern part of the divided island as the "KKTC." In January of this year, the Greek Cypriot government said it was reconsidering the status of two British military bases on the island, saying Britain implicitly recognized the KKTC in the agreement signed with Ankara.
"It seems that the threats regarding the British bases on the island are being taken seriously by the authorities of the UK and therefore, with the motive of protecting its bases, the UK attempts to provide support to the Greek Cypriot side in an unjust manner," Erçakıca said. "It is also bizarre that in the said memorandum it is said that 'no separate political existence' on the island shall be recognized or upgraded. Both Mr. Christofias and the authorities of the UK, as well as the whole world, are aware of the fact that there are 'two separate political existences' in Cyprus and a settlement that is to be reached for the Cyprus problem will be based on this fact," he added.
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detay ... ink=144144
Slam here, slam there, slam everywhere
