Cyprus-Forum.com

[Anglo]

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.a ... =y4z453y5x

Surely a bluff by Erdogan?

[gabaston]

hmmmm

pap will probably see and raise...................

and so the stakes keep rising.

[brother]

i don't believe it, they almost made tassos sound ........interested, need more proof.

[-mikkie2-]

Brother,

We only see one side of what is going on. We are not party to what is happening behind the scenes. I have long argued that we need to give Papadopoulos a chance. It appears that his chance is now coming, so lets wait and see what transpires.

[magikthrill]

It seems to me more like Erdogan is kissing ass rather than T-Pap being all generous.

On a side note though I find it quite annoying when articles mention TCs "overwhelmingly" supported the A-Plan. 65% is not even a 2/3 majority! I feel like these authors only write "overwhemingly" because thats what they heard on TV or something yet have no idea what the percentages actually were.

[Alexandros Lordos]

From what I know, the diplomatic community at the moment does not consider Tassos to be opposed to negotiations. They see him as cautious, rather than opposed.

Apparently, from what I have heard, at the moment Turkey is even more ambivalent than the GCs over re-commencing negotations, probably because they are aware that significant concessions on the chapter of security will be demanded of them in the context of new negotations - and of course they are aware that the "blackmail" dynamic (over EU accession) that tied the hands of GCs in earlier negotations, will now work against themselves.

Therefore, Turkey prefers to sit tight on the moral high ground of being the one that supported the Annan Plan, rather than spoil its "good reputation" by getting involved in further negotations ...

[Kifeas]

From what I know, the diplomatic community at the moment does not consider Tassos to be opposed to negotiations. They see him as cautious, rather than opposed.

Apparently, from what I have heard, at the moment Turkey is even more ambivalent than the GCs over re-commencing negotations, probably because they are aware that significant concessions on the chapter of security will be demanded of them in the context of new negotations - and of course they are aware that the "blackmail" dynamic (over EU accession) that tied the hands of GCs in earlier negotations, will now work against themselves.

Therefore, Turkey prefers to sit tight on the moral high ground of being the one that supported the Annan Plan, rather than spoil its "good reputation" by getting involved in further negotations ...

I perfectly agree with your assessment regarding Turkey’s real agenda.

Do you believe that Papadopoullos should proceed and sent in advance, a detailed list with all the specific changes that the GC side wants to see in the A-plan, as per Annan’s request.

[Viewpoint]

Surely Alexandros if that were the case then Southern Cyprus should be the ones pushing for the next round of negotiations to capitalize on the matters you mention.

[brother]

Talks hopes after Moscow meeting
By Jean Christou


A THAW in Cyprus-Turkey relations during an impromptu meeting of the main protagonists in Moscow yesterday appears to have opened the way for a new round of talks, Ankara and Nicosia said last night.

The lunchtime meeting brought together UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan, President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

On his return to Ankara last night, Erdogan told reporters that after the Moscow meeting he believed Cyprus was ready for fresh talks, and that Papadopoulos appeared to be warming to the idea.

“Mr Annan said a new peace process can be launched and I saw that the Greek Cypriot side was not negative towards this idea,” Erdogan said, adding that he would hold more meetings with the Secretary-general when he visits the US in early June.

“Compared to their previous statements, I saw they approached positively the issue of carrying out such a process.

“In our trilateral meeting with Mr Papadopoulos, Mr Annan said that the referendum was left in the past and that a new process could start.”

Cyprus News Agency reports from New York last night citied a UN source saying that Annan was ready to send an envoy to the region on an investigative mission aiming at restarting a Cyprus initiative.

The source said this development was a direct result of yesterday’s Moscow meeting. Papadopoulos had also told Annan that he himself would send an envoy to New York for consultations. Annan then told Papadopoulos that once he had spoken with the Greek Cypriot envoy, he would make his decision, but that it was “almost sure” Annan would be sending an envoy to the region.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides told the Cyprus Mail last night that the meeting appeared to have signaled a new understanding by both Erdogan and Annan of the Greek Cypriot side’s position.

Until now, Annan has said he would not resume Cyprus talks until the Greek Cypriot side submitted in writing the changes it wanted to his reunification plan, which was overwhelmingly rejected in the south of the island in a referendum last year. Annan also wanted to see enough good will from both sides that would indicate that any new talks would not be a waste of the UN’s time.

So far, Nicosia has refused to submit the changes it wants, insisting that it would not give away its negotiating position in advance of any talks. This position had angered the Turkish side, and tensions have also been high recently over the property issue, and Ankara’s stalling over the signature of the customs union protocol required by the EU. Observers say Turkey is keen on a Cyprus solution, fearing that if the problem remains outstanding it could be a thorn in the side of Ankara’s EU course.

But it seems now that Annan is willing to go ahead with a resumption of talks without the government having to put its positions in writing beforehand.

Chrysostomides said the meeting came about as Papadopoulos was seated next to Annan at lunch.

“They had the chance to exchange quite a lot of things in the conversation. Mr Annan was very satisfied with the attitude shown by the President,” he said, stressing that Papadopoulos has not changed his position on how a new round should move forward.

“The President didn’t say anything other than what he says all the time, that we need careful preparation so that a new round will have prospects for success,” said Chrysostomides.

The spokesman said Erdogan then went to the table and all three men started talking and exchanging views.

“It doesn’t appear that anything extraordinary happened. However, the direct talk helped Mr Erdogan to understand that the President has always been sincere towards proceeding to a new round of talks, but this was the first time, because of the direct contact, that Erdogan could see that,” Chrysostomides said.

“Other people and other leaders know this already.”

Asked if Annan might forego his demand for written changes to his plan, Chrysostomides said: “The Secretary-general expressed satisfaction with the position of the President and the President hasn’t changed his position, so it means that he may not insist in putting our negotiating positions on the table,” he said.

[achilles]

From what I know, the diplomatic community at the moment does not consider Tassos to be opposed to negotiations. They see him as cautious, rather than opposed.

Apparently, from what I have heard, at the moment Turkey is even more ambivalent than the GCs over re-commencing negotations, probably because they are aware that significant concessions on the chapter of security will be demanded of them in the context of new negotations - and of course they are aware that the "blackmail" dynamic (over EU accession) that tied the hands of GCs in earlier negotations, will now work against themselves.

Therefore, Turkey prefers to sit tight on the moral high ground of being the one that supported the Annan Plan, rather than spoil its "good reputation" by getting involved in further negotations ...

First of all, hello to everyone since this is my first post on these boards.

As far as i am concerned, what i quoted above is a fairly balanced and to-the-point perspective of Turkey's approach towards Cyprus and the Anan plan. It pretty much sums up Turkey's tradition in being practically offensive, while speaking from inside the well of innocence in terms of theoretical parlance. And i will leave it to that, since i would not want to sound provocative in my first post.

I fully endorse the idea that Cyprus should be a unified whole, strongly attached to the European bandwagon. I am looking forward to Turkey's good will in order for this conflict to be eventually resolved.

Have a good one all....