Downer meets Turkish Cypriot politicians
UNITED Nations special envoy Alexander Downer yesterday met with the leaders of Turkish Cypriot political parties in occupied Nicosia.
Downer met the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and ‘Prime Minister’ Ferdi Sabit Soyer, chairman of the Democrat Party (DP) Serdar Denktash, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Tahsin Ertugruloglu and chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), ‘Deputy Prime Minister’ and ‘Foreign Minister’ Turgay Avci.
During his meetings, Downer stressed that the United Nations is hopeful for a successful peace process in the island and would do everything it could to facilitate a solution.
He said he was happy to meet with political leaders and to hear what they had to say.
On Thursday, Downer met with the leaders of Greek Cypriot parties. Reports said the Australian UN diplomat listened to their concerns regarding Talat’s position on property issues and his vision of a solution. The leaders also raised their concerns regarding security, territorial and property issues.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008
What a Downer...For GCS....
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What a Downer...For GCS....
by zan » Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:46 pm
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zan - Leading Contributor
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by paliometoxo » Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:09 pm
intresting post... gcs tell un we hate talats idea of solution and they see what the tcs have to say.... i dont think any country is in favour of this two state solution
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by zan » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:01 pm
16th time lucky? Doubts remain over Downer in Cyprus
Helena Smith, Nicosia
September 10, 2008
Page 1 of 2 | Single Page View
Doubts have been raised on whether Alexander Downer has the diplomatic skills to bring about a breakthrough in Cyprus. Photo: Viki Lascaris
IN A defining point for an island that has been divided for more than three decades, the rival leaders of Cyprus meet today in the presence of veteran Australian politician Alexander Downer for crucial talks aimed at resolving one of the world's most persistent disputes.
Weeks after formally resigning from the hurly-burly of politics back home, the former foreign minister faces the toughest challenge of his career, facilitating make-or-break negotiations in his new role as UN special envoy to the island.
For 34 years Greeks and Turks have faced each other down the barrel of a gun along a dividing UN-patrolled "green line".
The talks, which will address the sensitive issues of property, territory and security, are the first since 2004 when the island's majority Greek population rejected a UN reunification plan in a move that saw relations plunge to their lowest level.
Mr Downer, who described last week's ceremonial start of talks as a "historic day" for the island, follows in the footsteps of an army of experts and mediators charged with settling the problem.
"He is the 16th special envoy to be appointed here since 1964," resident UN spokesman Jose Diaz said, referring to the outbreak of inter-communal violence on the island. "He is very much looking forward to the job."
In public, both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, have gone out of their way to welcome the 56-year-old Australian.
But in private there has been less enthusiasm. Officials on both sides have found it hard to contain their anger over his "premature" announcement of his appointment before the UN or either community had formally approved it.
Mr Downer's throw-away line to reporters in July that he would try to "fix up" an "untidy" problem has also caused offence. In Nicosia, the capital, many have wondered openly whether, for all his patrician ways, the third-generation politician is the right man to win the trust of two unyielding foes."Can a man with such limited diplomatic skills and a tendency for confrontation be relied on to help direct talks proceed smoothly?" the influential English-language daily Cyprus Mail opined in an editorial voicing the reservations. "The Cyprus talks are a minefield, with the media and opponents of a settlement on both sides always waiting for an opportunity to pounce and scupper the procedure. The danger is that Downer, given his personal style, could provide plenty of these opportunities."
With both Greek and Turkish Cypriots led, for the first time, by moderates who also happen to be friends, this is widely seen as the last chance to bring peace to an island whose communities have been entrenched in their separate sectors, behind barbed wire and sandbags, since Turkey invaded in response to a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece
At least the language of the world press is beginning to tell the real story!!!!
Helena Smith, Nicosia
September 10, 2008
Page 1 of 2 | Single Page View
Doubts have been raised on whether Alexander Downer has the diplomatic skills to bring about a breakthrough in Cyprus. Photo: Viki Lascaris
IN A defining point for an island that has been divided for more than three decades, the rival leaders of Cyprus meet today in the presence of veteran Australian politician Alexander Downer for crucial talks aimed at resolving one of the world's most persistent disputes.
Weeks after formally resigning from the hurly-burly of politics back home, the former foreign minister faces the toughest challenge of his career, facilitating make-or-break negotiations in his new role as UN special envoy to the island.
For 34 years Greeks and Turks have faced each other down the barrel of a gun along a dividing UN-patrolled "green line".
The talks, which will address the sensitive issues of property, territory and security, are the first since 2004 when the island's majority Greek population rejected a UN reunification plan in a move that saw relations plunge to their lowest level.
Mr Downer, who described last week's ceremonial start of talks as a "historic day" for the island, follows in the footsteps of an army of experts and mediators charged with settling the problem.
"He is the 16th special envoy to be appointed here since 1964," resident UN spokesman Jose Diaz said, referring to the outbreak of inter-communal violence on the island. "He is very much looking forward to the job."
In public, both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat, have gone out of their way to welcome the 56-year-old Australian.
But in private there has been less enthusiasm. Officials on both sides have found it hard to contain their anger over his "premature" announcement of his appointment before the UN or either community had formally approved it.
Mr Downer's throw-away line to reporters in July that he would try to "fix up" an "untidy" problem has also caused offence. In Nicosia, the capital, many have wondered openly whether, for all his patrician ways, the third-generation politician is the right man to win the trust of two unyielding foes."Can a man with such limited diplomatic skills and a tendency for confrontation be relied on to help direct talks proceed smoothly?" the influential English-language daily Cyprus Mail opined in an editorial voicing the reservations. "The Cyprus talks are a minefield, with the media and opponents of a settlement on both sides always waiting for an opportunity to pounce and scupper the procedure. The danger is that Downer, given his personal style, could provide plenty of these opportunities."
With both Greek and Turkish Cypriots led, for the first time, by moderates who also happen to be friends, this is widely seen as the last chance to bring peace to an island whose communities have been entrenched in their separate sectors, behind barbed wire and sandbags, since Turkey invaded in response to a coup aimed at uniting the island with Greece
At least the language of the world press is beginning to tell the real story!!!!
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