Cyprus-Forum.com

[The Cypriot]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CYPRIOTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM


15 July 2009
For immediate release

Turkey must change its intransigent stance on Cyprus, say British Parliamentarians

A well attended lobby of Parliament was last night told by British politicians that Turkey must be pressured to change its intransigent stance on Cyprus so that a solution by Cypriots for Cypriots can be freely negotiated on the island.

Other key messages at the event hosted by several Members of Parliament, in association with the President of the Federation at the House of Commons , related to the need for the UK Cypriot diaspora and its supporters to use the opportunity presented by the next general election to broaden the base of support for Cyprus at Westminster. The critical importance of the United States in pushing Turkey to support actively the island’s reunification was also highlighted by many of the speakers.

The annual event was organised by the Federation in co-operation with Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum to mark the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974. It was attended by Cypriot community representatives in the UK, and attracted many UK politicians committed to the Cyprus cause.

Eddie O’Hara MP, whose outspoken support in Parliament for the reunification of Cyprus has spanned decades, spoke for the last time as a parliamentarian at the Federation’s annual July lobby, as he will not seek re-election in the next general election. Mr O’Hara praised Cyprus President Christofias for his role in the ongoing negotiations on the island:

“I pay tribute to his integrity, his consistency, his cogency and most of all, his indefatigability in his negotiations with Mr Talat. The negotiations are often three steps forward and two steps back but, crucially, the overall effect is a step forward. The onus is with Ankara and we must continue to make it clear that Turkey must recognise the Cyprus Republic and allow access to their ports and airports to the Republic, and give incentives to Turkish settlers in Cyprus to return home. And Turkey must withdraw its troops.”

Roger Gale MP echoed Mr O’Hara’s sentiments and then turned to the issue of people still missing since the invasion of 1974:

“The relatives of missing people have the right to closure, a right to know the truth. Is their suffering acceptable? Of course it’s not: it’s inhumane. It’s a breach of virtually every human right that there is. We have a duty to help to bring about justice for the missing and their relatives.”

Mr Gale added that although the solution lies with Turkey, the United States is key to progress, saying “I don’t believe that Turkey will act without pressure from the US” adding that entry to the EU should also be deployed with more leverage.”

Rudi Vis MP, who will also leave Parliament at the next elections, called for the EU to get tougher with Turkey:

“The European Union should stop negotiations with Turkey, totally, until there is an agreed timetable, starting as soon as possible, with all the aspects that the Republic of Cyprus wants resolved included in it. Personally, I don’t want Turkey in the EU at all until it has sorted out not just the Cyprus issue but the many human rights issues that it has domestically.”

He added that he agreed that the United States was central saying “the Cyprus President should be talking to President Obama. There is no Cyprus problem: there is only a problem with Turkey. And Turkey must be made to act”.

Also speaking about the responsibility of Turkey to act, Nigel Waterson MP stated:

“After 35 years, we now see British-born Cypriots moving over to Cyprus, where they see a better life. They want to live their lives in their country of origin. We owe it to that younger generation to find a solution and to find one soon. And if that solution does not involve Turkey and the USA, it is unlikely that we will see any progress other than at the margins.”

Joan Ryan MP, the Government’s former Special Representative on Cyprus, endorsed a recent statement of President Christofias, saying:

“President Christofias warned that continuing the current situation in Cyprus encompasses huge risks and that the ongoing negotiations process must succeed because there is no other way to reach a solution. He is right. We’ve learned the lessons the hard way that it has to be a solution for Cypriots by Cypriots but that doesn’t mean that it will be done without the influence of outside powers, such as the EU and USA. It is inconceivable that Turkey could join the EU without a solution in Cyprus.”

David Burrowes MP began his address by speaking of the tragedy of the missing people. He recounted his experience on a trip to Cyprus last year, on which he visited the laboratories undertaking studies to help identify missing people. He said that:

“We ask for the truth for Cypriots of all backgrounds but we also want reconciliation. There are now grandchildren who have never known their missing relatives, which brings home the dreadful length of time that this has dragged on.”

He added that UK Cypriots can look not only to the window of opportunity represented by the negotiations in Cyprus but to the opportunities that the forthcoming general elections in the UK represent:

“In the coming months, with candidates coming to speak to communities, we must all work to promote the Cyprus cause. There will be lots of new MPs and now is the time to start getting Cyprus into their collective consciousness. Get Cypriots voices heard loud and clear.”

David Lepper MP, another committed advocate of a united Cyprus to stand down at the next election, said that his support had originated from exactly the sort of representations from constituents that Mr Burrowes had referred and encouraged UK Cypriots to do the same:

“Use the opportunity presented by the general election campaign – not just in London – to meet the candidates from all parties to make sure that they understand the issues. The solution must be reached by Cypriots but that doesn’t mean that the rest of us can sit back and watch. We can’t tell the people of Cyprus what to do but we can tell Turkey that they need to act, and we can ask the United States to apply pressure on behalf of your just cause.”

The meeting then heard from Theresa Villiers MP, who spoke of “the tragedy of a whole generation of Cypriots growing up in exile”. Ms Villiers joined the previous calls for UK Cypriots to step up pressure prior to the general elections in the UK. Paying tribute to the work of UK Cypriots in keeping the issue on the political agenda she added that:

“Across the parties, we will keep on working on your behalf. We remain dedicated to working towards delivering a solution to an island that has remained divided for far too long.”

Andy Love MP thanked Eddie O’Hara, David Lepper, Rudi Vis and other retiring MPs for their support for the Cyprus problem, saying that “it will be a big challenge for the community to find new MPs coming in next year, who, like Eddie and David, have very few Cypriot constituents, but who are committed on the grounds of principle”. Underlining the importance of the EU’s role in exerting influence over Turkey by using accession as an incentive, Mr Love added:

“There are many steps that need to be taken and need to be changed. There are many things that the EU can do to make Turkey come to an accommodation. Through the EU, we can engage Turkey in the peace process. Turkey has to be open and transparent with all parties, internationally as well as on the island.”

Tom Cox, the former MP for Tooting and a committed friend of Cyprus for decades, also addressed the meeting. He called strongly for a concerted effort from all supporters of the Cyprus cause to use the general election to educate new politicians of all parties with regard to the issues of Cyprus.

Also at the event was Tony Wright, Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, who attended despite pressing commitments elsewhere in Parliament, to register his support.

The meeting was chaired by Peter Droussiotis, President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, who thanked all Members of Parliament for their participation and support. In his opening address, Mr. Droussiotis listed the breaches of human rights and international law perpetrated by Turkey in Cyprus since its invasion in 1974, adding:

“All of these things have been done, and continue to be done, by a country that is knocking on the door of Europe, that has been voted as a non permanent member of the UN Security Council and which is often held up as an example of a democratic state in the Islamic world.

“Turkey needs to understand that it will not be accepted as a member of the EU without a solution in Cyprus that is freely negotiated by Cypriots. Turkey must understand that it will suffer a cost, if it refuses to allow a settlement based on the UN Charter and the principles of the European Union and international law. The United Kingdom, a close ally of Turkey, with historic responsibilities to Cyprus, must exert real pressure on Turkey to support with deeds - not merely with words - the true unity of the island.”*

In closing the meeting, which included a question and answer session, Mr. Droussiotis urged Cypriots to show their commitment to the Cyprus cause by attending the march through London and subsequent rally for a united Cyprus taking place this Sunday at Trafalgar Square.

PHOTOS OF THE EVENT CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.cypriotfederation.org.uk/ind ... 1&catid=76

VIDEO OF THE EVENT WILL ALSO BE POSTED AT www.cypriotfederation.org.uk

[Viewpoint]

The GC pom pom girls are out in force again.

[The Cypriot]

The word 'Greek' doesn't appear once in the above press release. All these MPs share a concern for Cyprus and Cypriots of all backgrounds.

[Viewpoint]

The word 'Greek' doesn't appear once in the above press release. All these MPs share a concern for Cyprus and Cypriots of all backgrounds.

Did they have pompoms?

[miltiades]

The Cypriot , will you be attending on Sunday ?

[paliometoxo]

The GC pom pom girls are out in force again.

as much a si wish it where not true i agree with u.. this means and will do nothing... turkey is very good at ignoring reuests from countries to help r eunite instead of demand partition...

the only way to get the turks to stop being bitches is to use FORCE but whos going to do that?...NO ONE

[The Cypriot]

The word 'Greek' doesn't appear once in the above press release. All these MPs share a concern for Cyprus and Cypriots of all backgrounds.

Did they have pompoms?

VP, what is this?

[The Cypriot]

The Cypriot , will you be attending on Sunday ?

Milti, I have actually injured me leg quite badly and am not walking v. well at the moment so afraid not.

[Oracle]

“The European Union should stop negotiations with Turkey, totally, until there is an agreed timetable, starting as soon as possible, with all the aspects that the Republic of Cyprus wants resolved included in it. Personally, I don’t want Turkey in the EU at all until it has sorted out not just the Cyprus issue but the many human rights issues that it has domestically.”

Perfect ....

[Viewpoint]

The word 'Greek' doesn't appear once in the above press release. All these MPs share a concern for Cyprus and Cypriots of all backgrounds.

Did they have pompoms?

VP, what is this?

Did the lobbist cheerleaders have blue and white pompoms...