Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

The first meeting of the second round on Cyprus negotiations, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow morning, has been postponed by a sudden decision made by the Greek Cypriot Side.

Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias’ Special Aide Yorgos Yakovu has announced the unilateral postponement, which he said follows the ‘crisis’ occured at the Yesilirmak Gate today.

He said their decision was immediately forwarded to the UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer who is in Cyprus.

Mr Yakovu claimed that the wrong stance owned by Turkish Cypriot officials at the Gate had shadowed the beginning of the second round of talks.

Greek Cypriots attended religious ceremonies at the Ayios Mamas Church in Guzelyurt today.

They were to cross into the TRNC in minibuses through the Yesilirmak Gate - which is not officially opened yet, but the mass crossing didn’t take place.

According to the information obtained by BRT, the mass crossing didn’t realise when some Greek Cypriots who didn’t apply for pre-permission – rejected to present their IDs at the Yesilirmak Gate.

Greek Cypriots used the Bostanci gate to attend today’s ceremony.
About 650 Greek Cypriots were expected to cross from the Yesilirmak Gate today with 24 minibuses, but only two minibuses carrying about 40 passengers appeared at the Gate.

Greek Cypriot passengers first refused to go under an ID control by Turkish officials.

And following the control later, it came out that names of many passengers were not included in the list of names earlier presented.

Minibuses had to return as conditions were against the Turkish crossing procedure, which was earlier told to Greek Cypriot officials.

The Mukhtar of the Greek Cypriot Pyrgos Village- Kostas Mihailidis- who was among the passengers with his villagers put the blame on Yorgos Yakovu and his team.

He said officials from Mr Yakovu’s office have presented a list of names to the UN Peace-Keeping Force which was different from the list that had his seal on it.

`WE CALL ON GC SIDE TO ACT WITH COMMON SENSE` SAYS ERCAKICA

The TRNC Presidential Spokesperson Hasan Ercakica has said the crisis at Yesilirmak had its source in a disagreement among Greek Cypriots themselves.

Ercakica said, as agreed before, Turkish Cypriot officials were on duty at the moment to make sure the crossing procedure would be followed properly.

“The procedure that our officials followed had nothing against the mutual agreement we earlier had with the Greek Cypriot side” he stressed.

Mr Ercakica rejected Yakovu’s blaming claims and said the Turkish side was very much disappointed with the postponement of tomorrow’s meeting, which he said was being awaited with hope.

“We hope that the Greek Cypriot Side will chose to act with common sense by bearing in mind the possible reactions it’s going to face. Tomorrow’s meeting was scheduled to take place at 10 am and they still have time to change their decision.

Otherwise, this will be all about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face” Ercakica said.

PM EROGLU SAID THERE IS A GREK CYPRIOT SCENARIO GOING ON
Further reaction on Yesilirmak crisis comes from Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus- Dervis Eroglu.

He called the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias’ refusal to sit at the negotiations table by presenting the Yesilirmak issue as an excuse, a ‘scenario’.

“Mr Christofias is probably stuck and is writing a scenario to withdraw from negotiations” Eroglu said.

Eroglu reminded of the fact that the agreed procedure envisaged the presentation of full lists of names of Greek Cypriot pilgrims to the Turkish side and the Turkish side earlier told Greek Cypriot officials that their people would go under ID control at the Yesilirmak Gate.

“According to a previous list, we expected about 600 people to cross into our side. But we ended up seeing two minibuses only. That is to say, there is a Greek Cypriot scenario going on” the Premier said.
Mr Eroglu also noted that Christofias, who he said is leaving the negotiations table with lame excuses, has proved that he has no intention of reconciliation

[halil]

UN ADVISER CALLS FOR CALM AND WANTS PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON THE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE- A SOLUTION

The UN Special Adviser to Cyprus Alexander Downer feels disappointed over the shocking developments on the island within the last few hours.
Speaking after his meeting with the TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, Downer yet said the Cyprus process is a long one, and ups and downs in such a process can naturally take place.

What needs to be done under such difficult conditions is to stay calm and focus on the long-term objective which is to provide a solution to the Cyprus problem, Downer said.

[paliometoxo]

what about the turks who kept out the cypriots form goin to the north?

[Kikapu]

The first meeting of the second round on Cyprus negotiations, which was scheduled to take place tomorrow morning, has been postponed by a sudden decision made by the Greek Cypriot Side.

Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias’ Special Aide Yorgos Yakovu has announced the unilateral postponement, which he said follows the ‘crisis’ occured at the Yesilirmak Gate today.

He said their decision was immediately forwarded to the UN Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer who is in Cyprus.

Mr Yakovu claimed that the wrong stance owned by Turkish Cypriot officials at the Gate had shadowed the beginning of the second round of talks.

Greek Cypriots attended religious ceremonies at the Ayios Mamas Church in Guzelyurt today.

They were to cross into the TRNC in minibuses through the Yesilirmak Gate - which is not officially opened yet, but the mass crossing didn’t take place.

According to the information obtained by BRT, the mass crossing didn’t realise when some Greek Cypriots who didn’t apply for pre-permission – rejected to present their IDs at the Yesilirmak Gate.

Greek Cypriots used the Bostanci gate to attend today’s ceremony.
About 650 Greek Cypriots were expected to cross from the Yesilirmak Gate today with 24 minibuses, but only two minibuses carrying about 40 passengers appeared at the Gate.

Greek Cypriot passengers first refused to go under an ID control by Turkish officials.

And following the control later, it came out that names of many passengers were not included in the list of names earlier presented.

Minibuses had to return as conditions were against the Turkish crossing procedure, which was earlier told to Greek Cypriot officials.

The Mukhtar of the Greek Cypriot Pyrgos Village- Kostas Mihailidis- who was among the passengers with his villagers put the blame on Yorgos Yakovu and his team.

He said officials from Mr Yakovu’s office have presented a list of names to the UN Peace-Keeping Force which was different from the list that had his seal on it.

`WE CALL ON GC SIDE TO ACT WITH COMMON SENSE` SAYS ERCAKICA

The TRNC Presidential Spokesperson Hasan Ercakica has said the crisis at Yesilirmak had its source in a disagreement among Greek Cypriots themselves.

Ercakica said, as agreed before, Turkish Cypriot officials were on duty at the moment to make sure the crossing procedure would be followed properly.

“The procedure that our officials followed had nothing against the mutual agreement we earlier had with the Greek Cypriot side” he stressed.

Mr Ercakica rejected Yakovu’s blaming claims and said the Turkish side was very much disappointed with the postponement of tomorrow’s meeting, which he said was being awaited with hope.

“We hope that the Greek Cypriot Side will chose to act with common sense by bearing in mind the possible reactions it’s going to face. Tomorrow’s meeting was scheduled to take place at 10 am and they still have time to change their decision.

Otherwise, this will be all about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face” Ercakica said.

PM EROGLU SAID THERE IS A GREK CYPRIOT SCENARIO GOING ON
Further reaction on Yesilirmak crisis comes from Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus- Dervis Eroglu.

He called the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias’ refusal to sit at the negotiations table by presenting the Yesilirmak issue as an excuse, a ‘scenario’.

“Mr Christofias is probably stuck and is writing a scenario to withdraw from negotiations” Eroglu said.

Eroglu reminded of the fact that the agreed procedure envisaged the presentation of full lists of names of Greek Cypriot pilgrims to the Turkish side and the Turkish side earlier told Greek Cypriot officials that their people would go under ID control at the Yesilirmak Gate.

“According to a previous list, we expected about 600 people to cross into our side. But we ended up seeing two minibuses only. That is to say, there is a Greek Cypriot scenario going on” the Premier said.
Mr Eroglu also noted that Christofias, who he said is leaving the negotiations table with lame excuses, has proved that he has no intention of reconciliation

Halil, why isn't Bayrak using the term "Turks of Cyprus" any longer.??

[paliometoxo]

why should cypriots have to show a id card/passport in their own island?

[halil]

why should cypriots have to show a id card/passport in their own island?

Only solution can solve this problem .............

[paliometoxo]

it would be nice for a solution but turkey doesent want to let a solution happen.. so its not very easy going to the table knowing the only power that can or is willing to do something to solve the cy problem is doing everything in their power to ensure it does not happen

[eleni]

Such a shame!!! and a missed opportunity!!!

wouldn't it have been a nice gesture on TC's part for GC's to have passed through the crossing without being stopped.

after all aren't they the ones that are calling for all sorts of nice gestures to be shown from GC's.

[insan]

it would be nice for a solution but turkey doesent want to let a solution happen.. so its not very easy going to the table knowing the only power that can or is willing to do something to solve the cy problem is doing everything in their power to ensure it does not happen

Yeah... Turkey, together with TCs do everything in their power to ensure TCs won't become a minority in Cyprus; because being a minority is not a solution for us. Got it re Balio?

[insan]

Such a shame!!! and a missed opportunity!!!

wouldn't it have been a nice gesture on TC's part for GC's to have passed through the crossing without being stopped.

after all aren't they the ones that are calling for all sorts of nice gestures to be shown from GC's.

Eleni,

TC side did everything as previously agreed. According to the relevant TC officials it was Iacovu and some other GC officials that plotted for a poltical purpose.