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25 July 2011, Monday / TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARA

The European Union and the United Nations fear criticism targeting Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his government following a deadly blast at a naval base on July 11 might increase antagonism between the leader and Greek Cypriots, who may reject a solution engineered at the end of UN-led negotiations, according to reports in Greek Cypriot media.


With his credibility and reputation damaged after the blast, which came on top of an already turbulent economy, Christofias is feared by the EU to have lost influence on Greek Cypriots and the ability to reinforce a possible solution that could come out of reunification talks, reports said. The reports also said the EU was hesitant on whether Christofias could lead the six-month rotating presidency of the bloc when Greek Cypriots assume the leadership in the second half of next year.

Reports circulating in Greek Cyprus point to a UN concerned about the position of Christofias, who has recently become the target of harsh antagonism. This is a development that also preoccupies Turkish diplomats, despite the leader having promised that negotiation talks would continue without disruption despite the conditions.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks during his visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) last week added to the confusion for the international community, leading UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe to admit, “I do not understand what is going on in Cyprus anymore,” Greek media reported.

The explosion at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Greek Cyprus caused the deaths of 13 people and wounded 30 others, while at the same time rendering useless the largest power plant on the Greek part of the island. The explosion was caused by a wildfire that spread to a munitions dump and the effects in its aftermath led to the resignations of the Greek Cypriot defense and foreign ministers, putting Christofias' government at stake.

http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/news ... sId=251631