Turkish Cypriot leader strongly disagrees with Finnish proposal on Cyprus

Talat accuses EU of buckling under pressure from Cyprus

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Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Turkish-occupied North Cyprus, has sharply criticised Finnish proposals for a solution to the Cyprus question.
      Under the proposal, the Turkish Cypriots would have to relinquish the deserted Varosha district of the divided city of Famagusta. In return for such an agreement the EU would allow free trade with North Cyprus. Turkey would also be expected to open its harbours to Cypriot ships.
      Talat feels that the proposal is not a balanced one. He wants the airports of North Cyprus to be opened to international flights. Currently the only air links to North Cyprus are with Turkey.
      "If the opening of Ercan Airport were part of the proposal, it would be much more acceptable. However, the Greek Cypriots will not accept anything that would benefit us. The government of Cyprus will not be satisfied if we get anything - even a single euro", Talat laments.
      He says that Cyprus has "enslaved" the whole EU, and that representatives of EU member states are "afraid" to meet Talat for fear of protests from Cyprus.
      "Foreign diplomats call and ask to meet in a cafe or a hotel. The large countries of the EU are afraid of the Greek Cypriots", Talat complains.
     
The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of North Cyprus, Erdil Nami, is disappointed with the EU, noting that the embargo threatens plans to increase tourism in the area.
      About 300,000 tourists visited North Cyprus last year, but the goal is to exceed one million tourists in the coming years. To this end, 15 luxury hotels are being built there.
      Nami nevertheless fears that the Greek Cypriots will use their veto in the EU to prevent the distribution of EU financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots.
      "The Greek Cypriots are trying to dictate terms of surrender to us - to make us second class citizens, and to make Cyprus a Greek Island", Nami says.
      He said that he hopes that European countries, such as Britain, Sweden and Germany, as well as Israel and the United States, would grow tired of the impasse ans start direct flights to North Cyprus. Nami says that this would weaken the power of Cyprus to dictate demands.
      "From the moment that Ercan Airport is opened to international flights, Cyprus will unite within six months", Nami predicts.
     
In the divided city of Famagusta, Oktay Kayalp, Mayor of the Turkish side, bemoans the fate of the abandoned district of Varosha.
      From the windows of his office, he can see the covered windows of buildings that have been deserted during all of his 12 years as Mayor.
      "Only the birds and the mice have been happy about the situation, as they can live in peace in the abandoned five-star hotel", Kayalp says.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki Cyprus meeting cancelled due to Turkish reluctance (3.11.2006)

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