TOP AIDE to the Turkish Cypriot leadership Kudret Ozersay yesterday emphatically added to speculation that the ‘ghost town’ of Varosha will be opened to Greek Cypriot residents under Turkish Cypriot rule if the peace talks fail.In an interview with English-language Turkish Cypriot paper Cyprus Today, Ozersay was quoted saying that if the talks fail, the authorities in the north will push forward with plans for the fenced off area of Famagusta. “We will be taking action in parallel with UN parameters and the expectations of the international community. These actions will not hamper peace and stability in the region. “However, we do not need to get the approval of the Greek Cypriot side to put these plans into practice,” he said. ... 16 comments

PRESIDENT Christofias recommended that Famagusta refugees “exercise restraint and composure and show some confidence in the political leadership” when asked to comment about the Milliyet report claiming that Turkey would open the fenced area of Varosha, under Turkish Cypriot administration... 13 comments

REPORTS OF Turkey opening the fenced off part of Famagusta town to Greek Cypriot residents under Turkish Cypriot rule has left many scratching their heads as to what lies behind the press report. Some analysts consider it an “opening salvo” by the Turkish side ahead of UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer’s report on the status of the peace talks to pressure the Greek Cypriots. Others say there is a clear legal agenda behind the move, while some see it simply as a bluff. President Demetris Christofias yesterday made it clear that the preconditions for the return of Varosha (the fenced off area of Famagusta) to its legal inhabitants are explicit and defined by the UN... 9 comments

 TURKISH Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu took the ‘official UN line’ on Varosha last night after remaining tight-lipped all day following reports that Varosha could be opened to its Greek Cypriot residents on July 1 – under Turkish Cypriot administration.The report in Turkish daily Milliyet naturally drew strong reactions from the Greek Cypriot side, which said any proposals, which violated UN resolution would be rejected.“Actions that aim to create impressions and go beyond decisions of the international organisation [UN] or violate them are not accepted by the Greek Cypriot side,” said Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou. Turkey and the north remained silent about the reports for much of the day yesterday... 18 comments

THE GOVERNMENT roundly rejects any proposals on the fenced-off area of Famagusta which violate UN resolutions, said government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou yesterday. A report in yesterday’s Turkish daily Milliyet suggested Turkey was preparing to open the ghost town Varosha to its Greek Cypriot residents but under Turkish Cypriot administration on July 1, coinciding with Cyprus taking over the EU Presidency. “Actions that aim to create impressions and go beyond decisions of the international organisation or violate them are not accepted by the Greek Cypriot side,” said Stefanou. ... 3 comments