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Ban’s visit was reduced to a spat
Topic tags
Cyprus
UN Secretary-General with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the north THE TURKISH Cypriot leadership set a “trap” for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on his visit to the north in an effort to upgrade their status, which “boomeranged” on them, said government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou yesterday.
According to Stefanou, Ban had been tricked into meeting Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at the ‘presidential palace’ in the north, despite an earlier agreement to hold the meeting at his residence next door. The move backfired as UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer was forced to issue a statement clarifying that “the Cyprus Republic is the only recognised state and that Mr Talat is nothing more than the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community,” he said.
A source close to the talks said the decision to bamboozle the UNSG and his team was a “stupid” one which had only short-term gains.
“It shows disrespect to the UNSG. Talat probably did it to increase his popularity but at what cost? Time was wasted on this incident which could have been spent getting more substance from the visit.
“The two leaders have reached a stage when they’ve nearly agreed on almost everything in the governance chapter. But the moment to make a substantial announcement while the UNSG was here was lost. Talat may have miscalculated there.”
Regarding the decision of four Greek Cypriot parties not to attend Ban’s reception as a result of the location change, one diplomatic source described it as a “very childish way of behaving to score some cheap political points”.
“I think it’s a very immature way of behaving especially since you have a chance to meet with him and tell him what you think.”
He added that people should not lose focus of the bigger picture, which is that the UNSG took time from his demanding schedule to try give some impetus to the process. “It is absurd to reduce that to a spat about where he met the leader of the Turkish Cypriots. It’s a disservice and injustice to the process.”
Other diplomatic sources yesterday confirmed that Ban was due to visit Talat at his residence on Monday, but that the location of the meeting was changed last minute, forcing Ban and his team to go to the ‘presidential palace’ in the north. The notification came as Ban made his way from the Ledra Street crossing to Talat’s offices, almost moments before his arrival. One source ventured further to say that the move proved costly to Talat as it cast a shadow over the visit, resulting in the low-key statements made at the joint press conference by Ban and the two leaders.
Stefanou said the effort to “create impressions…boomeranged”, as even the UN showed surprise by the change of location. Even those within the Turkish Cypriot community agreed that the move had backfired, he added.
“When we say the UNSG was trapped, which then boomeranged. ‘Trap’ is a very strong word. Nobody sets up a trap for a good purpose,” said Stefanou.
The boomerang did not stay north, however, as four Greek Cypriot parties, DIKO, EDEK, the Greens and EVROKO felt the change of location warranted a boycott of the reception held by Ban at the Ledra Palace that night. DIKO’s Fotis Fotiou said yesterday Downer could have been “clearer” in his explanatory statement while EDEK’s Yiannakis Omirou found no positives from the visit, which “left a bitter taste”.
Talat was quoted in the Turkish Cypriot press saying that if Ban had forced him to meet elsewhere, “the meeting would not happen and the visit would be a fiasco”.
A high-ranking Turkish Cypriot official yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that there was no violation or change of the agreement between the Turkish Cypriot side and the UN.
“All we told the UN orally was that we would respect past practices. There is ample precedence for this. (Former UNSG) Kurt Waldheim visited the same building, as did (former British Home Secretary) Jack Straw and (European Commission President Jose Manuel) Barroso,” he said.
The senior official said the only reason former UNSG Kofi Annan met former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at his residence during his visit to Cyprus was because the offices next door were under construction.
“There was no pressure by the Greek Cypriots at the time, and the UN didn’t bow down to pressure. In the past, there was never any conditionality like this,” he said.
While few murmurs were heard during Barroso’s visit, Straw’s demand to see Talat in his offices in 2006 did create quite a commotion, with former president Tassos Papadopoulos snubbing the British minister during his visit to Cyprus.
Contrary to Turkish Cypriot accounts, a diplomatic source confirmed that the UN delegation was “quite surprised to find out when they arrived where the meeting was going to take place”. By that point, “it was too late to do anything about it”.
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DAVE comments:
Hassan, thats a shame. I've worked with many TC's in the past from Africa, Mideast, Europe, SE Asia to Omaha USA and found them to be good people. You probably won't like this but they are very Similar in character to GC's
Hassan kemal from UK/Kyrenia comments:
Dave,
Desalination plant in the North is beyond Authorities capabilities. It is even a struggle to get a phone line. Unless you are a supporter of one or the other party.
They have no funds available, they do'nt even have money to pay civil servants and private contractors that do government jobs like roads, repair buildings etc...
They are looking towards Turkey for funds and this leaves them in a very weak position.
Years ago, early 1960s there was a Turkish Cypriot newspaper called Republican and believe it or not this paper is banned in North Cyprus.
Owners of the paper murdered by unknown because they were promoting tolerance and friendship between two communities.
I believe it was in June 1961 edition, there was an article '' If we don't get money from Turkey we will not be able to pay the public workers'' as you can see last 50 yrs nothing has changed.
Most of the money Turkey gives to North Cyprus is spend on Turkish nationals.
For example to qualify for a grand you need to have Turkish Passport and also born in Turkey. I think this is a program to help its unskilled and mostly uneducated Turkish mainlanders to settle in Cyprus.
Majority of Turkish Cypriots are High School or University educated and our children are also following our footsteps.
Unfortunately we have very little say with regard to planning our future.
Pavlos from Nicosia comments:
@ trixi: On Internet chat systems, forums and comments, typing a sentence in all capitals is often considered rude, the large letters akin to shouting or yelling within the social context.
Lenventi comments:
Emir Soler you are a very interesting and agressive person. Several of your comments so far suggest that going to war would bring a solution...a quick fix perhaps..
Lets imagine it ---
The puppet state of the TRNC would loose badly anyway..It wouldn't be in Turkey's favour either. Turkey would look bad internationally and loose regional power status if they lost to Cyprus. Cypriots would have the element of surprise and it would be over in a few days.
--- now back to reality
In reality everyone looses in WAR.. only a supreme military strategist can win completely but unfortunately there are none of those in Cyprus.
So the politicians have to become supreme political stategists and unit Cyprus by the pen.
Lets hope the politician can get smarter.
The old saying "the pen is mightier than the sword" mean anything to you...
DAVE comments:
Hassan, I don't think thats practical as I said the sea bed between turkey and cyprus is very mountainous (troodos mountains under the sea). So you need a couple of compressors giving out discharge pressures of about 4,500 psig. It will probably be cheaper to have desalination plants.
All it takes is one tiny hole in the pipeline and the whole system is contaminated.
Hassan kemal from UK/Kyrenia comments:
Dave,
I was talking to a guy once on a flight to Cyprus and he was suggesting that because of the depth of the channel.
They could use the gravity to pump the water to Cyprus.
DAVE comments:
Fevzi & Hassan many thanks for the info. One more question. who will pay for the project. It won't be easy or cheap. Speaking as an engineer. The terrain between Cyprus and turkey is mountainous. You will need large diameter waterproof polyethylene water pipes and not forgetting the large fuel thirsty compressors to pump the water from A to B. Also the holding tanks etc.
Demetris from Larnaca comments:
Hopefully they will find some time to talk about the actual talks once they all decide where they can meet. What a waste of time
Fevzi from London & Kyrenia comments:
To Dave & Hassan Kemal:
About the project to bring water from Turkey to N. Cyprus by undersea pipeline. I have read that the feasibility studies were completed and the Turkish government announced that the matter was being put out to tender. There would be a holding station in southern Turkey and one in north Cyprus. The project would be complete in two or three years.
Desalination plants would be expensive to operate and once water is brought by pipeline, it could also be sold to South Cyprus (if they will take it) or, even to Israel. Don't forget, water will be the rare commodity in the future, even more valuable then petrol.
They say future wars will be about water, not petrol.
Water that is scheduled to come to North Cyprus from Turkey at present just flows into the sea.
Vince from London comments:
Christoph,
Sorry but what the UNSG will take away from the incident is the petty and pathetic reaction of the GC politicians who refused to dine with him just because he went to the "wrong" building! Doesn't bode well for constructive progress from GC's on a solution.
Hassan kemal from UK/Kyrenia comments:
To Dave,
Answer to your question is NO.
I remember in 1977 an official from North Cyprus was visiting London and told us that it would cost $70M USD to build a pipeline.
So every 4-5 years this subject surfaces like a yellow submarine and then disappears.
I think the way ahead for Cyprus is desalination plant to solve the water shortage.
Christoph from USA comments:
Talat made an ass out of himself with this cheap political theatrics. This will not be forgotten by the UNSG and it shouldn't be.
Joe Citizen from Limassol comments:
Emir Soler from Anti Greek Propaganda -You missed the point completely. Go back into hibernation.
Tony from Cyprus comments:
Well, Why is anybody suprised that an officail, in the case the leader of the UN does not no whats north or south! His from the far east living in nutty new york, cyprus to him is a town not a country... thus he can not tell who's who, thats why he is GS of the UN....
Tony from Cyprus comments:
Well, Why is anybody suprised that an officail, in the case the leader of the UN does not no whats north or south! His from the far east living in nutty new york, cyprus to him is a town not a country... thus he can not tell who's who, yhats why he is GS of the UN....
Emir Soler from Anti Greek Propaganda comments:
Joe Citizen, if you want North Cyprus, hurry up and join the National Guards.
You will not get North Cyprus on the table, I promise you that.
Joe Citizen from Limassol comments:
Emir Soler from Long Live TRNC. Why aren't you there to spit your comments in person and scream at the GC's from over the walls? Easy to talk from 4000km away. You'll learn one day you are just a toy to Turkey.
Dee comments:
Most of these opposition party rabble are not even local councillor material, let alone national politicians.
It really is one of the reasons that the Greek Cypriot politicians are regarded as a bit of a joke within the international community.
It is a great pity, as there are many young, intelligent and able men and women out there – but they do not stand a chance against this ancient Makarios clique of old men, who hang on to the reigns of power in a country they helped to divide, continue to profit from and still rule.
DAVE comments:
Changing the subject slightly, do any of you people know if the undersea water pipeline from turkey is still being built or considered? and if so has anybody prepared a feasibility study or how it will be financed?
Fevzi from London & Kyrenia comments:
I agree with some of the comments expressed here about Cypriot politicians 'growing up', they've got nothing sensible to say.
What difference does it make who meets who in what building? The talks being conducted by Christofias and Talat are as leaders of the two communities and NOT between the RoC and the TCs. As one reader rightly said, if Chritofias can meet Ban in his presidential palace why can't Talat meet him in HIS presidential palace?
The TRNC may not be recognised but it DOES exist and it is no less a democratic entity than the RoC, with its proper institutions, presidency, government of ministers, judiciary, police, etc.
In fact, the Republic of Cyprus is illegitimate as it does not include the Turkish Cypriots who were forcefully ousted from the government in '63. The fact that the international community recognises the presently constituted RoC as having sovereignty over the whole island is a travesty of justice. Their writ doesn't pass in the North anyway.
Finally, as Kyriacos Roumbas says, isn't it time for us Cypriots to decide if we are going to live together in peace. The parameters are quite clear: A bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality and guarantee for our security.
So, what's the problem?
Emir Soler from Long Live TRNC comments:
I am surprised Greeks didn’t advise UN Secretary-General to wear an Oxygen tube and a mask, so he won't breath in TRNC air.
Vince from London comments:
John Alexander,
"after all, this is what the GC struggle has been about for 50 years: the prevention of partition and the forestalling of a separate Turkish state on the island."
Really? Your "struggle" appears to be having the entirely opposite effect!
garo keshishian from uk comments:
all politicians in Cyprus - please GROW UP and stop acting like immature teenagers.
jim from CYPRUS comments:
THE Greek side of Cyprus is destroyed, turists don't want to visit the island, the economy is effected greatly by it!it is not beautiful island that Cyprus should be!There is a lot of hate,people should focus on life in 2010 and let go of the past,focus on future to make the best of it!Try to be friendly and hospital to visitors to the island!
Troodo comments:
Contrary to Turkish Cypriot accounts, a diplomatic source confirmed that the UN delegation was “quite surprised to find out when they arrived where the meeting was going to take place”
Which diplomatic sourse was that then the Roc's?
Troodo comments:
John Alexander.
I think it will be the GC side that gets a slap for this disrespect for Ban Moon. You will not hear about it in the Roc, or if you do it will be sanitised and turned into double speak as has been done on many occasions in the past.
John Alexander from London comments:
Clearly, the Turkish side has shown how insincere it is in these so-called negotiations, which it has regarded all along not as a means to achieve a 'solution', but as a means to deceive international opinion while: 1. Turkey tries to bludgeon its way into the EU; and 2. the occupation regime continues to look for recognition.
Talat's trick on the UNSG does smack of desperation, particularly after the Orams ruling, which confirms that the Republic of Cyprus has sovereignty over the whole of Cyprus. The Ban deception strikes me as the last hurrah of the pseudo-state, which is bankrupt politically and economically. Also, it's important for the GC side to react strongly against any attempt by the occupation regime to achieve legitimacy; after all, this is what the GC struggle has been about for 50 years: the prevention of partition and the forestalling of a separate Turkish state on the island.
JT from UK comments:
What you guys must understand is, why did the tc's take him to the pseudo presidential palace? The reason behind the tc's thinking is to show foreign parties that they are equipped to run a state....
they tried to mislead and were enbarassed by the UNSG who stated that talat is only recognised as the leader of the tc's not a PRESIDENT!
Kyriacos Roumbas from Cyprus comments:
Why do certain politicians of ours make such big issues about really nothing in reality. Why don't they first concentrate more on the real issues of every day life for the Cypriot people who voted them into power, and face the realities of how they are going to solve the day to day running of Cyrus and solve the Cyprus problem. Not how to prolong the partition that has existed for so many years and complain about who met who in which building. Are the buildings people meet in important or all the people of Cyprus more important.
A situation exists here in Cyprus that sadly to say the so called Mother Lands, as some Greek and Turkish Cypriots call them, are the ones that should be doing everything they can to resolve this long lasting issue instead of trying to divide Cyprus for so many years. Actually I believe they are doing very little in reality other than to keep the Greek Cypriots on one side and the Turkish Cypriots on the other, helped along with the British and the Americans as they also have played their part over the years and continue to do so.
I regretfully believe that time is running out for a United Cyprus. If a way cannot be found to resolve the differences and reach a solution for a United Cyprus between President Christofias and Mr. Talat, we will all face the reality that exists today and has existed for the past 35 years or so. That is partition to become permanent and along with this scenario the recognition of the so called TRNC, for the international community must surely be getting sick and tiered of the Cyprus problem.
I further believe that many politicians and individual business people on both sides have too much to lose in one way or another if the Cyprus problem is solved. So maybe this might be another factor playing its ugly role in not being able to solve the Cyprus problem. We can all scream and shout how we have been wronged, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. When are the real Cypriots going to stand up from both sides of the divide and say enough is enough and just cross over to each others side in mass and revolt against the ones who want partition. What will the politicians on both sides do, each side to instruct their armies to shoot everyone? I don't think so! what the Cypriots don't have is the guts to actually revolt against the present unacceptable situation that has been created by greed and non respect of human rights. People power can and will find a solution if the people really want one. As long as the so called clever politicians on both side and third party interests are aloud to control want goes on during the negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem, sadly to say, there will never be a solution.
I SAY THIS TO THE PEOPLE OF CYPRUS. IT IS LONG OVER DUE THAT YOU ALL FINALLY STAND UP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DIVIDE AND COME TOGETHER, SO YOU CAN RID YOURSELVES OF THE BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN CREATED OVER SO MANY YEARS. YOU SHOULD ALL FINALLY BECOME CYPRIOTS AND LIVE IN PROSPERITY AND PEACE TOGETHER!
Dee from Paralimni comments:
With regard to the four GC parties who rudely snubbed the UNSG's reception; I would advise that they are not invited in future. This reception was for Grown-Ups, not immature hotheads.
@ F. Loizou.....if only!
Troodo comments:
Anything that upsets the GC’s has got to be a step in the right direction. Every time they throw their toys out of the pram drives another nail. Anyway, Downer said they recognise the Roc, he did not appear to say they did not recognise the TRNC. In diplomatic speak that speaks volumes.
Olaf from Oslo, Norway comments:
Christofias has two hats: one as the President of the Republic of Cyprus, representing the totality of the island's teritory and population, and a second hat as the leader of the Greek Cypriot community only. In all UN-sponsored negotiations to-date, the President of the RoC has been taking off his first hat, and putting on his second hat, facing the Turkish Cypriot negotiator as an EQUAL.
During the UN Secretary's visit, both leaders were treated equally, as was always the case. So I don't understand why all the fuss. If Christofias, while wearing his second hat, chose to receive the Secretary General in the RoC presidential palace, it is only fair that Talat should respond in kind, acting exactly as he did.
F.Loizou from London/Cyprus comments:
If Martin Luther King was a Cypriot politician he would have addressed the people in the following manner:
"Let us not wallow in yesterdays valley of hate, division and despair.We have the difficulties of today and tomorrow but we should dream of a better and united future for our country.
I have a dream that one day soon Cyprus will fulfill its destiney to be united and truely free.
I have a dream that one day soon the sons of Ottoman masters and Cypriot subjects will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that even the raped city of Famagusta,sweltering in the heat of oppression,will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by their ethnicity or religion but by the content of their character.
I have adream that in Kyrenia and in Limassol where some politicians threaten war and permanent division... one day there, little Greek Cypriot boys and girls and little Turkish Cypriot girls and boys will join hands as sisters and brothers.
This is our dream!This is our hope!" WHY NOT? WE CAN DO IT!
Hassan Kemal from UK/Kyrenia comments:
Nothing has changed in the attitude of both communities.
It is all scoring brownie points. No one cares about the genuine people that are looking for a settlement.
As the old Bush said: Read My Lips. NO Settlement in Cyprus not for another 2 generations.
john from uk comments:
how pathetic, kicking up a fuss of what building the people meet in? by all accounts its a new building next door to the old one? if such a "incident" sparks such a reation ask yourselves is there a real chance of a united cyprus? i think not
Disappointed from Cyprus comments:
I am astounded at the naivety and even downright stupidity, at times, of Cypriot politicians from both sides of the divide and from all the parties, none excepted. When are we going to have some leaders with a modicum of intelligence?
Vince from London comments:
What Mr Downer actually said was "it's well known that the United Nations recognise the Republic of Cyprus, you are aware of that" and "The Secretary-General met with Mr. Talat in his capacity as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in the context of the negotiations for a solution for the Cyprus problem"
What this article does is add "only" and "nothing more than" in an attempt to recover some ground.
The amusing thing is that the incident might have gone largely unnoticed if it were not for the "shocked" reaction of GC politicians who threw their toys out of the pram.
Alan Davies comments:
Yiannakis Omirou is a political dwarf and only good for constant snipes at any constructive process - he does not deserve to be quoted as he is a prize arse.