
Reply to DIKO on the Cyprus Problem
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 22nd July 2015, Nicosia
We must first of all point out to the Press Spokesperson of the Democratic Party (DIKO) that regarding precisely the same issues she is accusing AKEL about, these have been answered one by one in the AKEL Spokesperson’s reply yesterday. It seems, regretfully, that we are addressing deaf ears.
We also criticize the attitude – not to use a more severe characterization – of statement made today by the Spokesperson of the Democratic Party. For anyone, with the effortlessness of Mrs. Erotokritou, to apportion to any party the adoption of Turkish positions is an extremely serious matter. Whoever makes such accusations should substantiate them effectively; otherwise he/she becomes a common slanderer.
With the same and even greater easiness one could argue that the most important Turkish goal, that is to say the perpetuation of the partitionist status quo, is accepted by the forces that continuously promote maximalist positions, out of place and time; positions that have no possibility whatsoever of leading to progress on the Cyprus problem. However, we will not slide down to this level of argument.
What does stem from the Christofias-Talat convergences, the Downer document and from the public statements of AKEL cadres is precisely the opposite of what the DIKO Press Spokesperson is claiming:
The continuity of the Republic of Cyprus is guaranteed.
For the first time the exercise of the freedom of movement, settlement and acquisition of property by all Cypriots, without any restriction whatsoever, is foreseen.
For the first time the common election for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots is safeguarded.
Our position that the owner, not the user of the property has the first say is recorded explicitly in the documents cited by the DIKO Press Spokesperson.
AKEL will continue to support the negotiation procedure, aiming to exploit the window of opportunity offered by the assumption by Mr. Akinci of the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community. We will combat with determination the efforts to create a climate of fear and the demonization being attempted, whose only result would be to prevent any potential progress on the Cyprus proble3m.