OPEN
LETTER TO OUR TURKISH-CYPRIOT COMPATRIOTS
Dear Compatriots,
A crucial phase in the century long history of
Cyprus has come to an end with the Copenhagen decision on December
13. Our homeland was accepted in the big family of the European
nations, with all what that means for the future prosperity, security
and progress for all its inhabitants.
The decision took into consideration all that
have come in place since 1974. And while it included the whole of
Cyprus as an equal partner, it decided that the European Rules and
Aqui Communitaire will be implemented on the territories which are
under the control of the legal government of the Republic of Cyprus,
while it decided to temporarily hold the implementation of these
provisions on the occupied territories; these provisions shall be
enforced when a solution is found. The procedure which will follow
with the signature of the treaty of accession, its acceptance, and
the final entry of Cyprus in the E.U. on May 2004 will close this
chapter.
We have observed with great interest the positions
of the new Turkish Government which expressed its wish to find a
solution to the Cyprus problem. We noticed especially the position
of the Turkish Foreign Minister that the problem should be solved
before the signature of the treaty of accession so that the Turkish
occupation forces of an independent state will not convert themselves
into occupation forces of E.U. territory, with the consequences
that this will mean to the European course of the Turkey itself.
Similarly we have observed the big demonstrations
you have held so as to immediately find a solution to the Cyprus
problem and that you participate through a re-unified Cyprus to
the E.U. Your platforms "this land is ours" and "our
common vision" has showed us your declared wish to work for
building a re-unified homeland.
Obstacle to all these has been the out of time
insistence and intransigence of Mr. Rauf Denktash, who refuses to
accept the will of the International and European community, the
government of Turkey, you the Turkish-Cypriots and us the Greek-Cypriots
-i.e. the legal inhabitants of the island- for a honorable, just,
and long-lasting solution that will come about through negotiations.
This out of time insistence must stop. And you
have the strength with the support of so many outside forces to
achieve it.
In order that finally the road will be opened
to solve this long-lasting problem, we call upon you to work so
as not to miss our new appointment of February 28, which has been
set by the UN Secretary General and was repeated in the E.U. decision.
For us the Anan plan is a basis for negotiation.
A plan that can conclude into a long-lasting, just, and workable
solution provided that during the negotiations the principles of
international and UN law are taken into consideration, as well as
Human Rights, the Aqui Communitaire, the relevant UN resolutions
on Cyprus, the high level agreements between our two communities,
the need for both of us to live in security, and the feeling that
justice has prevailed. The positive elements of the plan should
become more and replace negative aspects. We should achieve the
withdrawal of the occupation forces and the illegal settlers. We
should achieve a re-unified Cyprus with a Federal structure that
guarantees one international personality, one indivisible sovereignty,
one citizenship, and which rejects any groundless thought for separate
states or con-federation. A Cyprus which has consciously chosen
a European course and perspective, will create the guarantees for
all the island's citizens respect for Human Rights and basic freedoms,
and especially will guarantee the implementation in the whole of
the Cyprus territory the freedoms of ownership, movement and residence.
And all these will work with a truly Federal, Democratic and Functional
system of government.
This country is ours ! All of us ! All the Cypriots
!
The Federation of Cypriot Organizations in Greece
Athens, 17/12/02
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