The 32nd Congress of the International Coordinating Committee – Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) opened on Tuesday in Washington, with the participation of about 100 delegates from the USA and Britain.
Welcoming delegates to the conference, PSEKA President Philip Christopher stressed the importance of addressing the excessive optimism US officials express with regard to a Cyprus solution in 2016, without at the same time having tangible proof from Ankara.
President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), Andreas Papaevripidou said that for the first time things seem to change towards Turkey in Britain.
“Officials at the Foreign Office, other government members and parliamentarians are beginning to understand that Turkey no longer behaves as an ally and they largely attribute this to President Tayyip Erdogan`s policy”, he said.
Papaevripidou hoped that in the upcoming referendum on “Brexit” the Cypriot community will vote in favor of Britain staying in the EU.
Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) Eddie Zemenides said that everyone in Washington is trying to give the impression that a solution is imminent. However, he continued, “we still have not seen any tangible evidence.”
“If the solution is imminent, why they have not given yet, even to the competent members of Congress, the amount that will need to be approved for financing the solution?”, he asked.
He even wondered why US officials, in meetings they have with the leadership of the two communities and the government of Cyprus, do not convey something specific about the contribution of Turkey, but only communicate words.
The new Ambassador of Cyprus to Washington, Leonidas Pantelidis said that compared with 20 years ago, when he served again in Washington, this time he sees that the interest and knowledge of the US government officials, but also of think tanks analysts in Cyprus is very large.
Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides conveyed an address to the conference by Cyprus` President Nicos Anastasiades and briefed in depth the delegates on the latest developments. US government officials updated delegates on the Administration’s positions on Cyprus and the Greek economic crisis.
Meanwhile expatriates had a closed discussion on the Cyprus issue with US officials, during which
the absence of concrete steps from Turkey in Cyprus and the role of the US government were the main topics of cocern.
According to many participants, the “excuses” they have heard, did not contain anything specific and they were not convinced. The officials referred to US-Turkish relations and existing problems. However, they argued that although difficulties still remain, a number of issues have move forward. They said that Turkey is now a willing member of the coalition against ISIL and there is understanding for the strategic cooperation between the US and the Syrian Kurds. Regarding Israel, they said that things have not yet reached a desired point, but they are optimistic that in the end they would find a way.
For Cyprus, they argued that despite what happened in Istanbul, they believe that in the end Turkey will play a positive role and will encourage the solution. To support the argument that they exert pressure on Ankara, they referred to the personal involvement of Vice President Biden, with telephone conversations to the leaders and the UN Secretary General.
US officials, according to participants, understand that the Cyprus problem is now in front of the difficult issues of territory, property and guarantees, but as the parliamentary elections ended they wish to see intensified efforts and urged expatriates to encourage the efforts for a solution. They acknowledged that there are difficulties, but they see that this is the best opportunity in decades. They said that the solution is in the interest of all in the region.
As they said “the US government devotes much effort to reach a solution this year,” but the US is not only there for the wedding ceremony, but also for the marriage.
They also said that they are investing in the good relationship between President Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci and reiterated that the talks are led by the leaders, with the facilitation of the UN and the support of the US, the EU and others.
The expatriates argued that there are issues such as the Varosha issue, the presence of troops, missing persons and the military archives of Turkey, where the Turkish Cypriots have no role at all.
US officials reiterated that in their private conversations the Turks maintain that they want progress and that they believe that at the end of the day, Turkey will recognize that it is a unique opportunity to reunite Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. UN-led talks between Anastasiades and Akinci began in May last year, with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
Apostolos Zoupaniotis