Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (07.03.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has replied to the criticism against him by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) noting that they criticize him as if former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat had solved the Cyprus problem and he spoiled everything after his “election”.
In statements yesterday during a meeting with the occupied Kokkina village so-called fighters’ society, Eroglu argued that the entire “people” and not only some parties want a solution, but an agreement on the basis of the excessive, as he alleged, Greek Cypriot demands will have no benefit for the Turkish Cypriot “people”.
Eroglu alleged: “We are the side which submits proposals on every chapter at the negotiating table. They, on the other hand, are at the same point they were during the first days [of the negotiations]. Negotiations after 1 July when the Greek Cypriots will overtake the EU term presidency will be meaningless”.
Eroglu argued that the activity and the accusations against him that started after the meetings of UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer with a party or the trade unions platform are not a very pleasant thing.
He also alleged that during his visits in the occupied area of Cyprus, Downer “tried to instigate the people” against him by telling them to “shout” when they asked him what they should do. Eroglu said that he assesses the protest held the day before yesterday in front of his office as “an action launched by Downer”.
Eroglu noted that he had read a long time ago the books sent to him by some circles as if he does not know what is being discussed at the negotiations and added: “They are acting as if the negotiator before me had settled everything and I am rejecting it. When I came [on duty] I found six chapters. Not one had been concluded. They (Talat and Christofias) held absolutely no discussion on the territory. They discussed only once the property and then left it aside saying it was difficult