Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (08.03.16) reports that Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to discuss the system of guarantees, not Turkey’s guarantees.
In statements to Ada television, Burcu argued yesterday that the Turkish Cypriots need Turkey’s guarantees and added:
“We need Turkey’s guarantees. […] Turkey’s guarantees are important for us. When we discuss the system of guarantees, we are ready to discuss the system, not Turkey’s guarantees. This is what we are trying to explain. […] In parallel to this, we are aware of the fact that the content of the solution will be different than the content in the 1960’s.That is, in the content of the solution itself we will obtain some security elements. For example, in 1960 we did not have a separate police force. We did not have separate courts. Bi-zonality did not exist. All these new concepts will bring new security elements to us. While creating a new system of guarantees we could take these into consideration […]
If in the future we write a new security history, if Turkey obtains a new status in which we could be all together at the same ground like the EU, the new generations may then discuss whether there is a need for these guarantees in that conditions. However, today we do not have the luxury of being able to conduct this discussion […]
When we say that the Turkish Cypriots’ security need should be respected, we are not saying that the guarantees issue should remain the same. We are taking into consideration the changing conditions. What we want is Turkey’s active guarantee. In parallel to this, we are open to an arrangement which will not constitute a threat for the Greek Cypriot community by taking into consideration the changing conditions. I think that the same should be expected by the Greek Cypriot side in the property regime”.
Burcu said that developments will be happening in the negotiations, but not as quickly as in the past. He argued that they are very cautious when replying to some views and alleged:
“[…] We are not looking for replying everything, make accusations on everything. However, there some issues sometimes that you cannot remain silent and you are obliged to make a bold statement. For example, the issue as to whether the solution will be continuation of the Republic of Cyprus or a new situation will come up is very important. You cannot remain silent to this. For example, the issue that no agreement can be reached if Morfou is not given. We want to overcome this as well”.
Referring to the elections in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, Burcu argued:
“They could cause wrong perceptions and spoiling of the atmosphere a little bit. By exhibiting a decisive stance in the beginning we made them understand that we would not permit this and prevented this from being turned into an endless debate. Therefore, I can say that we are experiencing a controlled trouble. Let them overcome the elections without any problems and after the elections a more intense negotiations timetable will begin. It is true that we will not sit back and wait until the elections. The negotiators are meeting three times a week and a good job is done […]”
Turkish Cypriot leader says that they are ready to discuss the system of guarantees, but not Turkey’s guarantees
