Cyprus President critical of British stance

President Tassos Papadopoulos has criticised Britain over its stance on Cyprus, saying it had once more been unfair to the Republic in addition to putting into question the credibility of its guarantor rights.

“There is a general malaise following the strategic partnership agreement between the former colonial power Britain and the current occupation power, Turkey. I would like to believe that this agreement was not prompted by reprisals because of the 1931 uprising and the anti-colonial struggle in the mid 1950s against British rule,” he said, as he unveiled a memorial to the October 1931 popular uprising.

The President reiterated his commitment to work hard for a solution that is right for Cyprus but not to sign any political settlement which would not safeguard the minimum but self-evident inalienable rights of the people as a whole.

He said the memorial is a sign of respect to those killed during the 1931 uprising – known as Octovriana – as a remembrance of that special historic event and of the duty to continue the struggle that would bring justice to the country.

The partnership agreement commits Britain and Turkey to take forward work on ending what the Turkish Cypriots call “isolation” and to encourage others in the international community to join them in their efforts.

In the document, London and Ankara say they will work within the UN, the EU and bilaterally to promote direct commercial, economic, political and cultural contacts between the UK, the EU and the Turkish Cypriots.

They will also provide “continued help for ‘TRNC’ authorities/universities in their attempts to engage with the Bologna process” and will uphold “the right of representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the European Parliament.”

Cyprus gained its independence after the 1955-59 struggle. Britain, Turkey and Greece are, according to the treaties that established the Republic, the three guarantor powers of the country’s territorial integrity and independence. Britain has retained two military bases on the island.