Cyprus question tops electioneering debates

Nicosia, Jan 22 (CNA) – As election day draws nearer, presidential candidates, their associates and supporters intensify their efforts, with opinion polls, either in the print or the electronic media, announcing results that are too close to call.

The purpose of the exercise, for at least the main three candidates, is to secure “a ticket” for the run off election on February 24, as it seems highly unlikely for any of them to be elected on February 17. Though arguments are put forward against each other, adjectives attributed, discussions turning lively, everybody seems to be on guard not to alienate others, just in case they would have to consult with them and seek their vote in their bid for the presidency.

The three principal candidates are: incumbent President Tassos Papadopoulos is seeking re-election, for a second term in office. He is backed by the Democratic Party (DIKO), which he led for a number of years, the Social Democrats Movement EDEK, the European Party and the Ecologists.

House President, General Secretary of AKEL Demetris Christofias is running for the presidency, the first time AKEL has put forward its own candidate for the presidency. AKEL, a former government coalition partner, announced its decision to contest the elections with Christofias in the summer, after EDEK had made public its support for Papadopoulos’ re-election bid.

Euro MP and former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides is also one of the main contenders of the Republic’s highest post. He is backed by the Democratic Rally party and other smaller movements, offshoots of the party.

Former Agriculture Minister Costas Themistocleous and Euro MP Marios Matsakis have also submitted their bid for the presidential elections.

In addition to this, Andreas Efstratiou, Costas Kyriakou (Outopos), Anastasis Michael and Christodoulos Neofytou are contesting these elections.

There can be little doubt that the main bone of contention in this election campaign is the question of Cyprus, with discussions often reverting to 2004 when the UN launched its most rigorous attempt to reunify the country, which has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

During electioneering, Papadopoulos is pressing on with an agreement he clinched with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, in July 2006, saying this is the only way forward that will take Cyprus out of the current stalemate.

He has on a regular basis defended his tactics and policies during the 2004 negotiations, under UN auspices, which came under fire even from former partner in government AKEL. Papadopoulos says he backs a bizonal bicommunal federal solution “with the right content.”

Addressing supporters on Monday night, he said the July agreement stipulates that the political settlement will emerge from discussions on the substantive aspects of the Cyprus problem, rejected outright a two-state solution and said that decisions at the EU are taken by the Commission and the European Council, which at its last meeting issued a unanimous decision on Cyprus.

On the economy, he said it would not be led again to fiscal deficits and promised even better days ahead, while on defence matters, he had this to say: “the National Guard can and perhaps it should be disbanded after the Turkish occupation troops withdraw” not before and as long as Turkey maintains a 43,000 strong military force in occupied Cyprus.

Christofias appeared critical of his former partner, saying that Papadopoulos did not submit “the red lines” of the Greek Cypriot side during the 2004 negotiations. He promises to undertake an initiative to make headway towards the resumption of negotiations, leading to an overall settlement on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal ferederation. One of his main assets, as his election office often points out, is AKEL’s association with the Turkish Cypriots.

In a speech at a concert on Monday night, he committed himself to assuming “substantive and well prepared initiatives to shift Turkey’s intransigent stance on Cyprus because we can, we are credible and reliable interlocutors in the international community and because the Turkish Cypriots trust us.”

He said culture and the arts are fundamental in the party vision to protect the island’s cultural heritage and said a School of Fine Arts is a must for the country. “Our victory in the elections is a guarantee for the renewal of the political life. This victory is a victory for unity, for the people, for hope,” he added.

During election debates, former foreign minister Kasoulides has been called to justify his “yes” vote in the 2004 referendum on a UN proposed plan, the Annan plan, which Papadopoulos’ camp and AKEL had rejected. Kasoulides counts a lot on his European credentials and the political clout this gives him, according to his supporters. He has presented a comprehensive package on the question of Cyprus, made public at the start of his campaign.

In his address at a DISY congress, he said Europe is Cyprus’ foundation for the 21st century, a stronger, more modern and free country, with a solid economy, improved educational system and a better quality of life.

“My first priority is to instill hope in the younger generation and help them have targets, personal and collective goals, which they can achieve, help them find the job they want and deserve,” he said.

In an appeal to voters from other political quarters, Kasoulides had this to say: “we have different policies but what unites us is far more than what divides us.”