Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said on Saturday that the Republic of Cyprus does not rule out the possibility for the passage of Turkish Cypriots civilians to Kokkina, adding however that it cannot accept the refueling of the Turkish-occupying forces stationed in the area.
Christofias was invited to comment on Talat's statement that the Turkish Cypriot side requested the granting of passage to Kokkina as a trade-off for the opening of a crossing point in Limnitis, in the northwestern part of Cyprus.
Kokkina, a coastal village in northeast Cyprus, was the centre of intercommunal clashes in 1964, when Turkish air force planes bombed Greek Cypriot villages in the area. Kokkina is accessible only through the free areas of the Republic or by sea. Turkish Cypriots have been visiting Kokkina by land with the consent of the government of Cyprus.
Christofias said that after Talat's statement he is ''obliged to restore the truth on some issues.''
The President said that initially the Turkish Cypriot side demanded a passage for the Turkish Cypriots at Pyla village as a trade-off for the opening of a crossing point at Limnitis, which ''was unacceptable both from a political as well as military point of view''. Christofias explained that this is beacuse Pyla passage could be monitored by neither the Greek Cypriot side nor the UN Peace Keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
He added that after UNFICYP made clear that they could not accept such a passage, the Turkish Cypriot side revised its position and demanded a land passage at Kokkina as a trade-off for the opening of a crossing point at Limnitis.
The Cypriot people must be aware that Kokkina is exclusively a military enclave, Christofias said, adding that ''there are no civilians in Kokkina''.
''Because at the early stages they requested the passage of civilians we said that we could discuss this, but later on refueling was mentioned. Of course we did not reject a controlled passage of some people but when the other side requests to refuel occupying forces I do not know who could accept such a request,'' Cyprus President said.
''Therefore, Talat does not tell the whole truth. The whole truth is that gradually we reached the point of refueling (of occupying forces). As I said there are not civilians in Kokkina and the fuel would be used for the Turkish troops,'' he added, wondering whether Turkish troops will be refueled ''with our consent.''
Invited to comment on Talat's statement that the talks could reach the desired pace if the two sides discussed on a plan like the Annan plan, Christofias said he repeatedly stressed to Talat that the Annan plan has been rejected by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriots.
Noting that the course and the pace of the negotiations should be assessed according to the positions tabled by each side, President Christofias added that he is not satisfied with the positions of the other side.
''I will continue with cautious optimism to work hard for a just, viable and functional solution under the circumstances,'' Christofias underlined.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Christofias and Talat so far held 13 direct meetings in the framework of UN-led negotiations for a Cyprus solution.
For the past 45 years, Greek Cypriot residents in the area of Limnitis have to travel to Paphos, on the western coast, and Limassol, on the south, in order to reach the capital Nicosia. Opening a crossing point at Limnitis would make this journey far shorter. In the recent past, several crossing points to and from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas have opened to facilitate the movement of people.
