Cyprus Political parties condemn attacks against Turkish Cypriots

The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties participating in the subcommittee meeting of party leaders, meeting regularly at the Ledra Palace, have ''strongly condemned'' the attacks by ''chauvinist groups'' on Turkish Cypriots traveling in their cars in Nicosia on January 17.

''We expect that the responsible persons will be identified and brought to justice. We believe that such actions are negatively affecting the climate between the two communities, hence undermining the negotiations process and efforts for a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem,'' the parties note in a press release.

They furthermore declare their ''firm determination to continue our struggle for the unification of our country and call upon our people to isolate these chauvinist groups and not allow them to undermine the vision for a united, peaceful and prosperous Cyprus.''

The issue will be raised in the plenary meeting of the leaders of the political parties at the Ledra Palace under the auspices of the Slovak Embassy on January 21.

The participating parties are leftwing AKEL, right wing Democratic Rally (DISY), centre Democratic Party (DIKO), the United Democrats and ADIK, and the Turkish Cypriot Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Community Democracy Party (TDP) and the United Cyprus Party (BKP).