The Turkish reports about the opening of the besieged city of Famagusta under Turkish Cypriot administration are a good opportunity for the Greek Cypriot side to return the issue to priority, says Mayor Alexis Galanos.
He points out that as a municipality and as citizens, the people of Famagusta were patient, showing understanding and supporting the efforts for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.
But now is the time to put, as he says, the issue of Famagusta as a priority. "But now is the time for Famagusta and these reports give us the opportunity for the counterattack that must be done and to promote it," said Mr. Galanos.
He reiterates that he considers the reports that saw the light of day on the Turkish side as Turkish games and not as a real intention. He does, however, sound the alarm, noting that opening the enclosure under any regime other than returning it to its rightful residents would be catastrophic.
Galanos: "Blofa" the Turkish scenarios for Famagusta
He also adds that there can be no return under other conditions, to a city that cannot function and needs to be rebuilt on a large scale.
"I personally do not believe that such a measure can be implemented, regardless of whether some people in their pain and despair decide to return. "It will be a return with no prospects and no hopes of development, to a city that has wanted for years to stand on its own two feet and be rebuilt," he said.
What information do you have as a municipality about the possibility of implementing the Turkish plans for the opening of the enclosed city, under Turkish Cypriot administration?
First of all, the Turkish plans have not been officially revealed, except for statements by some officials and reports. The whole issue was originally raised by an issue of the Milliyet newspaper. The reports continued for many days and without underestimating them, we believe that a possible effort of the Turkish side will be aimed at the end of the day, along with the division to settle Famagusta.
I believe that for the time being, they are testing our resistances and trying to create a war of nerves. Before making final decisions, they want to measure our side. Personally, I do not think they will proceed with this measure for practical reasons.
This does not mean that we should not react as a municipality, calm and without panic.
First: By informing and exchanging views with the negotiator and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Spehar, and we also expect from the President of the Republic.
Second, by diplomatic means, to bring back the issue of Famagusta as a matter of priority, proposing the issues of the resolutions and the vertical decisions of the Security Council concerning the return of Famagusta to its legal residents under Greek Cypriot administration. I mean resolutions 550 in 1984 and 789 in 1992.
Most, the Kyprianou-Denktas Summit Agreement, the provision of which refers to the return of Famagusta to its legal residents under Greek Cypriot administration.
I am also referring to steps that are already being taken and should be taken in the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and their various committees. In fact, here, I want to remind you that the progress report on Turkey every year refers to the return of Famagusta to its legal inhabitants.
All these and other legal measures that can be taken will be discussed with the Attorney General of the Republic. I want to say that no evil pure good. We have neglected the issue of Famagusta in recent years. I say it with all seriousness. We strengthened the government's efforts for a comprehensive solution and not to give the impression that the so-called "sandblasting" is marginalizing the overall solution. We marched together and no more intense action was taken for Famagusta because this was promoted by the government and the political world and we will be accused of undermining the effort for a final solution.
But now is the time for Famagusta and these reports give us the opportunity for the counterattack that needs to be done and to advance the issue of Famagusta.
Akinci in "Milliet" closes the issue definitively, saying that there is no issue at this stage. Was it about Turkish games after all?
I do not know, but probably. This justifies my initial assessments and reactions that should definitely have been made precautionarily.
It was preceded by the announcement of the so-called mayor for the opening under control of a beach. Do you have contact with this person, what does he tell you about the moves that are made?
Apart from a formal contact, there is nothing else because he himself avoids having contacts. He comes from the party of Mr. Serdar Denktash and certainly does not follow the policy followed by his predecessor with whom we had already made our agreement to return the enclosed city to our side, the opening of the port according to European standards and its upgrade medieval town.
As a result, the current mayor, who hails from Denktash's party, had campaign commitments to officially open this part of the beach.
It must be said that it has been used informally before and seems to have some agreement with the Turkish troops, because it is part of the enclosed area. We have made our protests and we are waiting for information and mobilization in this issue as well, apart from us and the Government and the UN that have been identified.
What does this mean for the issue of Famagusta? How worrying do you find it and what will be your position as a municipality?
Only to announce such a thing will create a very bad leap and will give the impression that we have now reached the division, because the motives for a solution of the Cyprus problem will be removed one by one.
Personally, I do not believe that such a measure can be implemented, regardless of whether some people in their pain and despair decide to return. It will be a return with no prospects and no hopes of development to a city that has wanted to stand on its own two feet and rebuild for years. How will these things happen if this illegal act is committed by the Turkish Cypriot side.
I was once asked the argument of the trapped. But is that what we want? Should some return as trapped? Let us also remember the Third Vienna. We started with 15-20 thousand Karpasites trapped and today there are 300 left. You understand what I mean.
What is the reaction of the people of Famagusta to this possibility? What do you receive as a municipality from your contact with the ordinary people of Famagusta?
Most people I speak to do not see this as possible and realize that the city cannot function in such conditions today.
Regardless of the desire to return, they realize that there is also the issue of recognizing the occupied, for no real reason, in addition to love and the desire to return home.
But I also received from some a discomfort and unjust hostility to be forgiving. I was told that we and all politicians are tired of them. There is a great deal of frustration and it is in these murky waters that some people hope to catch.
Various actions and steps were taken from time to time for the return of the city of Famagusta, with the collection of signatures, etc. Where is the issue and what is the result of these actions?
The collection of 2007 signatures took place in 30.000, which moved our world and internationally. Two large volumes of signatures that circulated around the world and were handed over to congressional officials in the United States, to the President of the European Parliament, to the Parliaments of Europe.
There was a great mobilization to a great extent. The city of Famagusta is a symbol for Cyprus abroad.
People know that in Cyprus there is a ghost town, which is systematically destroyed by Turkey. Books have been written about Famagusta, such as Mrs. Hislop, and there is an awareness of the issue.
But after 43 years, we do not hold this great drama as a flag to the extent that we owe it as a State. So do not expect everyone else to be moved. When you do not propose your rights, you lose them.
We are at a crossroads and it is time to give battle to Famagusta. The world is full of refugees, modern great tragedies in our region, the world is cynical. The media in the international are promoting the immediate and current. We live in our microcosm and think we are a separate planet. We need a change of mentality, mobilization, unity and less selfishness but real patriotism.
What is the current situation of the enclosed area, what projects need to be done based on the plans of the Reconstruction Council and what is the cost? Can anyone return under the current circumstances?
Only with drones can one see the city today and the situation that prevails. No one can enter. There were some stairs at some point.
What is a common finding is that the city needs to be rebuilt to a large extent. Plans and seminars have been made and many workshops are working, preparing some studies for water supply and electricity in case of normal return, but no specific design has been made for the city of Famagusta to function.
First of all we must keep in mind that the enclosed city is only a part of the municipal boundaries.
So which city are we talking about and what conditions are we talking about. The study is based on the prospect of the return of the city under Greek Cypriot administration and in the context of a solution that the economy would work for the whole of Cyprus and there would be close cooperation and planning with the T / C of the region.
Source: Liberal