Akansoy: In the negotiations, Eroglu gives the impression of being a student who waits for the bell to ring to go home

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (25.08.11) reports that the Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has argued that the two community leaders try to gain time in the Cyprus talks and to avoid being accused [of the failure of the talks], instead of shedding light on the future of their “peoples”.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the CTP, Akansoy accused the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu of not adequately informing the political parties regarding the negotiations process and argued that the political parties should actively participate in the decisions to be taken. He noted that a possible mistake will influence not only Eroglu but also the whole people, all the leaders, Turkey and the entire region.

Noting that the Cyprus problem is a serious issue and no one could deal with it alone, Akansoy added: “The existing oil crisis has thwarted the negotiations process. The details of how this issue was discussed during the last meeting have not been disclosed, but as far as I understood, the Turkish Cypriot side cannot manage the problem. I cannot understand the fact that the issue has been turned into a matter of sovereignty and the statements which contain threats regarding the process. The Turkish Cypriot side is the one which is in a difficult situation. We have an internationally recognized state in front of us, while we are recognized only by the Republic of Turkey. Taking into account the situation, we have to issue more sensitive and careful statements. The road map put forward by the UN Secretary-General

General Ban Ki-moon is a one-way road, but such a message is not coming from our administration. Mr Eroglu gives the impression of a student who waits for the bell to ring to go home”.

Referring to the amnesty which the self-styled government plans to give to the illegal workers [from Turkey] and the issue of the white and green “identity card”, Akansoy expressed the concern of his party about the preparations of the “government”. He said that the “state” should control its entrance and exit points and make plans for its economy. He noted that the CTP is against granting the “citizenship” of the regime to foreigners, except for cases of marriage.