Confusion about Putin’s statements on Cyprus?

Financial Mirror ^ | 02/02/2006

[Tailgunner Joe]

Greek Cypriots seem uncertain about how to react to statements about Cyprus made by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin during a press conference on Tuesday.

Out of over 60 questions, only one, put by a Greek-speaking journalist, related to Cyprus, and has been given no coverage in the Russian media, the Financial Mirror has learned.

Putin declared that Russia’s policy on Cyprus was unchanged and said that Russia will continue to work jointly with the UN Secretary General.

Cyprus’ President Tassos Papadopoulos recently headed a large delegation to Russia where it is believed he asked Russia to get more heavily involved in the Cyprus issue as a counterweight to other UN Security Council permanent members, the UK and the US.

However, on Wednesday the Undersecretary to the President, Christodoulos Pashiardis found himself having to answer journalists’ questions about whether Putin’s statements were “reprehensible”, to which he replied “not at all.”

Putin said Russia “wants its policy (on Cyprus) to be balanced and that involved parties in the process, the Turkish Republic, the northern part of Cyprus, Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, to view with trust Russia's actions both in the international arena as a whole and in particular for the solution of the Cyprus problem.”

Putin also said “As far as our policy on Cyprus is concerned, it has not changed at all.''

He also expressed the view that “the people who live in Cyprus can decide their own destiny and we hope that compromises which are acceptable for both the north and south will be found.”

Putin may also have upset Greek Cypriots by saying that “the northern part of Cyprus also indicates clearly its willingness for a solution to the Cyprus problem,” something which is appreciated, he added.

Greek Cypriot leaders normall argue that the Turkish cypirot leder Mehmet Ali Talat is only in gaining separate statehood.

Answering questions on Putin’s reference to financial support for Turkish Cypriots, Pashiardis said “we were the first to promote, through our initiative, this support, therefore Mr. Putin's reference can be interpreted as welcoming our policy towards Turkish Cypriots.”

EU financial assistance to Turkish Cypriots has been blocked, because it has been tied to the opening of trade and air traffic, which the Greek Cypriots oppose.

To a question regarding Putin's reference to the northern part of Cyprus, Pashiardis said this phrase had a geographic sense and not a political one.

“First and foremost we are pursuing a solution. If everyone wants a solution, and a solution is not found, then surely this is due to the substantial dispute regarding the quality and form of a solution,” Pashiardis added.

[GOP_1900AD]

This ought to give pause to Greeks who naively surmise that "Orthodox brotherhood" somehow, miraculously, makes Putin / the Russians their life long pals.