Ambient Atmosphere Revisited
In October 2004 TeePee invented the infamous Ambient Atmosphere.In October, 2006 Nicos Koutsou remembered The Ambient Atmosphere, much to TeePee's delight.
I support complete transparency on this issue because a lot has been said and written about it.
But my point at this stage is different.
Why did the President wait 5 months (from April to October, 2004) to bring up this issue? And why, again in October, 2006?
It could be a coincidence that following a well deserved summer vacation after having saved the Republic in 2004), October presented the first opportunity to bring up the issue. Not investigated - as it should have been - despite the fact it was all taking place with the government's permission and approval. By sheer coincidence and without apparently communicating with the President, Koutsou decided revive the issue during the new parliamentary session.
But could it also not be a coincidence? In December 2004, you may recall, negotiations between Turkey and the EU officially got under way. Despite the innumerate mentions of an elusive "veto" in Cyprus, TeePee knew then (as he does now) that the only chance he has is for Turkey to continue talking with the EU. Of course, he probably realizes that saying "veto" at the same time as knowing that your interest is the opposite of "veto" makes your threat completely inaffectual.
The bluff was called back then and will keep being called in perpetuity. Which means that it is useful if we can have the occasional distraction to silence any criticism. Our inability to get any tangible results can then be swept under the carpet. And what better way than to accuse all your critics of somehow, somewhere, having taken money from Satan?
October 2006 was chosen as the month to revive the Ambient Atmosphere. It so happens that nowadays TeePee and his gang do not mention that "veto" any more. They at least show some aptitude in learning from previous decisions at the EU level. But they know they will still get the short end of the stick. Nothing they will ever gain will take us closer to a solution of the Cyprus problem.
I may be wrong and in 2 months Varosha may be back in the hands of its rightful owners. And I will apologize in public if that happens. I predict, however, that in 2 months we will still be scratching our heads and talking about the next wave of the Ambient Atmosphere, to avoid talking about the lack of anything that takes the country closer to a solution and long-term peace.
The Ambient Atmosphere is here to stay... Recalled whenever the great leader and his supporters need to divert attention from their astonishing failures on the job...
originally posted by Apodimos Kypreos
posted by Noullis at 00:36
1 Comments:
Why random events like UNOPS meddling in promoting a UN plan negotiated by both sides in April 2004 should not be irrelevant. According to the European policy makers this is the "last chance for years" and Tassos remembered the Guiness book of records, Koutsoy remembered to file all those who applied for funds (even though they did not receive a dime, lucky them) and generally, stravos einai o gialos, i strava armenizoyme...
Apo to BBC, 23/10/2006
Cyprus talks 'may be last chance'
Mr Rehn said the Finnish initiative was the "only game in town"
EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has warned that a new bid to re-unite the divided island of Cyprus could be the last chance of progress for years.
He called on EU member states to back Finnish efforts to open a Turkish Cypriot port to trade with the EU, by putting it under UN control.
So far, Greek Cypriot politicians have blocked all such initiatives.
The EU hopes success would lead Turkey to open its ports to Cypriot vessels, removing one block to its EU entry bid.
The Finns are reported to have suggested putting both the Turkish Cypriot port of Famagusta and the nearby resort of Varosha under UN administration.
Promises
This would allow Greek Cypriots driven out of Varosha more than 30 years ago to start refurbishing their homes and hotels.
EU member states do not recognise the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and it does not qualify for preferential terms of trade, so there is almost no direct trade.
However, the European Union promised in 2004 to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, after it voted in favour of a UN plan to re-unite the island.
Soon afterwards the European Commission drafted legislation that would allow direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots, but the Cypriot government - a member of the EU since 1 May 2004 - has held it up.
For its part, Turkey promised to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic before it started EU membership talks last year, but has not yet done so.
Cyprus split in two in 1974, when a Greek-inspired coup prompted a Turkish invasion of the northern third of the island.
Window of opportunity
Finland has taken its initiative as the current holder of the EU presidency.
It is hoping for progress before an EU summit at the end of the year, when a decision could be taken to suspend Turkey's membership talks.
Mr Rehn, speaking in London, said the Finnish plan was currently the "only game in town".
"It really may be the last window of opportunity to make serious progress on the Cyprus issue for several years," he said.
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