Welcome, Mr Denktash - 30 December 2001

Historic visit by The Turkish Cypriot leader

(Published in the Sunday Mail)

 

 

 

By Melina Demetriou

 

RAUF Denktash made history last night when he crossed the Green Line for the first time since the island was divided 27 years ago to dine at the residence of President Glafcos Clerides.

The Turkish Cypriot leader entered the free areas through Nicosia Airport in the UN-controlled buffer zone, instead by the Ledra Palace checkpoint as expected. Police patrols were present at different spots on the dividing line to ensure Denktash's route remained a secret, CyBC reported.

No statements were made after the dinner, which was also attended by acting UN representative Zbigniew Wlosowicz. Clerides and Denktash emerged from the house at 5 Ioannis Clerides Street in Lycavitos at 10 pm, an hour and forty minutes after the Turkish Cypriot leader had arrived. The two smiled and shook hands before Denktash wished onlookers a happy new year and departed.  

The dinner invitation was extended after Denktash hosted Clerides at his own home for dinner on December 5 in advance of face-to-face negotiations on the Cyprus problem between the two men, due to begin on January 16. Draconian security measures were in place last night as about 200 police officers guarded the area outside the Clerides residence. Among them were around 40 paramilitary police making sure that no unauthorised persons entered the street, which was closed off to the public.

Police had collected the names of all residents living in nearby buildings, and they were the only ones allowed to pass through the cordon.      A group of some 15 protesters, headed by DIKO deputy Marios Matsakis, tried to force their way into the sealed-off area on foot and then by car, but they were turned back by police.  

About 200 reporters and cameramen from both sides of the Green Line and from abroad were on hand to cover the event.
Clerides last week said he would raise the issues of the missing persons and of the enclaved at the dinner. Sources said after the event that the two men had come to an agreement on both matters. Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou is expected to brief reporters about the outcome of the dinner today.

On his arrival Denktash was asked by a reporter if he would do something for the families of the missing persons. He replied: "Happy New Year to all of you."

In a live interview with CyBC after the dinner Papapetrou described the event as "a social happening of obvious political importance".

Papapetrou said the dinner could improve the climate and contribute to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.
The dinner menu included fish soup, fish and the pastry delicacy 'ladies' fingers' dipped in cognac.

While Clerides and Denktash dined, about 15 relatives of missing persons from the 1974 Turkish invasion held a peaceful demonstration outside the cordoned off area to express their opposition to the dinner. They asked to enter Ioannis Clerides Street but were refused permission to do so.

After Denktash's departure, police chief Andreas Angelides entered the President's house at about 10.15pm to report that the security arrangements had run smoothly.
The head of Nicosia General Hospital's casualty department, Christos Antoniades, had also been on hand outside during the dinner "to treat Denktash or the President in case anything happens".

Elsewhere around 70 persons had gathered in Eleftheria Square to protest against the dinner. Among the demonstrators were members of refugee associations, student groups, the New Horizons party youth branch, and relatives of the missing.

A huge back sheet was hung on the Venetian wall reading "No dinner with the conqueror as long as the occupation lasts in Cyprus".

A more positive note was given by about 200 people gathered in Makarios Avenue demonstrating their wish for a solution to the Cyprus problem. The demonstrators, members of rapprochement and leftist groups, chanted peace songs while holding candles and banners containing slogans in favour of the reunification of the island. Some of them also released doves to send a message of peace.