Radio Workshop

DMZ-free, or Cypriot Patriot (Transcript)

by Gretchen Wilson

SOTOS ZACKHEOS - Last week,10 days ago, the Turkish regime in the occupied part of Cyprus opened the gates and let for the first time Greek Cypriots past to the North. Many people have spoken about a situation similar to the collapse of the Berlin Wall. For almost 30 years now, following the Turkish invasion of 1974, the Greek Cypriots who became refugees because they owned homes in the north and were forced to south, could not move freely, could not visit their villages, could not go back to their homes.

GRETCHEN WILSON - What is the significance of the recent developments?

ZACKHEOS - The significance is that there is will on both communities to live together on the island. This lead us to believe that Turkish cypriot people are ignoring the intransigence of their leader. And now we are at a better chance of sitting together and finding, at long last, a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem.

As you know, Cyprus signed on the 16th of April, the accension treaty with the European Union. We expect to be full members by May of 2004.

WILSON - The Financial Times reported yesterday that this was a move encouraged by Turkey to further their own entrance into the European Union, do you agree with that?

ZACKHEOS - Yes, I believe that we have a new government in Turkey, the pro-Islamic government in Turkey, that has their own vested interest in proceeding with the European road, so for the Turkish government one of their priorities is the European Union accession proccess.

WILSON - Is there any chance that there might be a unified Cyprus join in the European Union by May of 2004?

ZACKHEOS - I believe that we have good chances, the dynamics are there. Definitely the new situation and the people's express willingness and desire and determination will be a big inducement and incentive also for the leaders to proceed.

WILSON - What is the next step for Cyprus?

ZACKHEOS - I believe the next step should be for a resumption of the negotiations in the new climate that has been created with the dynamic of the new situation and the measures that have been adopted.

WILSON - Well, thank you very much for your time Ambassador Zackheos.

ZACKHEOS - Thank you.