Disy leader: we should not reject British plan out of hand

Disy leader Averof Neophytou on Monday had an indirect dig at those critical of a British proposal aimed at bringing the two communities closer together ahead of the informal five-party conference.

Several political parties and sections of the media have been critical of the so-called ‘British plan’ that proposes a decentralised federation, in which the central government would have fewer powers than originally agreed, as an alternative to the two-state solution backed by the Turkish side.

“We welcome the interest of the international community,” said Neophytou after separate meetings he had with the British High Commissioner and the Dutch ambassador.

“We view the interest of the permanent member-states of the Security Council in the Cyprus problem positively, because without international interest the Cyprus problem can never be resolved.”

Neophytou said he agreed with President Nicosi Anastasiades’ argument that giving too many powers to the federal government would lead to a dysfunctional state and described decentralised federation as a “wise and correct position”.

He then turned against those who reject all options.

“What I cannot accept is the practice, when the central government has too many powers, to reject this because it would be a dysfunctional entity and when we discuss the decentralised federation to also reject it because it has, supposedly, elements of a confederation. In this country, we must decide finally what it is we want,” he said.

It was tiring, he said constantly hearing in relation to all options “what we do not want”.

“No problem can be solved by always rejecting any ideas or views aimed at solving the problem.”

Neophytou also extended an invitation to the Akel leadership for “talks on the future of this country, because the national priority is to unite our forces to rid the country of the Turkish occupation.”

Akel leader Andros Kyprianou said he was happy to meet Neophytou and all he had to do was make contact and arrange the meeting.