DIKO’s final word on property expected next week

Government party DIKO will make its final decisions regarding President Demetris Christofias’ proposals on the Cyprus problem property chapter next week, the party spokesman said on Wednesday.

The statement followed a lengthy meeting of the party’s executive office, which was briefed on the proposals by presidential commissioner Giorgos Iacovou and Nicos Emiliou, a member of the Greek Cypriot negotiating team.

“We consider property the most important chapter, the thorniest chapter in these negotiations. It affects almost all the aspects of the Cyprus problem,” DIKO spokesman Fotis Fotiou said after the meeting, which lasted more than four hours. “(Iacovou and Emiliou) answered many questions, and almost all the members of the executive office had their say.”

There were many questions; this is not just any chapter, Fotiou said.

The DIKO spokesman added that Iacovou and Emiliou gave answers to the questions but some issues still needed to be examined and would be discussed by the executive office.

Fotiou said discussion will continue next week so as to reach final decisions concerning the party’s stance on the president’s proposals.

Iacovou, who was quizzed for over two hours, said up to 40 questions had been asked.

The commissioner had to leave the meeting early. “The (DIKO) president’s decision was to answer all the questions at the end and I only replied to some of the questions,” Iacovou said.

He said questions concerning legal issues were answered by Emiliou.

Asked whether he thought the DIKO members were satisfied, Iacovou said “it is a bit difficult for me despite knowing DIKO quiet well.”

Reports suggested that the meeting was not without arguments between those who support Christofias’ tactics and those who disagree, considering the proposals unacceptable.

The most vocal in their criticism of the proposals were Nicolas Papadopoulos, Giorgos Kolokasides and Kyriacos Kenevezos, who have, on many occasions, publicly expressed their disapproval of Christofias’ policy.

Source: Cyprus Mail