CTP holds demonstrations against two-state solution
THE main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has been holding a series of demonstration marches against a two-state solution in Cyprus.
Following demos in Lefke and İskele, members of the CTP held a march in Gazimağusa on Tuesday night.
According to information provided by the CTP, the march took place between the Gazimağusa Monument Roundabout and the Gazimağusa Youth Centre.
In his speech at the protest, CTP leader Tufan Erhürman criticised President Ersin Tatar’s “two-state” policy for the Cyprus problem and also called on the coalition government, led by the National Unity Party (UBP), to resign.
Stating that “equal sovereignty or a two-state solution is impossible”, he said: “A solution will come with a bizonal, bicommunal federation based on political equality. We have been saying this for 50 years.”
Turning to the performance of the government, Dr Erhürman denounced ministers for their “indifference, impoverishing the people” and “ignorance of the law”.
He also accused them of “not pursuing unsolved murders”, an apparent reference to the unsolved 1996 killing of Turkish Cypriot journalist Kutlu Adalı.
“Friends, we have to be on the street. Because someone swore to destroy the Turkish Cypriots and formed a government, but this government has only been a disaster for us,” Dr Erhürman declared.
Expressing that he wants to see the country “standing on its own feet”, Dr Erhürman continued: “This march will continue non-stop until this sorry excuse for a government is overthrown, until we have the leadership that Turkish Cypriots deserve in this country and of course, until we bring peace, a solution and a federation.”
In the march in İskele, which took place last Friday, protesters held banners with messages such as “United Federal Cyprus” and “Freedom comes from Lefkoşa, not Ankara”.