Cyprus Talks And Elections

EDM number 796 in 1989-90, proposed by Robin Squire on 26/03/1990.

That this House regrets the breakdown of the United Nations sponsored inter-communal talks between the leaders of the two Cypriot Communities in New York which the Secretary General, Perez de Cuellar, states is due to Mr Denktas's insistence on discussing 'two peoples - each having a separate right to self-determination' rather than the two Communities participating on an equal footing within the framework of one Cyprus organised on a federal, bi-communal and bi-zonal basis as being in the best interests of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and as envisaged in the high level agreements signed in 1977 and 1979 by Mr Denktas; notes that Mr Denktas has set elections for 22nd April to seek a mandate for his position but fears that the forthcoming elections could fail to reflect the wishes of the majority of Turkish Cypriots; notes the settlement of mainland Turks with voting rights since 1975 and the large scale emigration of Turkish Cypriots means that the settler vote will play a decisive role in any election; and calls upon the British Government to use its good offices to prevent the further consolidation of the status quo, the strengthening of Turkish mainland influence in the north of the island and further separation of members of the two Communities at a time when other barriers around the world are breaking down.

This motion has been signed by a total of 38 MPs.