Secret document on ongoing Cyprus peace talks leaked to press

The document, circulated to the members of the National Council, a Greek Cypriot body, on Friday, lists the points of convergence and disagreement on key issues of a reunited state, covering governance and power-sharing, the Cyprus Mail reported citing Simerini newspaper.  �

Greek Cypriot daily Simerini quoted extensively from the 35-page document, of which the cover page is stamped "secret" and published snapshots of excerpts.

The document, which reportedly records serious disagreements between the two communities, say the Turkish Cypriots want a weak central government—anathema to Greek Cypriots.

"The relationship between the Federal Government and the Constituent States shall not be one of dominion, supremacy or hierarchy”—a view the government interprets as advocating a loose association where the two constituent states are not accountable to the central government," the Turkish Cypriot side said according to the document.

"Neither the executive, the legislature nor the judiciary of the Federal Government shall exercise superiority over the organs of the constituent states. Likewise, the organs and officials of the federal government shall not claim a right to issue orders or instructions to the respective organs of the constituent states," the paper also quoted the Turkish Cypriot side as saying.

"The Federal Government shall entrust the implementation of federal laws, including the collection of specific taxes, to the constituent states," it added. "Any measure enacted by federal organs shall not supersede measures enacted by the competent authorities of the constituent states."

“The Greek Cypriot side cannot accept the use of wording which is incommensurate with federal systems and which harks to a confederal rather than a federal system,” the document also said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1964 when Turkish Cypriots were forced to withdraw into enclaves.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Demetris Christofias last September began slow-paced reunification talks, which have so far showed few signs of tangible progress.

Power sharing disputes remain at the heart of the Cyprus problem. Other thorny issues include security guarantees and property settlement claims.

"IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR"

Greek Cypriot government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou expressed his unease over the leak.

"We express our grief, disappointment and intense concern that National Council documents were not only leaked, but also delivered unedited to the mass media," Stefanou was quoted by the Cyprus Mail as telling a news briefing.

"This is irresponsible and unacceptable behavior on the part of a member, or members, of the National Council, in clear violation of a commitment for confidentiality and discretion," he added.

Stefanou said the disclosure came hot on the heels of a renewed pledge by members of the National Council to maintain secrecy.

"Such behaviors therefore undermine the function and role of the National Council itself. Worse, they undermine the president’s efforts to achieve a solution on Cyprus that would reunite the island and its people within the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation."