Union Calls for Tatar's Resignation Over Refusal to Negotiate

In a joint statement, it was argued that Tatar refused to discuss and negotiate Holguin's proposals, stating that "a person who avoids negotiation lacks leadership qualities." The Cyprus Turkish Public Servants Union (KTAMS) and the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Union (KTÖS) criticized President Ersin Tatar regarding the talks of the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative for Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar.

In a joint written statement by KTAMS President Güven Bengihan and KTÖS Secretary-General Burak Maviş, they criticized Tatar's refusal to discuss and negotiate Holguin's proposals.

The statement used the expressions, "It is the duty of the leadership of the Cyprus Turkish community to negotiate the talks between the two communities and to defend our societal interests at the negotiation table, striving for a permanent solution." It was claimed that Tatar's understanding was damaging to societal status and international relations.

The statement called for Tatar's resignation, inviting unions, political parties, chambers, and associations responsible for the solution and peace to take a stance against Tatar.

The joint statement of the unions reads as follows:

"Mr. Tatar's inability to represent the Turkish Cypriot community is clearly documented. It is the duty of the leadership of the Cyprus Turkish community to negotiate the talks between the two communities and to defend our societal interests at the negotiation table, striving for a permanent solution.

Mr. Tatar, who has not held intercommunal talks in recent times, even avoids negotiating Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), thereby opening the way for the disappearance of the identity and culture of Turkish Cypriots.

Mr. Tatar's so-called "new politics," adorned with terms like 'equal' and 'sovereign,' only serves to damage our societal status and international relations, rather than benefiting anything else.

We cannot find words to describe Mr. Tatar's refusal to even discuss, let alone negotiate, Ms. Holguin's proposals.

A person who does not hesitate to tour festivals like Evliya Çelebi in Turkey or take photos with crocodiles in Gambia but avoids sitting at the table and having a conversation, let alone negotiating, lacks leadership qualities.

It is clearly seen that Mr. Tatar cannot represent the Turkish Cypriot community. Turkish Cypriots have shown their belief in a federal solution during the Annan Plan and Crans Montana processes, and have affirmed their future under the umbrella of the European Union. As organizations that have embraced Guterres' 6-point framework, we emphasize that there is no point in Mr. Tatar sitting at the table from now on, and we emphasize that his resignation is the most reasonable option. We invite all unions, political parties, chambers, and associations responsible for the solution and peace to take a stance against Mr. Tatar."