nonetheless, it was only five years after "modinos v. cyprus" was decided that the anti-sodomy provisions of section 171 were effectively repealed. the slowness of the reform was due to the deep divisions created by such a morally charged issue. the repeal of section 171 was openly supported by the liberal united democrats, and openly opposed by the center-right democratic party. former president george vassiliou came out in support of the repeal, as did foreign minister ioannis kasoulides, who argued that cyprus "cannot ask turkey to comply with the decisions of the council [of europe] regarding human rights violations [while] at the same time [refusing] to conform to such decisions."