A new Cyprus propaganda war
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Yusuf KANLI
To put it honestly, expecting quick success from the current process between the two sides on the island would require some serious Pollyanna labor. Apart from the fact that the two leaders of the eastern Mediterranean island were old communist comrades – though Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat stresses that he has always been a socialist, but never a communist – who were stressing while they were in opposition that a settlement can only be possible through mutual compromise, there is no change on the island from 2004 that merits hope that this time a resolution to the over four-decade-old problem of power sharing might be discernible.
While on the northern Turkish Cypriot side Talat, out of frustration – with his failure to deliver to his people his promise of easing international sanctions due to the simple fact that “the other side” has become a full-fledged member of the European Union with the veto power of any EU move toward bettering the living conditions of Turkish Cypriots – has since the 2004 referenda transformed into some sort of a replica of his conservative predecessor Rauf Denktaş, ever since his election in February as the new Greek Cypriot leader as a consequence of his election compromise to – and a requirement of the coalition government he forged with – the conservative Democratic Party (DIKO) of his predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos and the socialist EDEK parties, Demetris Christofias started pursuing a rather conservative policy and transformed himself into some sort of a neo-Papadopoulos line.
Cyprus referenda in March?:
Still, despite all our skepticism, like all other people wishing to see peace and a resolution to the Cyprus problem, we crossed our fingers and waited to see the results the two leaders would deliver. Now, what we are observing is nothing less than infant steps of a new propaganda war between the two sides on the island while for some time gossip floating around that very much like the April 2004 simultaneous referenda, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots may find ballot boxes in front of them sometimes in March next year.
While there are abundant reports in the Greek Cypriot media about the “March simultaneous referendum” the Greek Cypriot administration is so far silent on the issue. In northern Cyprus, however, while there is no confirmation of the date of “possible” referenda, Presidential Spokesman Hasan Erçakıca has clearly stated, “Sure, if we have a deal, we will vote on it in simultaneous referenda… What's wrong in that?”
Yet, the two sides are using every possible backstage method to prepare grounds to put the blame of a possible failure of their peacemaking efforts on the other side. For example, Christofias has started complaining that the working committees established to prepare the ground for full-fledged peace talks in June were not progressing well and for their success the two sides needed to agree on three fundamental issues:
1- What is a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation? Is it a federation of two communities in a unitary state? Or, is it a confederation of two states under loose federal joint governance? The two sides must develop a common language on this issue…
2- Who is negotiating with the Greek Cypriot side? Turkish Cypriots or Ankara? Turkish Cypriot members of the working committees are incapable of agreeing on any issue without consulting Ankara? The Turkish Cypriot side must decide, if they cannot talk and need to get Ankara's approval on every issue, that talks must be held with Ankara not with Talat's representatives… Thus, the two leaders must agree on all thorny issues and reassign the committees to continue their works, perhaps for an additional three-week period (That is, Greek Cypriots want comprehensive talks to start in late July, rather than in June as scheduled).
3- Why wait for a comprehensive settlement? On easy issues that the two sides have agreement, implementation may start immediately. Turkish Cypriots should stop dragging their feet on this issue…
These demands of Christofias, may appear reasonable but indeed fall contrary to the agreed “no dialogue through media” principle and clearly are signals of a new propaganda war. Christofias and Talat are meeting on May 23 to review developments anyhow. If there are problems, the two leaders must discuss them among themselves…
Similarly, Talat inviting some top Turkish columnists to northern Cyprus and complaining to them about certain Greek Cypriot attitudes cannot be compatible with the spirit of talks either…
Though we do not expect a quick fix in Cyprus, definitely if the two leaders don't stop playing to the gallery soon even the already dim chance of success will not be there tomorrow.(Yusuf Kanlı can be contacted at [email protected] or [email protected])
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=104712
2- Who is negotiating with the Greek Cypriot side? Turkish Cypriots or Ankara? Turkish Cypriot members of the working committees are incapable of agreeing on any issue without consulting Ankara? The Turkish Cypriot side must decide, if they cannot talk and need to get Ankara's approval on every issue, that talks must be held with Ankara not with Talat's representatives… Thus, the two leaders must agree on all thorny issues and reassign the committees to continue their works, perhaps for an additional three-week period (That is, Greek Cypriots want comprehensive talks to start in late July, rather than in June as scheduled).
As if this wasn't obvious...
I call this a wake up call to all the partitionists..."turkey=fascists state" is telling you, nothing will stand in her way of her EU aspirations...
Take notice...
