This is getting rather long, so I have just replied to what I think are the main points. If you feel I have missed anything significant get back to me.This is getting rather long, so I have just replied to what I think are the main points. If you feel I have missed anything significant get back to me.
The hypothetical question was if Turkish Cypriots were the great majority if Cyprus would not be part of Turkey. I think the answer is simple in this case: If you have the right for something and you have the power to get it, then there is no way you will not. The reason Cyprus was not united with Greece although it was a legitimate demand, was because GCs didn't have the power to get their rights.
About the last 30+ years the occupied part of Cyprus is basically ruled by Turkey.
You seem to have missed the main point. TCs don’t want, and have never wanted, union with Turkey. I think that the quite widespread view among GCs that TCs want to unite with Turkey is a projection of their own previous wish to unite with Greece. The thought process goes ‘if I am GC and want to unite with Greece, those who are TCs must want to unite with Turkey’. Not true.
They (TCs) would be equal citizens, like GCs.
It was never the perception. The discimination shown between 60 and 74 towards TCs was real in everyday life, even if it was only sometimes deadly
Maps showing a partitioned island were presented by Kucuk as early as in the 50s, and the possibility of partition was discussed between Britain and Turkey before the 1960 agreements
Of course partition was discussed as an option, and maps were drawn up. But after every realistic look, all the serious participants realised that partition was impossible because the intermingling of the population. If you can find a quote from anyone of significance recommending partition, I’d be interested to see it.
Everything that happened in 63 was due to a chain of events that started much earlier. The 1960 agreements were unfair for GCs. For example they gave 30% government positions to TCs and a lot of veto powers. Then the government didn't actually hire 30% of TCs in government positions, and the TCs retaliated by voting down the yearly budget, without which the state could not function. Then Makarios proposed those 13 points, and if you see them one by one they are nothing terrible and have nothing to do with enosis, but it would remove some of the super privilages given to TCs. TCs reacted to that by abandoning the positions in the government.
Of course I agree with you that the chain of events started much earlier. As for Makarios’ 13 points, I do not believe they were only aimed at making the government run smoothly. His approval of the Akritas Plan and his interviews and public speeches all show that he was trying for enosis.
So I would say that since it was denied to GCs their legitimate demand for enosis, then at least they should have allowed Cypriots to design a constitution by themselves that would create a truly independent country, like all the rest. They didn't even allow that. In Cyprus we had a problem for 100s of years. A decent compromise in 1960 could have ended this problem by creating a truly independent state, but this didn't happen and problem continued to exist.
The Cypriots could not design a constitution for themselves that kept TCs and GCs content. A compromise was reached. You then go on to reveal what too many GCs feel – I don’t like this compromise so I will work against it. What point is there in having an agreement if the next day the signaturies start trying to overthrow it?
Observer = In a speech on Sept. 4, 1962 at Panayia, Makarios said, "Until this Turkish community forming part of the Turkish race that has been the terrible enemy of Hellenism is expelled, the duty of the heroes of EOKA can never be considered terminated." He either said it or he didn’t.
Piratis = The above quote is a result of Turkish propaganda.
I wasn’t there. I assume you weren’t there. It seems to me in character so unless someone who was there can comment I suggest we leave this.
Gilbert: Do you think the Greek people of Cyprus still wish Enosis
Makarios: Certainly, yes. This was always the desire of the people of Cyprus.
Gilbert: If Enosis does come how do you feel, sir, about not being a member of the Commonwealth?
Makarios: I support the Commonwealth as an institution and as long as Cyprus is not united with Greece, we will continue to be a member of the Commonwealth family. The choice, however, between Enosis and Commonwealth is not a difficult one. I shall feel very happy when Cyprus is united with Greece which is our Motherland.
Piratis = Observer, when he said "the desire of the people of Cyprus", he obviously meant the desire of the great majority. This is nothing strange. If you see many articles you will see things written like "Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan plan", "people of Montenegro voted for their independence" etc. It is very common to refer to the people of an area in that way even though it would be more correct to say "the majority...".
There is something in what you say, but Makarios was being interviewed in 1964, not long after the first major outbreak of violence with 100s killed or made refugees. In its total dismissal of the TC inhabitants of Cyprus he showed an attitude of mind that makes the quotation he is said to have made at Panayia more believeable.
This human right is "Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state." If somebody with a gun is illegally blocking a road and demanding from me somehting in order to allow me to cross, then it is obvious that my right of movement is violated. But this was just an example. There are many human rights that are violated by the occupation.
We are never going to agree on this, so look upon it as my security blanket. I too have to show my ID card when I visit your side of the green line. I imagine that makes you more secure.
The Annan plan was the result of the current balance of power. It had nothing to do with best choices or anything else. Obviously a similar balance of power will produce a similar result, and nobody is denying this. This is why I, and I believe the majority of GCs, believe that there will be no solution in the near future.
The EU, the UN, the US, and most other non-Hellenic parts of the world disagreed with your view of the Annan Plan. What more can I say?
I agree with you, a solution seems very far away.
