by Bananiot » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:35 am
What we want is not important. What is feasible is important and nothing else. For example, there were times when enosis was a feasible target (after the 2nd world war) and it could have been pursued by the Greek Cypriots with moderate actions that took into consideration the legitimate interests of all ethnic groups of Cyprus. We decided to pursue enosis in an aggressive manner which aimed at forcing people to see things the way we saw things. We created enemies and alienated large chunks of the population of Cyprus, including those Greek Cypriots who could see beyond their nose and criticised the extreme right wing leaders that took the enosis dream of Greek Cypriots under their wings.
In 1960 we were offered our independence. Many people condemned the London-Zurich agreements and never accepted them. Papadopoulos was one of them. Two years ago, speaking at Intercollege, he apologised for his stance back in 1960 and admitted that the agreements were not that bad after all. Those that did not really accept the agreements started working against them right from the first day. Makarios was one of them who as the President, should have been the guardian of the Constitution. Within the Turkish Cypriot community there were voices against the agreement too. Clearly the independent Cyprus created in 1960 was an anathema to the bigots of both sides who were only interested in pursuing their divisive agendas.
The intercommunal strife that started in 1963 and lasted right up to 1974 created different realities on the ground. The two communities were poisoned by the barbaric acts committed by bigots from both sides. Slowly but steadily it became apparent that the unitary state was unable to put an end to the bloodshed as it was at the same time undermined by strong forces within both communities. The now Greek Cypriot Government was unable to check this tide as itself was practically committed to the dissolution of the unitary state with its acts, by organising, backing and supporting paramilitary fascist organisations.
Yet, more realities were created on the ground in 1974 with the Turkish invasion. The mass movement of population, the arrival of settlers, the inability to reach a quick solution etc, have De facto reduced the options we can even consider as real ones.
I have no doubt that the only real option that exists and can lead to a lasting solution is Bizonal Bicommunal Federation. Central to this solution is the political equality of the two communities and the numerical majorities of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in their respective zone. May be, after 50 or 100 years we can rethink things and look at ways to improve aspect of the solution. Had we been a more mature people, changes could have been performed within a much shorted time period but as things stand now this is difficult to envisage.
In a nutshell, my heart says unitary state but the brain points to BBF. I dread to think what we will become if once again we go after targets that satisfy our desires and kick the feasible, once again, to the sideline.
