Cyprus-Forum.com

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Tony Angastiniotis, Natasha Quandour


CYPRUS - Cyprus, which since 1974 has been divided into Greek and Turkish areas separated by a buffer zone, finally sees a chance for unification. Regardless of the Greek Orthodox Church's influence in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot left-wing Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) managed to win the recent Greek Cypriot elections in February. These developments, along with leaders from both sides restarting talks in the buffer zone between Greek and Turkish Cyprus, has given Cyprus a fresh chance at a true and lasting resolution between the two populations.

In the first round of elections on Feb. 17, AKEL, the oldest party in Greek Cyprus, joined with the Socialist Party of Cyprus (EDEK) and the Democratic Party (DIKO), forming a coalition. By the second round of voting a week later, AKEL had become the leader of the coalition.



Common national identity:

In addition, a March 21 meeting between the leaders of both AKEL and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) of northern Cyprus has renewed hope that this set of talks could mark the beginning of a negotiation process and lead to the island's reunification.

The current president of the Republic (Greek Cyprus) and leader of AKEL, Demetris Christofias, has promoted peace and reconciliation through bi-communal negotiations and bi-communal activities – such as tours and music festivals – since the opening of the borders in 2004. The left-wing parties on both sides of the island are anti-nationalist and progressive. They jointly support the idea of a unifying Cypriot identity, irrespective of Christian or Muslim, Greek or Turkish differences.

Arguably the clearest sign of uncompromised disagreement within Cyprus is the issue of national identity. With different cultures, religions and histories, the need for a common national identity is essential to bring the various communities together. Though the election process and democratic functions of Cyprus have developed throughout the years, the influence of the church in Greek Cyprus in local and international arenas is still pervasive; so much so, that it strains any attempted resolution on the island.

In recent years, the Church went so far as to state that those who voted in favor of a 2004 referendum on the Annan Plan – a United Nations plan that would create a Unified Cyprus Republic – would go to hell. Furthermore, the church has consistently demanded further involvement in the government's official elections. It supported the right-wing Democratic Rally of Cyprus (DISY) in the recent elections, arguing that supporting AKEL (a communist party) would affect Greek Cypriot principles of Christianity and "Greekness.”

Such involvement in the country's politics has muddied the path toward a resolution; a national Hellenic identity – as it is outlined by the church – could never co-exist hand-in-hand with a national Turkish-Muslim identity. Nevertheless, after the death of the Archbishop Makarios (who was head of both state and church, having extensive authority in Greek Cyprus), the church's influence lessened considerably, as evidenced by the lack of support given to them by the voting public. Regardless of the church's clear support of the opposing party, the majority voted in favor of AKEL in the February elections.



Turkish Cypriots are secular:

Conversely, Islam in northern Cyprus does not have a tight hold on socio-politics. The Turkish Cypriot people are not actively involved in religious practices; they celebrate religious holidays but, for example, only a minority of the people fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The Turkish Cypriot identity is not that of a religious group.

With the election of AKEL in the south, we look forward to the transformation of the dividing Green Line into a space for bi-communal activities, schools, cafeterias and parks, functioning without the influence and presence of the military forces on either side. We hope the Green Line can be transformed from a negative space into a productive one for the Cypriot youth community, with the interim support of U.N. monitoring forces. Furthermore, we look forward to decreased “border” restrictions and a new sense of community – a united Cypriot community.

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Tony Angastiniotis is Greek Cypriot documentary producer, a writer and peace activist for human rights. Natasha Quandour is a Jordanian graduate student in at the Eastern Mediterranean University in northern Cyprus and a member of the faculty of communications and media studies. This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) and can be accessed at www.commongroundnews.org.