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[boomerang]

Why partition is not a solution to the Cyprus problem
Alkan CHAGLAR
[email protected]

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12 Mart 2008, Çarşamba Yorum Yaz Yazdır Arkadaşına Gönder


This week the Republic of Cyprus celebrates its 47th anniversary of gaining independence from Britain. As a Turkish Cypriot but above all a Cypriot citizen, I am proud of the advancement the Republic of Cyprus has made since its independence, most notably its accession to the EU and the respect it has as a non-aligned power in the world. But sadly, the celebrations this week for me have been soured by recent talk by Greek Cypriot legislators lending support to partition. This new attitude may indicate to some desperation or abandoning of hope, but even if you are exasperated by the lack of political progress in the Cyprus problem, is partition really a solution?


IRRESPONSABLE

Recent comments by Cyprus MEP Marios Matsakis suggested that it may be time to recognise two states in Cyprus, in other words to leave the Greek Cypriots to represent Cyprus alone in the EU, and let the Turkish Cypriots them make their own way into the bloc. As with all of Matsakis’ stunts, his words of wisdom have been reproduced by faithful Right-Wing Greek and Turkish Cypriots who use them as a form of confirmation to validate their own support for partition.

Distributed across right wing Turkish and Turkish Cypriot newspapers, it became apparent to me that suddenly all is to be forgiven for Matsakis; the man who was arrested not very long ago for lowering a Turkish flag in Louroudjina region. Formerly condemned, the MEP is now hailed as the new hero of partitioners.

Matsakis’ words may to some present a hidden ‘truth’ or ‘reality’ but in my view they are out of touch with reality, as all sides still conform their commitment to a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation (reunification). The comments are also misleading as they encourage some Turkish Cypriots to believe that recognition of the TRNC is actually a realizable goal. Contrary to the belief of a few, no country in the world is about to, or is even close to recognising the TRNC. To suggest otherwise is a cruel waste of the time and expectations of the people.


FAUX AMIS

Furthermore, it is equally important to recognise why such statements of support are being made in the first place. Since Greek Cypriots have had unchallenged control over the Republic of Cyprus for 44 years it is hardly surprising there are some now who do not want to share it with the Turkish Cypriots and wish to see a continued political polarization between a majority who feel they can do as they please and what they regard as a minority – such supporters for partition are not friends of Turkish Cypriots but Faux Amis. To understand the fear behind those who are in power consider this example: Matsakis’ own European Parliament seat probably would have been given to a Turkish Cypriot MEP if the Republic was still based on inter-ethnic, inter-denominational power sharing. I am not suggesting that Matsakis in particular is only out to consolidate his own power, but no doubt there are some Greek Cypriot parliamentarians who put their own need to consolidate power above the future of Cyprus.



A FUTURE BUILT ON HOSTILITY

Built on a foundation of hostility, how can a partitioned Cyprus ever be a happy place to live? Known as a “kind of ethnic cleansing with a human face," partition will not solve the property issue nor limitations on the right to return, nor will it address ethnic hatred in education since as two separate states the need will no longer be there - the future of the TRNC would thus be one of continued hostility. And if you believe that this state would ensure self-determination and political equality for the Turkish Cypriots, then think again, as Muhamed Filipovic stated in his article “The Dangers of Ethnic Partition (in Bosnia)”: “If one is surrounded by enemies, one cannot help behaving like them. Such a state would be organised with a high degree of homogenization, centralization, military organization and, of course, links to certain other states that would support us.” In the case of Northern Cyprus, this military organization already exists with the presence of Turkish troops, while our ‘links’ to other states to support us against our Southern ‘enemies’ would mean that our dependence on Turkey will remain high, while Turkey’s role in civilian politics in Northern Cyprus will remain as strong and intrusive as ever.

Such a situation would be a tragedy for Turkish Cypriots as it would consolidate both a long term presence of militarization on the island leaving the North a Turkish colony, while leaving our Republic in the hands of the Greek Cypriots alone. Even pro-partition Turkish Cypriots will soon develop their own list of complaints against Turkey. With second class citizenship prospects for Turkish Cypriots in such a solution, one is compelled to ask, is this really the self-determination partitioners speak of?


PARTITION DOES NOT SOLVE ETHNIC ANTAGONISM

Numerous scholars have counter argued that partition does not solve ethnic conflict at all but only replaces internal war with international war by creating successor states that are normally undemocratic and do not respect human rights. Nicholas Sambanis who wrote: "Ethnic Partition as a Solution to Ethnic War: An Empirical Critique of the Theoretical Literature" (September 1999) states that “partition does not significantly prevent war recurrence [which] suggests, at the very least, that separating ethnic groups does not resolve the problem of violent ethnic antagonism.” Sambanis adds: “mono-ethnic states would only replace civil war with international war."

In fact according to Professor Donald Horowitz of Duke University, "the creation of ethnic statelets gives an international seal of approval to the ethnic nationalists." Stanford professor James D. Fearon goes further arguing that the very prospect of partition is potentially a cause for partition in itself: "if the world promises statehood as a reward for a particularly bloody ethnic war, that gives a perverse incentive to rebels -The worse the violence, the better the outcome."



THE REPUBLIC IS OUR BABY

Contrary to popular belief shaped by banal nationalism, the Cyprus Republic is no enemy to the Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus’ very separate existence to Greece is because of the Turkish Cypriots – without the Turkish Cypriots there would be no Cyprus, there would only be a Greek island called Kypros. Our creation, the Republic did not support atrocities, injustice or discrimination against Turkish Cypriots in the past. The Republic did not order killings or disappearances; the killers were individuals like Nicos Sampson who took control of the Republic when a power vacuum existed. The Republic is not a sentient being, it does not care if you shout and blame it for the wrongs in your community or if you ignore or renounce it, it is just a mechanism or apparatus of governing an island territory. It makes no difference to the Republic who runs it.

This is why it is essential that Turkish Cypriots should not feel as if they are traitors for wanting to transform Cyprus by working in the Republic. The Republic is ours, it is our state – we founded it along side Greek Cypriots. Often people refer to the ‘motherland or fatherland’ mother or father, but Turkish Cypriots as co-founders of this Republic are the mother of this state, and like any mother they must take responsibility to look after their baby. Would you abandon your child?

As a parent too, Greek Cypriots also have nothing to gain from partition and for their part they must ensure the Republic’s neutrality in dealing with Turkish Cypriots and must provide opportunities for return to multi-ethnic politics even before the withdrawal of foreign troops. Indeed if our Republic is going to continue to exist and if the tragedy of partition is to be averted, then ethnic bias must be placed aside to allow Turkish Cypriots to participate in this Republic.

http://www.toplumpostasi.net/index.php/cat/1/col/85/art/1624/PageName/Ana_sayfa_-_Main_News

[Nikitas]

So what is stopping TCs from claiming their place in the RoC? The Gcs or the Turkish army and Turkey who repeat ad nasuseam that there are two people, two nationaliities, two religions etc? This dude is a liberal, but he manages to lay the whole blame for the de facto partition on one side. Guess who!

[repulsewarrior]

alkan Chaglar, has given me hope. Nikitas, Turkey cannot hold out for the status quo. I do not believe that was ever the intention. However the change to satisfy Turkey's desire must represent a State which poses no threat to Turkey, or to itself, which allows the Turcophonic dwellers of Cyprus to sustain themselves as persons, without requiring a military defense.

...read the manifesto please.

Greece and Turkey have fought their war to an impasse on this island. Their lives in their countries reflect this tragedy without having harmed them directly, with their feelings toward this geography intact. As Cypriots we will in the end have to consider our attachment to this land ourselves, and in a manner I hope where its interests are first. Has this changed, in over 3,000 (or 350) years?

[miltiades]

alkan Chaglar, has given me hope. Nikitas, Turkey cannot hold out for the status quo. I do not believe that was ever the intention. However the change to satisfy Turkey's desire must represent a State which poses no threat to Turkey, or to itself, which allows the Turcophonic dwellers of Cyprus to sustain themselves as persons, without requiring a military defense.

...read the manifesto please.

Greece and Turkey have fought their war to an impasse on this island. Their lives in their countries reflect this tragedy without having harmed them directly, with their feelings toward this geography intact. As Cypriots we will in the end have to consider our attachment to this land ourselves, and in a manner I hope where its interests are first. Has this changed, in over 3,000 (or 350) years?

He gives me hope too and re-enforces my beliefs that the vast majority of T/cs are CYPRIOTS first and foremost . Cyprus , not Turkey , IS THEIR MOTHERLAND .

[Nikitas]

Miltiades,

From my experience over 15 years in London where I made many TC friends I would agree with you. But in Cyprus I wonder how many TCs are left who are willing to stand up to Turkey and demand that they be left alone.

It is ironic that the community which started the demand for Enosis first, rid itself of that mindset and the other community, which opposed Enosis found itself virtually united with its "motherland". Life is strange!

[Gabira]

Alkan CHAGLAR really knows how to lubricate some peoples wet dreams

[Big Al]

there are authors which also write about where elvis is living at the moment and that bigfoot really exists. Perhaps Mr Chaglar should joy them in this pixie land.

[Get Real!]

Gabira & Big Al,

It's a pity Alkan is one of the VERY few Turkish Cypriots who actually research and can put a decent case together, unlike the rest who are only capable of posting badly spelt and child-like one-liners...

[Big Al]

Gabira & Big Al,

It's a pity Alkan is one of the VERY few Turkish Cypriots who actually research and can put a decent case together, unlike the rest who are only capable of posting badly spelt and child-like one-liners...

sticks and stones GR....why would i want to have my community live with people like you.

[Get Real!]

Gabira & Big Al,

It's a pity Alkan is one of the VERY few Turkish Cypriots who actually research and can put a decent case together, unlike the rest who are only capable of posting badly spelt and child-like one-liners...

sticks and stones GR....why would i want to have my community live with people like you.

I can think of many benefits living with people like me; for one thing they would start getting their facts right, but what's in it for me?

I honestly don't appreciate Karagioz...