...for those who know me
I will try again...
we have an island.
it has a history, a solid line of habitation since the origins of Human population, in Neanderthal time.
This Cultural Heritage, no doubt is important to all Mankind, and as Stewards the island dwellers, Cypriots, have adapted to the Civilizations that have come and gone. Only recently, with the coming of the Modern Age, and the end of the Ottoman Empire have the feelings of Nationalism driven its majority by population to identify themselves exclusively as "Greeks", to become the adversary of "Turks".
Today, this relentless position of adversarial politics has led to the fall of a traitorous Junta, the transformation of Turkey into the region's strongest military power, and this island's dwellers, for the first time in all their history, they are torn from each other, and (worse) the Patrimony.
The loss is great with such an act of ignorance, and without a resolution that will allow for the betterment of relations, the world looses something that has thrived as a living Heritence for so long, all people suffer. What is needed in essence is quite simple. Basic Human Rights must be respected and the land must be protected with its relics having the Liberty which allows for their care..
As a starting point the Constitution of 1960 is still valid, and its principals are of the highest order, Bicommunal, allowing for people, as persons, their representation, while as Individuals, their Rights are defended by a State, where all citizens together stand united, and equal.
For whatever reason, enclaves became a part of this island's geography. Some might say that in them was founded the identity of Turcophones as Turkish Cypriots. No doubt, there is much bitterness, with the suffering that collectively, these people have passed, but it has served to galvanise their desire for freedom, to decide for themselves their own fate, and to join collectively with others in their love for this place, isolated by water all around it, an island after all, in agreement that as the population, they would free themselves from any subjugation as one People.
This much is true today. If anything the Referendum on the Annan Plan has proven, it is that both populations in this impasse choose to remain United, even if it as a Plan was rejected, they all voted, and willingly, for this one eventuality.
I propose that the island remain divided as it is.
And with the inclusion, once again, of enclaves into this geography, it is possible to institute the Bi-Zonal nature of its political identity, which has for so long eluded definition. Greek Cypriots will have as a choice, to return, as communities in the north, without harming the fabric of the Turkish Cypriot population living there. Turkish Cypriots will have enclaves as a part of their Jurisdiction in the south, allowing them to offer the Settlers Homes, rather than houses. Security for all Cypriots will be greatly increased because a reciprocal environment can exist for both as a majority having Jurisdiction over a territory, to demonstrate their inclusiveness in two mutually exclusive National Assemblies, demonstrating their respect of Human Rights, representing themselves democratically each citizen with one vote and equal, recognising the special needs of Minorities amongst them, as a majority a giving People.
(...it's a long sentence, (again); sorry)
Above these two governing bodies remains the Republic of Cyprus. It's Constitution reformed now free of the Communal Chamber, but Bicameral, with an Upper House having and equal number of seats for the two communities, so that their representation will serve as a countervailing power against a bias which may be caused by demographics in favour of a single National interest over another. The Lower House will serve the population as a Chamber of second thought where their greatest power, it's members, rests in the seats at Governmnt Committees they fill, as the elector's independant representative, allowing them to debate any Legislation in a transparent manner, while voting by consensus through a speaker for its passage.
A leader, to gain the Presidency must win with his Party a majority of seats in the Upper House. His or her origin is of no importance, except that their counterpart, the Vice-President must be of the other ethnicity represented.
The voter will have three votes. From each of three slates, the voter will choose one candidate as their representative for their electoral riding.
Thus, the voter will have chosen an Independent (or regional) candidate from amongst themselves as a particular community to represent them in the Lower House.
Voting as well, for their Turkish Cypriot candidate and their Greek Cypriot candidate from the remaining two slates, where for the Upper House, Parties have offered these representatives for their Policy.
This is Bi-Zonal, and Bicommunal.
...p.s. do the math, this is a very elegant voting system for a legislature that will be fluid to the changing demographics of the future in representing its population, and by presenting to its citizens as Individuals, a single challenge to them, as Persons, they will work to apply these standards in their endeavours, at sustaining a National identity.
