Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

RUSSIA: "Russia Benefits By Vote Outcome"



Gennadiy Sysoyev commented in business-oriented Kommersant (4/26): "The Greek Cypriots' refusal to support the plan makes prospects for their admission to the EU doubtful. At least there is less certainty about the time when it may happen.... There is more to it, however. Had both parts of the island voted for unification, the Cyprus plan might have been used as a model of sorts to help settle conflicts that have resulted in some countries being divided. If successful, unification would have become a major victory for Europe, since the UN-proposed plan is virtually European. Europe would then have been able to claim the principal role in resolving similar problems.... After the fiasco in Cyprus, Europe can't seriously bid for the laurels of the chief peacemaker in NIS countries, which, in the final analysis, is good for Russia. Up to now this country has been jealously following the EU's attempts to act as an arbiter in ex-Soviet republics. It seems like Russia has benefited by the outcome of the Cyprus plebiscite."



AUSTRIA: "A Disaster For Diplomacy"



Foreign affairs writer Walter Friedl wrote in mass-circulation daily Kurier (4/27): "The no-campaign of the Greek Cypriot leadership, in alliance with the church and the hotelier lobby, who was afraid of losing market shares in case of re-unification, was a scandal, a slap in the face to the UN, the U.S., and the EU, rendering fruitless their efforts to finally solve the conflict. However, this attitude might backfire: when it comes to dishing out money, power, and influence, Brussels is not going to fall over itself to meet the Greek Cypriots halfway.... But the EU must also accept its share of the blame: the stipulation that only the southern part of the island would be able to join the EU without re-unification was supposed to put pressure on the Turks. This part of the equation worked, but the EU did not count in the stubbornness of the Greeks. Now it is faced with a diplomatic disaster."



DENMARK: "Greek Cypriots Must Look To The Future"



Center-left Politiken commented (4/26): "The international community ought to work towards giving Greek Cypriots guarantees in connection with the implementation of an agreement. At the same time, the Greek Cypriots should wake up to some realities and realize that they must be courageous and look to the future."



IRELAND: "Cyprus Vote"



The center-left Irish Times editorialized (4/26): "There has been widespread international criticism of the Greek Cypriot decision to reject United Nations proposals on reunifying the country in Saturday's referendum--and rightly so.... EU leaders believe a unique opportunity has been missed and warn that rejection of the UN plan will not be cost-free for the Greek Cypriots. A lot hung on this vote.... The international effort to secure a settlement now is part of a much wider attempt to resolve the question of Turkey's relationship with the EU, at a time when it is essential to establish a new relationship between the Muslim world and Europe. The widespread regret over this result...has much to do with these broader issues. While the Greek Cypriot leaders could not be expected to disregard their interests simply to suit some larger geopolitical design, they have been accused of selfishly ignoring a real opportunity to resolve the island's division and negotiating in bad faith, notably by the European commissioner responsible for EU enlargement, Mr. Günther Verheugen.... Among the responses being canvassed are a change in the so-called line regulation which determines the status of the island's division in international law. If it is replaced by a law which recognizes the line as an external EU border it would be possible to ease trade embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots. There will also be a willingness to relax their political isolation in the context of Turkey's approach towards EU membership."

[halil]

"Sad Day"



The center-right Irish Independent commented (4/26): "The vote has attracted bitter disappointment and reproach. The Greek Cypriots have been roundly condemned by two EU Commissioners, Chris Patten and Gunter Verheugen. Their part of the island will join on May 1, but Mr. Verheugen says there is a shadow over their accession. The EU and the UN have labored mightily to reunite Cyprus. Now they are frustrated, with no fresh course of action available. The island has been divided since the Turkish invasion three decades ago. Europe can only hope that it will not have to wait another three decades. "



KOSOVO: "EU Against Annan And The EU Racism Towards Northern Cyprus"



Commentator for pro-LDK, mass circulation Bota Sot, Elida Bucpapa, wrote (4/26): "The Unification of Cyprus was rather an initiative of Secretary General Koffi Annan than of UN itself.... Paradoxically enough, despite their opposition to Koffi Annan's plan, the Greek Cypriots have been granted direct accession to EU on May 1, while the opposite is happening to Turk Cypriots, who, despite their vote for Annan's plan, are now being punished by the EU. In fact, the referendum results once again highlighted the failure of the EU foreign policy which maintains a racist view towards the Muslim part of Europe.... It is true that EU had its representative for Cyprus issue...Gunter Verheugen, who strongly criticized the leadership of Greek Cypriots. However, his stance remained a personal one if not private, because he was not regarded by anyone. Because, it is well known that behind the Greek Cypriots is Greece.... Annan's plan and the referendum for the reunification of Cyprus failed because of the EU's degenerated policies. The EU's foreign policy once again capitulated to its corrosive forces.... Those Greek deputies who whistled at the Commissioner for EU expansion (German Gunter Verheugen) showed that Greeks within EU are much stronger than Germans and that the EU depends on them (Greeks). If the EU was independent, constructive and in service of the peacemaking policies of the United Europe, the EU should have also been in the service of expanding EU towards territories or countries where Muslim populations live. If this positive tendency existed it would have also been reflected through a close cooperation between the plan of Koffi Annan and the EU.... However, the EU did not want a positive result, therefore it promoted those who keep Cyprus divided by barb-wired fence and mined areas."

[halil]

MIDDLE EAST



ISRAEL: "There Are No Easy Solutions In Cyprus, Either"



Hebrew University Professor of Political Science and former Foreign Ministry director-general Shlomo Avineri wrote in mass-circulation, pluralist Yediot Aharonot (4/28): "One could easily see how the UN and the EU--which are opposed to Israeli occupation and the settlements--were ready to betray their principles when it was about Turkey. It is therefore no surprise that Greek Cypriots viewed the Annan plan as a prize to Turkey and the occupation.... In Cyprus--and in our region, too--there are no easy solutions, particularly if such solutions are initiated by foreign elements. If there is no local political willingness, there can be no solution to the conflict. What can be done--like in Cyprus 30 years ago--is to shake off the thought that the alternative to a solution actually is war. There also is room for stabilizing the situation, reducing violence, creating effective barriers between the opposite sides to lessen friction and conflicts. In the absence of solutions to conflicts that are not ripe for resolution, one must aspire to stabilizing them."



ALGERIA: "Cyprus: Failure Of Reunification"



El Watan, one of the most influential French-language dailies, noted (4/26): "Cyprus will remain a divided island. This verdict was confirmed by yesterday's ballot. The Greek Cypriots rejected the reunification plan proposed by the United Nations, whereas the Turkish Cypriots approved it. This vote is a 'very negative' start for Cyprus in the European community, the former Greek Cypriot head of the European harmonization, Takis Hadjidemetriou, declared after resigning to protest against the Greek Cypriot government's refusal of the United Nations proposal."



BAHRAIN: "Cyprus Problem Intractable As Ever"



The pro-government, English-language Bahrain Tribune observed (Internet version, 4/26): "Years of diplomatic efforts to reunite Cyprus came to naught on Saturday when...Greek Cypriots rejected [the peace plan].... The collapse of the plan disappointed the international community, notably the European Union and the U.S. who strongly supported it.... While it appears that the Greek Cypriots were the big winners in the referendum, analysts believe it would be the south which will bear the brunt of the political fallout. Their entry into the EU on May is assured, but it was the Turkish Cypriots who won the admiration of the world for opting for a 'yes' vote. Sanctions against the north are likely to be lifted and direct airport and port links opened with the outside world, facilitating exports and easing constraints on tourism. Some small countries have also indicated that they might go so far as recognizing the breakaway Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. With international recognition, Turkish Cypriots are likely to oppose participation of the south in the EU and question the status of two MPs at the EU parliament as the entire island's representatives.... With the diplomatic squabble tension is likely to rise between the two communities. This, analysts believe, will isolate Cyprus in the EU.... The Cyprus problem is far from over and the rejection of the UN plan marks the beginning of new and bigger ones for the island.

[halil]

JORDAN: "For A Better Future For All Cypriots"



Elite, independent, English-language Jordan Times editorialized (Internet version, 4/28): "The rejection of the UN-sponsored unification plan for Cyprus is a major setback for multiculturalism and inter-ethnic unity and cooperation. When the greater majority of Greek Cypriots vote no on a referendum for a federated yet united Cyprus and a similar majority of Turkish Cypriots vote yes, something certainly seems amiss. Rejecting even a remotely united Cyprus cannot bode well for a resourceless island divided by over three decades of ethnic tensions. Fortunately, 65 per cent of the Turkish community showed more confidence in a united country and appear to be much more willing to give a multicultural and multiethnic united country a chance.... In the case of Cyprus, there is little doubt that the Balkan war and the ethnic cleansing processes in Bosnia, Kosovo and other parts of former Yugoslavia must have weighed heavily on voters.... For the time being, therefore, Cyprus remains divided along ethnic and religious bases. There will come a time, though, when the two Cypriot communities will recover from old wounds and overcome prejudice and intolerance to opt instead for a united Cyprus.... Meanwhile, the European Union's commitment to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is admirable. Even Greece, which pledged support to the Greek Cypriots to 'minimize' negative consequences of their 'no' vote, said the Cyprus issue would not interfere with endeavors to ameliorate Greek-Turkish ties or Athens' support for Ankara's bid to start negotiations to join the EU in December. Perhaps when Cyprus enters as a new member of the EU on May 1, its co-members will be able to convince its Greek Cypriot leadership that as EU states had to reconcile many differences, so too must Cyprus."

[bill cobbett]

Has Halil posted evidence about the alleged PROMISES yet?

[The Cypriot]

I spilt some milk back in 2004. I wanted to cry but then I thought, no use. The milk was sour anyway.

[Hatter]

The international community has failed to honor the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot People in spite of their strong backing to the Annan Plan.

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

[Hatter]

The international community has failed to honor the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot People in spite of their strong backing to the Annan Plan.

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

Halil,

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

[The Cypriot]

The international community has failed to honor the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot People in spite of their strong backing to the Annan Plan.

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

Halil,

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

They promised to let the whole of Cyprus into the EU (even though only the free areas qualified for accession). Which they did. Except, because Turkey's army refuses to leave, the acquis is suspended there.

As soon as Turkey's army leaves the acquis can apply and the promises can be fulfilled.

[Hatter]

The international community has failed to honor the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot People in spite of their strong backing to the Annan Plan.

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

Halil,

What were these promises? Who promised what to the TCs ?

They promised to let the whole of Cyprus into the EU (even though only the free areas qualified for accession). Which they did. Except, because Turkey's army refuses to leave, the acquis is suspended there.

As soon as Turkey's army leaves the acquis can apply and the promises can be fulfilled.

Forgive my simple-mindedness, but since you apparently know what Halil meant, what exactly were the promises to the TCs they "failed to honor"? Do you mean that they promised to the TCs that the acquis would apply in the occupied areas? A clarification would be appreciated.
BTW, I take issue with your claim that "only the free areas qualified for accession", but more of that later.