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[YFred]

God, Allah, golden spoons and the Cyprus problem
By Nicos A. Rolandis

IN ACCORDANCE with an entry in my political archive, John Peristianis, Cyprus Ambassador in Paris, had requested to come and meet me in Geneva on May 9, 1979, while I was Foreign Minister. Peristianis reported the following:

“The Prime Minister of Greece Constantinos Karamanlis received me in Athens. He told me that the Cyprus side does not pursue the line agreed with Athens. Karamanlis told me that Makarios had accepted a solution based mainly on territory, which would consequently entail a geographical separation of the two communities.

“Karamanlis further said that Kyprianou had also agreed that the question of territory was more significant than the constitutional aspect. Furthermore, Karamanlis allowed me to read the relevant minutes kept in the office of the Greek Prime Minister.

“In general terms, my impression through my various contacts in the French capital is that Greece and Cyprus are not ‘ad idem’ on the Cyprus issue. This is also the opinion of journalists Montiano and Sulzberger.”

I knew that Peristianis was well-connected with Karamanlis and that the information he gave me was absolutely correct. Besides, my own experience had led me to the same conclusion. I briefed President Kyprianou accordingly.

The perennial lack of understanding between Greece and Cyprus has been one of the main reasons for the worsening prospects for a Cyprus settlement. In the early sixties Makarios was in constant conflict with the Greek Government, to such an extent that Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou wrote to him on February 25, 1964, during one of the bloodiest and most grave phases of the problem, that he could follow the Cyprus developments only through the international press.

The clashes of Andreas Papandreou and Kyprianou in the 1980s are also well known. On some occasions when we visited Athens in those days, we were received at the airport by a junior attaché of the Protocol department of the Ministry.

The Cyprus President was not even hosted at a lunch on those occasions. It is also tragic that in January 1996, during the Imia islets crisis, when Greece was on the verge of war with Turkey and the peril of catastrophe was hovering all over Cyprus, President Clerides, despite his persistent efforts, was unable to reach Greek Prime Minister Simitis for almost two days.

And what about Costas Karamanlis fully agreeing with both Papadopoulos and Christofias, whose positions on Cyprus have always been diametrically opposite? Such an attitude reflects a lack of respect for the average Cypriot and is indicative of the ‘je-m’en-foutisme’ and apathy which characterises the relations between the two countries.

The lack of understanding generates indecisiveness and indecisiveness generates disaster. Many leaders on the Greek Cypriot side stick to the lowest common denominators, to cheap patriotism and silly slogans, which are repeated like a mishmash of stupid clichés. There is no in-depth analysis, no political thought, no soul searching.

The Turkish side, on the contrary, seems to know perfectly well what it is after and how to achieve it. Turkey exploited our mistakes and the crime of the coup d’état in 1974 and she invaded Cyprus almost with impunity.

Today, 35 years on, as a result of the lack of resoluteness on our part to pursue an acceptable or tolerable solution of our problem, Turkey was acclaimed in Brussels in 2004 by the European Council (with our consent as well!) for her constructive efforts to resolve the Cyprus question. Furthermore, she was recently voted by an overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly as a member of the Security Council.

Turkey has managed to convince the international community that she is interested in a speedy solution of the problem, whilst we, the victims of occupation, keep harping on the tune that we do not want “asphyxiating timeframes” (we have been asphyxiated for 35 years!). Our message to the world is that there is no need at all to hurry up, which is interpreted by the international community as a lack of care for a solution. Very, very clever indeed!

But do some of us really want a solution – as AKEL put it recently. Do we pursue a “feasible” solution, the way Makarios referred to it in the past? Because if the solution we are after simply reflects our wishful thinking, if it is not feasible and if it is not in line with what we have already agreed in the past and consonant with the Security Council resolutions (bizonality, political equality etc), then we are simply daydreaming.

We do not want a solution. For example, the Makarios-Denktash Agreement of 1977 provides that matters of principle and basic human rights will be open for discussion, taking into consideration the bicommunal federal system and certain practical difficulties of the Turkish Cypriot community. It also provides that there will be separate territorial areas which will be administered by the two communities. Do we accept all these, not simply on paper, do we accept them in real terms?

And if we do not accept them, then how do we envision that the solution will be brought about? How shall we recover the occupied territories and the properties lost? How will the Turkish army be withdrawn? How, in practical terms, will the Turkish settlers, who have inundated the occupied north, depart?

Do we possess the military strength to impose what we consider as just (even though we have partly demolished our just cause through our sins perpetrated during the first 14 years of the Republic of Cyprus)?

Can we, either on our own or together with Greece, defeat Turkey, one of the strongest allies of NATO, in the Cyprus land space? And is Greece prepared to embark on a military adventure over Cyprus? Or is it that some of us may have the same inspirations again with those of 1974, when some empty-headed Greeks and Cypriots tried to bring about union with Greece and instead they landed Cyprus up with humiliation, occupation and havoc?

And if the military option is not advisable, can we, by virtue of judgments of European courts remove even a single Turkish soldier, or a single Turkish settler? Can we recover even a square foot of occupied land and return it to the refugee, who has been deprived of it and keeps waiting for years and years? We had recently a just ruling of the Court of the European Communities.

This ruling protects the rightful owners against the illegal exploitation and sale of their properties to European citizens. However is it possible for this ruling to transgress the above limits of protection? Could the judgment of a Court cause the return of properties, in practical terms, to their owners? Could it regulate matters of war and peace? Could it reverse the torrent of international human exploitation?

The Cyprus problem cannot be resolved either by war or by rulings of Law Courts. If the two sides do not have the will and the courage to recognise their past blunders and to follow jointly the path of peace, through a historic political settlement, the Cyprus problem will not be resolved.

Christofias and Talat have a very difficult road to cross, if it is not already too late. Christofias needs a real and active help and support from the side of Greece. He carries on his shoulders the weight of his political allies, who fight him continuously and openly, whilst at the same time they swallow with golden spoons the ambrosia and the nectar of the God of Power. Talat has Eroglou and Ankara breathing down his neck. Let God and Allah help them both.

n Nicos Rolandis was Cyprus’ Foreign Minister from 1978-1983 and the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism from 1998-2003

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

[Bananiot]

Wise words by Nikos Rolandis as always. Now the bash patriots will jump on him like vultures.

[T_C]

I think I have a book written by this guy (pre-1974), where he's warning both TCs and GCs on where they're heading... I'm sure it's him...

[Get Real!]

I think I have a book written by this guy (pre-1974), where he's warning both TCs and GCs on where they're heading... I'm sure it's him...

You might also want to check out his "achievements" during…

n Nicos Rolandis was Cyprus’ Foreign Minister from 1978-1983 and the Minister of Commerce, Industry & Tourism from 1998-2003

...and then you'll realize why everyone ignores him today.

[Bananiot]

He means, all GR's ignore him. All cretins and demagogues too.

[DT.]

He means, all GR's ignore him. All cretins and demagogues too.

I guess you're including Seder Levent in this list of GR's, cretins and demagogues since he is also highly critical of him.

[T_C]

I'm sure the GCs would agree to everything he says in the book I have. He advises the TCs to volunterily to give up their 30% rights...

[DT.]

I'm sure the GCs would agree to everything he says in the book I have. He advises the TCs to volunterily to give up their 30% rights...

don't tell Bananiot.

[Bananiot]

DT, you should not remember Sener Levent only when it suits you. Of course, once again you choose not to tell us where you disagree with Rolandis. Too much to ask you to make an effort?

[DT.]

DT, you should not remember Sener Levent only when it suits you. Of course, once again you choose not to tell us where you disagree with Rolandis. Too much to ask you to make an effort?

Tell you what Bananiot, for once answer my question (was asked first)before I answer yours.

Do you include Sener Levent into your list of "GR's" cretins and demagogues?