It appears that the Greek Cypriots are running out of friends, and tricks; The EU is clearly at a cross roads in declaring the "Cease-fire" line as an official border after admitting its collective mistakes of allowing an island in conflict to become an EU member state represented only by a hostile GC lead government, while Russia is now beginning to see the light in advancing its relationship, both politically and economically, with the Republic of Turkey as opposed to relying on its pointless, mythical religious Orthodox ties with a small community/nation that doesn't count for much!
‘Red sheep of the EU’ not a useful label
WHEN IT comes to foreign relations, President Christofias exhibits the political maturity and wisdom that are usually associated with naïve university undergraduates. His world view is still firmly rooted in the Cold War era and is based on the anti-Western prejudices of the time. Even though the Soviet Bloc collapsed 20 years ago, Christofias has maintained his open hostility towards the capitalist West and makes no secret of his abhorrence for the new world order that replaced it.
This hard-headed refusal to accept that the world has changed and that Cyprus, since May 2004, belongs to what remains of the much-detested Western grouping of states is not in the country’s best interest. Boasts that he was the ‘red sheep of the EU’ and disparaging public comments about NATO, which is a dirty word for the president, serve no useful purpose whatsoever. Cyprus has absolutely nothing to gain from its head of state making these foolishly pointless statements that pander to the anti-West sentiments of AKEL party members.
Christofias’ official visit to Cuba was another illustration of his anti-West grandstanding as he became the first head of state of an EU member-country to visit Havana. Did we have anything to gain from this visit? Was it in Cyprus’ interest for its president not to fall in line with the rest of the EU, as regards visits to Cuba? The only purpose of the visit was to show solidarity with the authoritarian socialist regime and express nostalgia for the ridiculous Non-Aligned Movement to which Cyprus and Cuba once belonged.
A president who allows his personal ideological prejudices to determine his foreign policy is playing a dangerous game because these prejudices are not always compatible with the national interest. His refusal to join Partnership for Peace, on the grounds that it is a NATO ‘waiting room’ is a case in point. Cyprus would lose from not joining and at what price? Satisfying the president’s anti-Western prejudice?
His ideological prejudices also affect his judgment. Cyprus was the only EU member state not to vote in favour of the UN Security Council resolution on Georgia, which called for the return of all displaced persons to their homes, because the government considers Russia a close strategic ally. Yet the truth is that Russia’s relations with Turkey have become very close because of common interests – tens of billions of dollars’ trade and the gas pipeline – and would not be jeopardised for the Greek Cypriots. Prime Minister Putin’s statements regarding the Cyprus problem, repeatedly, made it clear that keeping the Turks on side was his priority.
President Christofias, however, remains in denial about Russia’s stance because his personal prejudices do not allow him to be pragmatic. He is deluding himself if he believes that Moscow puts principles above its strategic interests – no country does that. This is why he should be cultivating our relations with our EU partners instead of openly snubbing them and pandering to countries like Cuba and Russia.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009
Christofias, WHAT A FOOL!
