Report raises possibility of ‘negotiated partition’ for Cyprus
A recent study by a European institute suggests that as the international community is becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on a Cyprus settlement, the idea of a negotiated partition is gaining credence.
“If the two sides do not want to live together or either side’s goals are unattainable, then, instead of being forced into a new and unworkable marriage, they should agree a divorce on friendly terms,” wrote William Chislett in his paper “Cyprus: Time for a Negotiated Partition?” for the Elcano Royal Institute based in Madrid.
He points out that “exaggerated hopes of a deal,” particularly among the international community, were dashed when the former president of the internationally unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), Mehmet Ali Talat, lost the presidency in April to hard-liner Derviş Eroğlu, whose victory is seen by the Greek-Cypriot side as a step backwards.
“A key crunch point could well come when the UN produces a progress report in November,” he stated. “If the UN concludes that there is no end in sight, that it has been unable to facilitate compromises on both sides and that the two sides are ultimately unwilling to share power, it would not be surprising if the UN withdrew its good offices mission.”
Chislett also stated that the Greek and Turkish-Cypriot leaders renewed negotiations in May for reunifying Cyprus, the only divided country in the EU.
He noted that little progress of substance was made during 19 months of talks between Dimitris Christofias, the Greek-Cypriot president, and Talat.
“The Republic of Cyprus will celebrate its 50th anniversary this October as the only divided country in the EU, following the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Thirty-six years after Turkey’s military intervention, the gulf separating Turkish- and Greek-Cypriot communities over a reunification settlement remains wide,” he also stated, adding that “the rhetoric on both sides is in favor of a solution, but the political will is still not there.”
He concludes that the possibility of easing the KKTC’s economic isolation, through enacting a direct trade initiative or something along these lines, offers “a glint of light in an otherwise pitch-black tunnel.”
The more I see the more I believe the way forward is for partition. With all its problems, probably of the Taiwanese kind. A simple review of the current J Lo controversy, the blocking of direct trade initiatives, the lack of progress in negotations, the vitriolic postings on this forum, the baying for blood of T/TC persons and the cheering of it when it happens. Partition is slow becoming a consideration that had hitherto never been discussed in the power circles.
The classic rebuttals will be presented on this forum, but the fact remains that the landscape is changing. Mass protests at even the question of a negotiatied partition will all the more underline the implausability of TC and GCs ever being able to find the respect and maturity to find a workable solution.
Such a move will cost TCs and GCs their perceived valuation of their respective expectations according to the type of settlement they believe will take place. However, real value would actually be created. A real foundation for building the trust, love, respect and cooperation can finally emerge as the lose lose game will be no longer open to the abuse of the politicians and hard liners on both sides. What will remain is the naked reality, rather than having someone else to blame all the time.
Are they fed up with the UN Security Council and General Assembly’s incompetence at implementing decades-old UN resolutions…
