Source: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=greek-cypriots-really-lose-cyprus-after-35-years-2010-07-19
Greek Cypriots really lose Cyprus after 35 years
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Monday, July 19, 2010
MEHMET ALİ BİRAND
The 1974 Cyprus operation was a milestone and turning point in the country’s foreign relations.
The majority of you weren’t even born yet at that point but let me tell you briefly about the period before 1974 and you’ll easily understand how far we’ve come.
Turkey, especially in matters of foreign relations used to live in a dream state in the 50s and 60s.
We thought we were the world’s most important country that everybody loved.
We thought that our military force was irresistible and that because of the TSK, Europe was safe in respect to a Soviet invasion. We thought that our women were so beautiful that men around the world could hardly resist.
Frankly, that’s what we thought.
Stereotyped words of each foreigner coming to Istanbul would evolve around these slogans.
Then all of a sudden on July 20, 1974 the Turkish Armed Forces in two spurts took power over half of Cyprus.
Their reasoning was according to international regulations. And more importantly the conjuncture was in favor of Turkey. Nationalistic Greek Cypriots laid grounds by burning Turkish villages, and when the TSK intervened it just served Washington and Moscow’s purposes well – for different reasons of course.
But you probably know that’s not all.
Invasion is easy. What’s really important is to make peace afterwards and obtain the desired result.
We did not manage in the right direction.
We thought we could pocket half of the island by invading it.
The Greek Cypriots in the long run thought that they could get back the whole island if they only resisted for a long time.
Both sides were wrong.
Together with the operation our eyes opened to the real world. Our biggest ally, the U.S. Congress condemned us to an embargo on weapons. We were subject to pressure by almost each and every international institution. We were dragged through the mud. We saw that former friends can easily forget about their words when conditions change.
Relations with Europe came to a deadlock.
The Armenian terror organization ASALA took this opportunity to announce genocide to the world in a bloody way by murdering our diplomats.
But the Greek Cypriots, despite many efforts, were not able to make Turkey succumb.
This is how 35 years of ups and downs have passed.
Maybe some of you are still aware of it but seats around the table have started to switch around.
Turkey realized what it lost, now it’s Greek Cyprus’ turn
Turkey was the first to realize the truth in this chess game in Cyprus.
It understood that within the process of the Annan Plan it could not reach anything with unsolvable politics, taboos and groundless slogans.
Erdoğan destroyed an extremely vital taboo by saying YES to the plan on the way to the European Union.
But this time it was the Greek Cypriots who made the wrong calculations.
They started to abuse their “full member status” laid upon them by Europe that later regretted doing so. According to their math, in the end Turkey would make sacrifices in Cyprus in order to become a full member of the EU. That is why they still make it difficult. But there is one thing they did not account for. Unless Ankara obtains from the EU what it desires, it won’t approve of any solution in Cyprus.
If I were to summarize, I’d say that the Greek Cypriots established a link for 35 years. To be more open, this link was, “If Turkey wants to progress on its way to Europe then it needs to compromise with the Greek Cypriots.” As Europe supported this attitude this is how we ended up.
Nowadays this link has reversed. Turkey replied as follows:
“… If the Greek Cypriots want a solution, then Turkey’s way to Europe should be paved…”
But Europe doesn’t care.
Our Greek Cypriot friends are not aware, but they are missing the opportunity.
There are three scenarios in front of us:
- As long as Turkey remains outside the EU there won’t be any solution in Cyprus. In this case Ankara will start its recognition efforts and, rest assure, that the number of those recognizing Turkish Cyprus will increase.
- Once the way for Turkey’s full membership to the EU is paved, last-minute solutions won’t be good for neither the Greek Cypriots, nor the Turks.
- It is wise to find a solution by 2013. The Annan Plan has formed the necessary grounds. Now it’s good to find a compromise with sacrifices on both sides.
Result…
Greek Cypriots generally tend to take entire Cyprus under their control and as long as that doesn’t happen then today’s situation will persist. All surveys point in direction of this reality.
I can still hear what a Greek Cypriot told me:
“We don’t want to live together and share Cyprus with Turks. During the day we want to go to the north and they can come to the south, but at night everybody should go home. The Turks can live in their own region but should not intervene in the country’s administration.”
This is the situation.
The Greek Cypriots, willingly or unwillingly, divide Cyprus into two and go as far as losing the north.
That is the balance sheet for the past 35 years.
6 Comments PRINTER FRIENDLY
READER COMMENTS
Guest - historian
2010-07-20 13:48:44
After 1877, with the lease of Cyprus to Britain (like Hong-Kong), majority of Turks migrated to Anatolia, while the poor and ignorant from Greece migrated to the Island after, plus Armenians and Christians from Levant This made the Christian population majority, and to suppress, even annihilate the Turkish population, and annex the Island to Greece became main target. The Turkish Peace Operation failed these attempts, but this time, Turkish Gov sent Turks from Anatolia to Cyprus (again the poorest and ignorant), both sides particularly Greece divided the Island, thus If Greece doesn’t want to see the Turkish side as the 82nd province of Turkey in the future, they should start talking giving, and both sides should prepared themselves important concessions. As for the EU accession of Turkey, there are many other reasons beside Cyprus in the EU process, hence I do not see Cyprus issue very important for the EU but cover.
Guest - Chris Green TRNC
2010-07-20 12:29:28
Firstly I should acknowledge MA Birand as the author of the very excellent book `30 Hot Days` which is an excellent factual account of the build up to the perfectly legal intervention and the prosecution of it. Intervention it was not `invasion` as he says in this article. I also agree it is unlikely that Turkey will ever be a member at any leval of the EU. Quite apart from the sea change it would require from anti Turkey lobbies, constitutionally it is presently impossible for Turkey to join. I personally see no reason for any land to be ceded to the Greek side. I have said for a long time that they lost a conflict that was wholly of their own making and should thank their God that Turkey didnt smash them through the bank door of Pathos when they could have done (and still could) yet had no intention of doing. My own researches suggest the two communities were never unified and will not be so in the future, near or far. A two country solution is the only viable option (unrestricted)
Guest - antonias
2010-07-20 12:22:40
Firstly lets get the population thing out of the way. The reason there is such a disparity between the nos of turkish and greek cypriots is because when Britain was the leaseholder it bussed in hundreds of thousands of cheap labour from mainland greece. as to the solution. Simple recognize trnc as a sovereign state and a full member of EU. and impose eu border controls with trnc and turkey. The island is never going to be unified under greek cypriot control when it has so much strategic value for turkey, sitting of its coast. the other solution is all the middle east will recognize trnc and that will be enough to make it an extremely successful trading port because of its location
Guest - Elias
2010-07-20 05:34:05
With all due respect Mr. Mehmet, but anybody can find an idiot and there have been enough in Cyprus (On both sides) to tell something like the one you talked to. I am old enough to remember old Hussein who came to Stay with us when he was on his way to sell his produce. Mustafa who was spraying DDT in the stagnating waters all summer long and making jokes with my father. Many more that were friends of my father and had many meals together also. No not all the Greeks and Not all the Turks were the same, but the honest ordinary folks got along together just fine. When the EOKA started and many Turks became Auxiliary Policemen to serve the divide and rule of the British, many things fall appart. I hope there is a chance in an integrated society like the EU the GCs and the TCs can be friends again like the old days.
Guest - Bradley
2010-07-20 03:31:37
You are probably right, Mr. Birand. Is there any chance of a territorial swap to make the division a little more equitable? 37% of the island (and 50+% of the coastline) for just 18% of the population is not fair. Then each side could go its own way without so much lingering bitterness. TCs would be free to do what they want, GCs would have a more just split, and so it would go...
Guest - GIORGOS K
2010-07-20 01:07:58
Lets be reasonable..The two communities dont want to live together.Perhaps the older ones do but definitely not the younger ones.Greek Cypriots despite the 74' tragedy managed for first time in their history to govern themselves, progress, enjoy high standards of living and live in social peace.Turkish Cypriots on the other hand despite the wealth they managed to seaze did not enjoy the same standards of living but felt dominant for themselves for first time in their lives.Greek Cypriots do not really want to co-exist with Turks again especially settlers from Anatolia.The same applies for the North.Turkey will probably never become a full member of the EU because simply Germany and France do not approve of Turkey..On the other hand VERY FEW countries will ever recognise TRNC without Greek approval no matter how hard Turkey will try..So lets simply see the reality and split ..Turkish Cypriots should give a big part of land back and Greek Cypriots should then recognise TRNC in exchange!
