A gangrene called Cyprus
by BÜLENT KENE
The delays in Turkey’s European Union membership process, as well as continued sluggishness in negotiations, have effects reaching beyond the membership process. Despite the always-one-step-ahead policy Turkey has implemented since 2003, Cyprus, too, is getting its share of the negative course our EU process has taken. Although the Turkish side opted for solution while the Greek side chose to prolong the stalemate in the referendum held on April 1, 2004 on the Annan plan, which was seen as a glimmer of hope for a solution on the island, the EU chose to reward the Greek side, foiling Turkey’s well-intended efforts.
Yet, unfair practices concerning the Cyprus issue do not just stem from the EU’s attitude, which lacks any strategic vision. Also, the report prepared by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2004, when he veraciously noted that the positions adopted by both sides in Cyprus had not yet entered the UN Security Council’s agenda -- particularly due to Russia’s and France’s resistance -- has not become a UN document. Furthermore, none of the promises made by the international community, particularly the EU, for mitigating the social, cultural, political and economic embargoes imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) have been kept. Moreover, Turkey’s already problematic EU membership negotiations have reached an impasse due to the double standards the union implemented regarding the Cyprus issue, as eight chapters were directly blocked by the Greek side.
Cyprus’ cost to Turkey does not solely consist of the troubles it causes in respect to Turkey’s EU membership process. Unable to establish direct economic and commercial relations with any country because of the embargoes, Northern Cyprus has become increasingly dependent on Turkey. This dependence is straining Turkey’s budget at an increasing rate and the people of Northern Cyprus have come to be known as a “dependent society.” Ankara had to increase its aid to the island in order to alleviate its worsening living conditions and keep the Turkish side on equal terms with the Greek side, in case of a potential merger. Thus, aid rose from TL 300 million annually in the early 2000s to TL 1 billion in 2010.
Of course, the welfare of the Turkish Cypriots is precious to Turkey and we will certainly be proud if we can ensure it but our Cypriot sisters and brothers should acknowledge the increased gap between their incomes and expenses. If Northern Cyprus had been able to pay the monthly salaries of their public employees -- which are considerably higher than their Turkish counterparts -- even when the global economic crisis had peaked, this was thanks to Turkey’s aid. Thus, even during a crisis, Turkey continued to subsidize Cyprus and did not let its sisters and brothers there be victimized. Even though such a precedent did not exist for public employees in Turkey, those in Cyprus continued to be paid an extra monthly salary every year during the crisis.
Despite all this, why did tens of thousands of people gather on Jan. 28, 2010 in an apparently anti-Turkey rally? In these so-called “social survival” rallies, the protesters demanded that the economic measures implemented by the KKTC government -- which they called “impositions from Ankara” -- be lifted and continuously shouted anti-Turkey slogans and carried banners, which said things like “Ankara, take your hands off us,” “Ankara, we want neither your money nor your officials,” “You give one but take five and shamelessly call us a nurse child” and “No to colonial rule.” There were other banners banned by the police, which read, “You, invading Turkish republic, go away,” “Mom, aren’t we saved yet?” “Stop the occupation” and “Ayşe, holiday is over. Go home,” indicating that things are more problematic than they may seem.
Apparently, the Cyprus issue -- which is a major problem in respect to Turkey’s EU membership process and its developing relations with many countries -- is growing as a domestic political problem as well. Essentially, we need to realize that Turkish Cypriots have become uneasy with the presence of Turkey and Turkish citizens on the island. Of course, the role of neo-nationalist circles in the development of this uneasiness in Cyprus -- which has always been one of the primary domains of activity for Ergenekon-like networks -- cannot be ignored. The fact that some trade unions and political movements in Cyprus, just like some left-wing neo-nationalist groups in Turkey, adopt a hostile attitude toward traditional Turkish or Muslim values implies that there are reasons more profound than economic ones for their discontent with the Justice and Development Party-led (AK Party) Turkey. It is no coincidence that some leftist trade unions that campaigned for the closure of summer courses teaching the Quran in Cyprus were also the leading actors in these rallies. The speeches delivered during the rally in Cyprus on Wednesday had striking similarities to those of the infamous republic rallies held in Turkey in 2007. Some speakers said that Turkey is “trying to erode the culture of Turkish Cypriots by establishing mosques and other Muslim complexes,” which confirms my thesis.
Of course, the fact that it is being abused by neo-nationalist/pro-Ergenekon groups does not mean that there is not a serious problem in Cyprus. Rather, it is clear that relations between Turkish Cypriots and Turkey are becoming increasingly complicated and gangrenous. Indeed, in our interview in November 2010, KKTC President Derviş Eroğlu had drawn attention to this danger. In Northern Cyprus, the number of immigrants from Turkey is two or three times higher than the number of local Turkish Cypriots and the emerging unrest between them can no longer be concealed.
Eroğlu noted that the 700,000 immigrants from Turkey are, as cheap labor, quickly taking over the employment opportunities available to the people of Cyprus. He further said that this migrant population also urged the KKTC administration to build new schools, employ new teachers, establish more hospitals and employ more medical staff. In other words, a significant portion of the funds Turkey sends to the KKTC pays for citizens of the Turkish Republic who migrate to the island temporarily or permanently.
To sum up, the problem between Northern Cyprus and Turkey is, unfortunately, much more profound and complicated than it may seem. Therefore, before developing a policy on the matter, the ruling AK Party must sponsor academic studies in order to identify the emerging socio-political problems in the island with the intention of understanding and discussing this grave situation at length. Otherwise, I fear, any step that will be taken may lead to new problems.
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-23 ... yprus.html
GLAD TO SEE MY COMPATRIOTS WAKING UP!
