Cyprus-Forum.com

[RAFAELLA]

Turkish professor says that Turkey should demand the restoration of the constitutional order of 1960 in Cyprus and declare the withdrawal of its troops under the observation of the UN

Writing in Turkish RADIKAL newspaper (09.09.05, Internet version) Dr. Ihsan D. Dagi, international relations professor at the Middle East Technical University (METU), expresses the opinion that the only way for Turkey to overcome the obstacle of Cyrus is to demand the restoration of the constitutional order of 1960 “together with the Turkish elements” and declare that it will withdraw its troops under the observation of the United Nations.

Under the title “Only one thing left to be done for Cyprus”, Mr Dagi writes, inter alia, the following:

“Neither the support of the Turkish Cypriot people to the Annan Plan nor the decision of the Council at the 17 December Summit regarding the commencement of the negotiations for full accession on 3 October 2005 were able to lift the Cyprus obstacle standing before Turkey’s accession to the EU.
While it has come to ‘a historical threshold’ such as the commencement of the full accession negotiations, the Turkish government is giving the message that it could continue its way without the EU. The ‘Cyprus’ problem is again behind the crisis. While some EU member states put forward that the negotiations with Turkey cannot begin without officially recognizing ‘Cyprus’, all the EU member countries and the Commission agree that for the de facto carrying out the negotiations the Turkish side must fully apply the Customs Union Supplementary Protocol. This is tantamount to the ‘de facto’ recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration.

It seems definite that in the framework for the negotiations which the EU will prepare before 3 October a direct relation will be established between the full implementation of the ‘supplementary protocol’ by Turkey and the negotiations.

All these mean that Turkey’s EU accession process is ‘blocked’ by the ‘Cyprus problem’. There are three ways to overcome the blockade. The first is the ‘we shall withdraw and go away’ approach shown during the past few days by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which I evaluate as a part of the diplomatic bargaining with the EU. As regards its results, this is an alternative with which neither the Cyprus problem could be solved nor Turkey’s eternal economic and political difficulties could be overcome. The second is meeting the demands of the EU, opening the airports and the ports to the Greek Cypriot means of transportation and entering the road of the ‘de facto recognition’. Although this will ensure the progress of the negotiations at a level, it will on the one hand mortgage the negotiation process to the ‘good will’ of the Greek Cypriot administration and on the other it will give the possibility to Papadopoulos to apply his policy of seizing the TRNC (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) in the long-term.

The last option is forcing the Greek Cypriot administration to a solution. This is a difficult option because some reasons such as the fact that the Annan Plan turned into a legally non valid document after the referendum, the unwillingness of the United Nations for a new initiative and the fat that the Greek Cypriots have become stronger with the accession to the EU. However, if the accession to the EU is really important for us and if we will endure sacrifices during the negotiating process, we must finish this issue with the full membership and with getting the benefits of the accession. Therefore, solving the ‘Cyprus problem’ is a condition for us.

Subtitle: Agreement on two issues is a condition
At this point, the only suggestion that would force the Greek Cypriots to a lasting solution is bringing onto the agenda the restoration of the 1960 constitution where the Turks are founding partners. It is impossible to force the Greek Cypriots to a solution with another model in the current conditions. Turkey has no other choice if it is really determined to proceed for its EU accession. What should be done is demanding the restoration of the 1960 constitution which established the ‘Republic of Cyprus’ together with its ‘Turkish elements’ and declaring that Turkey will withdraw the Turkish troops from the island under the UN supervision in parallel to this restoration (of the constitution) in a manner that will make this possible. I know that this suggestion will cause strong reactions, but we have to be realistic now. In order to be able to discuss this suggestion of mine, we have to agree on two issues: 1. the 1974 is not conquest and 2. the accession to the EU is a ‘strategic priority’ and for this reason the obstacles in front of it should be removed.” (I/Ts.)
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Well, some sort of "decent" turkish proposals...?

[cypezokyli]

such a proposal would be interesting.
even though it is way far from what turkey would give.
they fought a war and won, and they expect some benefits for that.

i am wondring really what our reaction to that would be.

as for turkey, i dont think that the cyprus porblem is the only one turkey has to face in light of the negative european public opinion.
i believe that the europeans (if they indeed support us. the 3rd of october is not that far anymore) they found a good excuse to hide behind.

and dont forget the british presidency.

but the fact that for turkey the EU accession is a neccessity is something that we could take advantage of. but as said in the article the UN are unwilling to start negotiations all over again.
if we will, is a question that would be answered in the near future...

[ELLAS H TEFRA!]

such a proposal would be interesting.
even though it is way far from what turkey would give.
they fought a war and won, and they expect some benefits for that.

i am wondring really what our reaction to that would be.

as for turkey, i dont think that the cyprus porblem is the only one turkey has to face in light of the negative european public opinion.
i believe that the europeans (if they indeed support us. the 3rd of october is not that far anymore) they found a good excuse to hide behind.

and dont forget the british presidency.

but the fact that for turkey the EU accession is a neccessity is something that we could take advantage of. but as said in the article the UN are unwilling to start negotiations all over again.
if we will, is a question that would be answered in the near future...

I thought they had undertaken a "peace-operation with military means" to ensure the safety of the TC's! Now this was suddenly changed to "WAR".

Do you actually know what "war" means?

[cypezokyli]

what does it mean?

[ELLAS H TEFRA!]

what does it mean?

See..better be sure about something before you write it!

[ManoWAR]

Only when turkish troops leave Cyprus can be found a solution in Cyprus problem!

[sadik]

Turkish professor says that Turkey should demand the restoration of the constitutional order of 1960 in Cyprus and declare the withdrawal of its troops under the observation of the UN

The same thing has been in a heated discussion among Turkish Cypriot intellectuals since the rejection of the Annan plan. Some say that, instead of aiming for a BBF, we should defend our rights in the RoC.

However there is no indication that this is desirable/acceptable by the GCs. I know of no official proposal on our return to the 1960 order. I think returning to 1960 might be less acceptable by the GCs then a federation, because TCs would have equal political rights over the whole of Cyprus with the power to interfere in every aspect of the life, whereas in a federation it is possible to concantrate the TC political power to the northern state. More importantly, guarantees and Turkey's right to intervene would stand.

Also we would still need to reach to an agreement on the property issue and other key areas, which might prove to be as difficult as agreeing on a BBF.

[Kifeas]

Turkish professor says that Turkey should demand the restoration of the constitutional order of 1960 in Cyprus and declare the withdrawal of its troops under the observation of the UN

The same thing has been in a heated discussion among Turkish Cypriot intellectuals since the rejection of the Annan plan. Some say that, instead of aiming for a BBF, we should defend our rights in the RoC.

However there is no indication that this is desirable/acceptable by the GCs. I know of no official proposal on our return to the 1960 order. I think returning to 1960 might be less acceptable by the GCs then a federation, because TCs would have equal political rights over the whole of Cyprus with the power to interfere in every aspect of the life, whereas in a federation it is possible to concantrate the TC political power to the northern state. More importantly, guarantees and Turkey's right to intervene would stand.

Also we would still need to reach to an agreement on the property issue and other key areas, which might prove to be as difficult as agreeing on a BBF.

Logically any unitary state model, even along the lines of the 1960 constitution, would have definately been much more preferable by the GCs than any BBF model. However, if returning to a unitary state model will mean for the TCs to maintain all the benefits and privileges of the 1960 constitution, but also to add on top of them all the benefits of the fait accompli of the last 31 years of occupation -as they were safeguarded to great extent in the A-plan, then definately this will be a problem. I am mainly referring to the property and settlers issues.

Of course if the TCs would be willing to compromise on certain aspects of the 1960 constitution and the treaties, then I believe the GCs will also be willing to compromise on other issues of vital TC interest, the property issue being one of them.