BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the atmosphere after border crossings recently began on Cyprus. A summary of her column is as follows:
We’ve been hearing about confused feelings, disappointments, and new friendships after the recent border opening on Cyprus. According to some Greek Cypriot journalists, the masses of Greeks crossing the border in defiance of their government are sending a message of solidarity. However, the warm feelings of the first days’ crossings is starting to fade. Soon people will begin to try to claim property. How long, I wonder, will Turkish and Greek Cypriots remain happy being ‘guests’ on soil they consider stolen? And those who say such disputes can be solved on an individual basis, aren’t they laying the groundwork for the ‘law of the jungle’ and mass chaos?
I’ve heard that neither country is cooperating completely on the legal niceties of the crossings, which is causing problems in terms of security and order. Crossing a border by showing your passport to a country you don’t recognize or waiting in line to apply for a passport from a country which doesn’t recognize you is a hard thing. I don’t think that Turkish Cypriots will accept ‘minority rights’ in return for European Union membership. Sooner or later everybody will insist on his own requests, and this will make the situation harder than expected. At that point, power games will begin and the more powerful player will direct this delicate situation however it wants. Turkish journalists also share this concern. The Turkish and Greek Cypriots say, ‘We’re enjoying this honeymoon, even though we never registered at town hall.’
Following the war in Iraq, Turkey’s direction has seemed muddled. I’ve started to hear people ask where Turkey is going and whether our decision-making process is stumbling. It’s strange that with such a powerful government in Parliament there is so much uncertainty in Turkey. Our government should establish clear decisions and a clear direction.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION