BY ERDAL SAFAK
SABAH- I don't know if it was inspired by the example of Czechoslovakia or encouraged by Kosovo, but Ankara's policy on the Cyprus issue is clearly changing. The first clues or hints of this came during President Abdullah Gul's recent visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Speaking to the TRNC Parliament, Gul listed the sine qua non parameters of a solution to the Cyprus issue, saying that there are two separate nations, two separate democracies, two separate religions and two separate states on Cyprus and that a solution is possible only in light of these. My Turkish Cypriot colleagues say that Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan, who visited the island ahead of Gul, said that a solution to the Cyprus issue should be based on the reality of two nations, two democracies and two states. Can this be a coincidence? A solution to the Cyprus issue has always been dependent on a federation based on two parts and two nations. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also proposed a partnership based on a single federal state, two nations, two equal founding states and unitary citizenship. Turkey approved and supported this formula for a new `Federal Republic of Cyprus' based on this status. But the new parameters mentioned first by Toptan and then Gul change the previous status of the island. The concept of `people,' instead of `nation,' is being mentioned, and `two separate states' instead of `federation.' Gul also brought a completely different dimension to the issue by airing the concept of two separate religions instead of unitary citizenship. Only one thing can be concluded from these new parameters: a solution based on a federation has been abandoned and is no longer valid.
So how did this happen? Although nobody says so, this may be in line with a model of a confederation. What will happen if this proves unachievable? I think then it would be possible firstly to separate and then become united within the European Union. Obviously, certain sentiments heard more and more on the island had an impact on Ankara's change in stance. For example, Greek Cypriot Dimitris Hristofyas, leader of the communist AKEL party, said that there was a tendency towards division. Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis stated that there was no solution on the horizon and that accepting the two-state formula was the best answer now. In addition, Greek Cypriot parliamentarian Serge Perdikis said that the island was moving towards permanent division. Journalist Hasan Hasturer once wrote that the two nations have even lost their desire for good neighborly relations and that not even 10% of Greek Cypriots favor a solution based on equality. He also wrote that after the border gates were opened a few years ago, the two nations saw clearly how they are alienated from each other, adding that although the gates are now open, the psychological walls got higher. The US, the world's only superpower, should make sure this is seen as an international problem so efforts for a solution can be initiated, just like in Kosovo. When I was about to finish this article, the Devil whispered in my ear, `Kosovo, or northern Iraq?' Even former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has started to favor splitting Iraq into three. Please consider the Devil's warning.