By Mehmet Ali Birand
TDN- Everyone is angry again. Eternal pessimists have once more surrounded us with their negative views. Their conspiracy theories are ready at hand.
“No way. We can’t sell out Cyprus just to start accession negotiations. They will take the north of the island from us and then sit at the negotiation table. However, the membership is no certainty. They will leave us out in the cold and give us a special status at the end.”
No. If we play the game right, none of this will happen.
Let’s first realize one fact. Turkey did not sell out Cyprus with the document it signed on Dec. 17. The only thing it did was to agree to extend the Customs Union to Cyprus before the start of negotiations, which it was obligated to do afterwards.
Nothing else has changed.
Only, Turkey will begin to play a game in the international arena, which others were playing all the time.
When Cyprus is included in the Customs Union, Greeks/Greek Cypriots will proclaim: “We won. They officially recognized Cyprus.” Turkey in turn will say: “No. This is not an official recognition, but the implementation of a commercial-technical obligation.”
Because Cyprus will not rule over the north and the 30,000 Turkish troops will continue to be stationed there, in reality, Turkey’s arguments will be right. Other statements will not alter the reality.
Greek Cypriots will not let go
In summary, the period until the start of the negotiations on Oct. 3 is not that important. The Ankara Agreement will be extended to Cyprus and the negotiations will get underway. However, tension will continue and political fighting between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides will continue throughout the negotiations. In other words, don’t think we can push the Cyprus issue to the background. Greek Cypriots will never let it go.
Objectives of this fight
Greek Cypriots aim to make certain they benefit from the end and beginning of the discussions on each topic. They want to increase their advantages beyond the Annan plan as soon as possible.
The Turkish side aims to start another round of negotiations with the Greek Cypriots and reach an agreement with them before full membership by making minor adjustments in the Annan plan.
In short, Greek Cypriots are in a hurry, while the Turkish side is in no rush.
However, the Turkish side should move soon
Greek Cypriots wasted a golden opportunity on Dec. 17. In other words, they failed to get what they wanted. However, they still own an important weapon. Turkey needs to utilize all its energy and vision to gain time and protect itself.
It needs to work like a jeweler and make gestures that will result in the support of the entire world and especially the EU members. The United Nations should again be involved and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan should be called in. If not, we will face many troubles.
We can no longer afford to sit back and take our time. Our Cyprus policy cannot be based on reacting to what Greek Cypriots do. We need to prepare for a diplomatic chess game.
One day, we may grieve for the Annan plan
I get furious whenever they tell me: “Recognize Cyprus. You can’t join a club when you don’t recognize one of its members.” I find it hard to control myself and start yelling.
“This just doesn’t make sense. You supported the Annan plan. You told us that, if it were accepted, the issue would be resolved. The Turkish side trusted you and approved the document. Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos made sure the plan was rejected. You then said the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) would end. Papadopoulos made sure that didn’t happen. Now you ask us to recognize them. In other words, those who trusted you will be punished and Papadopoulos will gain. Is this justice?”
This same reaction can be seen throughout the nation. The answer we receive is this.
“There is no justice in international relations. Whoever plays the game right, wins. Greek Cypriots rejected the plan. You should have seen this before and stop delaying the vote for so long. You shouldn’t have just sat by when KKTC President Rauf Denktas constantly created obstacles. You knew that Greek Cyprus was going to be a member. You laid the trap you fell into. Greek Cypriots rejected the plan. But it was Denktas who rejected it before.”
In other words, the past should be forgotten.
If we try to use the past to make an argument, things get confused. If one takes the rejections of Denktas into account, it is us again who is to blame for the position we find ourselves in.
Who will pay the price for our current dilemma?