BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- Turkish Cypriots are still weary after a tiring election day. But they are also happy because they believe that they have fulfilled their duty by electing Mehmet Ali Talat their next president. What will happen next is unclear. But predictions aren’t as optimistic as they were before.
Talat began to speak of ‘a new cause’ in his election campaign. What does this new cause include exactly? His own explanation is as follows: ‘During Rauf Denktas’s presidency, the case of Cyprus was founded on avoiding a solution. Now, we will establish a new cause based on reaching a compromise.’
Talat’s statement signals that from now on, Turkish Cypriots will work against whoever is resisting reaching a compromise. For the time being, the uncompromising Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopulos is the main target for the Turkish Cypriots. But for a comprehensive solution, the Greek Cypriots must cease seeing Turkish Cypriots as a minority.
‘We will let the world know their actual plans,’ Talat said. ‘We will explain why their fanatical approach towards the issue fails to comply with European standards.’
However, diplomatic methods and negotiations with the European Union won’t be enough to succeed. The Greek Cypriot Republic is already a member of the EU, which means that they can easily make their voice heard. We should also make our voice heard. But this is possible only if we use all possible means of communication to win the support of a multitude.
In accordance with this brand new national policy, everyone expects Talat to become a ‘man of cause.’
If he fails to do so, Denktas and the diehard partisans will unite to build a new front against compromise on the issue.