BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Results of Sunday’s presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus show that a majority of the TRNC population still favors uniting with Greek Cyprus and joining the European Union. President-elect Mehmet Ali Talat owes his success to the winds of change in Turkish Cypriots’ stance towards uniting the divided island. Talat will now work for this end as the president and chief negotiator.
It’s hard to take over such a responsibility from Rauf Denktas, a man who has left his mark on the history of Northern Cyprus. Even people who have long opposed him and criticized his policies have come to admit that Denktas is a great statesman. There’s no question that he is a competitive, courageous, charismatic and humorous politician who is a good public speaker and an excellent tactician as well.
Despite all his virtues, Denktas lost some of his popularity over the last few years, because he failed to stay in tune with the inclinations and expectations of his people, especially when he campaigned against the Annan plan. Denktas even drew some criticism from Turkey on the issue.
The only reason why both Ankara and the Northern Cypriots have begun to criticize Denktas’s standpoint is that his ideas seem to be stuck in the past and he hasn’t produced a vision of the future. That’s why he didn’t run for the presidency this time.
What keeps Denktas alive is his devotion to the national cause of Turkish Cypriots. His struggle for Turkish Cypriots has become part of his life. Therefore, it would be a mistake to assume that he’s done working for his nation. In fact, he has already begun to offer both advice and warnings.
Talat should lend an ear to what Denktas says, and Denktas should take into consideration the Turkish Cypriots’ desire for change and unity.
Talat’s first and foremost responsibility is to take the necessary steps towards compromise on the Cyprus issue and set the Turkish Cypriots’ minds at ease. His duty will require hard work and patience.