MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen compares the situation in Palestine with that of Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows:
Is there a similarity between the Palestinian problem and the Cyprus issue? What lessons can be learned for Cyprus from the clashes between Israel and Palestine? TRNC President Rauf Denktas' statement on the issue before beginning face-to-face negotiations with Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides brought these issues to mind. Denktas said that Israel and Palestine had concluded 'half an agreement' under pressure and that now civilians were suffering because of it. The Turkish Cypriot leader wanted to issue this message to the world, which has been stepping up its pressure on the issue, 'Don't pressure us, or set a deadline for us, or try to impose your own solutions formulas on us.' This was the message Denktas tried to convey to the EU officials who stated that they expected the negotiations to bear some results by this June. Despite the parallel Denktas is trying to draw, there are not many similarities between the Palestinian and Cyprus issues. The most important is that both issues have resisted solution for many long, busy years at the hands of the international community. However, there are striking differences between the two issues. The clashes between Israel and Palestine have continued for a long time and eventually escalated into a war, whereas there have been no violent clashes in Cyprus since 1974. There is calm on the island, and trust and peace in the north. Another aspect distinguishing it from the Middle East concerns the status of the Palestine. Many countries, including the Arab world in general as well as Turkey, recognize Palestine as a state. Various UN resolutions and the Oslo Agreement foresee the establishment of a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, the situation regarding Cyprus is different. The TRNC is not recognized by any other state besides Turkey, and the official policies of various countries and the UN resolutions do not envisage the establishment of Northern Cyprus as an independent state. The Greek Cypriot side is trying to draw a parallel between the two issues to show the situation on the island as an example for its own argument. For example, Greek Cypriot officials are talking of the 'Turkish occupation' and 'Greek Cypriot refugees' right to return their homes.' In international disputes, even though there may be similarities, every issue has its own distinctive characteristics. A formula for a solution and the method pursued in solving one issue cannot be expected to yield the same results for another.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION