CUMHURIYET- Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on the UN’s new proposal for resolving the Cyprus issue. A summary of his column is as follows:
Just as it threatens to take on wider implications, the Cyprus issue has embarked on a hurried push for resolution. In the past, calling for a solution to the Cyprus issue was branded as ‘disloyalty,’ but now the atmosphere is just the opposite.
1. Turkey is basing its opinion on a 10-15 page summary of the 150-page plan itself, which was distributed to both principal parties. The details aren’t known yet. According to the summary, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is expected to vacate more than 50 villages, 60-70,000 Turks will have to find new homes and its share of territory will decrease from 36% to 26%. These are the first negative aspects that catch one’s eye.
2. Looking at history not with mere curiosity, but as a series of transformations and events that change the fate of nations, it’s clear that the situation in Cyprus is reminiscent of Crete. On that island, a local assembly was established in 1878. The assembly had 49 Greeks and 31 Turkish members. There were conflicts in Crete, and the Ottoman Empire dealt with them. Then Europe said, ‘I will protect the island,’ and it gave the island to Greece in 1913. Today the population balance on Cyprus is 7-2 in Turkey’s disadvantage. In the UN’s plan, the stipulated equality of both sides is positive. However, very strong institutions and mechanisms should be established so the continuance of this equality won’t come to look like Crete.
3. The UN solution proposal should be considered in the light of the above-mentioned facts. The United Nations stated, ‘I’m giving you one week. We’ll need your opinion on this plan.’ The European Union said, ‘You should sign a document before the Copenhagen summit on Dec. 12, otherwise we will strike you from the list.’ In other words, the idea is, solve this problem, and you’ll be “rescued.”
4. Looking at the discussions, there seems to be a direct relation between Cyprus and Turkey on the question of giving a date for our EU membership negotiations. However, there is no guarantee of this. In other words, the EU doesn’t seem to be saying, ‘If the Cyprus problem is solved, a date will definitely be given to Turkey.’
5. Both of the sides examining this plan are trying to act dignified. Neither party wants to be seen as ‘the negative one.’ Whoever rejects this proposal first will pay a heavy price.
6. Naturally, there is a busy behind-the-scenes agenda as well. US Secretary of State Colin Powell sent a message to Turkish Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel just two days before the announcement of the plan, saying, ‘Please don’t immediately reject this plan. We will support your full EU membership.’ Gurel replied, ‘We will examine the plan using a realistic perspective. If it includes certain suggestions wholly contrary to our demands, we cannot accept it.’ Barring a last-minute change of schedule, Gurel will hold a press conference today to express his opinions and tell of developments. Gurel is purposely excluding Foreign Ministry bureaucrats from this press conference to protect them from possible retaliation from the incoming government.
7. Looking at the policy so far advocated by Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one can say that the Cyprus issue is the AKP’s personal matter. According to Greek daily To Vima, Erdogan called Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis both before and after the elections and told him that Turkey favored adopting the Belgian model. When this came out and people objected, Erdogan tried to douse this fire. We hope that Erdogan isn’t saying this just to gain the EU’s favor.
8. Cyprus isn’t just a chunk of land. The people, our people, are living on it. They should also have a say in shaping steps towards the island’s future.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION