What Does Erdogan Want?

MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila comments on Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s stance on the Cyprus issue. A summary of his column is as follows:
If one had to sum up the recent situation concerning Cyprus on the part of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, this much could be said: ‘The Turks are constantly bickering. Let them continue to do so.’ A person could easily reach this judgment. Although the issue has been bandied about for weeks, it’s still unclear what Ankara is saying and what the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has against Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas. AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been criticizing Denktas since UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan for the island was first presented late last year. In addition, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul is closing ranks with Erdogan, proclaiming that they have a ‘new policy’ concerning Cyprus. At first Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said similar things, but recently he denied that there was any Turkey-TRNC rift and said that the government supported Denktas.
Although he isn’t prime minister, Erdogan is the government’s voice on all the issues facing Turkey. The Cyprus issue, Annan’s plan and Denktas are among the issues that he is most concerned about. Now we need to ask this: As the leader of the party in power, what is Erdogan seeking for Cyprus?
He wants a solution. - But what sort of solution? - He thinks Annan’s plan can be discussed and both sides should sit down to the negotiating table to find a solution. - But Annan’s plan is already being discussed and a solution is being sought concerning the plan anyhow.
However, Erdogan is continuing to make the same criticisms and accusations. Then a person could ask himself, does Erdogan want Denktas to accept Annan’s plan as is and sign it?
No. Erdogan doesn’t want the plan to be accepted in its current form either. He thinks some changes are necessary. - So what is Denktas doing now? - He’s telling the United Nations and the Greek Cypriots what parts of the plan he wants changed. So why is Erdogan continuing to criticize Denktas?
There’s no good answer to this last question. Erdogan, Gul and Yakis have all met with Denktas. During these meetings, did Erdogan and Gul ask anything of Denktas? If they did, did Denktas balk? Did Erdogan or Gul suggest to Denktas that he should change certain articles of Annan’s plan? Did Erdogan make any suggestion to Denktas on his stance towards Greek Cypriot leader Clerides? When Erdogan said, ‘Cyprus isn’t Denktas’s personal matter, it’s a national matter,’ just what was he implying? Erdogan has to clearly lay out his view of the Cyprus issue, Annan’s plan and his vision for a solution. Just saying, ‘We favor a solution’ isn’t enough. If he has a solution in mind, he should let Denktas know.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION