Steven Katsineris
"Most people want change; really we want change. We really want a solution, we want to go and be a member of the European Union... And we really want to have a real identity, because the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus have been left without any identity for 30 years." — This is what Oya Gurel, who represents the pro-unification Cypriot group, Initiative for Peace and Democracy, told Associated Press' Nathan Morley in October last year.
While there is a lot of work still needed to bring about a just and lasting peace, after 30 years of seemingly intractable conflict Cyprus' Greek and Turkish communities are tearing down walls of mistrust, raising hopes that the once entrenched division of Cyprus is nearing resolution.
On July 15, 1974, supporters of the military junta of Greece staged a coup against the government of Cyprus and attempted to overthrow and assassinate its elected president, Archbishop Makarios. The aim was to force enosis (union) with Greece, but Makarios survived and led Cypriot resistance to the coup.
Turkey took advantage of the situation to launch an invasion on July 20. Turkey's military had often threatened to annex at least part of Cyprus. The Greek military-backed coup was defeated five days later and the Greek junta itself overthrown the next day.
In violation of UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire, Ankara pressed on with its military onslaught. By August 16, it had occupied 37% of northern Cyprus and forced the expulsion of more than 200,000 Greek and other Cypriots — one third of the island's population — from their homes and land. They were never allowed to return and the few thousand who remained after the invasion were slowly intimidated and threatened into leaving. Many Turkish Cypriots also moved to the north. Since then, Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines, despite several UN-sponsored efforts to reunite the island.
In 1983, Rauf Denktash, the Turkish chief in charge of the occupation enforced by 35,000 troops, declared the existence of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", a state recognised only by Turkey.
The latest UN proposal, called the Annan Plan, calls for two component states joined within a united Cypriot federation. The plan gives the two communities a great deal of autonomy and sets up a rotating leadership and a number of checks and balances in the Cyprus central government. The plan also envisages territorial changes. The Turkish Cypriot zone would be reduced to about 28% of the island, reflecting more accurately the percentage of Turkish Cypriots and thus allowing the return of a number of Greek Cypriot refugees.
Unfortunately, revisions to the Annan Plan have granted concessions to the Turkish side, negatively affecting the Greek-speaking side. On April 24, the plan was put to a referendum. While the Turkish-Cypriots mostly supported it, few Greek-Cypriots did, and it failed, ensuring that only southern Cyprus was recogised as part of the EU on May 1.
According to amendments to the latest plan, Turkey would have a permanent presence of the Turkish army on the island (the size to be reduced only after 18 years) and more than 60,000 mainland Turkish settlers would stay, while Greek and other Cypriots would wait for years for the return of their property and land. There would be limits on their rights to buy property, and strict quotas of Cypriot refugees allowed to return to the north. There are over 180,000 Greek and other Cypriots who want to return to their homes in the north.
Also, the Annan Plan calls for the "Common State" to pay the financial costs of this risky plan. This will mean that the victims of the Turkish invasion — the Greek, Maronite, Armenian, Latin and other Cypriots — will shoulder the economic burden. The Cyprus Republic will care for and help resettle Turkish, Greek and other Cypriot refugees. The Common State is even expected to pay the compensation of Cypriots who win cases for damages against Turkey because of its occupation, to pay all the UN expenses on Cyprus and support and subsidise the Turkish settlers. To many Cypriots, this final plan rewards the Turkish invasion and the cost of it could cripple the Cypriot economy.
Lastly, while the Cypriot side long ago accepted the principles of a bi-zonal state, many Cypriots believe the Annan plan with its "twin identities" (two states, two flags, two anthems) will not help promote reunification, but foster and entrench division.
After years of discord, there has been a sea change in northern Cyprus. The vast majority of Turkish Cypriots now desire unity with the rest of Cyprus — and therefore membership of the European Union. Denktash, who opposes the plan, is out of touch with the Turkish Cypriots. His support is waning, as Turkish Cypriots grow increasingly disenchanted with his rule.
Calls for a solution are getting stronger in the north as Denktash's regime faces a growing tide of dissent and his hold on power is getting shaky. For the first time, Denktash faces a well-organised opposition to his corrupt and authoritarian rule. Fifteen trade unions and opposition political parties have joined in a movement called "This Nation is Ours" in efforts to revive the stalled UN plan and work towards reuniting Cyprus. Pressure on Denktash increased further after elections in December 2003, when the pro-unification Republican Turkish Party (CPT) which supports the UN's peace efforts, emerged as the largest single party with 19 seats.
Years of increasing grassroots contact between the two communities has been successful in restoring the bonds of affinity and trust and led to a massive change in mindsets, the desire of most Cypriots to live together in a united Cyprus.
The most important dynamic driving the changes in Cyprus is the will of the Cypriot people, north and south for real change and for the reunification of the island. Since the easing of travel restrictions, more than 300,000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots, half the island's population, have returned to visit their homes and friends. And more than 20,000 Turkish Cypriots have so far visited offices around Cyprus to apply for passports, identity cards and birth certificates of the Republic of Cyprus.
Regardless of the outcome of the Annan Plan, enormous cracks have appeared in Denktash's regime. Such are the immense changes that these cracks are growing and can no longer be covered up or repressed. Decades of isolation, estrangement and hostility has given way to the two communities meeting and greeting each other with embraces, tears and reminisces. Flowers and signs saying, "welcome brothers" have appeared on both sides throughout the island.
The last version of the Annan Plan is very different from past proposals and is not fair. In its present form, it will not be acceptable to the vast majority of the Cypriot people. The majority of the Cypriot people urgently want a solution, but the Cyprus Republic should not rush into an agreement despite external and internal pressures.
At this crucial time, neither Cyprus nor the rest of the world need an imposed flawed quick-fix settlement that will form the basis for future conflict. Cyprus has moral and legal right as well as time on its side. While most Cypriots want peace and a resolution as quickly as possible, it must be workable, just and comprehensive. After waiting for 30 years, Cypriots must if necessary, wait a little longer to make certain they get it right.
Many Cypriots think that outside powers are trying to impose a plan in order to avoid the discomfort of a divided Cyprus joining the EU. Even though the final Annan Plan did not satisfy the minimum aims of the Cypriot people, reunification will be achieved because there is momentum for it.
There is an incredible and irreversible urge on both sides to tear down the walls of division,. The political breakthrough will come one way or another because the people on both sides want fundamental change. What was once almost unthinkable is becoming a looming reality, the prospect of a viable solution to the conflict and the imminent reunification of Cyprus. As Marios Demetriou, a refugee from the Turkish-held town of Morphou explained: "We the people will solve the problems. We are all Cypriots."
[Steven Katsineris is a Tasmanian-born writer of Greek Cypriot background currently living in Sydney.]
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, May 19, 2004.
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