Once again Cyprus is at a crossroads. We are in anticipation that this time a dispute we have been born into will be resolved, our island will be reunited. Well, at least some of us. The prevailing atmosphere in the North following the great disappointment of 2004 referendum is an increasing apathy at best and a swing towards the Right at worst. You see it everywhere, bored expressions. No interest in the bloody Cyprus problem anymore, at least not a commitment that will galvanize big rallies. Especially the older generations who have been there many times, who have invested hope in reuniting this country, only to be disappointed again again, they are the least hopeful.
As someone born after 1974, Cyprus problem and partition has shaped all my life and continues to do so. I had been abroad for many years and deliberately chose not to be ‘controlled’ by the problem. I chose to be misinformed on the various aspects of the conflict. I was more interested in the histories of other countries than the very history of the country I was born into. In a way, this was my resistance. I was fed up of all the propaganda I was exposed to within the years that led me grow so early. I was very angry too. Why, at the age of eight should I be taken to the so-called Museum of Barbarism where I was shown the pictures of dead bodies, of little children like me? I remember not being able to sleep that night. Nothing remained the same after; for many years fear followed me like my shadow.
Years later when I grew up and was enjoying the best years of my early adulthood I had the chance to meet my compatriots in a country far away. The borders were closed then. This was the first time I came across someone from the other side of the border. I guess that was the same for most of us; Turkish and Greek. I will never forget the expressions I saw on the faces of the people when that long anticipated moment finally came. It was bizarre; there was some tension in the air. We stared at each other; the words only came later, some blurting of random words to ease the awkwardness. We looked at each other as if the other just landed from space. This was what the conflict doing to us, a total alienation from our common roots, an alienation to the point of separating us from our fellow human beings.
Years passed. I am finally back in Cyprus. After leading a life like a rolling stone, my spirit has finally found its home. I understand that Cyprus was always there, no matter how much I tried to leave it behind. Like an unpleasant memory sneaking in and destroying the jolliest moment, my past and the trauma it carried never left me. This was in a way something I shared with my fellow compatriots. Trauma was being passed on from generation to generation and there we were trying to set up a bright future for ourselves in cities and villages still haunted by the dead and the missing.
The stories that were told ever and ever again separated us. We felt more and more insecure, we felt more and more introvert. The more we feared, the louder we shouted. The more we felt insecure, the more we organized nationalist rallies with huge flags. Today this insecurity manifests itself in the rhetoric that is on the rise that we will never have a settlement. Some of the people who express this do not wish to have a settlement as they benefit from the existing status quo. Yet not all are against the settlement, some of these individuals genuinely supported it in the past, they constituted the social forces that struggled against the partitionist, nationalist forces. The reason why they are so apathetic is probably fear. They fear to experience the same things they did before and during 1974. The status quo, despite all the problems it entails is preferable than an uncertain future that the settlement will bring. So they opt for what already exists, rather than what can be newly built.
Nobody should be in an illusion that a settlement will be easy and it will somehow magically solve all the problems. The two communities that lived side by side since 1974 harboured so much agony and bitterness against each other and living together will be difficult. Yet the failure of this last round of negotiations will bring dire consequences for all Cypriots. With its miniature market suffering from embargoes and the destructive impacts of cases like Orams, the Turkish Cypriot economy is no more sustainable and it will become a real hell to live in the North. And this feeling of being trapped no doubt will further boost nationalist, right wing parties. On the other hand, for the Greek Cypriots, it will become very difficult, if not impossible to have the chance to get back or at least be compensated for the property they left in the North. Orams case and the Dome Hotel case may only deter the citizens of the EU member countries from buying property in the North. In the failure of a settlement, no doubt the citizens of non-EU member countries will demand to buy the Greek properties from a discounted price.
So, we are again at a crossroads. Will we let the apathy and hopelessness, fear and insecurity subsume us and settle for a problem-ridden status quo? Or will be reserve the hope for a common future and despite all its potential problems fight to reunite our country? This is the choice ahead of us.
Tags: Analysis, reunification, Γενικά
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I share your concerns Umut kardash and I too believe that we must not allow our fears, insecurities and disappointments take over our common sense. I strongly agree with you that we should fight for our common country. The forces of peace, freedom and fraternity, on both sides, have been let by the nationalists for a long time. It is time to stand up and be counted. Tomorrow it will be too late.
Christofias, instead of begging EDEK and DIKO to stay in the coalition, should be kicking them out and invite all believers in our cause to join forces, no matter what their general political ideology is. Perhaps, such a radically correct move can spur the Turkish Cypriots into action and revitalize their aspirations for solution. This will be bad news for Eroglu too.
I thought I would include the above practical approach so that we are not accused of wishful thinking or for engaging in an armchair struggle.
Of course, the third line should read: «forces of peace, freedom and fraternity, on both sides, have been led by the …». Is their no way to edit a post after submission?
My god, another error, it should be the fourth line. Sorry!
I recognize myself in many of the life experiences you mention Umut, as I was also born afterwards, but on the other side. I remember being 17 years old at my first bicommunal activity and feeling so impatient to meet the TCs, to see what you look like.
The feeling of practical entrapment is understandably far more intense in the north than in the south, but in any case, Cypriots on both sides have acted similarly to each other (even though separated) as do all human beings when feeling threatened identity- or otherwise: by going nationalistic or ballistic.
Let’s say then, that I, as many others like me, have chosen: I want to reserve the hope for a common future and despite all its potential problems fight to reunite our country (since I discovered that you look human and… much like me). Of course a bit of sensitization among the masses will be a blessing (but then we’ll have to stop bickering about every single word in the plan), but even if that happens, in all honesty, to which extent can we influence the outcome?
Political games and agendas have ruined many, many people’s good will and dedication for goals as sacred as this one, higher goals. So are we, who have decided so, realistic individuals or a bunch of romantics?
welcome dear Umut.
indeed we are at crossroads. i think in fact that this will be the last chance for a federal type of solution. if this attempt fails, the next one in 5-6 years will be on a confederal basis.
you are right to demystify the settlement. even the word we use «solution» is a bit problematic as it points to an end or a beginning, where really what is at stake is a process. reunification is a process that has started in 2003 and it will be accelerated with the coming agreement.
about the Cyprus connection, well i came back in 2004 and started researching on Cyprus with a view to staying here. but the division is suffocating and i am always ready to hit the road. i tremble at the thought of living the rest of my life in the Cyprus problem. we have a right to not have a Cyprus problem, and we should demand it, against all those who profit from the status quo carrying along all those who currently conform to it
Thanks for your comments dear Raftis, Psychia and Gregoris.
I am new to blogging, so I’ll try to craft a single reply to you all. Hope this won’t run contrary to blog etiquette!
First of all let me say that it is great to share these sentiments and thoughts with you here. I am glad to hear that we share the same thoughts and ideals for Cyprus.
Raftis, not sure if AKEL can get rid of EDEK and DIKO, I understand that AKEL feels constrained a lot with the political atmosphere in the South, especially with the difficult coalition partners. The last time what really frustrated T/C (at least the ones on the Left) was AKEL’s position of saying no to cement a yes. By the way I don’t think Annan Plan was fantastic and to an extent understand why G/C rejected the plan, yet there is the risk of losing a lot if you can not bring yourself to compromise. Even if AKEL strongly supports the settlement that is significant in itself. And what about DISI? I read in the paper that they are changing their position and not supporting AKEL any further? Is there any truth in this?
Couldn’t agree more dear Gregoris. Indeed the idea of life long partition and even worse being governed by some isolationist, nationalist government is my biggest nightmare. This place was quite claustrophobic before the borders opened, I fear we will go back to that state again if things fail this time.
About the question you raised dear Psychia:
So are we, who have decided so, realistic individuals or a bunch of romantics?
Antonio Gramsci has a saying which I love. He called for «pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will»: even though, using our intellectual faculties we conceive that a settlement is difficult and we as the inhabitants of the island do not have much of a say in our future, we still need to hold on to the optimism of the will. Plus, if you think of the context with Turkey hopelessly wanting to join the EU and the US supporting this, I think there is no hindrance to a settlement coming from the external actors this time. I think we should not underestimate the power of the masses, they are the ones that will accept or reject a settlement. It’s all a matter of getting mobilized. This is nothing less than a hegemony war, the question that needs to be asked is how do we win over those sections of the society which are against a settlement and how do we win over the already converted, once again?
Dear Umut, even if we don’t meet at this crossroads, we will to the next one. I believe that a settlement will happen anyway. It is not possible for turkish cypriots to build a solid economy on others properties, and for greek cypriots to build their tourist and service economy on a gan powder hill. Division is known and seems secure for many people of both sides but it costs a lot to both sides. I don’t believe that we will meet because we are good guys or because it is moral, but because both communities have common interests. Even if Eroglu wins the elections, he will not be able to resolve the economical problems of turkish cypriot economy. May be it will be the time for a moderate right wing turkish cypriot to come with reunification propositions possible to be accepted by both sites. Unfortunately left wing forces showed until now that is not able, even if we were believing the opposite very strongly. Hope dies last.
Interesting case of defamiliarisation effect: ‘saying no to cement a yes’! Hearing this phrase in translation brings out the utter stupidity of this policy for me. What non-sensical bull shit! How did people ever fall for it?
Turkish translation anyone?
@Umut
At the crossroads?
More like «at the pits» really.
«Will we let the apathy and hopelessness, fear and insecurity subsume us and settle for a problem-ridden status quo?»
I cannot speak on your behalf but I can tell you how it feels for me… here, in the «south».
You see, for me… the above description relates to the effects of our mistakes, not their cause.
We shouldn’t have left this (the solution) to our «leaders», we should have attempted -at least -to make «reunification» a matter of practical ways.
In other words, WE -the civilians – should have created ways and places of living together, working together, etc. I call them «Interaction Cores».
Not just one-day, one-hour gatherings and demonstrations or seminars but… real situations of everyday living where we would be «forced» to be together and examine possible problems and possible solutions.
And not just for the few, like the workers in constructions… but specificaly designed for the large lower-middle and middle-middle class masses, that is, that part of the population which always has been vulnerable with regards to hatred, fear and scepticism.
Like… self-organised , codetermined businesses / enterprises …. from bookshops to factories, from radio-stations to cafes / restaurants…
Difficult? Sure.
An Utopia?
Only if it remains an idea, something that you cannot produce and display for all to see.
WE should have created common interests instead of waiting for our politicians to construct them.
We could have seeked protection for such actions in the European Union.
Instead we placed all our money on the politicians.
A bloody dead horse.
I’ll agree with the IdiotMoufflon. We seem to be taking it easy while our «leaders» are sorting things out.
I will also take it a step further: politicians only understand the language of the ballot. Unless they see people like us on the election result sheets they have no reason whatsoever to move towards reunification.
Like Turgut has said we need a true bicommunal political movement.
Umut:
«So, we are again at a crossroads. Will we let the apathy and hopelessness, fear and insecurity subsume us and settle for a problem-ridden status quo? Or will be reserve the hope for a common future and despite all its potential problems fight to reunite our country? This is the choice ahead of us.»
As much as I am, and want to be optimistic and positive, I find it very difficult to see a real way out.
I know that even if the attempt fails, things will never be the same again. In a way we will have a de facto solution, which is going to be the worst scenario for all of us.
It will still be a «solution» but one born out of failure, not a choice of hope and positive power.
@Aceras:
Eroglou is not a moderate right winger.
Indeed, we will HAVE to meet at a crossroads, but the circumstances will be far worse. (As they are now compared to 2004).
I will still work for the success of whatever outcome, and indeed hope dies last, but it is one thing working for something with your heart, and another thing to work for it just because you have to.
@Noor:
Don’t worry, even in Greek sounds the same
I think that the biggest hurdle we have to overcome, in both communities, is the position we are put in from kids. We are told that the others are the enemy, «look what they have done to us», «we are the victims» and yet we are supposed to look beyond this and live together in a common country. If that was really the goal, we should have all taken steps to alleviate the pain, apologize for our past and work for the good of this small island. However, at least from what I see on this side, there is not a single politician/leader willing to do so. We lack leadership, courage and the proper education on both sides. We are suspicious of any foreign move, we can’t even cooperate and agree with people on the same side… if we don’t know where we want to go, we’ll never get there… I wish I could be more optimistic…
Powerfull piece.
Full of haunting truths yet inspiring at the same time.
Welcome Umut
I fully agree with the suggestions for closer and more extensive inter-communal interaction and joint businesses, projects etc.
That said, I believe it is not constructive to «blame» the various GC parties or people who reject Annan-type solutions while ignoring the substantial and very real obstacles created by Turkish and TC demands that prevent us from reaching a solution.
TCs who want a solution asap should demand from their leadership to be more reasonable and more flexible in the negotiations and make clear that they are not seeking to keep «loot» at the expense of their GC compatriots.
TC demands that go well beyong the GCs’ ultimate sacrifice of the BBF is really what is preventing a solution from being found. Examples include violating GC’s individual property rigths, demanding 29% of land and 55% of coastline for the 18% of the population who owns only 12.3% of land, demanding Turkish presidency for a number of years in each term (as opposed to Vice-Presidency etc).
I believe that the majority of GCs can accept a painful compromise under which TCs have their own component state in a BBF with political equality (as defined in UNSC resolutions), even under Turkish guarantees (for just that state) and even if 50,000 or even a few more settlers stay.
If you manage to convince your leaders to drop the land they want to something closer to your ownership, say 20-22%, respect individual property rights, agree to cast-iron implementation and ongoing guarantees (incl returning the land to the UN before recognition and UNSC Ch 7 resolution), and permanent GC P and TC VP, then you will have your solution.
Until then, there will be no solution, simply because, for the majority of GCs, the status quo is better than a solution that does not satisfy the above – always in my humble opinion. I believe strongly that the above is the absolute minimum GCs will accept at referendum, and will insist on it until Turkey is ready to accept it too (through blocking Turkey’s EU process and European courts e.g. Orams).
The future is in your hands!
@Sceptic
You fully agree?
I seriously doubt you even understand.
First of all, you are free to «…believe it is not constructive to ‘blame’ the various GC parties…»
But the very basis of my thinking started exactly with the idea that the politicians are THE problem. On «our side», it’s the same politicians that still tried to find ways to achieve «Enosis» at day one 1960… Ask the TC participants in this blog for «their side’s politicians».
Then you go on with «…or people who reject … »
«Turkish and TC demands…»
«…Painful compromise…»
Even in an article like this… you had to throw in the «scare words», didn’t you?
The XXXXX XXXX
The XXXXX Plan
The Annan XXXX
Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster)
The abominable Snowman…
Darth Vader
…
…
……you forgot the scariest of them all
…
…
…
Nellie the Elephant!
***
And then… «If you manage to convince your leaders…»
Oh, but I thought that TC were living in an entity controlled by Turkey? Wasn’t that your -clearly stated -position here?
How can you ask them to convince leaders which you consider puppets? I guess you think that they -like our own -are not to be blamed about the impasse. Oh, wait… you already blamed them for having «…demands that prevent us from reaching a solution». Oh wel…
Sceptic, if what I am talking about (Interaction Cores) ever becomes a reality… you will be stading outside those places… along with most of our politicians… and with all the other hate-mongers in protest … for actions that «violate legitimacy» and «solidify the results of the invasion».
«Years later when I grew up and was enjoying the best years of my early adulthood (…)I guess that was the same for most of us; Turkish and Greek. I will never forget the expressions I saw on the faces of the people when that long anticipated moment finally came. It was bizarre; there was some tension in the air. »
I share this expereince with you. My heart was racing. After that came a long debate on how we cook lentils – almost the same way. Then yaprak dolma – the same way. Then came komshu. And then kardesh.
Will it be the same on political level?
I hope so.
@Sceptic:
You’ve managed to make demands that favor the GCs but on the other hand renounced all responsibility on the GC side by handing it over to the TCs. In other words this is what I want, now you fix it. Is that how you imagine the intercommunal interaction you mention? Do we want compatriots or servants? That is the most immature position I have ever come across.
On another note, anyone in the political scene who poses obstacles to finding common grounds where both sides feel the least possible unfair treatment, is to be openly blamed, whether Greek or Turkish. I don’t think that anyone here is deliberately ignoring the opposing forces on one side when blaming the ones on the other.
You can call me a hate-monger and whatever else you want (easy to call names over the internet..), however, if one wants to find a solution and way forward then what I am proposing above is the ONLY way..
If you are using such words for someone who is proposing BBF with political equality, Turkish guarantees, and more than 50,000 settlers, I hate to think what words you are using for those (and they are probably half the population) who are not accepting ANY of the above!
It seems to me that anyone who rejects the Annan plan is your enemy.. that’s 76% of GCs!!.. you just ignore their will and expect and demand that they change their mind.. nice one
Keep going like this – and if you ever get to «epanenosi».. whistle!
PS: Yes, Turkey calls the shots but TCs who truly want epanenosi and reject taking loot at the expense of GCs should come out and say it – maybe that will show to the world what’s really going on – until then, TCs and Turkey are the same as far as I am concerned
@Sceptic
What scares you the most is the possibility of GC and TC acting together but without being under the control of political parties.
Thank you for making that so obvious.
I also feel the need to thank you for asking TC to be brave «in convincing their leaders» while THEY live with the turkish troops amongst them.
Really… why do you seem so bothered by the thought that some of us may choose to do things together in that manner?
Why do you care anyway?
If we do these things as a way of supporting a BBF that «the people will reject», then what is there to be afraid of?
The XXXXX XXXX
The XXXXX Plan
The Annan XXXX
Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster)
The abominable Snowman…
Darth Vader
…
…
The Boogey Man
…
…
and… ohhh…. Marilyn Manson!
I think I sh### my pants with that last one.
Umut
I agree with your analysis! The choice is ours, but I think we owe reunification to the future generations…