LIKE EVERYONE else, I too will engage in the traditional discussion of last year’s events in this, the first column of 2004. Keeping to our own events here in Cyprus, I think we can safely say that 2003 followed the usual insane and paradoxical course, a course characterised by our inconsistent, haphazard and ludicrous political behaviour.
We had events that suddenly created hope for the island’s future after 40 years, but at the same time we also had events that effectively strangled these hopes.
In the next few paragraphs, I will attempt a brief review of the main developments, some of which chronologically belong to 2002 but are effectively part of the same series of events.
First development: The United Nations, with the support of all the big powers, offers us the most comprehensive plan ever presented for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The Greek Cypriot side is presented with a unique chance for the most favourable solution under the circumstances. The plan gets rid of the Turkish occupying forces from Cyprus, returns two out of our three occupied cities and substantial territory, while it allows the return of two-thirds of the refugees or their descendents under Greek Cypriot administration.
Second development: In contrast to what could have been expected by any serious person, President Glafcos Clerides kicked away the chance to close the Cyprus problem (as far as our side was concerned) by accepting the UN plan. The myth of the bold and determined politician he had cultivated for 27 years collapsed when the time finally came to put those virtues to the test. Probably motivated by either political cowardice or by a change of heart regarding his re-election — Clerides had declared he did not want to seek a third term – he was limited to the usual nonsense of “accepting the plan as a basis for negotiation”.
This resulted in wasting six critical months – November 2002 to April 2003 – when this time could have been used (with the help of the Turkish Cypriot demonstrations) to put pressure on the Turkish side to accept the plan. And what was worse was that he acted this way without considering the imminent danger of rejectionist Tassos Papadopoulos being elected president.
Third development: Blinded by their passion to ascend to power “at any price,” the AKEL leadership abandoned its declared policy and directed its supporters to elect Papadopoulos (at that time representing 13 per cent of the electorate) president. Finally conquering power, AKEL abandons itself to enjoying the spoils and joins the rejectionist camp. What happened was the exact opposite of what various party officials and deputies were telling us in private before the elections. Instead of directing Papadopoulos towards the solution, he – and sweet power — directed AKEL towards his line – the no solution line.
Fourth development: In April, with its problem unresolved and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash’s valuable help, Cyprus signed the EU accession treaty. The tragic irony: that it was Papadopoulos signing on its behalf. Three years ago, Papadopoulos and the AKEL leadership were slamming the Greek government’s policy in Helsinki, which opened the road to our accession.
Fifth Development: The 10 months of Papadopoulos’ administration have brought a big confirmation and a big rebuttal. Papadopoulos’ fixed negative outlook for solving the Cyprus problem was confirmed through his own erratic actions and public statements. And now his behaviour is beginning to become dangerous for Cyprus’ course inside the EU. Before we have even joined, he has attacked the large EU states, our partners, with an unbecoming manner and inexcusable vulgarity, accusing them of setting up a farce and scheming against us.
The big rebuttal was the collapse of the myth of the allegedly modern and even-handed politician. Meritocracy was achieved by appointing an army of koumbaroi and friends to public posts while modernisation was assigned to Andreas Aloneftis, who was appointed chief of state television despite a conviction by the securities and exchange commission for misleading investors.
As for his famous skills, the president is now publicly ridiculing them since he concedes that he managed to select and appoint ministers that he frequently threatens to sack if they do not do their job right.
These, in brief, were the serious developments in the past year in the banana republic, which, weird as it may sound, will this year put on its best suit and sit on European forums in the company of the most serious countries on the planet.
