People voted on media hype, not rational analysis

Sir,

May I respectfully suggest to Philip George Vorgias, comfortably ensconced in the USA, (Letters, Cyprus Mail, May 20) that he is hardly in a position to tell those of us who lived through the run-up to the referendum in Cyprus what did and did not go on here, or to pass himself off as an expert on the motives of President Papadopoulos (unless, of course, he is a close personal friend).

If he is, indeed, party to such insights, perhaps he can explain why, in the many months of negotiations prior to the plan being put to the vote, the President did not express his concerns or – much more importantly – make any attempt to improve those aspects of the plan which he deemed unacceptable.

Mr Vorgias asks whether we are to assume that the 76 per cent of the Greek Cypriot population who voted ‘no’ are incapable of analysing the plan’s shortcomings. I can confidently assure him, having spoken to many people from both camps, that probably three quarters of that 76 per cent have not the first idea about the provisions of the plan.
They voted according to the hype presented in the media, which (as is well documented) was neither fair nor impartial.

Mr Vorgias says “a little less passion and a little more analysis is what’s needed”. I couldn’t agree more – as long as that analysis is even-handed. Furthermore, the example of such should be set by our leaders and I suggest Mr Vorgias watch President Papadopoulos’ tearful address to the nation, which was a deciding factor for many ‘no’ voters. He might then, if he is objective, reconsider his analysis of our President’s motives. Personally, I have no doubt whatsoever about them.

R. Charalambous, Nicosia