THE MARCH FOR PEACE last Monday marked a significant milestone in the pursuit for a common movement in Cyprus. What brought us all together was Peace Day, which takes on a special significance in Cyprus, given that we have all been living under conditions of suspended cease-fire since 1974.
The march itself could take on a different momentum, at least that’s the hope. It’s an optimistic, even utopian viewpoint. Timed two days before Cypriot leaders, Demetris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat met for direct talks, the protest was catalytic.
While it’s hard to accept the line ‘it’s now or never’, there is a certain painful truism to it. Perhaps the common movement we have all been missing in these heavy decades of division and deadlock is the answer. Perhaps it’s not…
On my way back to the car I bumped into Mikis, walking solemnly, philosophising to himself, deep in thought with every step. Thirty-five years I said, too little too late he replied… I retire this year… How’s your father, he asked… how old is he now… nearly 80 I responded… how time flies… 35 years…
Now more than ever we should all be marching together.
THE VULTURES WERE OUT in force when Christofias and Talat began direct talks. Why do our TV media love to distort everything, to the extent that we are expected to think ‘Talat is as intransigent as ever’.
Take their panic on the ‘two states’ as a unified federal state. Look back on what was agreed in the last paragraph of High-Level Agreement of 12 February 1977 between then President Makarios and Rauf Denktash, then leader of the Turkish Cypriot community: “The powers and functions of the central federal government will be such as to safeguard the unity of the country having regard to the bi-communal character of the State.” It’s sad to say it, but many of our politicians still do not understand what federation means.
Imagine then when the next decision we are asked to vote on comes round, will any of them be quoting this or will they be making it all up as they go along?
RE-READING both high level agreements, I found another interesting point regarding Varosha in the 1979 Kyprianou-Denktash Agreement. Point 5 states: “Priority will be given to reaching agreement of the resettlement of Varosha under UN auspices simultaneously with the beginning of the consideration by the interlocutors of the constitutional and territorial aspects of a comprehensive settlement. After agreement on Varosha has been reached it will be implemented without awaiting the outcome of the discussion on other aspects of the Cyprus problem.”
So if this was agreed in 1979, why hasn’t it ever been implemented? The key point really is the last sentence, which refers to resettlement of Varosha without awaiting “the outcome of a of discussion [let alone solutions] of other aspects of the Cyprus Problem.”
Why can’t this be a useful starting point in 2008? Both leaders have agreed, with ample good will, for a comprehensive settlement, so why not start with Varosha and set a good example for continued progress. The town is a symbolic driving force for a solution and presumably both leaders abhor the fact that it has been an empty ghost town since 1974.
REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY was deployed this week by Sen. John McCain through the announcement of his VP runner, Sarah Palin.
In an attempt to rattle the Obama camp, McCain unleashed a candidate with venom, claws and reality-TV style mass appeal. It’s almost as if Sarah Palin, unknown beyond Alaska until last week, is running for President.
McCain’s age versus Obama’s youth – Palin’s age and feistiness versus Biden’s experience and reasoned approach. One thing that is puzzling though, the McCain camp keep talking about wanting change and how people should vote for change – weird that, I thought he was running as a Republican. Isn’t Obama, as the Democrat candidate standing for change after eight years of Republican rule under George Bush Jnr.?
BERBA-is-OFF to new and more financially fertile pastures up north, deserting Spurs for Man Utd. I must confess a sigh of relief and go to the good. The Berbatov debacle has clouded Spurs’ start to the season and left a bad taste in the mouth of fans that once applauded him as their star player.
Things could be worse, and in fact they are for West Ham and Newcastle, where both managers Curbishly and Keegan have resigned.
Football isn’t what it used to be in the days when Kevo played under the legendary Bill Shankly. Back then, managers were in full control, now it seems, only money talks… Look no further than Man City, taken over be wealthy investors, and now set to buy all the top players in the universe.
