The silver lining behind the mistrust

RESEARCH conducted by the Centre for European Policy Studies has found that Greek and Turkish Cypriots are remarkably similar in their attitudes, values and aspirations.

“Cypriots share, as citizens, many important similarities in terms of their political values and aspirations, with differences between them appearing to be rooted more in their different contexts and historical trajectories than in fundamental divergences in values and ideologies,” the report concluded.

On the surface, this would seem to be encouraging for a common future: from the moment we share the same basic values and priorities in life, it should not be that difficult to function in a common society.

The problem is that within the context of a major political/ethnic division, those shared values are more likely to drive us apart than bring us together.

The vast majority of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots attach prime importance to security and tradition, most view themselves as religious, they shun adventure, and place little store on imagination, creativity and altruism. In other words, both are deeply conservative, risk-averse societies.

In many ways, this stands us in good stead, ensuring both social and economic stability (indeed our financial conservatism may well protect us from the worst effects of the current recession). But in terms of resolving the Cyprus problem, it is a recipe for continuation of the status quo. Imagination and risk are precisely what we need if we are to reunite the island after so many years of separation and mistrust. At some stage, we will have to take a leap of faith, grit our teeth and sign a blank cheque for the future. Indeed, if we want our lives to come clad in cast-iron guarantees, then we should forget about striving for a solution that will invariably bring considerable change and uncertainty.

This pessimistic scenario is further reinforced by another shared trait: our lack of trust. Over 95 per cent on both sides trust only their most immediate family and a similar proportion are constantly on their guard for people out to cheat them. If this is true within our own communities, then what hope do we he have in terms of trusting people for so long (and in many cases still) portrayed as our enemies?

Indeed, the same survey reported widespread gloom over the prospects for reunification, with only 18 per cent of Greek Cypriots and 13 per cent of Turkish Cypriots hopeful for a solution through the current peace process.

But while our shared fear of the risky unknown is unlikely to deliver us a solution, it does have one very big advantage: nearly 90 per cent on each side are “absolutely opposed to the idea of ‘solving’ the conflict through armed struggle”, and for that we should be grateful.