Sir,
I appreciate the comment on the West Lothian issue made by Michael Paraskos regarding my suggestion for a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the UK model.
However, what I proposed was a solution similar to the England-Scotland relationship. I did not mean for it to be identical to it word for word, but to use aspects of it as a guideline since it is working well in the UK.
Obviously, the fact that English MPs cannot vote on issues involving Scotland whereas Scottish MPs can for England is unfair and in Cyprus’ case Greek and Turkish MPs should have an equal amount of say on what goes on on each side. I also like the way the various states in the US work together to make up one country. Just look at various models around the world and take the positive elements out of them which can apply to Cyprus.
Since Cyprus is a member of the EU, there will be a limit as to how far the two sides could push their authority, and if one side abuses human rights, an individual could appeal to the European courts.
Any solution would have to tie in the two administrative regions in Cyprus with rules made by the EU in order to protect human rights and there could be penalties if either side contravenes them, such as fining that particular region, putting an embargo, denying its Euro MPs the right to vote in the European Parliament, denying them EU aid. Each side could have its own local economy, bylaws and governor, the way the US states have, but which are subject to EU rules. Obviously, there will be one currency and one national policy towards income tax and other major economic issues, just as there is in the UK.
Any solution, whatever its shape or form, should respect human rights, the right to property and the right and ability to defend ourselves. If anybody can come up with a solution which involves these three elements and which does not involve geographical partition, it would be interesting to hear from them.
On the subject of partition even the federal solution which our side is pushing for recognises that there are going to be two administrative regions thus a form of partition. The Turkish Cypriots are about 18 per cent of the population and therefore it is only fair that they control a territory nearer to that figure.
Other more complex issues as to how foreign policy is to be conducted, the education system and whether the President is going to be Greek or Turkish Cypriot, how elections are going to be held are issues which should be resolved by the two sides in talks leading up to the final agreement. We can avoid the mistakes of the 1960 constitution by having the final solution examined by a our top legal experts before it is agreed upon. Remember Cyprus was not a member of the EU back then.
It is also desirable that a change in the political climate is encouraged so that political parties have both Greek and Turkish Cypriots in them as in the UK where there are English, Scottish and Welsh members in all parties.
D.Pavlou, Liverpool, UK
