IF, by some miracle, the result of yesterday’s referenda was a double ‘yes’, you can safely ignore the rest of this article and go join the street celebrations! If, as expected, the result from my compatriots the Greek Cypriots was a ‘no’, then we will have to postpone the celebrations for some time, and reflect on where we go from here.
A recent opinion poll, carried out at the height of the negative climate created around the Annan plan, found that 61 per cent of Greek Cypriots were in favor of a bizonal, bi-communal federation, while only 34 per cent were in favor of partition. But if the Annan plan was a blueprint for a bizonal federation, and if continuation of the status quo increases the risk of partition, then what explains the Greek Cypriot ‘no’?
If I were to give one explanation, it would have to be this: the experience of 30 years taught most Greek Cypriots that Turkey and Denktash would never give up an inch of what they gained by force in 1974. And since every effort for a settlement from 1974 until 2003 had foundered on their lack of political will, these beliefs were repeatedly confirmed to the point where they became universal truths. That is the main reason that the average Greek Cypriot has found it so hard to believe that all the benefits promised by the Annan Plan and Turkey’s newfound good intentions were for real, and why the average Greek Cypriot was so concerned about assurances that the Turkish side would really carry out its side of the bargain.
Where do we go from here? I believe there are four key pieces that have to fall into place, in order for Cyprus to be reunited within the European Union.
First, that Europe and the Turkish Cypriots will find ways to end the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, and allow them to fully integrate with the rest of the world, independently of the measures offered by Papadopoulos.
Second, that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots should insist that the Annan plan is the only solution, and stand ready to implement the plan as soon as the Greek Cypriot side repeats the referendum and obtains a ‘yes’ result.
Third, that Europe will give a satisfactory answer to Turkey this December so that Greek Cypriots can be further comforted that Turkey’s accession process will double as a political guarantee for stability and for her future good will.
Fourth, that AKEL will summon the political will to work together with the other members of the Platform for a United European Cyprus in the coming months, in order to properly educate Greek Cypriots about the Annan Plan and then repeat the referendum.
In closing, I offer my sincere respect to all Turkish Cypriots for the political maturity and wisdom you have displayed over the last year. Statesmanship is all about finding solutions, not perpetuating the problems, and with a little perseverance from both sides I am sure we will get there.
