Greek Cypriots’ gift to Turkish Cypriots!

The division of Cyprus is 30 years old. Turks are often unjustly criticised as invaders and occupiers of one third of the island. The circumstances that led Turkey to send her troops is often forgotten. In 1974 there was a military coup in Greece and the Colonels were about to gobble up the whole of Cyprus and destroy the Accord of 1960 on which Turkey, Greece and Britain as guarantor powers had the right to intervene. Cyprus has remained divided ever since.

In the very recent past, the UN which has been trying all these years to find a solution to this dispute involving Turkey and Greece and their protégés Turkish Cypriots in the north and Greek Cypriots in the south, presented a peace plan known as the Annan Plan. After exhausting negotiations involving all the parties it was decided that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots would abide by the decision of Secretary General Annan. Kofi Annan decided to put the question to separate vote by the Turks and the Greeks.

Interestingly the Turkish government went all out in support of a Yes vote although the leader of the Turkish community in Cyprus, Rauf Denktas opposed the affirmative vote. The government in Athens preferred to sit on the fence whereas the leader of the Greek community in Cyprus Tasos Papadopulos told his countrymen to say No, although he promised before the European Union (EU) that should his country be included in the EU, he would work for a Yes vote. The result of the vote is 64.9 percent of Turks have said Yes to reunification with southern partners whereas 75.6 percent of Greeks have said No to the reunification. In other words the bid by Kofi Annan to reunify the island has failed.

Quo Vadis? Following the invasion (!) of northern Cyprus by Turkey draconian sanctions were imposed by the West on Northern Cyprus. The West is honour bound to lift those sanctions. Turkey has carried single handedly the burden of Northern Cyprus and deserves that the international community give some sympathetic consideration. Kofi Annan put the entire weight of his office behind the referendum. When he picks up the pieces it will become clear that the Greeks on the island have decided to say good-bye to a united Cyprus. They are pleased that they alone will be member of the expanded EU on 1 May next. Since 1960 South Cyprus has represented the entire island although since 1974 this position became untenable. Now by their own vote the Greeks of Cyprus have dissolved the union. It will be Kofi Annan's problem to find a solution to the question of Northern Cyprus. Do they qualify to be treated as a sovereign independent states? This question will have to be faced squarely.

What about the EU? They are merrily expanding. On 1 May they will have 10 new members and the total will rise to 25. In the latest referendum EU had put its weight behind a Yes vote and now it seems to complain that it has been tricked by the Greek Cypriots. EU will have to seriously ponder about a place for Northern Cyprus. Otherwise she runs the risk of continuing to be labeled as a Christian Club.

My first bet will be that Northern must attempt to be a full member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference. She is since many years an Observer within this largest Islamic Organisation. Here she is in congenial company. Northern Cyprus must have a solid base to operate from. That base is provided by the OIC. I have been the Assistant Secretary General of the OIC and frequently as Acting Secretary General looking after political affairs, Jerusalem and Palestine, among many burning topics. I am confident that Turkey will seriously consider to make a push in this direction. Turkey is a big state and has an important presence throughout the world. She will definitely know how to proceed from now on.

The Greek Cypriots have been unable to match the large hearted gesture of the Turkish Cypriots, who have been prepared to cut the umbilical cord with Turkey. By voting No the Cypriot Greeks have demonstrated their utter dependence on Greece. They had an opportunity to be their own people. They have let that opportunity slip away.

Globally EU is an experiment full of promise. Will it be able to fulfil that promise?

Arshad-uz Zaman is a former Ambassador.