Seize the opportunity to negotiate partition
By Loucas Charalambous

MANY PEOPLE were surprised by an opinion poll conducted for the CyBC last month, which found that the majority of Greek Cypriots support partition. Regular readers of this column should not have been surprised. Over the past 15 years, I have on countless occasions pointed out that the real wish of the majority of Greek Cypriot is partition.

While in the past, partition was the ultimate aim of the majority of the Turkish Cypriots and a nightmare option for Greek Cypriots, the 30 years of occupation have led to complete reversal of objectives. Today, the Turkish Cypriots are fighting to prevent partition (in order to free themselves from Turkey’s repressive influence), while Greek Cypriots have adapted to complete separation, they like it and want it as a permanent arrangement. We must be pragmatic no matter how unpalatable the truth may be.

A whole book would be needed to document and explain the reasons for this dramatic change of heart among the Greek Cypriots. Since the referendum, I have been conducting my own research, based on conversations with people from all walks of life. I have been collecting and recording the views and motives of people who cast a ‘no’ vote in the referendum and are opposed to a settlement that would re-unify the island. I have put them into categories, according to their motives which are many and varied. It is important to mention that the basic reason for opposing a settlement, for the overwhelming majority of these people is personal financial interest – even if most of them do not realise what their interest really is.

Herein lies the big success of messrs Papadopoulos and Christofias, who managed to win over an impressive 76 per cent of the voters in the referendum. They persuaded – through a campaign of misinformation and alarmism – the average citizen that he would lose out financially after a settlement. From the hundreds of cases I have recorded up to now, there has not been a single person who voted ‘no’, because he had read the Annan plan and did not like it. They voted against the plan because they were satisfied with the status quo and feared that in the event of a settlement they would lose out.

Whether we like it or not, we are faced with sad reality – the majority of Greek Cypriots want partition, a two state solution. Much as this reality sends shivers down the spine of people who would like to see the re-unification of the island under a federal system, we are unfortunately obliged to respect the wish of the majority.

I always loathed the idea of two states in Cyprus, because the state in the north would be an extension of Turkey, with all the obvious risks for us. But since this is the wish of the Greek Cypriots, who will one day pay a very high price for this lunacy, we should act. The two-state solution is now the only option left to us. This is the only choice that would be acceptable to Christofias and Papadopoulos, as it secures their primary concern – the continuation of their stay in power.

Mehmet Ali Talat has understood this, which is why he voiced his readiness for the negotiation of another settlement, starting from scratch. The message he sent out co-presidents, in a recent speech was pretty clear – as you have a preference for partition let’s negotiate that.

I think the two Greek Cypriot leaders should seize the opportunity, now there is no danger of their being misunderstood. Now that the majority of the Greek Cypriots has publicly expressed their support for partition, they have no reason to feel ashamed of their choice. The people, after all, agree with them.

Cyprus Mail 07/05/006