Cyprus anniversary continues to divide communities

On various days throughout the year the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus gather on either side of the dividing line to mark a number of solemn anniversaries or celebrations, depending on how each side judges history.

But this year’s events have been overshadowed by Turkey’s eagerness to start accession talks to join the European Union, while Ankara refuses to open its ports and airports to Cypriot-owned vessels, effectively denying to recognize one of the 25 member states.

November 15 was one such day where Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul arrived in the occupied northern part of the island to take part in the celebrations marking the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”

This is a big issue for the Turkish Cypriots as in 1983 they established their statelet, recognized today only by its main financial patron, Turkey, despite offers of aid from the European Union to lure the community in the north to peace talks to reunify the island.

South of the 180-kilometre dividing line, Greek Cypriot high school and university students, many of whom were not even born on the date of the UDI or the 1974 war, demonstrated against the continued Turkish occupation of their lands and called for the return of refugees and withdrawal of Turkish troops.

Such occasions provide a platform for the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, to blame all the failures in EU and United Nations-sponsored efforts on the Cypriot president, Tassos Papadopoulos.

Both leaders disagreed over a UN-proposed document, dubbed the “Annan Plan” and directed their communities to approve or reject it, showing that little progress has ever been made since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of the north.

The Turkish Cypriot commemorations were highlighted by a grandiose military parade, reinstating the presence of a 35,000-strong Turkish Army garrison on the island, similar to parades held on July 20 to mark the “peace operation” 32 years ago.

People along the main road on the northern outskirts of the divided capital Nicosia, held up placards saying “The TRNC is a symbol of existence” and “Thank you Turkey.”

Turkey’s Gul and Talat also took advantage of public speeches to reiterate what they call “injustice and discrimination” against the Turkish Cypriots, criticizing the latest Finnish EU presidency proposals to rekindle peace talks by opening up a Turkish-held port in exchange for returning property to the Greek Cypriots.

Gul said there were two distinct communities, two democracies, two nations and two languages on the island calling on them to meet to resolve the “Cyprus problem.”

However, such statements are rejected by the Greek Cypriots who see the Turkish Cypriots as partners in a bizonal, bicommunal federation according to a basket-load of UN resolutions, but do not recognize the upgraded Turkish Cypriot entity of a state.

This recognition, the Greek Cypriots say, would end all hopes of reuniting the island, as they would live like good neighbours but separate states and the north would remain under the direct influence of Turkey.

Gul said it was wrong to link the Cyprus issue with his country’s accession hopes.

 “Those who support this idea must realize this is a blind path,” he said, adding that Turkey would never abandon its policies on Cyprus “under threats”.

As regards the Finnish EU presidency’s efforts, Gul said that though he disagreed with them, Turkey maintains a constructive position.

 “We are waiting to see the end of the discrimination, injustice and isolation against the Turkish Cypriots,” he said.

Talat even warned the EU to “stay clear of efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue,” as it is biased and has the Greek Cypriot side and Greece as two members.

The Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry described the continuation of the occupation of the island’s northern territory as “a serious obstacle in the efforts for the reunification of Cyprus.”
According to the Ministry, Turkey “proved that the ultimate goal is the partition of the island and not a just and functional solution to the Cyprus problem.”