The EU, admittedly, has undertaken a new initiative, that will inexorably lead to the political acknowledgement of the north. Several measure are currently being discussed in Brussels including the opening of the ports and airport in the north, the offer of direct financial assistance and the upgrading of the EU office. Add to this the EU decisions about direct trade, the free movement of EU citizens across the Green Line (even if they have arrived through an illegal port of entry) and plans to have Turkish Cypriots represented at EU fora, and there is little doubt that the ultimate objective is political recognition. The United States government is moving along the same lines, according to the Greek lobby.
This is not the kind of opportunity for a “European solution” that Papadopoulos and his backers have in mind. In fact, the government is opposed to all the proposed measures being discussed in Brussels, but whether it will be able to block them, given its current isolation, is questionable. The truth is that the EU and the US have embarked on a course that will not only end the international isolation of the north but will also ensure political recognition and, ultimately, partition.
Papadopoulos has said that the Greek Cypriots are being punished for rejecting a settlement, and he may be right, but complaining will get us nowhere. It is clear what the EU and the US are doing. They are showing the Greek Cypriots what the consequences (of which we had been repeatedly warned) of the “resounding no” will be. The Turkish Cypriot administration will be politically recognised and will have direct contacts with other states, while the economy in the north will be helped to develop with large amounts of aid. And once their isolation ends and they start enjoying the benefits of economic growth, why would the Turkish Cypriots want re-unification? Partition would be the solution.
As Kofi Annan and the US have said, there will be no other initiatives for a solution. In other words, the only option we have of preventing partition is holding a second referendum on the Annan plan, on our own initiative, and voting ‘yes’, before December, when Turkey is likely to be given a date for the start of EU accession negotiations. This appears to be the only way of preventing the political recognition of the north that will result in partition. This is the loud and clear message – some could describe it as a clear threat – from the international community, which has proved it is not bluffing.
Editorial - Just what kind of a solution are we looking for?
(archive article - Sunday, May 16, 2004)
And you still think it can get better?
