Denktas Papadopoulos’s only hope?

In general Greek Cypriots are quite happy about the developments.

How can they not be?

Thanks to the Turkish side’s attitude they have gotten rid of the Annan Plan and they have become a full member of the European Union. The attitude Denktas took in Vienna last February made them all the more happy. We can say that in this respect Denktas is Papadopoulos’s closest ally. The more the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) president avoids a solution the more Papadopoulos wins. What they have in common is that they both hate the Annan Plan.

Now, Greek Cypriots, at least a significant part of them, expect a final "goodwill gesture" from Denktas. They expect him to maintain his current stance without any change till May 2004, to make no effort at all for a solution, to continue on the "lack of a solution" path.

Under the circumstances, without giving anything in return they will have gotten ris of the Annan Plan, attaining in the EU a position that will allow them to have a say.

This advantageous position has come as a great relief to the Greek Cypriot political circles. They feel more secure. They have shed their old fears,

Now they take this even further, saying, "We have reached the point where we are now in a position to invoke the EU rules against the Turks rather than the Annan Plan. Even if a solution was to be reached in May 2004, the Annan Plan should be amended and adjusted to the EU rules."

They believe that they have won the chess game.

That is, free circulation, freedom to buy property, etc…

Papadopoulos, meanwhile, says exactly the opposite
In reality, Turkish Cypriot people’s minds too are confused.

Not everybody says that the Turkish Cypriot side has lost the game, that the Greek Cypriots have secured their own position by joining the EU. Some believe exactly the opposite.

Papadopoulos drew attention to the fact that the Cyprus joining the EU without finding a solution to the Cyprus problem would be a major hazard. He clearly pointed out that he is wary of the possibility of the current borders remaining unchanged and the division of the island thus becoming permanent.

He said, "…I think there are those who think in this vein. However, I don’t share those views."

Well, what is going to happen?

Is it going to be the Annan Plan once again?

Denktas says, "I will not have talks on the basis of that plan."

A new plan?

But then the U.N. secretary-general may not sit down for talks.

I could not reach any conclusions on the basis of the answer Papadopoulos gave to that question. We had a discussion with both YESSes and NOs and lots of BUTs.

As far as I can discern, in Northern Cyprus all eyes are now on the Turkish side or, to put it more correctly, on Ankara. They all are curious to know whether Ankara has reached a decision.

Their guess is that by May Turkey will put forth a new proposal.

No one wants to reveal his hand before the details emerge.

Papadopoulos would make up for the time lost
When Papadopoulos became President Clerides’s successor, some observers in both the KKTC and Turkey said, "Unlike Clerides, Papadopoulos is not charismaric. Besides, he is not known or liked by the West. This is an advantage for us."

Don’t let us make a mistake.

The West supports "policies" rather than "charisma". Besides, Greek Cypriots’ new president is not the kind of person that would let himself be easily bypassed.

Therefore, we should stop engagining in empty talk and decide without any delay what we should do. May 2004 will be the last chance regarding the Cyprus issue. Our chances have paled out a lot by now. Don’t let us miss whatever chance we are left with.