Historical Responsibility on Cyprus

The most important political consequence for Turkey of the US occupation is the Iraqi Kurdish groups’ prospect of establishing an independent state of their own. For the time being, the Kurds seem to working to form a federal state, one which is very likely to seek independence in the future. It’s no exaggeration to say that protecting Iraq’s territorial integrity will be very difficult under the current circumstances.

These developments will continue to influence Turkish politics in 2004. In addition, such developments might profoundly disrupt our political integrity. Although the powers that be in Ankara don’t want to face this fact, the latest developments in our region are shaking the very foundations of our republic. The latest EU summit underlined our ‘southeastern problem.’ What does Brussels mean by this? How does the EU think this problem should be resolved? Our government should first work to answer these questions and then tell us its conclusions.

What about the Cyprus issue? What would happen if Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots announced they wanted to negotiate over the UN plan for the island known as the Annan plan? Will the Greek Cypriot side agree to discuss it even if the Turkish side proposes certain fundamental changes? Why would Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopulos be willing to sign? What will be the consequences if Ankara pressures the Turkish Cypriots to say yes to the Annan plan? Who will guarantee for us that Brussels will set a date for the beginning of our membership talks at the EU summit to be held next December? Our government must again first answer these questions and then share its conclusions.

These questions can’t be answered by criticizing circles which have voiced their concerns over Annan’s plan. They can only be addressed by speaking with foreign circles, not domestic ones.

If after accepting all the wishes of the EU and the Greek Cypriots all we receive next December is another slew of advice, the result can only be an ever-widening political chasm between Ankara and Brussels. Under such circumstances, our government should be ready to undertake a great historical responsibility.”