How Strong Is The Harmony In Cyprus?

After intense efforts, all involved parties seem to reach answers to these questions. Ankara has at last settled on the official Cyprus policy it will pursue. A coalition government will be set up in the TRNC, and Denktas will continue to act as negotiator.

But how strong is the harmony in Ankara and Lefkosa? Will the Turkish side be able to sustain this united front during the negotiations? Will this harmony also bring about reconciliation with the Greek side and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan?

Ankara and Lefkosa have overcome disagreements by adopting flexible stances. Now the question is how this harmony will be maintained in practice. Many questions spring to mind: What kind of a proposal will the Turkish side submit to Annan? What will the UN head say about proposals to radically change his own plan? Is Denktas, who has always harshly opposed the Annan plan, really ready to negotiate? Is he truly ready to act in line with Ankara’s new Cyprus policy?

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is soon to meet with Annan and US President Bush as well as EU Commission Chairman Prodi, who is due to pay a visit to Ankara starting on Thursday. Erdogan is expected to tell them that Ankara is ready to begin negotiations on the Annan plan, a move which will persuade the world that Turkey is resolved to do its best to help reach a settlement on the island. Now it’s high time for Denktas to persuade the world that he’s also ready to cooperate. He must adopt a convincing stance in the eyes of the world.”