In the end, we are left with the Annan plan

Annan’s attitude will determine whether the talks on Cyprus will start once again before May 1. If he gives a negative response, any hope for a settlement on Cyprus will vanish.

Months ago, Annan disclosed his conditions for resuming the talks according to which both the Greek and Turkish sides would have to announce that they had accepted the framework and core of the Annan plan and that they would have to determine a date to submit the plan to a referendum.

The Turkish side will announce today that they accept the framework and essence of the plan and that they accept the necessity of submitting the plan to a referendum. They will not mention the details they want amended, but rather will only address the main points. In addition, they will not give a date for a referendum. They will request that the referendum be held after the negotiations are completed.

The Greek side had accepted the plan only in principle and wanted around 55 amendments to it.

In fact, a definitive decision is not expected to be announced by Kofi Annan after his meeting with Erdogan. He will probably just say that he is very satisfied with his talks with Erdogan and will emphasize the importance of this meeting. He will probably also ask the Turkish Cypriots to notify him officially of the amendments they want in the plan, then ask the Greek Cypriots for their final views. Only after all this will he announce his decision.

What we don’t yet know is what kind of a negotiating method Annan will choose.

Will he prepare a new plan after consulting with both sides and then and say: "Here’s my final suggestion. You will either accept it or reject it," or will he initiate a negotiation process to be participated in by both sides?

Maybe he will accept suggestions from the two sides, review his plan and then invite the sides for a final round of bargaining.

We are the side that is stuck in the corner due to the lack of time. The Greek side doesn’t have such a problem. They will be involved in efforts to delay reaching a compromise until May 1. They will try to block a settlement without risking the Greek Cypriots’ accession to the EU.

Our only hope is the Annan plan, which we had strenuously criticized in the past. We hope that President Bush and EU officials will succeed in persuading the Greek side.
Compensation to terror victims is late

The Justice Ministry has prepared a new bill through which it intends to pay compensation to citizens who sustained damage during the anti-terror fight in recent years.

This is the right attitude.

In fact, it is even a bit late.

Remember back to those days. Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terror was damaging everything, and Turkish forces were engaged in a fierce battle to stop them. The citizens were stuck between these two forces. During the fight, some villages were burnt down and others were evacuated, and in the process a mass of people were victimized. The state merely sat back watched. They thought: "These people aided and abetted and helped the PKK. Why should we help them?" However, these people are the ones who should be won over by the state.

This attempt on the part of the Justice Ministry is late, but it’s the right thing to do.

Congratulations to Cemil Cicek.