The fear is to let in a last minute goal

Despite all the advantages obtained, the Turkish negotiation team and the prime minister are asking for more amendments from U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan during yesterday’s meetings.

1. The agreement should become a European Union primary law and the formula that will prevent the agreement from being contested at the European courts should be strengthened.

2. The number of Greek Cypriots allowed to move from the south should be decreased to 30,000 from 40,000.

3. The number of migrants from the Turkish mainland that will be granted Cypriot citizenship should be over 45,000.

4. The Turks who will be replaced by Greek immigrants in the Karpaz region should also be awarded compensation.
The current plan is satisfactory

When the Turkish side made these amendment proposals, it knew that it would have to make concessions in the other parts of the agreement. That’s why it will not get too upset if the U.N. ignores them.

A top Turkish official told me that they would not be troubled if no further amendments were made to the fourth Annan plan.

"The plan, as it stands, is acceptable by the Turkish side and can be approved for a referendum," he said.

They are so pleased with the plan that they fear that if the Turkish media announces a victory it may provoke the Greek Cypriots.

"Our biggest worry is to let in a last minute goal. If the U.N. is tricked by all the Greek Cypriot hostility, it might decide to make a few last minute adjustments that favor them," said a Turkish official and noted that they were now facing their hardest 24 hours.

The situation will become clear today.

The U.N. secretary-general listened to the sides all day yesterday, made and received phone calls and will announce the final version of the plan today.

A U.N. official told me that there would be no major alterations in the plan, noting that only small adjustments would be made. The official also said that there was no chance of backtracking on issues that Turkey considered essential (like military presence, property rules, and etc.) and added, "Annan worked more to resolve the Turkish worries."

If everything goes according to plan, the U.N. wants all four sides to sign the final version of the plan that will be put to referenda. However, the Greeks and Greek Cypriots are still smarting from the final version. They say they don’t want to attend such a ceremony.
No Turks will be left on Cyprus in a decade(!)

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Rauf Denktas always emphasizes the same point. While he doesn’t use the same words, their meaning is this, "If we don’t take the necessary precautions against Greek Cypriot freedom of movement (including freedom to purchase or sell property), on the entire island, there will be no Turks left in Cyprus within 10-15 years."

If you want to know what this statement means in plain language, let me translate.

"The Turkish Cypriots are so spoilt that they will not be able to resist the Greek Cypriots coming to the north with a lot of money in their pockets. Turks will be so overwhelmed that they will sell everything they own. They will know that they would regret their decisions, but will still sell their properties. One way or another, the Greek Cypriots will buy the north."

Denktas, unfortunately, knows his people and is telling the truth. However, Turkish Cypriots are not the only people that might act in such a way. Every poor nation is either bought off by richer neighbors or forced into submission.

Denktas, knowing this fact, wants to raise a protective shield around KKTC.

Is there really such a danger, or is Denktas exaggerating a little?

There are two answers to this question.

1. Yes, it is true.

If the Turkish Cypriots want to continue living off money coming from outside their borders (the money came from Turkey until now), their retirement benefits or just try to manage.

Or continuing the tradition they may decide to do nothing and live off the money that will come from the European Union.

Then, the Greek Cypriots might not even have to wait a decade to but everything the Turkish Cypriots own. No one can object to such an arrangement. Both the seller and the buyer are happy with the arrangement.

In this respect, Denktas is correct.

2. No it is an exaggeration. Turkish Cypriots may turn this danger Denktas is emphasizing to their advantage.

If they don’t just sit and wait for the funds from the EU to rain down on them, and utilize these resources to their advantage, just like the Greek Cypriots, no one will be able to eliminate the Turkish presence on Cyprus.

In summary, everything is in the hands of Turkish Cypriots. Win or lose, it’s their decision.

Turkey can’t afford to jeopardize its future to protect and fund a people that do almost nothing.

A portion of the Turkish Cypriots are just like Denktas fears. Because they have grown up in a protected environment, they need defending.

Meanwhile, another portion of Turkish Cypriots are getting ready to buy off the Greek Cypriots. The younger generation is dynamic. And if you add the Turkish Cypriots living overseas, the picture becomes even more optimistic. Just imagine them rushing back to Cyprus with all their money and experience.

When all the possibilities are examined, Denktas’s statements become clear.

KKTC President Rauf Denktas is both right and wrong.

Everything depends on Turkish Cypriots themselves.