TIME TO DECIDE ON CYPRUS

I say ‘finally’ because for months there’s been a cacophony of voices from Ankara. Statements made on behalf of the government favored the start of negotiations on the basis of Annan’s plan, but certain political and military circles said the opposite. It’s expected that the palace gathering will determine the policy we’ll follow from here on out. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) political leaders who are continuing their efforts to establish a new TRNC government with their President Rauf Denktas are waiting for Ankara’s signal. Now TRNC Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Democrat Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktas might establish a coalition. The DP doesn’t oppose negotiations based on Annan’s plan and thus, Denktas is closer to the CTP’s stance than the National Unity Party’s (UBP).

If Ankara has a clear position supporting negotiations on the basis of Annan’s plan and can bring President Denktas around, such a coalition might be established. Then the TRNC will have a new government and new negotiations with President Denktas’s participation can start.

Considering the alternative is worrying. As there is no other way to form a TRNC coalition, the only way to solve this crisis would be to hold fresh polls. However, this would cause a delay and effectively end all chance of finding a solution. The Turkish side doesn’t have this luxury. Later this month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Annan in New York and then President George W. Bush in Washington. We hope Turkey will agree to start negotiations under this framework. Of course this doesn’t mean accepting Annan’s plan completely. The Turkish side will be able to bring its suggested changes to the table. However, suggesting an ‘alternative’ plan on a new platform without Annan’s plan is unacceptable to the UN, the US and the European Union. Ankara should take these realities into consideration in deciding its stance. The government is in a pickle now. It wants a solution to the Cyprus issue and feels that such is necessary due to such factors as its EU membership bid, relations with the US, and its position in the UN. In addition, it’s facing opposition from certain circles in both the TRNC and Turkey who reject Annan’s plan. That’s why the government’s policy of late has zig- zagged. However, the time for decision has finally come. The government should be courageous enough to make a definite decision and continue its determination.”