Towards Cyprus’ permanent division

In the near future, Papadopoulos and Hristofyas will both shed tears on the ruins of their irresponsibility.’ The leading article of the same daily also wrote that the Papadopoulos had lost the international community’s support. These articles highlight the possibility of Cyprus’ permanent division in the wake of the referendums. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Ankara have prioritized ending the isolation and various restrictions on Turkish Cypriots. Both the European Union and the US have already started to take steps towards these goals. Although the international community hasn’t yet officially recognized the TRNC, it accepts its existence de facto. Lifting the economic embargo in particular will relieve Turkish Cypriots and ensure their integration with the world. Finally Turkish Cypriots who accepted the UN plan in referendums will be able to say, ‘Unification isn’t so important. We can go on our own way.’ Some are saying this already.

Papadopoulos’ opponents see this and so we are harshly blaming him and his administration. So what’s Papadopoulos’ strategy? He expects that when the animus against his administration ends, the EU will start a new process of negotiation. Is this possible? The leading article in the Cyprus Mail dismisses this as ‘wishful thinking.’ It really is. The Turkish side, including Ankara, says that negotiating UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan again or even changing it in favor of the Greek Cypriots is out of the question. Papadopoulos’ game with time, that is, his notion that sooner or later the EU will intervene, won’t change the situation. On the contrary, the elapsed time will harden the fact of two states on the island. In this case, if unification happens one day, it will happen in accordance with this new fact.” TO OUR READERS In observance of the May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day holiday, the Turkish Press review will not appear tomorrow. Please join us again on Thursday.