Warning to Greek Cypriots

Do they feel satisfied with equal partnership with Turks? Do they feel ready for such a final solution as part of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan? We ask these questions because the Greek Cypriot administration won’t want to share their government with the Cypriot Turks. They want to relegate Turks to a minority. Thus, they don’t care for Annan’s plan. That’s why they want to pass the May 1 threshold without a solution because even if no solution is reached by then, Southern Cyprus will become a full EU member. However, in this case Annan’s plan will be off the table and the existing Cyprus state will continue. The Greek Cypriots favor this.

If the Greek Cypriot administration raises difficulties during negotiations set to start tomorrow, thus chasing Denktas from the table, and if Ankara’s political will falters, then May 1 can pass without a solution, leaving the Greek Cypriots happy and Turkey trapped. However, it should be noted that neither a slackening of Ankara’s political will nor Denktas losing his patience seem to be in the cards. Neither Athens nor the Greek Cypriot administration seems to have understood the change in Ankara. For this reason, they’ve been surprised with the change of stance on the Turkish side, which accepted the filling in of blanks by Annan and the principle of holding a referendum. The Turkish side is seeking a final solution. Now hard bargaining is set to begin. Of course both the Greek and Turk Cypriots would benefit from an agreement. In addition, stability in the eastern Mediterranean and peace in the Aegean are in the common interests of both Turkey and Greece, plus the EU and the US.”