We should not relax in Cyprus

Yes, it is true that it is nearly impossible to escape the referendum now, and it is logical to assume that the referendum will have positive results on both sides of the island, although the Greek side does not want the agreement proposed by the Annan plan. It has to answer two questions with only one response, i.e., the plan will be voted on within the European Union referendum voting.

It is also a fact that the Turkish side will vote for EU membership rather than the Annan plan and thus will say "yes" to the plan.

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People both in Turkey and on Cyprus lived for a week with the feeling that we have at last arrived at a solution to Cyprus after 40 years of hassle.

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But have we arrived at the final step yet?

Isn’t there anything the status quo can do from now on?

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I myself believe that the status quo — not wanting Turkey to become an EU member — sees the "Cyprus problem" as the last obstacle they can erect to block the road to the EU and that they will definitely not give up until the very end.

What can they do?

It would be very difficult for them to cancel the referendum, but they will do their best to make the "no" votes win the majority in the referendum.

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How?

1) The Turkish side — and the Greeks may act the same way — will make unrealistic demands during the negotiations and above all will claim that both Annan and his aide Alvaro de Soto are taking sides with the Greeks.

Rauf Denktas may allow Annan to fill in the blanks but may also come out and say that "his solutions" are impossible to accept.

He may even threaten Turkey that he will resign if these items are voted on.

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2) The status quo will definitely divide the Turkish people both in Turkey and Cyprus into "patriots" and "traitors."

Obviously, those who say "no" to the plan will be "patriots" and those who say "yes" will be "traitors" and "collaborators of the eternal enemy, the Greeks."

I’m sad to say that those charges will definitely have an impact on the feelings of Turks both in Turkey and on Cyprus.

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3) I may give the impression of being a very pessimistic person, but I am also annoyed that some people may seek ways to threaten people, i.e., use terrorist means.

Meanwhile, anarchy may appear both in Turkey and on Cyprus.

People may be frightened and may be urged to believe that they are not safe if their vote is known to be "yes" before the referendum.

The status quo cannot directly change the votes of the people who will vote in secrecy, but they can raise the tension.

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Why do I feel that way?

An event that was not well publicized by the Turkish media made me feel that way.

Last week, the house of the new and pro-Annan-plan Prime Minister of Turkish Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat was bombed in Nicosia.

Thank God, nobody was hurt, but nor was anybody meant to be.

The message of the "concussion bomb" was clear and simple: We are still here and have not given up yet!

It is very interesting that the bomber could not be caught in a land of only 200,000 people and that the type and place of origin of the bomb could not be determined by the police.