WHAT DID ANNAN WRITE?

However, Annan seems to have dropped the idea of requesting from both parties a written statement that cites their acceptance of the provisions. But this doesn’t imply that the provisions are abandoned.

UN Secretary-General stated in Davos that he wouldn’t start any initiative before being confident of the sincerity of the parties. Now does his invitation mean that the problems are overcome? As far as we can see, the answer would be no. Neither Denktas nor Papadopoulos are pleased. The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, who based their political skills for 30 years on not solving anything and preserving the status quo, would of course not be pleased with the situation. But the international pressure that started this year and becomes more intense does not leave space for an escape. Especially the Bush administration gives efforts for a solution. Kofi Annan and Bush met last Saturday. ‘President Bush supports my efforts. The plan encourages the parties to reach a solution by negotiations,’ said Annan in his statement after the meeting.

Why does the White Hose give such efforts for a solution in Cyprus? Former US President Bill Clinton tried it once but it didn’t work. Denktas didn’t sit at the negotiation table on the ground that the European Union accepted Greek Cypriot part as a candidate to EU membership. But the situation was different at that time. There was neither an urgent EU calendar nor did the US need Cyprus to send a message to the EU saying ‘I am on your side.’ We shouldn’t forget that the transatlantic alliance, weakened by the war in Iraq, is one of the most important issues of the agenda of the Bush administration. Considering that the situation gave Annan and the UN more power, wouldn’t it be right to see that the process, set to start on February 10, as one without any return? Then, the bargaining and negotiation manners among allies should become important in such an environment with strict alliances.“