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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Why do we want the “bloody” Greek Cypriots?

Why do we want the “bloody” Greek Cypriots?
Nikos Stelgia
www.kathimerini.com.cy 21/9/210

IMPORTANT STATEMENT: -THE TRANSLANTION IS BASED ON GOOGLE TRANSLATE. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH POSSIBLE INACCURACIES. THANK YOU-

Did the Greek Cypriot community is the only community that worries about the relations with the other community of the island? Of course not. As the Greek Cypriots, so the Turkish Cypriot community is troubled by the "coexistence" between the two communities and the various manifestations of this "coexistence". This particular problem is common for older and younger generations of Turkish Cypriots. One is the big question, which we dare to express in funny way: "Why do we want the “bloody” ones?

What are the answer of that question? We can name at least three. Whether we like it or not, those answers come to monopolize the political limelight and overshadow the important social problems of the Turkish Cypriot community. Like in the case of Greek Cypriot community...

Why do we want the “bloody” ones?

I chat with passionate young Cypriots. What if most discussions arguments shine by their absence? Youth Cypriots, -Turkish or Greek Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, etc. - have ideas and views on their relations with "others." So the older generations ... The major difference in the latter case is the remnants of Cold War syndrome that come to monopolize the conversation.

What do they want? There are three answers ...

A) "I do not want them. We do not want coexistence, but keeping the Turkish-Muslim-Sunni status in 37% of the island.

B) "We could obtain a meaningless existence. Everyone in his "zone". And a relaxed co-existence. "

C) "Who cares if they categorize us as Don Quixote ? We still believe in modern Cypriot statehood which demolishes all kinds of ethnic and religious discrimination. No separate chairs, parliaments, parliamentary seats and services, but decentralization. No "Turkish or Greek autonomous" regions, cantons, etc. Autonomous provinces of Cyprus with equal representation of all residents. Perhaps increasing the number of provinces. Each province can proceed with individual expertise in one sector of the economy (education, tourist, etc.). Local councils to legislate, collect taxes, to ensure order and security ... Local Councils which are represented in popular movements, labor and agricultural organizations, social movements (feminist, defends gay rights, etc.). And a central government in Nicosia, which has limited powers in the governance of the whole island, but will focus on the administration of the province of Nicosia. A central government that will call for Europe to overcome the mundane and to support a new breakthrough in political history: "Support the essential argument of the last decades. Frame economically and politically the joint effort of the island”.

The realities ...

Today, these three responses are confronted with certain realities, challenges. Let's be realistic ... These calls are:

A) In the case of the first answer the future integrity of the so called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is questionable if not impossible. The financial impasse speaks for itself. Moreover, many noteworthy Turkish analysts agree that if the AKP continues to monitor the Turkish political scene, the "TRNC" will evolve into a "state" with the model envisaged by the Annan Plan and the new "state" will have two main objectives: reduce the costs of Turkey in the north of Cyprus and the evolution of this region into a free trade zone, which would be free to go for the upcoming Turkish capital. In this case the Turkish Cypriot population will continue to decline. The T / C middle class has no chance to compete with the Turkish capital, and the truth is that gradually the "state" comes under the control of the settlers.

B) As noted above, the "state" will be created on the basis of the Annan Plan. This fact leads to meaningless 'coexistence', which we discussed above, a view which reflects significant T / C political factors. Of course the specific factors deliberately or naively are seen unaware about a specific reality of this place: The majority of Greek Cypriots will not agree to this policy line.

C) Massive problems! ... Maybe the end of the world in the rhythms of a British black comedy. Political and religious institutions, bog countries would "attack" to preserve their interests. Fellowmen to paraphrase the third - "utopian" - answer might think that this is a restoration of democracy of the 60s or lack of knowledge of modern political systems and constitutions. Education might be organized from scratches ... The small "end of the world" of the island ...

The end of the world?

Young people of this land having been condemned by previous generations of Cyprus and the wider region, to the military boots and to the paltry wages dare to speak about the little "end of the world" this place. Turkish Cypriots talk about the future of the Morphou through the future of Paphos. Greek Cypriots are concerned about their favorite Limassol through their love for Famagusta ...

Something is being cooked ... The "utopian" response predisposes the new "fringe" types of this place ...

Some banners with slogans are being posted in the "neutral zone". They talk about the end of the "occupation" of the foreign forces and the "old generations".

And the "old generation" reacts… They invoke divine, national aspirations ... Time passes, but they do not understand. They do not understand that historical ignorance waits them in a yellowed page of a book on the history of the future.

What if the new generations fail? What if they fail to bring the "end of the world?" At least the failure will belong to young people ... We demand the right to fail! ...

www.kathimerini.com.cy

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