Cypriots keenly feel Turkish occupation

By Kesava Menon

Nicosia, NOV. 25. If we in India think that we are obsessively pre-occupied with Kashmir and Pakistan, then the Cypriots are much more so about the Turkish occupation of the northern third of their country and the constant threats that come from across the narrow straits.

Of course, in the case of Cyprus they are faced with a far more powerful adversary and its threat can be perceived all across the island.

Nowhere is this threat more palpable than in the capital city of Nicosia itself since the line that divides the Republic of Cyprus from the entity that Turkey has set up, and calls the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, runs right through the city.

Residents in buildings near the U.N.-supervised no- man's land can look across the brick wall surmounted by barbed wire and watch all that is happening on the Turkish side of the city. Turkish Cypriot children playing in the parks located on highpoints along the boundary walls can look down on Greek Cypriot traffic.

In a remarkable effort at retaining some normality to the life of the city - envisaged as a single entity in concept though not actuality - municipal authorities on the Greek Cypriot side have constantly reached out to the other side though the city's division has persisted for 27 years.

In the latest twist to very tortuous negotiations, the President of Cyprus, Mr. Glafcos Clerides, and the Turk Cypriot leader, Mr. Rauf Denktash, are scheduled to meet in the U.N.- controlled territory on the island in the beginning of December. This would be the first time in more than four years that the two leaders will meet.

While they are known to have exchanged letters before the meeting was arranged, it is not clear whether Mr. Denktash will persist with his demand that separate state entities be set up on the Greek and Turkish side and that they then form a confederation.

The Cypriot (Greek side that is) is willing to consider the idea of a federation, which will address Turk Cypriot aspirations for greater autonomy, but they are not prepared to entertain the idea of two states on the island. Cypriot hopes for a settlement that will uphold their approach have been buoyed by statements from the European Union that their accession to the EU will not be contingent on a settlement of this issue.

At the same time, however, Turkey is on caution that its own bid to join the EU will be contingent on a settlement of the Cyprus issue. Turkey's Prime Minister, Mr. Bulent Ecevit, recently threatened that he would annex the occupied northern part to Turkey proper. But that would create an international crisis. The Turkish Parliament, which is currently very nationalistic, wants the government to take a hard line going to the extent, if need be, of sacrificing the country's aspirations for joining the EU.

However, the Greek Cypriots also take heart from the fact that the original Turkish-speaking residents of the occupied northern part have begun speaking out against Turkey. Authentic Turkish Cypriots have several grievances, chief among them being the manner in which immigrants from south-east Turkey had displaced the indigenous population as the majority in that part of the island.

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Section  : International
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