We are at the crossroads of permanent partition

We are faced with the threat of permanent partition of Cyprus posed by both sides. Elites governing the Republic of Cyprus do not want to share the ruling power with Turkish Cypriots. They want to keep the state in their hands and are therefore paving the way to partition. This is nothing new but for the first time they started spelling it loudly.

The Deputy Leader of DISY, Harris Georgiades talks about Neorealism and states that what they need to protect is the state of the Republic of Cyprus.  Their priority is to protect the status quo. If it’s not possible to protect the status quo then our priority is to protect the state says he. Governing elites do not see any problem in governing monocommunally, the Republic of Cyprus, a state formed on a bicommunal basis. They do not have any problem in giving half of the country to Turkey in order not to share the power they hold. This is the new reality of the Greek Cypriot community. Leftist federalists in the GC community now need to build coalitions and assume a more active role against those people seeing their interest in permanent partition.

On the other hand, if we look in Tatar’s and Turkey’s discourse, there is nothing new. They are bringing those ancient theories of Dentash’s regime back to light. Turkey intervened in Turkish Cypriot affairs so openly for the first time. One of the aims of this intervention was to expel Akinci from power, but the other aim was to put the ‘two state solution’ formula on the table.

When he talked to Josef Borrell, Ersin Tatar categorically says that he is for a two-state solution. However, Borell states that when he talks to Turkey, he understands that Turkey does not categorically advocate for a two-state solution but leave the door open for a federation. Borell says that when he stated this reality to Tatar he responded with ‘whatever the motherland says!’      

Turkey does not aim for a two-state solution, Turkey aims to annex the North to herself. Economic dependence to Turkey puts the Turkish Cypriot community in a difficult position. Turkish Cypriot federalists as well, need to look for building coalitions and assume a more active role against partition.

Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots cannot do anything on their own. They need to put up a joint fight. Up till today leftists fought separately within their ethnic groups. Communities were not successful in breaking the definitions of ‘us’ and ‘them’. We need a new definition of ‘US’. The left needs to go beyond the ethnic us and create a shared democratic ‘US’ feeling and consciousness. This is called creating a democratic political will, which will include Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Maronites and Armenians.

We are at a critical crosroad. It’s crucial that we stand at the same front as Leftist Federalists and announce this both in Cyprus and in the International arena. It’s now crystal clear, them is Tatar and Anastasiades and they fight for partition. Us, those fighting for a federal Cyprus need to unite and stop this disastrous course.