Press Releases, Statements, Notes/Articles and Letters INITIATIVE BY TURKEY ON CYPRUS, 24 JANUARY 2006 Cyprus a reminder CYPRUS: WHAT HAS HAPPENED? Highlights of the UNSG´s report Cyprus (Historical Overview) What the World Said Before the Referanda What the World said After the Referanda The Annan Plan and the Greek Cypriot “NO”: False Reasons and Claims Greek Cypriot state terror revealed Confidence Building Measures (1992-1994) Meaningful Anniversary Of The Cyprus Peace Operation Turkish Parliament Proclaims Solidarity With TRNC And Demands Equal Treatment For The Two States On The Island Resolution By The Turkish Grand National Assembly On 21 January 1997 Circular Note Sent To The Embassies Of The EU Member States Concerning The Greek Cypriot Application To The EU, 30 June 1997 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the establishment of an Association Council Resolution Adopted By The Legislative Assembly of The TRNC March 9, 1998 Aide-Memoire By The TRNC To The British High Commission In Nicosia, 26 March 1998 Documents Given By President Denktas To The UN Secretary-General During Their Meeting In Geneva- 28 March 1998 Resolution of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, 15 July 1999 Treaty Provisions And Basic Documents With Regard To The EU Membership Of Cyprus British Professor of International Law Prof. H. Mendelson Q.C.'s opinion on the legal aspects of the one-sided membership application of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus to the European Union Final communique of the annual coordination meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the States members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference ( United Nations, New York 28 September 2004, 14 Shaa'ban 1425 H - para. related to Cyprus) Report of the Secretary-General Kofi Annan on his Mission of Good Offices in Cyprus, 28 May 2004 Report of the Secretary-General Annan on the United Nations operation in in Cyprus, 3 December 2007 The Status of the Two Peoples in Cyprus Edited By Necati Münir Ertekün Greek Cypriot Attempts To Purchase Missiles From Russia And The Resulting Danger For The Peace And Stability In Cyprus EU and Cyprus:An Expert View Opinion of Professor M.H. Mendelson Q.C on the Application of “the Republic of Cyprus” to Join the European Union Grand Deception, Korkmaz HAKTANIR, Founding Member of the Cyprus Foundation '' BARBARIE A CHYPRE '' Le Soir Illustré 1967 The Need for New Perspective on Cyprus
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  5. "Cyprus: The Case for a Greek-Turkish Condominium", International Herald Tribune, 15 July 1998
International Herald Tribune - July,15 1998 Cyprus: The Case for a Greek-Turkish Condominium

Michael Elizur

JERUSALEM- The demonstrative visits of Greek and Turkish warplanes in Cyprus attracted headlines. Mercifully, the planes were at different ends of the island. It is to be hoped that diplomats and world public opinion awaken to the lurking dangers before they reach Bosnia or Kosova proportions.

An entirely new and future oriented approach is needed.

A bold reversion to the basic issues might produce results- enosis coupled with a Turkish Greek condominium over Cyprus, and Turkish accession to the European Union.

British withdrawal from Cyprus was preceded by years of local (and Greek) agitation for enosis. To join Greece, their natural and historical motherland, was the deeply held aspiration of the Greeks on Cyprus.

The main reason this movement was compelled in 1960 to metamorphose into acquiescence in separate independence was Soviet objection to an extension of NATO to Cyprus.

The apprehensions of the Turkish Cypriots, strongly supported by Turkey, also played a role. They were exacerbated after Archbishop Makarios's plan in 1963 to alter the constitution, finally leading Turkey to interfere militarily in 1974.

Relations between Turkey and Greece continue to be tense. Turkey's relations with Europe are stained, and here, too, Cyprus is a crucial issue.

The longtime United Nations presence on the island has not brought the parties nearer a resolution of their differences.

In view of all these interrelated problems, a return to the original points of departure holds out better promise than continued grappling with the impasses accumulated in so many years of friction and conflict.

The Soviet Union is no more. Greece is a member of the European Union, Turkey seeks membership in the Union, and deserves to be supported in this quest so as to encourage the growth of democratic, secular, moderate and modern forces in this important country.

Without a dramatic change of context, Turkish Cypriots are unlikely to cease distrusting their Greek neighbors. Turkey will consider itself compelled to maintain its troops in the northern part of Cyprus, even though this action, considered by many a violation of international law, is held against Turkey in the context of its desire to join the European Union.

Greek Cypriot accession to the European Union in disregard of other components is counterproductive and provocative.

Given all the incompatibilities, why not revive, mutatis mutandis, the original dream of enosis, and make it the pivot of a future-oriented effort?

With the active support of the international community, the basic vital aspirations of all parties can be satisfied: a reunion with Greece for the Greeks of Cyprus, and a similar association of the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey.

The island of Cyprus would be under the joint sovereignty of Greece and Turkey. A unitary state proved impossible; a federation could not be attained within the confines of the island. The broader context might be recognized by all as preferable to the separate, unwanted and embattled independence of a Cypriot Republic incapable of attaining peaceful relations with its Turkish compatriots and with Turkey.

When both Greece and Turkey are EU members, they will in any case share a growing measure of political and economic features, rights, duties and responsibilities.

Within this common framework of a shared future, the deeply felt antagonisms and very real distinctions between the two communities on Cyprus are fully taken into account and assuaged. For example, schools and other institutions with a bearing on the national and cultural character of the Greeks on Cyprus would come under the jurisdiction of the Athens authorities, even as the local Turks would feel secure under the Turkish umbrella.

Both communities would be better able to cooperate on the numerous common matters that do not impinge on their communal identities, such as road, telecommunications, tourism and much else.

In time, Cyprus could become a model for the amelioration of ethnic and international conflicts.

NATO would be able to use the British bases, when they come under the joint jurisdiction of two NATO member states. Britain surely would welcome a diminution of its responsibilities in this corner of the world. The United Nations, too, would be pleased to relinquish its thankless duties.

Other neighbors of Cyprus such as Syria and Israel would benefit from the elimination of a source of friction in their region. Progress in resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict needs much more than peace on Cyprus, but the lesson than conflict resolution is not a zero-sum game might find listeners in Damascus and Jerusalem.