Economist, academician and journalist-author Mehmet Altan:
USA may pass over the Commercial embargo
Economist and author Mehmet Altan, who is known by us with his opinions about the European Union in particular, is an academician who has some personal relationships with Cyprus and attracts our attention with his ideas about the Cyprus Problem. We discussed with Mehmet Altan the possible cases and potential ways of solution of the problem in the near future.
“Cyprus Problem” is a crucial matter for the Cyprus Turks. Well, to what extent it is considered important in terms of the international policy? How do you evaluate the place of Cyprus Problem in the current international conjecture?
Cyprus is an important matter in terms of international policy. Because it is an island which may play an important role on the energy map which comprises Mediterranean, Balkans, Middle East and Caucasians, and in this respect, the establishment of peace in Cyprus is very important in terms of supervising the energy roads in particular. Because of such reasons, I am in an opinion that the Cyprus Problem will be solved in a near future.
According to your opinion, does the idea which considers Cyprus as a gigantic aircraft carrier on Mediterranean protect its validity today? Or, should be this analysis considered as evaluating the matter by means of the traditions of the previous century?
As a matter of fact, this analysis still maintains its validity, but the context has changed. The strategic importance of the Island had been emphasized in the past as well. However, the developing new technologies made it meaningless to consider Cyprus as a “gigantic aircraft carrier”. That is to say, I do not say such things as “Cyprus Island has been always have a strategic importance during the history, and on account of this reason, it is a vital part of us”. However, in the changed conjecture, I say that its today’s importance has increased. This determination is not a continuance of the tradition of the past, but, it is a new situation which arises because of the fact that the Island is located at a place where the energy resources intensify.
CONSCIOUS OF CYPRIOT PEOPLE
Depending On this, as frequently pronounced by the military environments in Turkey, how do you evaluate the argument that “Cyprus has a key importance for the security of Turkey?
This is somewhat an approach of the “Cold War” period. Whenever we, as Turkey, will overcome our problems with Greece and adapt this period as a period which produces peace but not hostility, if we remember that we are in the period of negotiations with the European Union (EU), this becomes meaningless. When Turkey will become a member of EU, in any case, not only Aegean Sea but also Mediterranean will nearly become inland seas.
If we look through the same window again, the “people in street” living in the Northern Cyprus has a considerable belief concerning the matter that, in the event Turkish army comes back from TRNC, then the Greek part may intervene with the Northern part militarily...
The events experienced before the year 1974 and the atmosphere formed after the year 1974 just made two communities living in the same island today very separate from each others. In addition to this, it should be also always remembered that there is a tragic past and there is a social trauma which is created by such past events. There are some facts such as an enormous internal immigration, mutually experienced life losses etc. However, all of such facts should be evaluated again today. Annan Plan was a plan which includes all of such fears and worries. The best measures against such a fear were included in the Annan Plan. However, Rauf Denktaş who was the leader of the Northern Cyprus in that period prevented this plan to be implemented by a completely incorrect behavior. The history will tell this badness which Denktaş made on his people... However, the situation we mentioned is a matter of approach; it is possible to make the island a place where the conscious of Cypriot people, EU conscious, world citizenship conscious could be produced; or vice versa? We should look at the matter from these aspects too.
In terms of again the geographical position of Cyprus, do you think that USA has an important place in the Great Middle East Project?
There is no doubt for that... It should be realized that USA has a special interest in Cyprus and makes efforts in order to solve the problem without any other delay. I relate the efforts made by England to this to some extent. Moreover, it could be also stated that Greece is a power by means of its lobby in USA and its influence in the international arena and it is an important allied country of USA as well. However, I do not think that a community with 750 thousands people that made evident its intention by saying “No!” definitely and clearly to the Annan Plan that they do not want any solution could stand much more against the great interests of USA and its allies.
COMMERCIAL EMBARGO COULD BE PASSED OVER
In our previous conversation, you said that “putting an end to the commercial embargo which is implemented on the Northern part depends on two aircraft landed in TRNC by USA, and according to my opinion, it is not impossible”. Could you please clarify this opinion further?
The greatest worry of the Northern Cyprus is primarily to remove the commercial embargo. Whenever the commercial embargo is removed, this place will be relieved. The policy of lack of solution of Papadapoulos and his behavior to find the solution in the lack of solution, just like Denktaş, could be surmounted by means of the pressures of America and with a decision to be taken by this country. If USA sends two aircrafts and so passes over the commercial prohibition practically and says that “I am doing direct trade with the Northern Cyprus Turkish Community from now on”, then all of the balances will be turned upside down and the problem is solved in this manner. Such a possibility is not so far as ever thought. The behavior of TRNC supporting the solution and peace in terms of the Annan Plan, supporting EU and in particular obstinacy shown by the Greek part make this possibility closer. Southern Cyprus Greek part should not think that a community with 750 thousands of people can spoil all of the balances of the world. Because the pressure which was imputed on us because of Denktaş is directed on the other place
England has a historical importance in terms of Cyprus. In any case, they have a different behavior against the Island within the EU as well. Can you please evaluate this situation in terms of the balances in EU and in terms of the relationships between EU-USA?
First of all, England has land in the island. It has a special sensitivity not only because of this reason but also because of its historical bonds with the island. As a previous boss of the island, it knows there very well. At the same time, it is one of the countries which want very much the EU membership of Turkey and make the greatest efforts for this purpose. It does not want to endanger the EU membership of Turkey because of the Cyprus problem only. Another reason for this sensitivity is the desire to help USA on the subject of security of the petroleum ways and the stability in the region...
TRNC DEVELOPS
I know your optimist approach on the subject of the Cyprus problem, but, if we assume that the problem could not be solve in a short term...
There are two problems for solving the problem in the short term. Firstly; we gave our approval for the Annan Plan, we supported this; we said that we want peace and we desire to live in peace. We put forward our approach for supporting the EU membership, and against this, EU promised us to remove the embargo. Now, the problem here is that, EU has some difficulties to keep its promises. Greece and Cyprus Greek part veto the decisions, and thereupon, it does not seem that it can advance much more. On this subject, it is necessary to put a magnificent pressure on EU. That is to say, from the people of TRNC to all of the politicians and to all of the organizations in the country, it is necessary to protest such a behavior and also to require EU to keep its promises. Secondly; in addition to the foregoing, we should not insist much on the subjects which we could not be justified and we could not be also legally powerful. For instance, the problem of opening the ports is a legal problem and Turkey is not much right on this subject. Instead of consuming our power on such matters, we should focus on the maters in which we are right and powerful. You could not provide something you deserve with your behavior on the subject for which you are not right.
I wanted to ask how the TRNC economy can revive itself under the current conditions of lack of solution rather. What are the ways for the economical development under the given conditions of TRNC and to establish healthier relationships with the world?
Cypriot Turks could not look at the problems from the outside maybe because they are much involved in the problems, however, the situation of TRNC continuously develop. The low expectations in that place create a pessimistic approach, but if you go back for about 5-6 years and remember the conditions in that time, you can easily see that the present condition of TRNC could not be even compared with the previous conditions and there is a great development in the Northern part. It should be always remembered that the island becomes nearly a worksite, its economy enlivens, the mutual visits also increased with opening the borders and this brought not only economical but also social relief and there is an increasing demand to that place from the entire world as well. If the Cypriot Turks compare the situation before the Annan Plan with the current conditions, then they will obviously sea the difference between two periods. The essential problem is that how will we satisfy the increasing expectations. However, it is necessary to perform this optimistically, but not pessimistically, because there is a process which would make the optimist approaches quite meaningful.
RETURNING TO THE FEDERATE STATE
Well, in this process, how will affect the relationships which Turkey established with EU the problem?
Turkey does not play a good game now, it does not play smartly. The government took the problem out of its basic agenda right now. It tries to reach the point in which it is right by means of using the areas in which it is not wrong. EU is not an essential issue in its internal harmony. However, some new remedies could be produced relating to this subject. I make a brain storming for instance; the Turkish side could suggest “returning to the 1960 Constitution, reserving the current condition”. By means of saying that it has returned to the federate state, it can cause the Greek side to remain in offside. Policy means producing opinions, brining renovations, and making the unexpected attacks and “checkmate” the opposite side. Unfortunately, I could not see such an energy and creativity at present. But, we need this... That is to say, it is necessary to maintain the process, without being pessimist, but preventing our rights to be grasped and in the lawful context by acting smartly.
But, we should not make such a mistake that, would it be an extreme optimism to expect that the party which did not even approach the solution for 20 years period of time and made maintaining the lack of solution the most important policy could release from all of the problems by only saying “Yes” in a day? As a consequence, there is a community in the opposite side not persuaded for the peace completely right now; and if we want to create a joint future in any manner, then should not be they persuaded as well?
Of course; I agree with this opinion. As a person that frequently visits Cyprus and knows that island, I can say that the relationships in that place are secretively very deep. It is necessary to permanently say that the current behavior of the Greek side is a chauvinist approach, it discloses at least in terms of its management that with such an approach the Cyprus Republic is not a country in compliance with the EU standards and the leftist party in the Southern part confuses the fascism with the leftist movement. The Cypriot Turks should require an “explanation” from the Greek part for the “No” vote which they gave within their individual relationships. On the other hand, it is necessary to put a pressure for keeping the promises which were given on this subject by means of applying a pressure on EU together with all of its organizations. I believe that, in case the rationalist policies will be followed, the Greek part could be persuaded in a short term period of time and the problem will be solved soon.
(Ekonomi Magazine / 09.05.2006)
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