By Aris Petasis, Agora Dialogue
Not long ago I had occasion to talk about our national issue with a high ranking foreign diplomat and told him that we want a solution that will guarantee our survival on the Island. The solution would need to provide the following: a.) proper democratic system just like that of other EU countries (in this way guaranteeing that the solution is viable and fair,) b.) uninterrupted continuation of the State of the Republic of Cyprus and c.)
Turkey leaving Cyprus with zero possibility of returning: no to the stationing of Turkish troops in Cyprus and no to Turkish “guarantees.” Here is the response of my interlocutor diplomat, “Turkey does not accept any of the conditions you mentioned and so the only feasible solution is that tabled by Turkey.” “Then,” I continued, “Turkey will not get our signature which is so important for the legitimization of her gains from violence and occupation.” “I absolutely agree with you. Your signature is by far the greatest weapon in your arsenal and you should take care of it,” he told me.
Reading Roderick Beaton’s excellent book “Byron’s War” (Cambridge University Press) I realised that the pseudo-dilemma between “feasible” and “desirable” was also posed during the epic war of Greek independence of 1821-32. The choice was between: a.) the feasible of a dodgy autonomy which in effect would have continued the enslavement of Greece (roughly the effects of a bizonal-bicommunal solution) and b.) the desirable of unadulterated freedom for Greece. The feasible side regrettably included some self-serving Greek war chieftains. The desirable team was made up of some of the most noble and decent personalities of the war of independence chief of which were: Prince Dimitrios Ypsilantis (graduate of the French military academies of post-revolution France,) the great philhellenes Lord Byron και Percy Shelly and the intellectuals of Constantinople and the diaspora (in those days the words intellectual and patriot were synonymous!) The desirable camp knew for sure that a feasible solution would for sure lead to the continued enslavement of the Greeks. They therefore pleated for: persistence, resilience, courage and no to defeatism. Needless to say that the feasible camp berated the members of the desirable camp as pipe dreamers. Thankfully, at the end patriotism and self-preservation won over defeatism.
The reality is that trying to reach a feasible solution under current conditions is tantamount to agreeing to Turkey’s terms; no amount of propaganda can hide this fact. Turkey’s position is supported by its friends for their own geostrategic and economic interests. These countries wish to decriminalize Turkey from its violence in Cyprus whilst allowing her to keep all its gains from its occupation of Cyprus. They hope that Turkey will then assume a major role in the energy reserves of Cyprus and in turn serve their interests (e.g. pipeline through Turkey for cheaper transport of energy.) Turkey’s allies are hovering over Cyprus putting pressure on us for a fast and “feasible solution” in an effort to unlock the gates to our energy reserves and in the process strengthening their military alliance with Turkey. Fortunately, any agreement will need our signature.
Some in Cyprus and Greece support the position that once we sign a “feasible solution” Cyprus will gain its freedom from Turkey. This position is at best naïve and at worst downright crazy. Signing a “feasible solution” as above will enslave Cyprus and lead the Greeks of Cyprus to emigrate in shame carrying with them the curse of their glorious ancestors. The puzzle of a “feasible solution” is already in place and all that is now missing is the much desired by Turkey Greek signature. If we sign a “feasible solution” we will become the only nation in history that willingly votes itself into slavery.
Dr Aris Petasis is member of the Board of Trustees of the International Fund of the Moscow State Aviation University
