The reunification talks on the Cyprus issue are on again. This time, there seems to be a new political development and a general consensus that a political solution may be near. It is possible that a ‘deal in principle’ has already been drafted behind the scenes but no one is talking; not yet, anyway.
The new turn of events can be attributed directly to America’s involvement: for the first time ever the Pentagon is backing the talks openly. In fact, US President Barack Obama publicly welcomed the joint declaration and in so doing gave the talks momentum. The US support changed the entire political climate; one may call this initiative the ‘Obama Plan’. It is also important to remember that in politics nothing is done without a reason and for nothing; there is always a price to pay.

Most governments embraced the talks with enthusiasm, but the general public is somewhat suspicious and not so convinced – not after last year’s Anastasiades-Troika mnimonio agreement that has shattered their lives and brought them misery. The government’s credibility has suffered badly and it’s now in serious question. It is also blatantly obvious that the Annan Plan has come back to haunt them again; this time on the sly and by the back door. A plan that was overwhelmingly rejected in a referendum by the nation.

Hillary Clinton, former US Foreign Secretary, was quite outspoken on this matter and commented: “The Annan Plan was extremely unfair for the Greek Cypriots. The USA used improper pressure for its acceptance. This shall not be repeated.” It takes a brave and a wise person to admit one’s own error of judgment but she is also a politician; the Annan Plan is back.

It seems that the president of Cyprus has decided – or succumbed to pressure by IMF EU/Troika and others – that the timing is perfect to settle the Cyprus issue; not tomorrow but this year. The Anastasiades-Eroglu joint statement calls for the Republic of Cyprus to be dissolved and be replaced by a New Cyprus based on a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation (BBF) – a political system that does not exist elsewhere in the world.

If the talks produce an agreement, constitutionally, it will create a new country with racial undertones reminiscent of apartheid in South Africa. It will certainly not be comparable to a Federation as prescribed in the United Nations Charter but rather a loose pseudo-confederation of sorts. There are also concerns that Mr Eroglu (Ankara’s mouthpiece) already shows no respect for the terms of the agreement that he signed and cunningly keeps on repeating in public that “each morning the sun rises over two peoples and two separate countries”.
An esteemed Supreme Judge George Pikkis stated that the joint statement provides for: “Two citizenships based on ethnicity; two self-governing component states and not answerable to the Federal government; each component state will have no jurisdiction over the other; the Federal government will not have powers over the two new states; the electorate will not be allowed to exercise their democratic right and vote for a candidate in federal elections – only the ‘appointed representatives’ will share that privilege; the Republic of Cyprus is nowhere mentioned within the statement; there is also no mention of the removal of the Turkish troops or the Turkish settlers; no mention of the return of all refugees (both Greek/Turkish Cypriots) back to their ancestral homes; under a typical Federation system, citizens enjoy one single citizenship and one vote but not in this case.”
The questions many citizens ask are: why such an urgency to reach a deal this year especially when the country is near bankruptcy? Answers are hard to come by but in reality, a new geopolitical game is in process across the eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus is smack in the middle of it. Events of such a magnitude do not spring out of thin air but are well planned and well hidden deep within the echelons of power. It has come to be that outsiders are now controlling the fate of Cyprus and the little island with its natural gas deposits has become the cherry on the icing!

Due to the rapid political changes in the region, Ankara is beginning to feel isolated through no longer being the pampered child of western powers.
Ankara is also now threatening to start drilling for gas off the southern coast of Cyprus and within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). If that materialises it will trigger energy-related tension in the area, which will also involve Israel to protect its Leviathan and Tamar Gas Fields. The USA will certainly act to protect the Texas Noble Energy drilling platform and others will follow suit.

As bad as the joint statement appears, it also offers a sliver of hope that through dialogue there is a small chance to reunify the island. Citizens will ultimately have their say at the polls. Under the terms of a referendum they will choose either to adopt or reject the agreement. However, if the referendum is worded to confuse so the government can swing the vote in its favour the outcome could plague Cyprus for generations to come.
It is therefore imperative that Greek/Turkish Cypriots are informed to make well-informed decisions and make the right changes that will transform the nation forever. The proposed referendum should be based on social equality, on a single citizenship and without a hint of discrimination or racial undertones; a good comparison of that is Canada and Switzerland.

The vote should certainly not be divided into two ethnic ‘citizenships’, as proposed, or two communities, but be based on one single ‘Cypriot Vote’ for either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to avoid political blame games afterwards – as the Annan Plan did by blaming the ‘Greek side’ for voting against the proposal.

Actually, the only way forward to a long lasting solution is to introduce the same political system enjoyed by all other democratic nations: one-person-one-vote; a single citizenship; one nation based on rule of law; justice that guarantees religion, culture and ethnic diversity with equal opportunities on the basis of merit and not nepotism.

*Andreas C Chrysafis is an author, writer and painter.