Date: 10.10.2005 A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT FOR CYPRUS CAN ONLY BE FOUND BY NEGOTIATION HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS The process for finding a settlement between the Turkish and the Greek Cypriot People will be accelerated after the time tabled resumption of Turkey's European membership negotiations on the 3rd of October 2005. Although the Greek Cypriots with the support of Greece and France are trying to use their European Membership advantage to force Turkey to recognize their government as being the legitimate government of the Cyprus Republic, their unjust attempt will not be successful as Turkey will only recognize a joint government formed between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots after a settlement has been found. It is worth remembering that, the Cyprus Republic was formed between the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots in 1960 under the bi-communal character with the political equalities of both communities. But the Greek Cypriots in 1963 unjustly and unconstitutionally usurped all the powers of the Republic and that is why the negotiations between the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots have been taking place since 1968 under the auspices of the United Nations. It is also the reason why, as the result of the ongoing negotiations, the referendum prepared by the United Nations was held in Cyprus in April 2004 in which the Turkish Cypriots whilst gave a 65% Yes vote and the Greek Cypriots gave a 75% No votes to the U.N peace plan. How very ironic for the Geeks Cypriots, Greece, France or any other country or organization to ask Turkey before a settlement with the Turkish Cypriots, to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration in the South of the Island as being the legitimate government of the Cyprus Republic. The Greek Cypriot's government in the south does not represent the real Cyprus Republic formed in 1960. As the present Cyprus Republic does not comprise of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot People and the Turkish Cypriots are not represented in the present Cyprus Republic. It is not right and proper for Turkey to recognize the present Cyprus Republic. This unjust demand from Turkey is also against the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council directing and authorizing the good offices of the secretary general to help to find a fair and lasting settlement in Cyprus. Although such an action to be taken by Turkey is very unlikely and, if such a remote move by Turkey was taken this will not be welcomed and accepted by the Turkish Cypriots people. At the time when this article was written, following four attempts made by the Council of Permanent Representatives of the European Union with the presidency held by the British, the European Union members were close to coming to an agreement among themselves to make a counter declaration against Turkey’s declaration made on the 29th of July refusing to recognize the present Greek Cypriots administration as the Cyprus Republic. Although in the European Union's forthcoming counter declaration, it is expected to call on Turkey to establish economic links with the south of the island and to allow the Greek Cypriots like the other member states to use Turkey's Ports and Airports for the coming time, the European Union will not go as far as demanding immediate recognition, as there was no such condition attached at the E.U summit meeting held on the 17th of December when the date of Turkey's resumption of E.U membership negotiation was agreed. The European Union is not expected to jeopardize relations with Turkey. As the length of time for negotiations for Turkey for reaching full membership is expected to take over 10 years, the European Union in their counter declaration will call for Turkey to recognize the Cyprus Republic during this period of negotiations hoping that a solution for Cyprus would be found during this period enabling also Turkey to recognize a new Cyprus Republic formed jointly by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot People. After the resumption of Turkeys E.U membership negotiations on the 3rd of October, there will be no excuse left for the Greek Cypriots for halting the resumption of negotiations between the two communities. Although the Greek Cypriots are trying to keep the Cyprus Problem in the European Union, the member counties will not be happy for such political tactics of the Greeks and they will pressure and push the Greeks to accept the initiatives of the good offices of the United Nations. It is now time for the European Union, United States and other states to encourage the Secretary General of the United Nation to take the initiative to restart the negotiations as there is no other way for finding a settlement in Cyprus. According to the news coming from the U.N headquarters, the Secretary General is considering start new initiatives on Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots are the willing side and ready to start meaningful negotiation and they are also still committed to the U.N peace plan and the referendum results. The Turkish Cypriots are ready to accept sharing with the Greek Cypriots under a bi-communal and bi-zonal Federal Government based on the political equalities of both communities in Cyprus. It is the time for the Greek Cypriots to accept the same. If the Greek Cypriots do otherwise, it is time for the European Union, the United States and other states to tell the Greek Cypriots that they should be reasonable and accept the United Nations peace plan and come to a settlement with the Turks or otherwise they will resume establishing direct economic and political link with the Turkish Cypriot people. If these realities are frankly and directly put to the Greek Cypriots, the long awaited settlement for Cyprus will come sooner rather than later. Arif Tahir Erisen Practicing Advocate in NorthCyprus Email: arifterisen@superonline.com