+4 votes
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in Politics & Government ✌ by
Northern Cyprus has recognised only by Turkey as a country.
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Northern Cyprus is a country 0 votes
Northern Cyprus is a part of Cyprus 1 vote, 100%

4 Answers

+4 votes
by

Hi Dan,

Again, I am learning much from this question...One helpful news link I found was a Cyprus timeline assembled by the BBC. And in there, I see two 'warning lights' that might make your question really difficult to answer accurately and fairly. www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17219505

1. The first 'warning light' is that Cyprus was a British colony for a while - Britain was in Cyprus since 1878, with the decline of the Ottoman Empire. The colonialism/imperialism has a destructive history of leaving things in disarray when the occupying country does finally withdraw after years of imperial rule.

2. The second concern is the 1963 decision by Archbishop Makarios (first president of Cyprus) to propose "constitutional changes which would abrogate power-sharing arrangements" between the people of Greek origin and those of Turkish origin. That power-sharing was set up in the 1960 constitution, upon independence. However, after that Makarios was (apparently) trying to change the constitution toward Cyprus becoming a part of Greece, which was unacceptable to citizens of Turkish background. And there has been conflict ever since.

So just from the little I have read, it looks to me like the question is more along the lines of whether Cyprus can unify, or whether the North needs to be with Turkey and the South with Greece? This BBC article indicates that as of January this year 2017, there was hope of working out a program for re-unification.

It is REALLY sad that the conflict had to be going on for SO long...since 1963, so much tragedy and polarization. The caption for this photo is: "Cypriots flee fighting between the island's Greek and Turkish communities in 1974. Cyprus has been divided ever since."

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+4 votes
Northern Cyprus is a part of Cyprus, by

I am afraid that Northern Cyprus alone cannot assume it's independence as a country, as it would only survive as a puppet state controlled by Turkey.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_dispute

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus

Citing:

A separate Turkish Cypriot state in the north was established by unilateral declaration in 1983; the move was widely condemned by the international community, with Turkey alone recognizing the new state. These events and the resulting political situation are matters of a continuing dispute.


Only a reunification of North and South on a fair basis for both sides would allow the Republic of Cyprus its independence, but the talks between deeply split Turkish and Greek communities seem to go on with very little progresses - and the patience of the International Community is running out:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/27/once-in-a-generation-hopes-of-cyprus-reunification-appear-to-be-dashed

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/28/a-best-and-last-hope-talks-begin-over-cypriot-reunification

Splitting Cyprus between Greece and Turkey would not be an ideal solution.


by

Marianne, I found this under your first link..."Moscow is also believed to have acted behind the scenes to thwart a solution. If reunited, Cyprus would reconcile feuding Nato partners at a time of global uncertainty and mounting tensions in the region."

THE GUARDIAN seems to have thorough news, and it maintains its links so old computers like mine can access them!

* * *

Without direct knowledge, here is one thing I noticed: The Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations were united for a while, 1960-63, under one government. However, the president (whose name seemed to suggest he was Greek - Makarios), three years after unification he tried to introduce CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION that would have led to annexation by Greece. Sounds to me like he betrayed the mandate given to him, to serve ALL the people of Cyprus.

...and now here we are, fifty-some years later...

by

Actually, Cyprus was granted independence in 1960 only.

Citing:

Cyprus was placed under British administration based on the Cyprus Convention in 1878 and formally annexed by Britain in 1914. While Turkish Cypriots made up 18% of the population, the partition of Cyprus and creation of a Turkish state in the north became a policy of Turkish Cypriot leaders and Turkey in the 1950s. Turkish leaders for a period advocated the annexation of Cyprus to Turkey as Cyprus was considered an "extension of Anatolia" by them; while, since the 19th century,[11][12] the majority Greek Cypriot population and its Orthodox church had been pursuing union with Greece, which became a Greek national policy in the 1950s.

Makarios III was Archbishop of Cyprus (Cyprus Orthodox Church) and also its 1st President:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makarios_III



by

Marianne, Dan has posted a couple of good questions here...I learned much, and I think Dan may have been suggesting a parallel of sorts between the situations of North Cyprus and Kosovo, both attempting secesseion/independence...

by

Yes, I know, splitting Cyprus into North and South (or rather as depending territories split between Turkey and Greece) would annihilate the goals of independence and autonomy of its populations, as religious, ethnic and social conflicts persist since long.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/12/cyprus-deal-close-but-dont-expect-miracles-says-un-chief

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_military_forces_in_Northern_Cyprus


As to Kosovo, opinions vary and even EU countries disagree with each other:

http://www.economist.com/node/12376919/comments

https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/serbia-welcomed-onto-eu-path-ahead-of-kosovo-split/

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18iht-diplo.5.10161693.html?mcubz=0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjakmarrja


by

Marianne, your links certainly do illustrate the complexity of the issue of Kosovo independence...here is one concern mentioned: (recognition of) "Kosovo's independence is not done for the good of the people of Kosovo, purely for NATO's strategic advantage, and to undermine Russia's position in the former Yugoslavia, by effectively, isolating Russia's key ally in the Region, Serbia, in order to bully Serbia."

This is one concern that we sadly see a lot; foreign policy decisions for selfish reasons, rather than for justice toward the people involved.

And from another of your links, here is something Dan commented on, the secession of Kosovo setting a precedence for other secessionists around the world:

"Romania and Cyprus announced last week (31 January) that they would not recognise a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. They, as well as other countries such as Spain, Greece and Slovakia, fear the move could set a precedent for separatist movements elsewhere. "

Marianne, here is another concern I saw in one of your links; this one makes me very cautious, because it could be true: "...read about Tito and his doctrine of "weak serbia=strong yugoslavia" this is an old project, buzz words like "independence" and "self-determination" are just a bright gift wrap for the gullible Western audience.

The underlining is my own emphasis.

by

Yes, Virginia, the situation is very complex, and what's on the papers is too often an illusion; further there's also the persisting problem with crime organisations, blood feuds, territorial clashes, etc., which have very negative impacts in the whole zone:

https://epthinktank.eu/2012/08/29/organised-crime-in-the-western-balkans/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjakmarrja

https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/sidita-kushi/women-of-kosovo-mirage-of-freedom-and-equality


by

Marianne, we have learned much from Dan's Q about Kosovo - or anyway, I have...very difficult. 

by

Yes, it is really difficult to "draw clear lines" and to grant every party a fair treatment in such cases.

:'(

+1 vote
by

Dan, will you give us your own opinion, your own research for this tragic and important Q?

+2 votes
by

Well, one solution might be to make northern Cyprus part of Turkey, and southern Cyprus part of Greece.

Two ethnicities with a long history of mutual hostility in one small country is a bad situation.

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