Today, let's do something different; let's practice looking at a news story from different perspectives. Let's see if we can find common ground?
News:
“Fanatical young supporters of the Apoel Sports Club in South Cyprus attacked cars belonging to Turkish Cypriots waiting at the traffic lights in front of the club building. The Turks whose car windows and side mirrors were smashed by stones and beer bottles thrown by fanatical Greek youths experienced terrifying moments.”
Perspective 1:
A few irresponsible Greek youths not only gave in to their emotions, but were undoubtedly also subjected to provocations. That is all there is to the incident. It does not follow that Greeks and Turks cannot live together. In time, they too will understand that they have to share this homeland with us. After all, the ongoing comprehensive negotiations have set a process toward an agreement in Cyprus in motion. At this point, what we should do is continue the process without making too much of incidents like this.
Perspective 2:
Here we are, once again seeing the Greeks' true face. Through this incident, they have once again shown that they have not changed, that they continue the EOKA culture, and that they want enosis. They persist in refusing to accept that there are two separate peoples in Cyprus. We must now understand that living together is impossible. This is the clearest example of why we want two separate states in the comprehensive negotiations currently underway! This incident is the clearest example of what will happen from now on. We must explain this and similar incidents to the UN and the world so that both the Greeks and the world understand how important the issue of security is to us!
Perspective 3:
No, my friend! You can't make friends or anything with these Greeks. Just look at what they're like! What are we negotiating, what are we trying to resolve? They don't want to live together with us, so why do we keep insisting? They're happy over there, and we're happy here. Let's close the doors so that neither they come here nor we go there. We are happy in the TRNC…
A Culture of Common Ground:
We could add more perspectives; these are probably the best known. But what matters to us? What do we want? Can these perspectives meet on common ground? Should they? Our esteemed President answered all these questions in a statement he made on 3 September 2008: “At a time when efforts to find a fair, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem are once again intensifying, I call on you to contribute actively to the process. I am not asking you to support me blindly. You will give me the greatest support by expressing your feelings and thoughts openly, with realistic and constructive assessments. My goal is to find a solution that the Turkish Cypriot people can approve with peace of mind. To that end, I want to learn, in all simplicity, what you think and what your plans for the future are. The Turkish Cypriot people must take part in this process as a whole. Our differences cannot—and must not—harm our unity. Make full use of democratic rules. Democracy is our greatest strength. A process of participation in accordance with democratic rules will turn the differences in our views into a source of richness and will be our main strength in this process.”
That is why you should convey your perspectives, fears and concerns to the President, who wants to hear them, in a way that respects mutual tolerance and by exercising your democratic rights.
That is what he wants from you!
Until Thursday, I hope!
Be mindful of your surroundings, keep them clean, and please be respectful in traffic!