From time to time, certain opportunities come your way…
But it is not enough to see them…
The most important thing is to have the courage to seize them.
For Mr. Talat, whose approval ratings have fallen considerably, the Orams case has been the final straw.
At this point, the Presidency’s approach is: “Look, this shows that we must definitely reach a solution in Cyprus.”…
But saying this is compatible neither with seriousness nor with reality…
In fact, this kind of rhetoric means, “We’re backed into a corner, we have to find a solution, we have to sign any agreement”: The people of the TRNC won’t swallow that.
Of course, Mr. Talat does not want to say these things; what he is really saying is: “This problem must end as soon as possible. As long as these cases continue, the problem will not be solved; it will become more complicated.”
We know that this is what the President thinks, but what he does not know is that our people absolutely do not trust the Greek Cypriots and do not believe there will be a solution…
The President’s vision for a solution will gain him nothing at this point. Given that, IF I WERE IN MR. TALAT’S PLACE, I WOULD RESIGN 10 MINUTES AFTER THE RESULT OF THE ORAMS CASE WAS ANNOUNCED.
And I would explain it this way:
The outcome of this case could seriously harm my people. The fact that England, a guarantor power that said just a month ago that it supported the negotiation process, has made such an obviously political decision has turned the balance in the negotiations upside down. The whole world knows that the Greek Cypriot government has no sovereign rights in the north, and we, as the leaders of the two communities, have been negotiating in good faith to achieve lasting peace. A decision like this has blocked the way forward. I am resigning from the Presidency, a position I took on to bring peace to Cyprus. I came to this office to bring peace. But after this decision, I see that achieving peace has become impossible under these conditions. However, the negotiation process will not end here. Whoever becomes President in the elections to be held in April may, if they wish, continue the negotiations under these conditions.
This course of action would have given him the opportunity to win both the April elections and the hearts of the people of the TRNC. In other words, while he is being criticized as “the President of CTP,” he could seize the opportunity to become the President of all Turkish Cypriots and double his standing in the world…
Moreover, by taking this action, he could send a very serious message by standing up to the whole world. Instead of wondering, “How would the world react to this action?” we need to ask, “What should our response be to the game being played against us?” That is, after all, why I am writing this article…
On the other hand, be assured that this firm stance and message would make Turkish Cypriots living in various parts of the world incredibly proud and encourage them to stand up for their country.
I am sure that when you read these lines, you will say, “What are you talking about? We’ll face a backlash from the world; they’ll say the Turks don’t want a solution. How could that possibly work?”
Believe me, if Eroğlu were in Talat’s place, I would not be writing these lines now. If Eroğlu took this action, things could turn out exactly as you say. But the way Mr. Talat is perceived around the world gives him this opportunity. And no other leader in the TRNC currently has the same standing on this issue.
By the way, at this point, talking about the global climate is nothing more than demagoguery.
Isn’t it precisely this global climate that has led to this case being decided this way?
Well, is it too late for the President, Mr. Talat?
In my view, he has one more opportunity.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be on our island on February 2.
This visit can be viewed in this light; it is up to Mr. Talat to decide…
Finally, I am sure you have asked, “Why do you keep bringing up resignation?” and even resorted to that labeling we love so much, muttering, “Look, he’s an Eroğlu supporter, a Talat supporter.”…
The answer is clear:
Friends, the decision that has been made is not something we can simply swallow. Let’s realize that…
For this reason, we must react to such a decision in a way that ensures no other country ever makes another decision concerning us and against us. This is the kind of response that comes to my mind in this context…
But, as I said at the outset, this takes ‘courage’…
Isn’t it courage that makes leaders remembered?
Until we meet again…
Pay attention to your surroundings, keep them clean, and please be respectful on the roads!