www.talkcyprus.org

[cannedmoose]

http://www.talkcyprus.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1343&start=0

This thread really got me thinking... I've been mulling over whether to post this for quite a while, since I've always been one of those who hoped that a solution in which both communities could live in one state was possible. Sadly, in conversations with Cypriots and others, I've come to realise that I no longer feel that it is... at least for now. So, I've decided to post this for discussion. Essentially it's a plan for 'Two-states, one island', in which there would be an official separation of the two states, with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus area gaining full sovereignty and international recognition. I know it's controversial, but it's worth a hypothetical discussion nonetheless. It's quite long, but I hope it will form the basis of a constructive discussion. Please limit your comments to the basis of the plan itself rather than simply saying yes, all good, or no, all bad.

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Two states, one island

Sovereignty
Two separate states would exist on the island of Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus) and the Republic of Northern Cyprus (RoNC). Both would retain sovereignty over their territories. The Republic of Northern Cyprus would begin accession talks with the European Union with the aim being full membership. These negotiations would not be linked to those of Turkey.

Both states would have their own structures of state and the ability to determine their best form of government, administration, foreign policy etc.

The Treaty of Guarantee would no longer apply. Sovereignty would be guaranteed by NATO membership (see later for details of NATO). In the event of civil strife, intervention by NATO forces would require a majority vote in the North Atlantic Council. No individual member of NATO would be permitted to intervene unilaterally. In any NATO intervention, Turkish and Greek forces would not be permitted to participate, beyond logistical assistance through the provision of facilities for the NATO force.

Both states would also undertake to become members of the Eurozone through a coordinated process (i.e. they should both join at the same time). Each state would have its own central bank, although once members of the Eurozone, both of these would naturally be intimately linked to the ECB.

State boundaries
See map 1 or map 2. The border between the two states would return substantial tracts of land to Republic of Cyprus control. The result would be an approximate 73/27% split of the island between the two entities.

As part of the agreement, the British offer contained in the final draft of the Annan Plan, for the return of approximately 40% of SBA territory to Republic of Cyprus control would also be implemented.

The new boundary would ensure the return of approximately 1/2 the arable land of the Morfou plain to the Republic of Cyprus and around 1/2 of the arable land of the Mesaoria plain to Republic of Cyprus control.

The sea boundaries would be decided according to the Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Famagusta and its port would be retained by the RoNC, although Varosha would be returned to Republic of Cyprus control. Ercan airport would also fall into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, which will be upgraded with EU infrastructure funds. EU funding would be made available to upgrade the airport facilities at Lefkoniko (which would become the RoNC's primary airport - close to the Famagusta Bay coastline.

Both the Akamas and Karpass peninsula areas would be designated national parks, with limited construction permitted and environmental protection established in both areas. These areas would also become off-limits to any military activity.

Demilitarisation of border
As part of the agreement, both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC would agree to full demilitarisation of the border region, with no forces permitted to be based within 10km of the border (with the exception of the Kokkina enclave, where a limited number of forces would be permitted). Both sides would also undertake to remove all minefields and any other offensive or defensive structures along the full length of the border.

For a transitionary period of 3 years, EU monitors would ensure the dismantling of all of these structures and monitor any violations by either party. They would also ensure the full implementation of the border agreement and report any violations to the Commission, which will be empowered to take measures against either party if required. After this transitionary period, a report would be presented to the Commission, who would determine, in consultation with both parties whether the tenure of the monitoring force required extension.

Military forces
All foreign military forces would be required to leave the island, with the exception of British forces within the restructured SBAs and the EU monitoring force. Full withdrawal will take place within a prescribed period (3 months) and will be monitored by the EU force. Any forces required to remain in the activity of removal of military structures will be permitted to do so, albeit without weapons and under the supervision of an EU monitor.

Both states would be free to maintain their own armed forces for self-defence. As per the earlier proviso, no forces would be based within 10km of the frontier. Under a cooperation agreement, both states would undertake to conduct joint border patrols, both on land and sea, to prevent illegal immigration, smuggling of contraband etc. These would initially take place under the coordination and supervision of the EU monitoring force. The armed forces of both states would sign a joint defence doctrine, in which both would pledge to aid the other in the event of a natural calamity, attack by any third party or act of terrorism. Annual exercises incorporating forces from both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC would take place under this doctrine, monitored initially by the EU force.

Both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC would become members of NATO and its associated structures. Joint exercises with NATO members would be permitted only where both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC were taking part. Individual exercises with third countries would be prohibited. Foreign troops would be permitted in Cyprus only for such exercises.

Police force cooperation
Both states would maintain independent police forces. Both would become members of Europol and Interpol and would be required to share intelligence with each other and with third parties through these organisations. Anti-terrorist forces in the two states would sign cooperation agreements to participate in joint annual exercises. This would be monitored initially by representatives from Europol.

Relations between the two states
As part of the EU process, free movement of people, goods and services would be gradually implemented.

Both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC would become part of the Schengen area, permitting freedom of movement across the island, without passport checks.

While the RoNC goes through the accession process, freedom of residency would remain restricted, however, once the RoNC becomes a full member of the EU, no restrictions would remain in place.

Republic of Cyprus citizens living in the RoNC and vice-versa would have the right to vote in European and Local Council elections, but not the right to vote in national elections, unless they apply for citizenship of the other state. Dual citizenship of both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC (and third countries) would be permitted. EEA citizens residing in either the Republic of Cyprus or RoNC would also have the right to vote in European and Local Elections. The Republic of Cyprus would elect 4 representatives to the European Parliament, the RoNC would elect 2 representatives.

An 'Island Council' would be established, to discuss matters of common interest and to further develop commercial/political links between the two states. This Council would be tasked with improving relations between the two states, signing economic agreements etc. It would be comprised of members elected by both Parliaments, representatives of the main business associations (Chambers of Commerce, Port Authorities etc.), by representatives of the Mayors in border regions, by the Governors of both central banks and by representatives appointed by NGOs from both states.

Addition
The Island Council would also be responsible for appointing representatives to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission - tasked with investigating past crimes. No-one will be exempt from being called by this commission, politicians will not have right of immunity. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will also establish a foundation to document and record the events of 1955-1974, the aim being a historical first-hand archive available to historians, analysts and public alike. All state records from this period will be removed from embargo.

Property issues
Any property in areas where state boundaries face revision would be returned to its legal owner (i.e. those holding original pre-1974 deeds). This would take place 12 months after the revision of boundaries has been implemented. A major EU and World Bank financed project of construction would take place for those displaced in this move. Those whose property remains in areas beyond the control of their respective state would be entitled to compensation for the property, taking into account current market value plus 33%. This compensation would be financed by bonds issued by both states, by prescribed contributions from EU members and by similarly prescribed contributions from both Greece and Turkey.

Once the RoNC has acceded to the EU, no restrictions on property ownership will be permitted in either state. Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC will be permitted to buy land and property on the same basis as any other EU citizen.

Turkish citizens currently residing in Northern Cyprus
Any Turkish citizen resident in Cyprus before 1999 would be entitled to apply for citizenship of the RoNC (in addition to their Turkish citizenship if they prefer). Those not wishing to do so will be given one year's leave to remain, upon the expiry of which they will be required to leave the island (unless engaged in activities of economic value (i.e. business owners and key workers - construction workers do not qualify under this definition). Turkish citizens resident in Cyprus since 1999 will be given six months leave to remain, after which time they will be required to leave the island, unless engaged in activities of economic value. Any resulting shortfalls in labour can be recruited from either state, or from other EU states.

Education
Both states will run their own educational institutions. The Island Council will appoint a working group to examine texts used by both sides in order to encourage a common curriculum.

Greek, Turkish and English will be taught to children from primary school age upwards and will form components of the baccalaureate.

Universities in the RoNC must adhere to EU immigration standards.

Addition following Boulio's comments about SBA

Sovereign Base Areas
The area of the SBAs would be reduced as per the offer on the table in AP5. The returned territory would become part of the Republic of Cyprus. In addition, formal sovereignty over the SBAs would be returned to the Republic of Cyprus, including the coastal shelf. The United Kingdom would remain in control of these areas through the signing of a 99-year renewable lease on the territory. Renewal of the lease would require agreement of the Republic of Cyprus government. All provisions of the Treaty of Establishment, granting UK forces intervention and movement rights in the Republic of Cyprus would be abolished.

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Fire away with your comments folks... I haven't covered everything I've drafted, but hopefully this can form a preliminary discussion piece. I just hope I haven't wasted my time writing this...

[Dhavlos]

I know this may sound synical, but is this not just the annan plan, but simplified, and creating two states instead?

My only problem with partition, is that if both states were to be in the EU, the Turkish Cypriots would,in my eyes, inevitably become a minority in their own state. THey would have anti-discrimination laws, from the EU, and so, stopping Greek Cypriots from either livng there, or buying property in the north would be virtually impossible.
Greek Cypriots would also have a slight incentive to go to the north, cos if it was up to EU standards, that would mean it would not be too hard to live up in the north, and work in the south. Plus house prices may be lower in the north.(plus the whole 'ancestry' thing, which i feel is quite important, and an incentive for returning back to the villages my family are from, imo).

Also, minority rights laws, but the EU, would also be inplace,so there would not be anything stopping a sizable Greek Cypriot community in the north from starting their own 'greek-language' schools etc... etc...

[boulio]

Quote: As part of the agreement, the British offer contained in the final draft of the Annan Plan, for the return of approximately 40% of SBA territory to Republic of Cyprus control would also be implemented.


the SBA SHOULD completely be removed as the both Greek and Turkish military contingents leave the island so do the British.

[bg_turk]

I think the most contentious issue for Greek Cypriots would be the territorial adjustment issue. I think the problem would be agreeing how much land the Republic of Northern Cyprus should have. Greek Cypriots are gong to say it needs to be 18%, Turkish Cypriots will want to keep all the land.

[cannedmoose]

Dhavlos wrote: I know this may sound synical, but is this not just the annan plan, but simplified, and creating two states instead?

My only problem with partition, is that if both states were to be in the EU, the Turkish Cypriots would,in my eyes, inevitably become a minority in their own state. THey would have anti-discrimination laws, from the EU, and so, stopping Greek Cypriots from either livng there, or buying property in the north would be virtually impossible.
Greek Cypriots would also have a slight incentive to go to the north, cos if it was up to EU standards, that would mean it would not be too hard to live up in the north, and work in the south. Plus house prices may be lower in the north.(plus the whole 'ancestry' thing, which i feel is quite important, and an incentive for returning back to the villages my family are from, imo).

Also, minority rights laws, but the EU, would also be inplace,so there would not be anything stopping a sizable Greek Cypriot community in the north from starting their own 'greek-language' schools etc... etc...

No, it's certainly not the AP repackaged - at least that wasn't my intention. I'm quite surprised that you would even draw parallels between the two to be honest.

The AP did not allow for freedom of residence for Greek Cypriots, it had quite detailed percentage resident figures if you remember. This plan does allow for full freedom of both movement and residency. You are right that Turkish Cypriots might become a minority in the Northern state... eventually... I certainly wouldn't foresee the rush north that you seem to be predicting. Most people are quite settled in the south, have their jobs there, kids schools there etc. There would be nothing to stop them buying a second home in the north, which would give them their 'ancestral seat'. Can you really imagine someone who lives in Lefkosia, works in Lefkosia and whose kids are in Lefkosia wanting to up-sticks and move to Rizokarpaso just because that's where dad or papous came from? No, me neither.

It will also take some time for the north to 'catch up', but I have no objection to Greek Cypriots moving north whatsoever to assist in the economic development of the north... I can't think of a more perfect way to break barriers than through economic cooperation and partnership.

EU minority laws do not guarantee communities the 'right' to establish their own schools. Not quite sure where you got this from. If you mean private schools, then yes, but these have to be open to all, so it's not beyond Turkish Cypriots sending their kids there is it. As for state schools, it's the right of the state to determine education policy and structure, so if they allowed Greek schools under state control, would there be a problem? Plus, any school would have to teach the established curriculum.

[cannedmoose]

boulio wrote: Quote: As part of the agreement, the British offer contained in the final draft of the Annan Plan, for the return of approximately 40% of SBA territory to Republic of Cyprus control would also be implemented.


the SBA SHOULD completely be removed as the both Greek and Turkish military contingents leave the island so do the British.

We all know that's impossible in any scenario Boulio. My only amendment to that would be that the SBAs should be reduced as per the AP, and then sovereignty transferred to the Republic of Cyprus, with the British government possessing a 99-year renewable lease on the remaining SBA territories.

As for their total removal, we all know why they're important. You'd be butting heads with the entire western world (who are expected to dig into their pockets for a solution anyway) if you aimed for that.

I've added some notes to the bottom of the original post to take account of these comments. Thanks Boulio, forgot to include this element.

[cannedmoose]

bg_turk wrote: I think the most contentious issue for Greek Cypriots would be the territorial adjustment issue. I think the problem would be agreeing how much land the Republic of Northern Cyprus should have. Greek Cypriots are gong to say it needs to be 18%, Turkish Cypriots will want to keep all the land.

Everything about this is contentious BGT. Essentially, Greek Cypriots will probably say that this is rewarding Turkey for its invasion etc. The territorial adjustment I've envisaged provides about the same % as envisaged by the AP, albeit on different boundary splits. For example, I was careful in drawing the boundary across the Morfou plain, in the AP, one complaint was that the Turkish Cypriot component state was awarded all the productive land north of Morfou, with the Greek Cypriot component state only getting the hills. The boundary in this map splits that land in half. It also gives half of Mesaoria, using 'river' boundaries, whereas the AP had Turkish Cypriot component state land slicing into the Greek Cypriot component state.

PLUS, the aim of this plan is not for ethnic apartheid... Greek Cypriots can live in the Northern Republic if they wish and vice-versa for the Turkish Cypriots. Therefore, while the two states may be territorially split, the opportunity is there for full freedom of residence and ultimately for a population possessing citizenship of both the Republic of Cyprus and RoNC. Then hopefully we might end up in a situation where we can envisage a 'United States of Cyprus' http://www.talkcyprus.org/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=266

[Dhavlos]

I deleted writings earlier, so this is a short version of what i was saying :roll:

Quote: CAn you really imagine someone who lives in Lefkosia, works in Lefkosia and whose kids are in Lefkosia wanting to up-sticks and move to Rizokarpaso just because that's where dad or papous came from? No, me neither.

The Diaspora however, would not have the same kind of need to be in the south as a 'cypriot'. If they didnt own a home in cyprus, then moving sticks would be the same if they went ot their ancestral home(something they have been told by their parents was so good during peace) or if they were to move to the more expensive south, rather tahn the cheap north, andyet be only a couple of hours drive away from relatives in the south(which is like the same driving from south to north london anyway!!!)

The education thing, i was kind of making up, but the poiint was that if there was a sizable Greek Cypriot community in the north, then why could they not raise an issue with the EU that the northern state wasdisrespecting their human rights to being taught intheir own language(like the kurds in turkey- or isthat just kurdish-language-media for them?)

[cannedmoose]

Dhavlos wrote: Quote: CAn you really imagine someone who lives in Lefkosia, works in Lefkosia and whose kids are in Lefkosia wanting to up-sticks and move to Rizokarpaso just because that's where dad or papous came from? No, me neither.

The Diaspora however, would not have the same kind of need to be in the south as a 'cypriot'. If they didnt own a home in cyprus, then moving sticks would be the same if they went ot their ancestral home(something they have been told by their parents was so good during peace) or if they were to move to the more expensive south, rather tahn the cheap north, andyet be only a couple of hours drive away from relatives in the south(which is like the same driving from south to north london anyway!!!)

I see... however, the diaspora (both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot) would have the right to buy property anywhere on the island. Many of them are now British citizens anyway, so would have the right as EU citizens to buy land in the RoNC or Republic of Cyprus. So I don't really see this as an issue at all.

Dhavlos wrote: The education thing, i was kind of making up, but the poiint was that if there was a sizable Greek Cypriot community in the north, then why could they not raise an issue with the EU that the northern state wasdisrespecting their human rights to being taught intheir own language(like the kurds in turkey- or isthat just kurdish-language-media for them?)

In my education section, I said it was up to the respective states to determine education policy. There would not necessarily be a bar on teaching kids in another language - just as the English School in Nicosia teaches in English today, private establishments would be permitted to teach in whichever language they chose, so long as they also taught the other national language and Greek as language classes. I'm not sure that it is a human rights issue, otherwise we'd see a plethora of cases in the UK demanding that kids had the right to be taught in Punjabi, Urdu or Bengali. People would know that if they moved to either the Republic of Cyprus or RoNC, the language of tuition would be the primary language of that state (i.e. in the Republic of Cyprus, Greek, in the RoNC Turkish). It'd also be like the large UK community around Pafos demanding that the Republic of Cyprus government provide them with a school teaching in English.

[Dhavlos]

Ok, fair enough, the education issue may be a bit too OTT.

The Diaspora one isnt tho. Just becuase they hold British passports, does not mean they are not Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots, especially in the eyes of the general population at least..

Im not saying that buying the property will be an issue, its just that the way the British-Greek Cypriot community would have an air of being Greek Cypriots rather than British, and so, that would meanthe Turkish Cypriots would still become a minority n their own state, maybe not from Greek Cypriots,but maybe British-Greek Cypriots, which would be virtually the same thing.

It sounds a bit messy, but basically, for many people, just because you are a British-Greek Cypriot(like me i suppose, Born and Bred in Britain) does not mean that i would be considered british by cypriots(when comparing if you are Greek Cypriot,Turkish Cypriot or British)

If you had a room of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, and a mix of British Turkish Cypriots and British-Greek Cypriots, then whether they were British or not, they would eventually be split between Turkish Cypriots andGCs, probably through pressure more than anything else.

In other words, just because they are british does not mean they will act independant of Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots from cyprus.
-that was the point i was trying to get across...tho it is very messy, sorry

[cannedmoose]

I see your point Dhavre, but I still disagree with it. It's even more unlikely that BBC's or British-resident Cypriots are going to rush en masse to buy up land and property in the north to use as a permanent place of residence. Most are happy with their lives and incomes in the UK and would be even less likely to uproot everything now, or at least until they retire. So, what you might see would be a rush to buy land and houses as second holiday homes, which might be rented out in the interim as holiday lets, thus adding to the RoNC's tourist economy. Ultimately, yes, you might see several thousand Greek Cypriots return to the island from the UK and settle in the north, but I don't think it would be the vast demographic shift that you warn of. More a dripping tap than a flood. I think most Turkish Cypriots realise that in any solution, they may eventually become a minority, and in the event of no solution, they may also become a minority in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus through emigration of Turkish Cypriots and immigration from Turkey. The question isn't one of numbers, but the ability to run their own affairs and get used to feeling secure around Greek Cypriots again (and vice-versa).

What I'm envisaging with this plan is partition, but it is partition with a hope. That through the loose joint structures (rather than as with the AP, through a forced state structure), and through gradual integration of the two communities through the freedom of movement, and through encouraged business links, that the border would increasingly become porous and wouldn't matter anymore. Think about when you drive from France into Germany, or Spain into Portugal... there are no border checks, the economies of the two border areas are intrinsically linked, the people cross without a second thought... that's the aim for this plan... with the hope being that one day, the people and their leaders would just say that the border no longer really matters, so let's do away with it and become the United States of Cyprus.

[Dhavlos]

Quote: with the hope being that one day, the people and their leaders would just say that the border no longer really matters, so let's do away with it and become the United States of Cyprus.

hmmm, that sounds a lot nicer than other ideas of 'partition' that have been flying about

[Xenos 2Fan]

Has a nice ring to it. 8)

[cannedmoose]

Hence why I called it 'Two states, [i]one island'... at the moment, we have the two states, but the island isn't as one... it's effectively like this cartoon shows...

http://www.talkcyprus.org/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=266

[Xenos 2Fan]

I tend to agree here. Perhaps partition of the island is going to have to be a realistic part in the evolution of the island toward a goal of reunification. Once troops leave the island and some trust is rebuilt between the two communities they will want do away with the border. It would be like crossing from Texas to New Mexico where the stateline is marked only by a sign and not by armed guards.