By Loucas Charalambous
THIS BUSINESS about the decision of the House regarding the Enosis referendum has a funny side to it and is probably its most interesting aspect.
The Turkish Cypriot side is based on the view that Greek Cypriots, while negotiating for a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, were in practice still working for Enosis. This is a myth. The absurdity of this view is that in reality the vast majority of Greek Cypriots do not want union with Greece but partition, which was once the objective of the Turkish Cypriots.
The evolution of the Cyprus problem can be condensed to a few lines. In 1950 (the controversial Enosis referendum) the Greek Cypriots embarked on an organised effort to achieve union with Greece. This effort took the form of an armed struggle, which the Turkish Cypriot did not like and in response commenced their struggle for partition (Taksim). By 1960 the contest between the two struggles ended in a draw when a partnership state was established. This was dissolved three years later by the Greek Cypriots who embarked on a new ‘struggle’, supposedly for Enosis. The Turkish Cypriots, again in response, took up the pursuit of partition.
Regardless of how incredible it now seems, almost 60 years later, and after rivers of blood were shed, the ‘struggles’ reached the following ludicrous result: most Turkish Cypriots have turned their back on partition and are seeking a return to a partnership state with the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots, meanwhile, having abandoned Enosis immediately after 1963, now want partition which was the Turkish Cypriots’ objective 60 years ago! Only psychiatrists could offer an explanation for this insane turn of events.
The most interesting aspect of the legislature’s decision was not its content but the fact that all those who voted for it did not do so because they want Enosis as the Turkish Cypriots seem to think. In reality, all those who suddenly have emerged as being pro-Enosis never wanted Enosis. They voted for the amendment in order to sell their pseudo-patriotism.
Only once in the history of the Cyprus issue did the possibility of an Enosis solution arise – in July 1964. I refer to the proposals of US envoy Dean Acheson which had at their centre the union of Cyprus and Greece and the offer of something in exchange to Turkey – initially the idea of giving Turkey a base in the Karpas for 50 years was discussed, while the Greek government considered ceding Kastellorizo to Turkey. But the initiative failed as it was undermined by Makarios’ aggressive statements against the US and Acheson in Athens (July 29, 1964); a few days later there was fighting in Tylliria. Makarios’ actions prompted Greece’s PM George Papandreou to write to him that “we agree one thing and you do a different thing.”
At that time, when there was a possibility for Enosis, these hypocrites that backed last month’s decision by the legislature (I do not mean the specific persons but their political factions and their political ancestors and fathers, Tassos Papadopoulos and Dr Lyssarides) had fought rabidly against it in 1964, for the same reason they are today fighting to prevent a settlement – so that they do not lose what is offered to them by the status quo.
Those who sincerely wanted Enosis back (regardless of whether it could be achieved) were less than three per cent of the population as the 1968 elections showed. And if there were a referendum on Enosis today I am certain the percentage supporting it would be even smaller. The Turkish Cypriots are unjustifiably worried, if they are indeed really worried.
The funny side to the story I referred to has been completed by the unexpected interest shown by Phileleftheros in the murder of pro-Enosis supporters in 1961 and ’62. The paper, the bastion of the anti-Enosis campaign in the sixties and the chief apologist and supporter of the Makarios regime, after 55 years suddenly remembered the victims of the regime and cites the murders in order to back the Enosis decision of the legislature.
The newspaper’s editor in chief was right when he commented a few days ago on the president’s announcement that a new psychiatric hospital would be built, that the new hospital should be big enough to fit all of us inside. Philelefetheros, which after a delay of 53 years has become pro-union, should most certainly be housed there.
80 Comments
Gismofly
March 22, 2017 at 13:45I have heard it said that ‘budding’ journalists do tend to trivialize history. This is a perfect example written by a Greek nationalist. <>.
Stanlio
March 12, 2017 at 17:43The author’s presentation of what the Acheson plans involved is a travesty. There were two main plans. The first plan would have ceded Karpasia to Turkey in perpetuity and within the rest of the island (ceded to Greece) would have created several zones where the Turk minority would exercise wide powers of self-government. Greece would also cede Kastelorizo to Turkey. The plan amounted to partition and was rejected not only by Makarios but also by Greece, which couldn’t stomach the idea of ceding its sovereign territory – Kastelorizo – to Turkey. Turkey accepted the plan as a basis for discussion.
A second Acheson plan envisaged that Karpasia would not become sovereign Turkish territory but would be leased to Turkey for 50 years. The idea of creating Turkish zones in the Greek area was dropped and, instead, Turks living in Greek-annexed Cyprus would be granted the same rights as those Muslims living in Thrace set out by the Lausanne Treaty. Turkey rejected this plan, as did Makarios, who still regarded the plan as partition, while elements in the Greek government were keen.
Implementing the second Acheson plan is what the Greek junta had in mind when it tried to topple Makarios in 1974 – i.e. partition, not Enosis – except that the coup failed – Makarios survived – and Turkey was given the opportunity to impose partition on its terms, rather than on terms dictated by Athens.
Bluestorm
March 12, 2017 at 14:58Loukas knows these historic events quite well as he himself was an Enosis activist working for the Grivas newspapers Patris / Ethniki. As I have supported ad nauseum in this forum the Americans did propose Enosis in 1963 and were prepared to enforce it irrespective whether the Turks opposed it or not.The whole American effort had the approval of Greece but Makarios fought against it describing it as ”double Enosis”.Makarios political motto was for achieving the ”feasible” which was the independent Cyprus and not the ”desirable” which was Enosis..So much for the mythology of the Turkish Cypriots and sympathisers, that Makarios was promoting Enosis.The overwhelming majority of GCs who adulated Makarios also rejected Enosis at the time.The fact that the Turkish Cypriot leadership pretends to be overwhelmed by Parliament’s vote on the commemoration of the Enosis referendum in 1950, clearly indicates their huge hypocrisy and their true motives regarding the negotiations.Has anyone noticed that Turkey is running amok in Europe? Akinci has seen it and is shivering in his slippers.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 16:46The enosis commemoration fiasco was simply a lame political attempt to get a reaction from Akinci that would halt the talks so that Anastasiades could pin the blame on him for the impending failure of the talks. I believe that both Akinci and Anastasiades welcomed the parliamentary vote on enosis as it distracts from the fact that both parties didn’t really want to reach a solution for a myriad of reasons. Enosis has served as an effective smokescreen for the real issues preventing a unitary state.
gulumbra
March 13, 2017 at 08:19The feasible independent Cyprus with immediate passports for Turkish cypriots to leave …..
John Aziz Kent Kent
March 12, 2017 at 13:57MR LOUCAS CHARALAMBOUS
Your artıcle as usual brıngs home the TRUTH agaın Makarıos started the
Dısasterous ENOSIS Plan all those years ago and the todays polıtıcıans are stıll goıng on destroyıng not only Cyprus developıng forward progress but also
Thıs kept the whole Hellenıc Natıon Greece beıng the target to a lot of dıffıcult
Long years wıth Turkey ın other wards the megalo ıdea of Makarıos coupled up wıth the Greek Mıthology and the Ottomans memory kept thıs two natıons apart ınstead of embracıng and developıng at least as best neıghbourly
Tradıng partners thıs ongoıng attıtude has realy kept both countrıes especıally GREECE under populated and economıcally weak just becauseof Makarıos
And hıs EGOISTIC GREED now we are startıng the same problem all over agaın workıng to wards even bıgger DISASTERSFOR ALL AND THISTIME MAYBE THE WHOLE REGION HOW STUPID WE ARE I HONESTLY LIVED MY LIFE THINKING HOW CLEVER THE GREEK NATION IS I WAS MAY BE MISTAKEN FOR ALL THOSE LONG YEARS BUT ILOVE MY GREEK FRIENDS FOREVER PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT FROM A CYPRIOT TURK WITH RESPECT
Fevzi Ogelman
March 12, 2017 at 11:20One correction, the writer says the TCs have abandoned Taksim and are seeking a partnership governments with the GCs…….but the BBF they’re discussing has a Taksim element in it. The fact that the talks will lead to nowhere is another matter.
kypselian
March 12, 2017 at 07:28I m a psychiatrist and i can explain: if you do a referrundum today you will find out that 99% of GCs still want enosis with greece, something that our parliament proved last month, by successfully passing the enosis law.
So given the above and as a psychiatrist this behavior after 60 years is completely normal.
gopher
March 12, 2017 at 08:34what enosis law?? what nonsense are you talking about? if you are indeed a psychiatrist then we have failed in that department too
Disruptive
March 12, 2017 at 09:26*psychiatric case – there, there was a typo in the original comment.
kypselian
March 12, 2017 at 12:31no there was no type my friend. Read well
kypselian
March 12, 2017 at 12:28I have sent a message to a few news websites in cyprus who published articles with regards of THE TALKS BEING CANCELLED OVER ENOSIS LAW, in order to ask them. Once they reply i will let you know
gopher
March 12, 2017 at 14:12sorry my fault, discussing with morons is a waste of time
Peter G
March 12, 2017 at 11:42So Beavis is running around bug-eyed, flapping his arms, yelling: “I’m psychic, I’m psychic, I’m psychic!”
“How do you figure?” asks Butthead, “can you, like, tell the future?”
“No,” says Beavis, “they did all these tests on me and they said I’m psychic.”
Butthead wallops him on the head and says: “No, you dumbass, they said you’re *psycho*, you are psycho!”
kypselian
March 12, 2017 at 12:27irrelavant
geecee
March 12, 2017 at 12:21Most misleading comment of the day. Please present your facts that back this ‘99%’ claim. ELAM would dominate the parliament if you were right.
Also, there was no enosis law.
kypselian
March 12, 2017 at 12:26When CM presents their facts to their claim that most GCs do not want enosis, I will come forward with my facts. As for enosis law please go do your homework.
Frederic Harakis
March 12, 2017 at 22:44God help us then
kypselian
March 13, 2017 at 23:59Yes
Claphamer
March 12, 2017 at 13:53Not true what you say!
Frederic Harakis
March 12, 2017 at 16:32Do read my reply to kypselian
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:03What do you expect from a self titled ‘psychiatrist’?
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 12:56Yes, any and every Cypriot,whom I could communicate about union with Greece has expressed his wish to be united with Greece . Here in CM forums,I have met some great commentators though who call themselves proudly only”Cypriots” but in my day life here, I am still trying to find out someone who can say it proudly that he/she is just a Cypriot. This shows the common bent of mind.
Frederic Harakis
March 12, 2017 at 15:51You have just found one
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 16:05no. seven.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 16:34You haven’t spoken to the Cypriots I know. Most simply want to keep the status quo and remain divided.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 16:44I communicate. I find them always against TCs and just condemning Ottoman regime when TCs were born and took the Greek Cyprus , and always aspiring for Enosis .A very negative thinking overall. Majority to whom ,I talk to just wish their property back or money as compensation but they hate the idea of living with”Muslims”. I am very disappointed actually.Why they are like this?
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 16:50What are you talking about Slomi? Just as Loukas stated, this idea that all GCs are obsessed with enosis is fantasy, find another reason to blame the GCs for a lack of solution because the current enosis argument is simply false.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 16:55This is my communication with ordinary people here.Starting from my Greek Teacher who is a highly qualified lady to the extent of gas station staff ,including my social acquaintances, all are dreaming for some Enosis.You do not live in Cyprus.Or you do not meet people.Or you are camouflaging the reality.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:02Complete nonsense Slomi. I am afraid we have to agree to disagree. The statement that most Cypriots want enosis is simply untrue and there wasn’t even a majority that wanted enosis when the coup happened. One of us is definitely lying.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 17:06We agree to disagree
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 16:58Ask them. You communicate with them all the time. Are you sure you didn’t stumble into an ELAM aligned cafe? Seriously, we have had very different conversations that I have had with people here. Many GCs are definitely distrustful of Turkey but the same could be said of TCs and Greece. The distrust is understandable for both sides and is what prevents a solution. Your comments on the issue are a prime example of finger pointing and distrust.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 17:05A prominent majority here loves the idea of Enosis. People I meet, are people of country and not from ELAM camp.No.But all respect and love the idea of Enosis generally as an alive political philosophy. To me ,it seems that this political school of thought has always been a favorite thought in minds of people and now even many in new generation love it.Generally speaking a negative sign.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:14You are putting words in a community’s mouth that you do not understand. Stop assuming you know what the majority of Cypriots think because you clearly don’t have a clue. New generation love the idea? Absolutely absurd.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 17:16yours is not a valid response .
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:18Why?
Frederic Harakis
March 13, 2017 at 11:47I am afraid that the ‘romantic idea of ENOSIS’ which I suggest this is what it is now, is confused with the practical and feasible. The idea of ENOSIS ie being part of the greek state was dead and buried since 1922 (you can read the history). It has been muted on occassions ever since because of the romance inspired by ENOSIS. Cypriots are romantically and ideologically united with their so called motherlands.But politically they are not. I think and I would like to hear others, that the cypriots evolved under a different political system (British) which is now part of their psyche.Unfortunately we both get the misguided extemists empty headed with their slogans and upset both communities. And ‘slogans’ can be very catchy and dangerous. At least, I think, there is something common amongst the greek and turkish cypriots but they are reluctant to grasp it because they do not want to upset the motherlands
Slomi
March 13, 2017 at 19:29Your last sentence is very true.
phyper1
March 20, 2017 at 12:11Slomi, the Greeks voted for Enosis in 1950, because that was the only way to get rid of the British and break away from Colonialism. There was none of this nonesense of me being Tc and me Gc. That idea was an ideal in them times. Nearly 70 yrs. after that ideal has only remnants. Look in that time the mighty Soviet Union has been dissolved. The American influence is waning. British Colonialism is as good as dead. And so is Enosis.
When Gc say they are Greek, unfortunately that is a misnomer. It’s like the Aussies, the Canadians or the Americans, saying I am English, just because of the language.
Slomi
March 21, 2017 at 19:50Thank you for this enlightening view. It helped me.
memyselfandi
March 22, 2017 at 01:09You don’t know what you are talking about,Greek Cypriots are Greeks in every sense of the world.
Same culture,same religion,same language,same names,same traditions.
Greek Cypriots fought for Greece in every major war of the 20th century and if it was necessary,the majority wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice their lives for Greece once again.
phyper1
March 22, 2017 at 09:59The Greeks fought on the side of the British and the French, that does not make them either British or French. A moronic argument!!!
memyselfandi
March 22, 2017 at 21:45Why you Britons have a hard time accepting the greekness of the Greek-Cypriots?
Is it because of the dirty role of Britain in the Cypriot issue?
phyper1
March 22, 2017 at 22:42What has the dirty role of Britain got to do with ‘grekness’? If you are Mainland Greek, do you understand the Cypriot dialect/language? Yes, we are both Ortodox Christians. But so are Greece’s neighbours, the Bulgarians, and the Russians, for that matter. Cyprus is a Country. It’s people are Cypriots, and not Greeks, who are the people of another Country, Greece.
memyselfandi
March 22, 2017 at 23:07I’m Greek Cypriot, born and raised in Greece.
And I have never met a Greek Cypriot who doesn’t consider himself Greek.
Slomi
March 23, 2017 at 07:59It would be better if you were just a Cypriot , proud of your nationality first and ethnicity second.
memyselfandi
March 22, 2017 at 01:06A wonderful sign,we want to join Greece and one day we will achieve it.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:10I agree with the anti-Muslim sentiment as some people I have talked to about Cyprob have said that they believe the two religious cultures are too different for peaceful unity. Stick with that argument when you are blaming the GCs for all the problems since 1960. The enosis argument is just irrational.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 17:15I am not blaming GCs. I am narrating, what I hear and what I see around.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:19You live in a very different part of Cyprus from me then.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 17:31But,I live in Cyprus.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 17:56Do you ever get to speak to TCs where you live? If so, what is the opinion of those TCs regarding a solution? I only know a few TCs and we never talk politics.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 18:22Mutual trust is absent.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 18:42Very insightful… But true. Hoping for a little more than that considering you have written a lot more about what the GCs think. You must be like me and speak with many more GCs on the topic than TCs.
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 19:15Factually speaking, Turkish Cypriots are not all hands .. open for Turkey for any enosis. How I have observed and deduced from the mutual discussions that they have no other choice in hand at the moment except trusting Turkey for their funding, management support etc. South Cyprus ,majority has disappointed the people of North Cyprus and they are afraid of taking any unsecured initiative for any reunion with South.
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 20:35So, some TCs feel that they are between a rock and a hard place. They can’t trust the South and do not like the idea of relying on Turkey for the state’s survival and would prefer to stand on their own two feet and feel partition is the only solution that guarantees their safety but a confederation of two autonomous states that are both legally recognized by the international community would be a better solution? So, basically taksim?
Slomi
March 12, 2017 at 20:39This is what SOUTH is asking for!!!
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 21:20That’s what Mr Loukas is saying in the article and that’s part of the irony of the whole situation. Just for the record, although I have already stated this before; I am one person in the South that does not agree with such a solution. There would be disputes and eventually conflict on the size of the two states as the GC government would want to be given back much more territory than the TC leadership would want to hand over. Such a settlement wouldn’t even reach a referendum and our political leaders would have to find some other excuse to blame each other for failed negotiations. The issue would essentially be how much of the illegally occupied territory would be legalized for the sake of peace and security? How would the governments create their territorial maps? Population size? Property owned by both sides before all forced expulsion?’ If territory size in such a solution was to remain practically the same since 1974 where financial compensation was awarded to all those who lost their properties on both sides and this herculean task was somehow successfully quantified, would the governments be willing to pay and would the GCs actually vote yes when many would feel that it is better to keep the status quo despite an option with a promise of better security? Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution but I believe the ideal solution would be a unified Cyprus whose citizens were Cypriots first, not distinct communities labeled by Greek or Turkish heritage. If we can’t achieve that, well then a much better solution than partition that can still leave the potential for a fully unified island for future generations.
gulumbra
March 13, 2017 at 08:23Because they are brainwashed by the orthodox church and threatened with hell and damnation
Frederic Harakis
March 12, 2017 at 22:55Siomi do not be mislead, the answer to the same question given by greek Cypriots to non Cypriot would be different or more qualified if asked by a greek Cypriot. Such is the nature of the human being. Besides the few people you asked by no means constitute a representative sample
Slomi
March 13, 2017 at 19:34Hmmmmm.
memyselfandi
March 22, 2017 at 00:58Does this surprise you?
There is no “Cypriot nation”,there is the Greek nation and the Greek-Cypriots who are integral part of it.
Frederic Harakis
March 12, 2017 at 16:28Evidently the 99% came out from the top of your head. A very dramatic and baseless opinion.
I live in UK. Now In a time of economic depression if you ask the people here if they want their taxes reduced dramatically the vast majority I suggest will say YES. They will of course lose the free NHS and welfare benefits and a lot of them their jobs too as there will not be any investment. When you carry out a survey the TIME and the QUESTIONS asked can be manipulated so you can obtain the result you want.Also you do not ask direct or ‘closed’ questions to people especially to those that are emotionally and directly affected by the questons being asked if you desire objective results. I suggest that you should not pour oil on fire by professing on matters outside your discipline
So I would advise you to leave alone statistical surveys to those who know and concentrate on your own discipline which I am sure you are very competent in.
You must wonder under which umbrella I am pontificating to you. I am retired now and never mention my qualifications but I will make an exemption for you. Here they are:
CStat(Chartered Statisistian), FRSS (fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, MSc(Applied Statistics), PhD Statistics.
I forgot, Also DM(Diploma in Management) and another DM but Diploma in Music.
If you wish to persist on a rational basis I am READY.
PS. I do hope Turkish Cypriots too, read this.
kypselian
March 14, 2017 at 00:05Too long answer dont have time to read rubbish
Frederic Harakis
March 14, 2017 at 09:58How do you know is rubbish if you have nor read them? Do not try to punch above your intelligence because you make a fool of yourself
kypselian
March 14, 2017 at 12:30i am gonna punch it right no
Frederic Harakis
March 14, 2017 at 13:01You do not get the message do you?
Those who responded to you mignt or might not have high qualifications. But they do have intelligence and common sence , qualities that elude you. I will ignore any more of your garbage unless you write something dangerous
kypselian
March 14, 2017 at 18:54i already threw the garbage in the garbage tank
Frederic Harakis
March 14, 2017 at 20:12Your big mouth evidently
kypselian
March 15, 2017 at 07:18Yes and no
phyper1
March 20, 2017 at 11:57You should have thrown yourself in the garbage tank, too. I doubt if you have 30 Gc friends, the way you talk. Shame, !
Muchacho
March 12, 2017 at 16:36Ludicrous statement. 99%… what a load of assumptive rubbish. Stop wasting your time posting ridiculous lies and while you’re at it, go back to school and study a real science.
kypselian
March 14, 2017 at 00:01I apologize i didnt reply to your stupidy earlier. Not goint back to school. I have 30 gc friends asked them all. 29 of them said they want enosis. 1 said he is not sure.
Muchacho
March 14, 2017 at 08:40So 30 of your ‘friends’ prove an accurate census of all GCs and allows you to claim that 99% of all GCs want enosis. With logic like that maybe you would be wasting yours and your teachers’ time.
kypselian
March 14, 2017 at 12:34statistical agencies when they do surveys they do it on samples. Their samples are usually of 1000 people. Now i am not as big as them, but if 30 of my friends say they want enosis, i bet you, if you do a referundum now, you will get at least 99% who want it.
phyper1
March 20, 2017 at 11:54Your friends might have said that, because anything is better than having Turkey bullying you.
Frederic Harakis
March 22, 2017 at 13:14Yes but on RANDOM sample the size of which is based on the size of the population. The samples you are refering to are for market research purposes when a company wants a quick feel of buyers’ likes and dislikes and not a realistic figure of say ‘salary’
kypselian
March 22, 2017 at 13:19could be and could be not
phyper1
March 20, 2017 at 11:52Kypselian, you need to go and see a psychiatrist, urgently, otherwise you will have a mental collapse.
Peter G
March 12, 2017 at 06:11:^)