Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

- Being re-united with Greek Cypriots: Primary motive 17%, Secondary Consideration 29%, Not at all a motive 50%

How can we interpret this mentality?

1- Because of the past experiences, embargos and ongoing "majority rule" stance of GC leadership?

2- Because lack of communication between two communities in the last 30 years?

3- Because the brains of TCs have been washed with seperatist ideas and GC hatred by their leadership and Turkey?

4- Because of their priorities were a better life rather than living and collaborating with GCs?



Or something else?


In my opinion; in different degrees, all 4 factors have influenced their opinions about this issue.


The question is which one of the factors I suggested above has been most influential to shape their opinion regarding this issue. Nevertheless, frankly to say; the mentality of TCs about this issue does not give a good impression to GCs, in my opinion.

[Alexandros Lordos]

The question is which one of the factors I suggested above has been most influential to shape their opinion regarding this issue. Nevertheless, frankly to say; the mentality of TCs about this issue does not give a good impression to GCs, in my opinion.

Insan, it is our fault also ... we have not exactly been giving you many reasons to want to be with us ...

I think GCs are probably not much better - their primary motives (though I didn't ask about this in my survey of GCs) are, in approximate order of priority:

1. To get back their properties
2. To get rid of Turkey
3. To re-hellenise the north
4. To overcome the risk of another war
5. To encourage international financial investments through political security.

and finally 6. To be re-united with Turkish Cypriots.

This lack of interest in co-existence is a fact we have to live with for now, but I think that after an actual solution, people from both communities will grow to appreciate each other once more, through the realities of everyday mingling ...

[insan]

This lack of interest in co-existence is a fact we have to live with for now, but I think that after an actual solution, people from both communities will grow to appreciate each other once more, through the realities of everyday mingling ...

I agree with you, Alexandros. And if both communities ruling and leading elites encourage the co-existence of two communities instead of scoring points upon each others mistakes and exploiting for political purposes; I'm sure coexistence would be the priority of Cypriots.

[magikthrill]

Alexandre,

1. To get back their properties

Obviously. This is a very just claim.

2. To get rid of Turkey

Same as above, since GCs dont' care about getting rid of Greece either.

3. To re-hellenise the north

I don't think I agree with this comment, but you probably no more than I do about GCs intentions.

4. To overcome the risk of another war

Yes, but I think this goes hand in hand with #2.

5. To encourage international financial investments through political security.

Sure why not.

[-mikkie2-]

Alexandre,

The results of your survey are indeed interesting.

The biggest disappointment for me is the fact that re-unification with GC's comes very low down the list of priorities, yet economic considerations seem to come near the top. So money talks!

I think the key to ensuring a solution will work is the economic integration of the islands economy - that has been my main criterion for this 'project' to be a success. It seems, in a roundabout sort of way, the TC's agree that they 'perceive' the price to pay is to work together with the GC's for the common good of the island.

The biggest negative though is the need for Turkish troops to remain in Cyprus. This for the GC's is a BIG concern so the security aspect of the solution will probably the biggest problem which needs to be addressed.

So for me, the results of this survey are very positive on the whole. It does give an idea on the areas that need more focus in order to achieve a solution that we can all be happy with.

[Alexandros Lordos]

Some more info ...

Socio-ethnic groupings amongst the TC population:


Group A: Enthusiastic Cypriots, 28% of the population.

This group sees Greek Cypriots not only as co-citizens, but also as true brothers who can be trusted. Turkey is seen as an intruder and an impediment to peace. Members of this group are willing to blend totally with Greek Cypriots, to send their children to the same school as Greek Cypriots, to live in the south under GC administration, even to cross-marry with Greek Cypriots. In terms of political affiliation, members of this group are to be found amongst supporters of CTP and Akinci's party. In terms of geographical location, members of this group are to be found mostly in Kyrenia/Girne and Morfou/Guzelyurt.

Group B: Cautious Cypriots, 16% of the population.

This group acknowledges that Greek Cypriots are their co-citizens, that they do indeed share one common homeland, but at the same time the fear that Greek Cypriots will seek to dominate Turkish Cypriots is very much alive, leading this group to turn to Turkey for protection and support. Members of this group are open to the idea of having close relations with Greek Cypriots, but at the same time hesitant. In terms of political affiliation, members of this group are also to be found amongst supporters of CTP and Akinci's party. In terms of geographical location, members of this group are to be found in all districts except Trikomo/Iskele (ie the Karpasia region).

Group C: Nationalist Turks, 32% of the population.

This group, secular in orientation, strongly believes in the guiding hand of Turkey and in the power of the Turkish Army. They are more or less indifferent to Greek Cypriots, for whom they neither feel closeness nor hatred. Having said that, members of this group would be willing to take advantage of re-unification to enter into business agreements with Greek Cypriots, or work in the Greek Cypriot side to earn more money. In terms of political affiliation, members of this group tend to be supporters of Denktash and Eroglu - a significant minority of this group, however, tends to trust CTP or Akinci instead. This group is heavily concentrated in the district of Trikomo/Iskele (ie the Karpasia region), but many are also to be found in Famagusta/Magusa. Of all the groups, this one has the highest correlation with settler status.

Group D: Islamist Turks, 24% of the population.

This group is religious, and at the same time history/tradition driven. For this reason, they have not forgotten the hurts of the 1960s, and still consider the Greek Cypriots to be murderers. At the same time as being religious, they believe in and would support an armed struggle to resolve intercommunal difficulties. This group wants to have nothing to do with Greek Cypriots, they do not want them even as neighbours or work colleagues. In terms of political affiliation, members of this group are supporters of Denktash and Eroglu. In terms of geographical location, members of this group are to be found in roughly equal proportions in Nicosia/Lefkosa, Famagusta/Magusa and Kyrenia/Girne.


Speaking personally, I find Group D somewhat scary ...

[insan]

Group D: Islamic Fundamentalists, 24% of the population.

This group is very religious, and at the same time history/tradition driven. For this reason, they have not forgotten the hurts of the 1960s, and still consider the Greek Cypriots to be murderers. At the same time as being religious, they believe in and would support an armed struggle to resolve intercommunal difficulties. This group wants to have nothing to do with Greek Cypriots, they do not want them even as neighbours or work colleagues. In terms of political affiliation, members of this group are supporters of Denktash and Eroglu. In terms of geographical location, members of this group are to be found in roughly equal proportions in Nicosia/Lefkosa, Famagusta/Magusa and Kyrenia/Girne.

I think there may be a mistake here. In North there has never been any Islamic fundamentalist organizations either official or non-official. If there has been we would have heard their declarations about the solution of Cyprus problem. Even among settlers, Islamic fundamentalism is not a dominant stance. Until now no fundamentalist Islamic groups has been observed demonstrating against solution. Moreover, even during the most religious months of Islam, not more than a 10-15 men can be seen in Mosques of the North; who are mostly the non-citizen seasonal workers from Turkey.


For the supporters of Eroglu and Denktash, there will be a lot to be lost rather than gain in case of reunification. This is their primary reason to reject any type of solution. Statusquoers secondory motive has been based upon so-called nationalism as a tool of exploitation of the nationalistic feelings, mainly of the settlers.

[insan]

Even the most religous man of TCs(He is a real TC and once was one of the best friend of Denktash), Shiekh Nazim, who has been living in UK; harshly critisized Denktash's stance and called all TCs to vote yes the Annan Plan, prior to the referanda.

[Alexandros Lordos]

Insan,

I have thought again about the name I gave to Group D, perhaps a more appropriate expression would be "Islamist Turks", people who are guided by the values of Islam while being also influenced by Turkish secularism ( something equivalent to Christian protestants) ... that is why they would not "show up" at the mosques, but would still hold the opinion that "a holy war" would be acceptable if it is necessary, to "liberate Cyprus". Please tell me if you think this revised description comes closer to the truth as you know it ...

(remember Serdar Denktash saying a month ago that "a liberation struggle like in Palestine might be needed"? Well, perhaps this is the group of voters he was trying to win over from Eroglu ...)

By the way, many of Group D also voted Yes to the Annan Plan - probably because Raouf Denktash managed to ensure that the Annan Plan Solution would be strictly bizonal and would involve minimal mixing with Greek Cypriots.

[cannedmoose]

I think there may be a mistake here. In North there has never been any Islamic fundamentalist organizations either official or non-official. If there has been we would have heard their declarations about the solution of Cyprus problem. Even among settlers, Islamic fundamentalism is not a dominant stance. Until now no fundamentalist Islamic groups has been observed demonstrating against solution. Moreover, even during the most religious months of Islam, not more than a 10-15 men can be seen in Mosques of the North; who are mostly the non-citizen seasonal workers from Turkey.

I agree with insan on this one. Although Islam exists as an underlying force in northern Cyprus, I don't see that the label Islamic Fundamentalist accurately sums up this group. During my visits to mosques in northern Cyprus at prayer time, I have never seen a rush of people through the door, and most that did attend were either obviously from the Turkish mainland, or students/workers from Africa.

Hence, I think if you used the label 'Extreme Nationalist' (or 'Volkan readers') , it would perhaps more ably reflect the sentiments expressed by the Group D section of the population. Judging by your description, this is a group that see themselves as guardians of Turkish civilisation (including its Islamic components) and willing to resort to armed struggle in that cause. This is a clear characteristic of both extreme nationalism and xenophobic nationalism.

This being the case, I think you'd also need to re-examine your label for group C. I think the description as nationalist is accurate in a Turkish context, i.e. nationalism is effectively the 'religion' of the state. However, in most other countries, these people would be labelled as patriotic, rather than nationalist, particularly given their willingness to work with others for economic gain. From this group, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of fear or antagonism towards Greek Cypriots, merely a suspicion built through lack of contact and derived from the stance of the Turkish state.

Other than these points, this is really interesting stuff. I look forward to reading your full report once completed. Keep up the good work.