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CYPRUS IDENTITIES OF TURKS AND GREEKS,
CORRELATION TO EUROPEAN IDENTITY
OR NEW GAME OF DOMINANT POWERS;
"PLAYING WITH IDENTITIES"
H. Tahsin ULUS
METU 2004
"I am not a Turk, nor a Greek, I am just a
Cypriot!" This clause is -ambitiously-tried
to be spread out among Turkish Cypriot community by
the dominant powers since years.
As, mostly preferred, choosing the "negative"
description way of identity concept may successfully
work in Turkish and Greek Cypriot's identity competition.
Apart from the characteristics of "island life"
or "mediterraneanism" there are various matters
of daily life or cultural habits which govern from common
history in Cyprus. This truth may the consequence of
common life under an Ottoman-Turkish culture (May be
since Seljuk-Turkish reign) that both nations have supposed
to have a historically digested acceptance to each other,
through centuries.
From the historical perspective, similar to the attitudes
in Anatolia; Turkish and Greek communities had been
lived to gather peacefully until the beginning of the
19th century when the effect of the nationalist movements
over ethnical identities have transformed to the national
identities and reached to the nations who have lived
under Ottoman-Turkish reign. Although, Cyprus has been
governed by British power since 1878, starting with
the Greek revoke, up to the Turkish independence war
hostility between two nations has also affected the
Cypriots communities. After Lausanne Treaty, Turkish
Cypriots who have wished to come to the motherland were
permitted, but the ones who stayed in the island have
never cut their relations with the motherland and the
main culture as well.
Beyond the nationalist movements' blind effect of previous
century, the racial relations of Greek Cypriots with
Greece have fed the ambition of "enosis" through
decades. Thus, when the first British Governor came
to the island in 1878, he was welcomed by the Orthodox
Metropolitan with hopes of bringing the freedom to Hellenic
(!) island of Cyprus; like other Ion islands. But in
1931 revoke, Greek Cypriots burned down the residence
of British Governor, for the purpose of enosis. Only
when they have taken the case before the United Nations
in 1950's by using the less disturbing concept of "self
determination ",instead of "enosis",
British government has decided to use the Turkish card
in order not to loose its hegemony over the island.
After long debates between the delegations, in February
1959 London and Zurich Guarantee and Alliance Agreements
were signed, which also conceive the fair applicability
of 1960 constitution. Being not satisfied with any solution,
rather than "enosis", Greek Cypriots have
tried to perforate the Constitutional system in every
possibility. The period of years 1963-1974 was full
of pain and blood for Turkish Cypriots, slaughtering
olds to babies, barricaded roads, prisoned in villages,
lowest GPD, lower social statues, not allowed civil
services etc.
Paradox of common past and hostility between two nations
-or may be two particular symbols of competing religions-
can not be observed just from the early meetings of
them over Anatolia, though it has repeated in a small
but an effective framework in this island.
As it is said so; national communities have characteristics
like individuals. Genetic inheritance, experiences and
knowledge of nations sometimes play bad games on the
world's history records. Intentional misinterpretations,
sourced from the fears of nation states, sometimes from
the benefits of dominant powers of the period, in order
to forward the public opinion, to the wished point,
may cause inevitable effects of social emotional explosions.
The use of education -and media in the last decade-
for the motivation of nations and reforming new identities,
against a chosen threat has many examples through the
history. There have been wide differences between Bosnia
and Kosovo massacres of Serbs who have submitted their
attitudes as a revenge of historical "Kosovo War's
defeat" of unified Christian forces from Turks
and the ones committed against Turks in Cyprus, as until
1963-1974 period there have never been clashes between
Turkish and Greek Cypriots in the island. Contrarily
the Greek population was released from Catholic pressure
by the Ottoman conquest of the island in 1571. Due to
Greek Cypriots, beyond the national ties with their
motherland, unity of Cyprus with Greece, which has called
as "Enosis", had been a main goal through
centuries.
On the other hand even all through the British reign
Turkish Cypriots have all been n peaceful and loyal
citizens and never committed mass-crimes to the Greek
community. In this point Turkey's legal"Peace Operation"
was justified due to the provisions of 1959 Treaties,
so Turkey has never accused for being a invader in any
international determination.
After all these seperatives, It might give more sense,
to talk about Turks and Greeks living in the Cyprus
rather than Cypriots.
As it has obviously examined all through the history;
the collective identities of two sides in Cyprus has
very sharply separated from each other, so in order
to self affirmation there may be no need to describe
the "other". Based from the Anatolian experiences
there was no need any tools to identify a Turk from
a Greek.
On the other hand starting with the music, instruments,
cuisine, drinks, traditions, sense of humor and even
the outer looks of these two nations may be the most
similar ones in the geography through Europe.
Beside those similarities, sharing the same historical
experiences and the same geography, there are also several
differing points countable on this subject. With very
tick definitions; first of all both were represents
different but competing religions over the same geography
-although Muslim-Turkish support to Orthodox Greeks
to protect them from Catholics or especially since 18th
century, accelerating support of Russia -as an European
power ! - to the Orthodox and/or Slavic nations against
Ottoman-Turks have seen through the history-, accepting
Turks as ruler elite -though they have freely used Greeks
even in political positions in Ottoman state system-
and Greeks have the obeying citizens, or defining Turks
as bearing the title of conqueror through centuries,
but the Greeks have the accepters, etc. are the other
factors while suggesting "the other".
If we take the matter from the brooder extent, to the
particular geography of Cyprus, beside the detailed
differences we can see that the main inheritance of
both nations have survived there too.
Contrary to the routine approaches of Turkish and Greek
Cypriots, the main break was observed with versions
of Annan Plan, which has started to submit to the sides
since November, 2002. Like the other United Nation's
Secretary Generals, who have worked since the beginning
of the matter, Kofi Annan has also offered a plan for
the solution of Cyprus matter in the frame of United
Nations' mission of good faith. But this time the process
has nearly come to a final point as parties and motherlands
have all agreed upon the conditions and to take the
last version of Annan Plan to the referenda, of which
Turkish side was voted positively where the Greeks rejected
the plan with a great proportion in the April, 2004.
All harassments of earlier period and pains of Turks
after several village massacres of Greeks, even un-breathable
position of Turkish Cypriots as they have pressed to
the 2,5 percentage of the island before the 1974 operation
of Turkey, could not obstruct Turkish Cypriots' intention
of living peacefully to gather in the island with Greeks.
Why? How can we explain the effects of changing solid
stands?
When evaluating the various reasons of Turkish Cypriots
attitude, we must also examine several causes beside
the European Union' s efforts, like Turkey's changing
aspect, United State's application of Middle East program,
new stand point of Israel etc. But the main point of
this article is to study upon the identities of sides;
defining and examining the identities, decide upon the
attitude changes, whether they are affective upon the
identities and finally European Union's (EU) affords
among European Identity.
Here it must be mentioned that; European identity's
ideological manipulative effect over some classes or
justifying manner through some political groups can
not be denied. It may not odd to claim that; Cyprus
has been chosen as an experimental sample by European
Union- or France-German axe as a main power behind the
curtain- for several reasons. More over, benefiting
from its strategical importance and natural aim of EU
to became a global competitive power-beside USA-; statesmen
of the Union were working especially over Turkish Cypriots
since after the 1974 operation of Turkey. We can honestly
determine that, the Turkish population of TRNC (Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus) has been successfully convinced,
not only the beneficial political and economical promises
of being a member of EU but also over the psychological
effect of European identity as well.
When we analyses the positive attitude of Turks which
is contrary to Greeks in Cyprus, in the last referenda
which was held a month ago, over Kofi Annan Plan; it
was unbelievable. Here we are witnessing the using of
economical and political power to persuade the national
society to a certain foreign designed direction, by-passing
the fresh harassments of bitter experiences of Turks
with a motivated interpretation and convincing education
of the society by NGO's and international organizations.
Beside the advantage of a recognized member of World
society -even undeserved- and a welcomed member of EU,
the dislike and fear of Greeks has affected their choice
of voting in the referenda.
Here, we have another paradox; both parties have chosen
the opposite directions but they have acted with the
same attitude by following their feelings rather then
being rational. Thus Turkish Cypriots voted positively
to the plan which is contrary to all their claims which
has been defended since decades and Greek Cypriots voted
negatively to the plan which serves most of their thesis,
by acting irrational. So it may not be that much odd
to suggest that this diverse action was also a consequence
of similar attitudes of the similar identities which
was directed to the feelings more than wisdom.
Identities transfer from generation to generation by
education, starting from the core family education to
the cultural, geographical and religious environment,
finally, up to the state's political-national education
system in brooder extend. So the solid form of Greeks'
and motivated Turks' shows the success of EU's identity
experiment in the island.
While examining the racial origins of the Turkish Cypriots,
it must be determined that, since 14th century there
was a limited extent of Turkish commercial population
in the island due to some agreements signed between
Seljuk Empire and South Anatolian principalities. More
over, there was also a reasonable number of Turkopols
who were the remaining of Turcoman origined soldiers,
worked for the Christian Middle East kingdoms since
12th century. After the Ottoman conquest, beside soldiers
who have stayed in the island, great numbers of Turcomans
and Yoruks mostly from the Karaman, Samsun -Canik-provinces
and Muslim Bosnian, Circassian and Albanian elements
also settled in the island, all through the Ottoman
reign.
Contrary to the Greek leadership's claims that Turks
are the 400 years long visitors of the island, Turkish
Cypriots are mostly creators of the historical population
source of Cyprus, shaped by Anatolian-Turkish-Muslim
origined elements.
On the other hand, beside the "external other",
the "internal other" problem has also imported
in to the Turkish Cypriot community. Uncontrollable
Turkish immigration of lower social and educational
classes and different traditional sides of Anatolia
has deeply influenced the interior dynamics of closed
Turkish Cypriot community in the island. Although cultural
and traditional bosom can be obtained with the previous
groups up to the end of 80's, out goings and incomings
of different ratios have prepared a convenient situation
of -at least psychologically- frictions. This condition
also bears a possibility of "micro-patriotism"
in the Turkish community. So with the same token we
can reach another paradox between the people of same
race and historical identity.
After a long period of embargoes, economic problems,
political aloneness and unbearable burden of unrecognized,
isolated position, political pollution and finally Turkish
Government's intention of a positive approach to Annan
Plan confused the minds especially in younger generations
in TRNC. Even in provinces where mostly the Turks from
Turkey are settled, like Yeni Iskele province, affirmative
votes were more than the negatives in referenda.
Y.Gokalp YIldiz has been summarized obvious foreign
motivations in his article. ; "…Sevgul Uludag
the journalist of the Yeni Duzen newspaper, that has
been published by CTP (Republican Turkish Party), was
confessing in her article of 16 July 2002, that
"…in order to train the trainers; EU funds and
Fulbright, British Council scholarships had been used.
British High Commissionaire, Cyprus Fulbright Commission,
Political parties' net, Commercial Chamber's net, FOSBO
(La Fondation Suisse de Bons Offices), IMTD
(Institute for Multi Track Diplomacy), Institute
for World Affairs, PRIO (International Peace Research
Institute), HasNa, UNDP/UNOPS,UNHCR, Labour Union's
Forum had played their roles in organization. Between
the period of 1974-1994 several committees had been
assembled; like Working group for Solution of Inter-
communal Problems, Bi- communal Administrative Committee,
Oxford Group, Project Leaders Group I-II (1994), etc.
Most of the trainers of today's had been trained by
those committees. Since the end of 1997, first; Extended
Trainers Group, than Coordination Group which had been
formed more than 100 groups, was established. "She
was continued "First we have been organized as
30 trainers by Americans, than we have trained 3 thousand,
mobilized 10 thousand and finally influence 100 thousand
people. More over, Oya Talat who is also writing in
the same paper and the wife of prime minister and the
leader of the CTP M. Ali Talat, was determined in her
article of 29 May 2003 as ; "… With various atelier
affords; women have been tried to influence and various
activities, especially seminars and conferences has
been organized by the help of Fulbright, British Council
and EU funds. It has been intended to influence young
women in that framework….20 Turkish women have been
trained in America by those funds…Demonstrations for
the acceptance of Annan Plan has been organized… Those
women have taken their places in front of the crowds
in those demonstrations." The extension of the
influence is obvious, as irrational policies has been
added to this scene current position is shaped."
On the other hand, when we look at to the other side
of the border, Greek identity which is keeping its solid
form and strict relations with the motherland Greece
can be examined in all parts of daily life. Even in
front of the Makharios Stadium the flag of Greece is
at least five times greater than the flags of EU and
Cyprus. More over, the power of church and religious
identity of Orthodox Christianity is also effective
in the South. It may not false to mention that the patriotism
which always hand in hand with the religion, strengthens
and continues the un-divisive relations in a particular
style with the motherland Greece.
Beside non-problematic situation between the Greeks
of Greece and Cyprus, they are happier, nova days as
at last reach the aim of enosis within the border of
the EU.
Contrary to the Turkish side, the economic and social
welfare and political calmness both in domestic and
international policies have assured a comfortable situation
to the Greek side, so there have been no pluses of EU
membership, but to satisfy their revengeful ambitions
to the Turks. In this point we are being faced with
the same paradox of effective feelings over logic in
this island of sensations.
Beyond EU membership, which has offered as the best
escape from all its historical agony, Turkish Cypriots
have also psychologically persuaded by the help of the
gap which they observed between the new incomers from
the poor and uneducated southern provinces of Anatolia
and assumed that they have been more civilized and more
proper for the EU membership than their brothers in
Turkey.
The decrease in religious concerns of Turkish Cypriot
society has also affected the attitudes and the reason
of conceivable structure of the community as well
After all those historical determinations with analyses
in every step, racial-national-religious-cultural and
traditional unity in identities between the motherlands
of Turkish and Greek Cypriot, plus very similar identities
and shared historical past with each other and again
their motherlands, there are several paradoxal attitudes
mostly based upon sensations rather than wisdom and
competing outlook in every corner of the social-economic
and mostly political approaches.
Despite the solid stand of Greeks, modifiable changes
in the attitudes of Turks can not be interpreted as
a community wide identity change, but it obviously proves
that any particular community which discards from caring
compassion, ruined by foreign influenced media and NGO's,
and lack of careful education system of its own identity
can be modified due to the aim of other powers' identities.
Centuries long historical stands of identities can
easily be ruined by the works of dominant powers who
can reach every individual influence in the accelerated
moral free, technology based, media supported policies
of today's world. Like policies which are using European
identity to persuade Scottish or Irish identities as
standing against British identity, to stay with in the
frame work; Turkey and Turkish Cypriots tried to convince
in order to sacrifice their stand points for the sake
of EU membership and European identity expression.
REFERANCES
1. A.Nuri Yurdusev, "Identity Question in Turco-European
Relations", date and publishers are unknown
2. A.Nuri Yurdusev, "Türk Dış Politikası ve Avrupa
Birliği Meselesi", Liberal Düşünce, Cilt 2,Sayı,Güz
1997,pg 86-98
3. A.Nuri Yurdusev, "Avrupa Kimliğinin Oluşumu
ve Türk Kimliği",Türkiye ve Avrupa, date and publisher
are unknown, pg17-85.
4. Ahmet Erdengiz, "Kıbrıs Türklerinin Kökeni",
Halk Bilimi Dergisi, Sayı 29
5. Pierre Oberling, "The Road to Bellapais",
Social Science Monographs, Columbia University Press,
New York, 1982.
6. Pierre Oberling,"Cyprus Yesterday and Today",
A Public Lecture Given At The University of Texas At
Austin, March 1995, Kıbrıs Mektubu Dergisi, June 1996,
pg20-28
7.Y.Gökalp Yıldız, "Şah ve Mat",Akşam Newspaper,
01.05.2004.
8. M.Akif Erdoğru, "Beyşehir ve Seydişehir Kazalarından
Kıbrıs Adasına Sürül-müş Aileler", Kıbrıs Mektubu
Dergisi, Ocak 1996,pg 16-18.
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