Politicians and peoples
Veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash has long been viewed as an obstacle to a settlement. Solution plans over the years have consistently foundered on his insistence for the recognition of his breakaway state. “I swear that the Turkish Cypriot community will never become a minority, nor will the island become a Greek island,” he has repeatedly said over the years.

But his hard-line stance has been lately slammed by Turkish Cypriots desperate to end the deadlock. Denktash’s decision to walk out of last year’ UN brokered peace talks drew a storm of protests from Turkish Cypriots who took to the streets demanding their leader’s resignation.

The solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan was also the key issue in last December’s parliamentary elections in the north . Mehmet Ali Talat, a staunch supporter of the Annan plan, formed a government with the promise to bring about a solution. Actually, after a bomb blast went off outside his home in Kyrenia on the eve of current talks, Talat affirmed he will not be intimidated by ‘futile efforts to scare us’ on the path for the island’s reunification.

The Greek Cypriot side’s stated aim is make the plan ‘functional’ and harmonise it with EU law regarding the free flow of people and capital. Some critics, however, argue that the plan, as is, undermines the very basis of the union. “Under the deal, any European national will be allowed to settle and work in the north, but not me who is from the north in the first place,” says Kostas Konstantinou, a refugee from Kyrenia.

Disguised partition?
Other critics argue the plan is a blueprint for the island’s partition in disguise rather than its reunification: for, while Cyprus will have a single international identity, the component states will be able to have their own commercial and cultural relations with other countries. And apart from their international citizenship, Cypriots will also have internal state citizenship of their own community.

Essentially, this key question is the underlying issue dividing the two sides. Fearing the influence of the wealthier Greek Cypriot majority in the south, Denktash wants as much autonomy and independence from the central government as possible, while Greek Cypriots seek to strengthen the central government’s role.

For all the uncertainties, hopes seem high this time around. Still, the process is not easy, as the Greek-Cypriot side has already accused Denktash of straying beyond the Annan framework during the ongoing talks, with his demand that Cyprus put off its EU accession until a solution is reached and his insistence on the recognition of his state.