Speech by Gustave Feissel

PAST LESSONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Summary of Remarks by Gustave Feissel

Review of past reveals missed opportunities and miscalculations by both sides. A few examples.

Positive response by President Makarios to Mr. Denktash’s proposal in 1969 that Turkish Cypriots be allowed to return to their villages and to Mr. Denktash’s proposal in 1972 to accept President Makarios’ 13 constitutional amendments in return for local community autonomy might well have avoided the tragic events of 1974.

On the Turkish Cypriot side, a positive response by Mr. Denktash to the Confidence Building Measures would have had a dramatic impact on the Turkish Cypriot economy and would have facilitated progress on an overall settlement. A receptive response by Mr. Denktash to President Clerides’ request, during the private dinners at my residence in Nicosia in 1994, for Turkish Cypriot support for Cyprus’ EU membership would have given Turkish Cypriots important benefit in negotiating an overall settlement.

Cyprus’ EU membership is a major development, but the impasse prevails. Both sides must recognize that time is of the essence. The Turkish Cypriot community is likely to continue to thin out if the current impasse prevails. If progress is not made soon, a settlement may become out of reach. It is in the interest of both sides that there is a vibrant and economically healthy Turkish Cypriot community. The Greek Cypriots should do whatever they can to ensure that Turkish Cypriot community economy is viable so as not to encourage emigration.

A settlement should take into account the realities of the past forty years. While this may not be frequently articulated, both sides have grown used to living apart and to governing themselves. Both sides are comfortable with their situation and are reluctant to move into the unknown. This should be taken into account when working out an arrangement for a bizonal and bicommunal federal Cyprus. Both sides should adopt realistic objectives. They should be guided by reason, not emotion.

Both sides should heed what President Makarios said ”seek what is achievable, not what is desirable”.

Both sides should adjust their positions in line to what is achievable. For example, Turkish Cypriot position for a confederal model with two states is a non-starter and should take into account the demographic situation in Cyprus. Similarly, Greek Cypriots should adopt positions that are in harmony with bizonality with all that this implies.

The two sides should stop vilifying each other and adopt a moratorium on negative statements.

Time is long overdue for the two communities to take their future in their on hands. It is time for the two sides to take primary responsibility to solve the Cyprus problem. Don’t wait for others. There is nothing that prevents the two leaders to get together informally, unconstrained by past efforts, and explore mutually acceptable elements of an overall settlement.

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