Konuk Yazar, 1 Agustos 2001
Murat Ilican
Cyprus Conflict will deter the implementation of important global issues
The end of the cold war era, signaled by the collapse of the Soviet Union, brought with it a reconsideration and reformulation of national, regional and global interests. This change led to drastic changes in national and global priorities. A transition period begun in all those regions that used to be under the control or the influence of the former Soviet Union. Thus, a regional search for belonging, directly linked to issues of economic survival in today's capitalist and information-technology era, ensued. For example, the Western States of former Russia are now on their way to full EU integration. Their positioning under the EU sphere of influence is a process that has largely been fulfilled. The Southeastern Mediterranean and the Middle East are in turmoil and the Balkans have been in that state for over a decade now. All these are conflicts that can be viewed as a search for national / regional (and to an extent global) belonging and acceptance. Caucasus and Central Asian countries are full of natural resources such as oil and natural gas, but still in need of development to achieve prosperity -and of course, they are also under the heavy influence of Russia.
The influential powers of today's global capitalist system have to secure and sustain peace and stability in order to bring along the needed transition that will develop regions of chaos out of it. In capitalist terms, this will benefit these powers because it will activate regions of buyers and contributors to the global economic development and thus will inevitably guarantee returns for opportunity-searching capital (the lubricant of the whole system). Sustainable development in economics, the social sphere as well as the politics of a nation is a function of peace and stability within the nation itself, and likewise within its region of belonging and ultimately within the global sphere as a whole. Thus, one needs to prioritize security and stability over and above any other interests and desires to enable the preparation of the ground for future economic, social and democratic developments. This in turn will help boost peace and stability further.
A change in global attitudes and visions is certainly good if it enables any nation, or more importantly any region, to be a healthy and contributing participant of the global economic system and its related politics. Nations and regions that are isolated and detached from this reality will be marginalized and remain a source of instability for many years to come. Thus, isolation as a political option should be a last choice. The cooperation between neighboring nations should focus on attaining benefits that will shared by all and on establishing a common, united vision for further prosperity and progress. Given the realities of the current global system, no one nation can sustain prosperity and development (that is shared by its citizens) for long if its cooperation with other nations especially the neighboring ones are restricted, limited or non-existent.
The West, the Islamic/Arab world and Russia as well as Turkey (currently swindling between the West and the East) are all in the midst of a new 'soul searching'. Being in the middle of three continents and so close to many strategic locations and areas of interest, Cyprus is extremely important for all. It possesses both the potential to set an example as a catalyst for a new path paving the way forward for regional peace and security or to remain the source of tension and instability for many more years to come. Decision-making processes on issues such as European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), the EU enlargement and the Common Defense Shield are one way or another linked to the Cyprus issue. Given the prevailing conflict for over half a century between Turkey and Greece -two NATO members as well as Turkish and Greek Cypriots, the decisions became harder to take or implement as long as the island is a source of conflict for many participants of global politics. In this respect, this little Mediterranean Island becomes a serious headache for global powers.
Cyprus creates a continuing source of instability in the heart of an unstable region. The Middle East on one side, and the Balkans on the other are in the throws of violence, that harbors the possibility of spill over, which could potentially drag the super powers into it. Thus, the establishment or at least the search for a common regional and global vision on the island as well as the Balkans and the Middle East needs to be formulated and implemented as soon as possible. Only then, will these areas of confusion, bloodshed and conflict not to mention economic, social and political problems in and around Cyprus possess some chance to rehabilitation and development.
It is important to remember that in relation to the Israeli-Palestine and Balkan conflicts, the Cyprus conflict is contained and -despite the deadlocks- can be solved in a matter of months; provided that the desire and the will as well as international support including that of 'motherlands' are present. In such a scenario, the danger of socio-economic and political clash between the EU and Turkey as well as between Greece and Turkey will be avoided. Otherwise, due to the lack of confidence and trust many important issues of global concern will not be fully fulfilled.
A new initiative creating a win-win situation for the people of the island and their respective motherlands should start as soon as possible. The concerns of the conflicting parties should be answered and Cyprus should be turned into an area of cooperation rather than confusion. This will help build trust between Greece and Turkey as well as Turkey and the EU as a whole. The security of Europe and its enlargement will be further safeguarded and the Balkans and Middle East will be much easier to rehabilitate with a coordinated effort build on trust.