Alkan CHAGLAR
Forget expensive UN plans! Cypriots need lessons in philosophyA deal signed and sealed on paper is not enough to sustain peace on Cyprus, Cypriots require a fresh new way of thinking.
CHANGE OF ATTITUDES
Complicated United Nation (UN) plans ranging from the Galo Plaza plan to the Boutros Ghali set of ideas to the more recent 9000 page Annan Plan have all placed to much emphasis on a political deal without formulating a strategy to change the psychology of the Cypriot people so that their plan for peace will actually stand a chance of success. At the same time blind to the root of the Cyprus problem, few if any of these international plans, however good the intention have ever sought to curb the highly divisive Greek and Turkish nationalisms that are responsible for the current division of the two main communities today. In spite of the importance of politics, psychology is equally vital to both the pursuit and longevity of peace on the island.
Despite the clear good will of these proposals, seldom have they formed a strategy for confronting Greek and Turkish nationalism, which is the root cause of dangerous and divisive attitudes today in both communities. Instead of promoting a sense of unity, peace plan after peace plan has tried to make a solution work around Greek and Turkish nationalism.
Peace-seeking Cypriots themselves have also acted against a solution at times when it suits them. In the North of Cyprus and even in the Republic of Cyprus, which is the internationally recognised government of Cyprus, few lawmakers act as Cypriots, but act instead in the interests of Hellenism or Turkism. Hardly inspiring confidence, elected leaders who talk of reunification, often make reference to “Greekness or Turkishness” sending contradictory messages to the population who are left wondering how sincere their leaders are. Indeed if these elected leaders are serious about grasping a sustainable peace, surely they need to adhere to a less offensive philosophy, one that compliments the peace process and does not alienate other Cypriots.
CYPRIOTISM
Cypriotism, Pan-Cyprianism or in plain English Cypriotness, a natural home grown opposition to the tremendous damage inflicted on Cyprus by foreign Greek and Turkish nationalisms over the past half a century may hold the key to facilitate efforts to seek a sustainable peace. Neither a Greek nor Turkish, neither an Armenian nor Maronite way of thinking, Cypriotism is not Cypriot nationalism, as it does not promote exclusion or aim to elevate Cypriots above other peoples, nor it is an ideology linked to the left or right, rather it is a positive and inclusive philosophy that focuses on what unites us and not what divides us.
Embracing the idea of our existing multi-cultural character, Cypriotism can play a pivotal role in paving the way to a sustainable peace, even before a political settlement is agreed. As much a part of the peace making process than as a result, Cypriotism, by forcing us to think as a whole and not as a part can help us grasp peace more easily and help sustain peace once it is within our reach. For those disillusioned with the current state of Cypriot politics, the philosophy, which ultimately aims at unity can act as a new alternative or third way.
Far from being a foreign ideology like Greek and Turkish nationalism, Cypriotism is through its openness to all the communities of Cyprus, settlers included, a true reflection of the hospitality of Cypriots and the love Greek, Turkish, Maronite and other Cypriots hold for their common island. A response to any attempt to distort the memory of our past coexistence, this philosophy destroys the flawed argument that justifies Apartheid in Cyprus, while giving hope that coexistence can work once again.
Unlike Greek and Turkish nationalism which has left Cyprus’ Maronite, Latin, Roma and Armenian communities feeling alienated, Cypriotism is not a nationalism, but a way to include and embrace all the aspects of our island culture and identity without selectively leaving anybody out. Cypriotism is when we as Cypriots feel comfortable enough to stand up against the injustices against our people as a whole and not just our own community. A philosophy, which focuses on Cypriots as one people, Cypriotism is better in tune with the universality of human rights, which all people desire and multi-culturalism, which is a truer reflection of Cyprus.
HOW CAN CYPRIOTISM BE ACHIEVED?
However, many sceptical people ask me, how is it possible that we can install in the minds of Cypriots at this late stage the idea of Cypriotism? My response is through the same channels through which Greek and Turkish nationalism has succeeded to turn Cypriots against each other, education. The education process is key to bringing people of diverse origins together and key to the peace process.
Promoting a love of our multi-cultural island and finding a way to celebrate what we have in common in education is necessary to reverse the tremendous psychological damage inflicted by both Greek and Turkish nationalism on the way we view each other. As illustrated in a study by Spyros Spyrou, regarding the perceptions of the “Turk” by Greek Cypriot school children, Cypriots through indoctrination are being pushed further and further apart. Almost an ancient Cypriot art that now belongs to a museum, subservience to whatever Empire (or regional power) holds sway in our region is being taught in our schools to the benefit of other countries but at the detriment of our unity.
A colleague who recently spoke about his school experiences recounted how virtually all children began their daily lessons by singing either the Greek or Turkish national anthem and were forced to recite heroic stories of how the ‘Great motherland’ defeated its enemies by pushing them into the sea. Tolerated by leaders who claim to seek peace, Cypriot pupils forty years on are still taught through schooling to view each other as enemies. Failing to realise the advantage that Cypriotism can have not only for goals of peace and reconciliation, but to our better understanding of each other, our concerns and our common history, elected leaders fail to succumb to the need to preach divisive Hellenism or Turkism.
But for those serious about achieving a peace, a solution that amounts to a mere cohabitation between Greek and Turkish nationalism, where there is a failure to address the need to tackle divisive ways of thinking imprinted in the psyche of people in both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities is not a true peace. Considering that both communities have been the target of extensive Hellenisation and Turkicisation over a century, a union between Greek and Turkish Cypriots where it is hoped the two communities would simply iron out their differences once in a power sharing government is an illusion. Even the most expensive lawyers are not going to be enough to sustain a peace, Cypriot leaders need to act immediately to reverse a century of damage by conflicting Greek and Turkish nationalism by promoting where possible a psychological peace, through a new unifying philosophy of Cypriotism.
CHANGE OF ATTITUDES
Complicated United Nation (UN) plans ranging from the Galo Plaza plan to the Boutros Ghali set of ideas to the more recent 9000 page Annan Plan have all placed to much emphasis on a political deal without formulating a strategy to change the psychology of the Cypriot people so that their plan for peace will actually stand a chance of success. At the same time blind to the root of the Cyprus problem, few if any of these international plans, however good the intention have ever sought to curb the highly divisive Greek and Turkish nationalisms that are responsible for the current division of the two main communities today. In spite of the importance of politics, psychology is equally vital to both the pursuit and longevity of peace on the island.
Despite the clear good will of these proposals, seldom have they formed a strategy for confronting Greek and Turkish nationalism, which is the root cause of dangerous and divisive attitudes today in both communities. Instead of promoting a sense of unity, peace plan after peace plan has tried to make a solution work around Greek and Turkish nationalism.
Peace-seeking Cypriots themselves have also acted against a solution at times when it suits them. In the North of Cyprus and even in the Republic of Cyprus, which is the internationally recognised government of Cyprus, few lawmakers act as Cypriots, but act instead in the interests of Hellenism or Turkism. Hardly inspiring confidence, elected leaders who talk of reunification, often make reference to “Greekness or Turkishness” sending contradictory messages to the population who are left wondering how sincere their leaders are. Indeed if these elected leaders are serious about grasping a sustainable peace, surely they need to adhere to a less offensive philosophy, one that compliments the peace process and does not alienate other Cypriots.
CYPRIOTISM
Cypriotism, Pan-Cyprianism or in plain English Cypriotness, a natural home grown opposition to the tremendous damage inflicted on Cyprus by foreign Greek and Turkish nationalisms over the past half a century may hold the key to facilitate efforts to seek a sustainable peace. Neither a Greek nor Turkish, neither an Armenian nor Maronite way of thinking, Cypriotism is not Cypriot nationalism, as it does not promote exclusion or aim to elevate Cypriots above other peoples, nor it is an ideology linked to the left or right, rather it is a positive and inclusive philosophy that focuses on what unites us and not what divides us.
Embracing the idea of our existing multi-cultural character, Cypriotism can play a pivotal role in paving the way to a sustainable peace, even before a political settlement is agreed. As much a part of the peace making process than as a result, Cypriotism, by forcing us to think as a whole and not as a part can help us grasp peace more easily and help sustain peace once it is within our reach. For those disillusioned with the current state of Cypriot politics, the philosophy, which ultimately aims at unity can act as a new alternative or third way.
Far from being a foreign ideology like Greek and Turkish nationalism, Cypriotism is through its openness to all the communities of Cyprus, settlers included, a true reflection of the hospitality of Cypriots and the love Greek, Turkish, Maronite and other Cypriots hold for their common island. A response to any attempt to distort the memory of our past coexistence, this philosophy destroys the flawed argument that justifies Apartheid in Cyprus, while giving hope that coexistence can work once again.
Unlike Greek and Turkish nationalism which has left Cyprus’ Maronite, Latin, Roma and Armenian communities feeling alienated, Cypriotism is not a nationalism, but a way to include and embrace all the aspects of our island culture and identity without selectively leaving anybody out. Cypriotism is when we as Cypriots feel comfortable enough to stand up against the injustices against our people as a whole and not just our own community. A philosophy, which focuses on Cypriots as one people, Cypriotism is better in tune with the universality of human rights, which all people desire and multi-culturalism, which is a truer reflection of Cyprus.
HOW CAN CYPRIOTISM BE ACHIEVED?
However, many sceptical people ask me, how is it possible that we can install in the minds of Cypriots at this late stage the idea of Cypriotism? My response is through the same channels through which Greek and Turkish nationalism has succeeded to turn Cypriots against each other, education. The education process is key to bringing people of diverse origins together and key to the peace process.
Promoting a love of our multi-cultural island and finding a way to celebrate what we have in common in education is necessary to reverse the tremendous psychological damage inflicted by both Greek and Turkish nationalism on the way we view each other. As illustrated in a study by Spyros Spyrou, regarding the perceptions of the “Turk” by Greek Cypriot school children, Cypriots through indoctrination are being pushed further and further apart. Almost an ancient Cypriot art that now belongs to a museum, subservience to whatever Empire (or regional power) holds sway in our region is being taught in our schools to the benefit of other countries but at the detriment of our unity.
A colleague who recently spoke about his school experiences recounted how virtually all children began their daily lessons by singing either the Greek or Turkish national anthem and were forced to recite heroic stories of how the ‘Great motherland’ defeated its enemies by pushing them into the sea. Tolerated by leaders who claim to seek peace, Cypriot pupils forty years on are still taught through schooling to view each other as enemies. Failing to realise the advantage that Cypriotism can have not only for goals of peace and reconciliation, but to our better understanding of each other, our concerns and our common history, elected leaders fail to succumb to the need to preach divisive Hellenism or Turkism.
But for those serious about achieving a peace, a solution that amounts to a mere cohabitation between Greek and Turkish nationalism, where there is a failure to address the need to tackle divisive ways of thinking imprinted in the psyche of people in both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities is not a true peace. Considering that both communities have been the target of extensive Hellenisation and Turkicisation over a century, a union between Greek and Turkish Cypriots where it is hoped the two communities would simply iron out their differences once in a power sharing government is an illusion. Even the most expensive lawyers are not going to be enough to sustain a peace, Cypriot leaders need to act immediately to reverse a century of damage by conflicting Greek and Turkish nationalism by promoting where possible a psychological peace, through a new unifying philosophy of Cypriotism.
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