National Federation of UK Cypriots reaches out to Turkish Cypriots

Interview by Alkan Chaglar
Born in the mixed village of Pera Chorion Nissou in Cyprus, Peter Droussiotis still remembers the former Turkish Cypriot quarter of the village before coming to England as a child. Peter also remembers that his father worked beside Turkish Cypriots at the British Bases before leaving Cyprus in the mid1970s. Elected in June 2007 as the President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, Peter is the first second generation Cypriot to have attained this position.

REUNIFICATION
The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, which is made up of approximately 70 community associations, was created soon after Turkey’s military action in 1974 to co-ordinate the work of the Cypriot community in the UK with a view to lobbying the British government about the division of the island. “The Federation’s core objective was and remains the reunification of Cyprus and the withdrawal of Turkish troops,” says Peter. Talking about how he hopes to use his new role in continuing that work, Peter said: “I’m hoping to bring in younger people of Cypriot origin. It is important for the new generation to be engaged with what we are trying to achieve, in particular to lobby the British government in relation to the Cyprus problem, to help bring about the unity of the country for the benefit of all Cypriots.”

DIALOGUE
A firm believer in the merits of open and explorative discourse, Peter continues: “As President of the National Federation of Cypriots I can say that one of my key objectives is to reach out and develop a meaningful dialogue with Turkish Cypriots in the UK. In terms of the organisation’s composition, Peter explained that “the Structure of the Federation is such that you have to be a member of a community organisation in order to join it. All member organisations subscribe to the Federation’s constitution and to its vision which is to bring about a reunited island free from the army of occupation. “One of the tasks we contemplate is to form a joint committee composed of leading British Cypriots from both communities and use that as a platform for dialogue. But what we must establish, above all else, is that it should be Cypriots deciding the future of Cyprus. And British Cypriots are well placed to make a significant contribution to the need for rapprochement between the two communities on the island,” he added.

THE FEDERATION WANTS TO ENGAGE WITH TURKISH CYPRIOTS
Peter admits that despite the fact that there are Turkish Cypriot members within some associations in the Federation, it is essentially made up of Greek Cypriots, although he is also quick to point out that other Cypriot communities in the UK, notably Maronites and Armenians, are also well represented. However, Peter wants to appeal to more Turkish Cypriots. He says: “I would like to see more Turkish Cypriots represented in the Federation but for this to happen they must be members of UK Cypriot organisations which condemn the coup and invasion of 1974 and which are willing to accept and work actively for the objectives of the Federation – that is a requirement for all member organisations. Since my election I have met with some Turkish Cypriots in the UK and I’m delighted that we have agreed to develop a dialogue and to endeavour to broaden the network of contacts between the two communities.” Asked if he wanted Turkish Cypriot community associations to be included in the National Federation of Cypriots, Peter said: “Ultimately, yes - our vision must be for all Cypriots collectively to be organically integrated into Cypriot organisations and Cypriot structures at all levels. “That will be the only way in which we can achieve true unity.”

CYPRIOTS MUST RISE ABOVE DIFFERENCES
But asked why he is keen for the Federation to engage with Turkish Cypriots, Mr Droussiotis said: “We have to reach out to Turkish Cypriots as a Federation. It’s important for progressive Cypriots to take it upon themselves to reach out to each other and to the wider community. We should be brave enough and visionary enough to be guided by the ultimate objective which is to bring about a reunited island, free from foreign interference. Cypriots need to rise above any differences that they may have because these differences would only be exploited by Turkey as well as other parties to secure their own interests rather than the interests of Cyprus and the Cypriot people.”

ONE CYPRIOT VOICE
Aware of the difficulties and of the threats experienced by Turkish Cypriots who seek to work alongside Greek Cypriots, Peter asserts: “The message has to go out that people who work for a reunited Cyprus, particularly Turkish Cypriots, far from being ‘traitors’ are, in fact, true Cypriots. They put the good of Cyprus above the interests of any third parties. These people have to be embraced and supported at every opportunity.”
“It is important to accept that all Cypriots have suffered and are continuing to suffer as a result of the invasion and what has been happening in the last 33 years. Our ambition is for the island to be reunited so that all Cypriots can live in peace and security, able to take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to Cyprus by virtue of its membership of the EU; so that all Cypriots can benefit from the natural wealth of the island.” Asked what he requires from Turkish Cypriots, Peter says: “What we are asking of British Turkish Cypriots who want a reunited Cyprus is to speak with one voice with their Greek Cypriot brothers in this country and say to Britain that Cyprus is for Cypriots and that the British Government should work constructively with all parties in order to bring about a really independent and united island. We should not allow the voices of division which want to keep this beautiful island apart to dominate. If this happens our dream of a reunited Cyprus would not materialise,” he adds.

HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL CYPRIOTS
When I asked Peter how this could be realised, he said: “The achievement of this noble goal requires leadership and determination as well as the willingness to put the human rights of all Cypriots above political expediency. London represents the best possible platform for Cypriots from all communities to come together and work together for the benefit of Cyprus. We can come up with specific ideas of things we can do as members of the Cypriot diaspora in order to contribute towards an equitable settlement.” Offering an example of the kind of work Greek and Turkish Cypriots can do together, Peter adds: “We could create a youth forum, for example, that could bring together young members of the Cypriot diaspora and inspire them to work for our vision of a reunited island.”

TURKISH CYPRIOTS ARE CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
Asked what he thinks of Turkish Cypriots on the island, Peter says: “Turkish Cypriots on the island are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, with the same rights as all other Cypriots: they can travel using Republic of Cyprus travel documents and many cross over to the Republic daily for work. I want that to continue and I believe all Cypriots should be able to take advantage of the benefits that are legally available in the Republic of Cyprus.” However, Peter warned: “What is not acceptable is for Turkish Cypriots to expect the illegal entity created by virtue of Turkey’s invasion and its continuing military occupation to be upgraded and effectively recognised. All that will achieve is the entrenchment of the division and the permanent partition of the island, which will not benefit Cypriots as a whole. And more widely, it would send out the message that military aggression pays.”

MESSAGE TO TURKEY
Peter’s view of Turkey is one of potential partnership with Cyprus. He asks: “What does Turkey have to gain from having an army in Cyprus? Cyprus represents no threat to Turkey.” Raising the issue of Turkey’s ambition to join the EU, Peter says it is in Turkey’s interest to support the reunification of Cyprus. After all, he argues, “A Cyprus reunited on the basis of a solution supported by a majority of all Cypriots could be a potential ally of Turkey and a future partner in Europe. A reunified, bi-communal, bi-zonal Cyprus would mean that Turkish Cypriots would be partners in the new federal government; such a resolution of the Cyprus issue would provide peace and security for all Cypriots, a state that is run in accordance with the EU which Turkey aspires to join. This would be a positive development not only for Cyprus but for the entire region.” Peter adds, “Turkey has nothing to gain from keeping its army in Cyprus. “This only shows lack of good will on the part of Turkey and hampers international efforts to reach an equitable solution.”

CONTINUOUS DIALOGUE
When I asked him to elaborate on how Cypriots can help contribute towards a Cyprus solution, Peter asserted: “Cypriots need to develop the fora to enable all Cypriots to communicate regularly with each other. We (diaspora Cypriots) have a clear opportunity in this country, in the absence of occupation, to create the conditions necessary for a meaningful and continuous dialogue, to make a valuable contribution towards the reunification of this beautiful island that is unjustly divided. “ Proud of his Cypriot identity, Peter recounts that as a child his grandmother told him how Cypriots of all ethnicities lived and worked together side by side, while celebrating their diversity, which he adds “enriched their lives.” “This is what we need to return to and rebuild together,” he continues.

NOW IS TIME FOR ACTION
Questioned when diaspora Cypriots can expect to see actions to this effect from the National Federation of Cypriots, Peter answers without hesitation: “Now. Now is the time to move forward to inspire our communities to take this road to unity. There is no time to lose and we owe it to our children and their children to rid Cyprus of division and realise that vision. We need to start spreading the news that Cypriots can and want to work together. The message needs to get out loud and clear, but it’s up to Cypriots to get it out. It’s up to both communities to communicate the message.” Making a pledge, he adds: “As President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, I undertake to do whatever I can to articulate that vision.”