Taking the gun out of Cypriot Politics

Alkan CHAGLAR
I often wonder why in countless proposals for peace in Cyprus including the Annan Plan no reference is ever been made to decommissioning paramilitary groups. It is astounding considering the role these groups played in Cyprus over the past 50 years; nobody can doubt EOKA and TMT have not changed the landscape of the island both politically, demographically and physically. Dormant but not yet disarmed, these groups survive often under different names on both sides of the island. Yet, international peace makers designing the future of the island of Cyprus repeatedly overlook this. Perhaps the biggest blunder of all, do we seek a solution but presume these groups will remain quiet?

NORTHERN IRELAND
The idea of decommissioning of arms has its roots n Northern Ireland, where it relates to a formal process to remove guns from operational status making arms “permanently inaccessible or permanently unusable, so that they are completely beyond use.” With its own sectarian turmoil, Northern Ireland is place in Europe like Cyprus where paramilitary groups operating in a western democracy, voted during the day but used their guns at night. An Irish university student once informed me that those who were too friendly with the ‘other’ in his home town would sometimes have their kneecaps smashed by members of the local paramilitary group. Many of these groups like in Cyprus had political wings. But at some point, people had enough of intimidation and violence and it was decided that these groups had to choose the bullet or the ballot box. With the support of the British government, fortunately for the people of Northern Ireland, most groups chose the ballot box before decommissioning their arms gradually.
The process of decommissioning involved the setting up of an International Committee to facilitate the decommissioning of firearms, ammunition and explosives. This committee met with a contact person for each paramilitary group with whom they began a dialogue for beginning the process of decommissioning arms. A record of the arrangements and the movement of arms were kept by the committee, while the arms were made inaccessible and unusable. The decommissioning process went hand in hand with the political process. In Northern Ireland now for he first time in decades, peace is a reality.

PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN CYPRUS
But when I spoke about peace and reunification as a possibility in Cyprus I heard the usual counter-arguments; “they (the Greek or Turkish Cypriots) do not want us.” A Turkish Cypriot I met complained endlessly about how the Greek Cypriots forced Turkish Cypriots out of the Cyprus Republic House of Representatives in 1963. “How can I trust them?” he asked. He claimed, EOKA and its sympathisers in the Greek Cypriot leadership sought to keep Turkish Cypriots out of the democratic system; some even wished to annihilate them. But I reminded my friend too that the TMT also played a similar role in making sure no Turkish Cypriot would dare work in the Republic of Cyprus government.
I reminded him too how trade unionists and friends Derviş Ali Kavazoğlu a Turkish Cypriot and Costas Misaoullis a Greek Cypriot were both murdered by TMT in their car. I cited research by Professor Ahmet Cavit An who described how progressive lawyers and journalists Ayhan Hikmet and Muzaffer Gürkan of Cumhuriyet newspaper were also assassinated by TMT. I mentioned how Turkish Cypriot politicians like Dr Ihsan Ali who ignored paramilitary pressure and continued to work in the Cyprus government faced assignation attempts by these groups. Looking at the Greek Cypriot community, I praised the likes of film director Panicos Chysanthou and Tony Angastiniotis and others alike who describe the role EOKA played too in promoting our current division as a people.
Now pensive, my friend was speechless; he had no answer. What could he say? Like many Cypriots he displayed nothing more than a very normal and innocent lacunae of ignorance surrounding the role of paramilitary groups in Cyprus in creating segregation in our island homeland. This was how it was meant to be, after all. Sadly, members of foreign governments and peace makers also under estimate the role of paramilitary groups in Cyprus.

DORMANT BUT STILL DANGEROUS
Some say this is water under the bridge, but nothing unchallenged ever disappears. Life has a habit of reminding you of issues you sweep under the carpet. Although Cyprus has not seen inter-communal violence for over 33 years, it does not mean paramilitary groups in Cyprus are non existent or will not attack if an opportunity arose one day. In fact some argue these groups struck not too long ago.
During the Annan Plan Referenda when tensions on both sides of the island reached boiling point, a paramilitary group began a campaign of intimidation and violence against voters in the Republic. Columnist George Hasapakos told the Cyprus Mail at the time of the Annan Plan: "I don't feel safe in my country," "I am afraid to express my views on the Annan plan, as some people say it is an "evil' plan." In the north too, attacks and bombs were targeted at the offices of Afrika Gazete, the head quarters of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and its leader Mehmet Ali Talat before the Referendum. All this to me was a reminder of how violence can quickly erupt and explode when the tensions are high. In such an environment, Greek or Turkish Cypriot, Maronite or Latin Cypriot, who can live in freedom?

THE BULLET OR BALLOT BOX?
Like Northern Ireland do the people of Cyprus too not deserve to live without fear of paramilitary groups? Some argue these groups were necessary in the past, even if we accept this argument, if you ask any Cypriot if he or she prefers the bullet or the ballot box today, they will inform you that they prefer the ballot box. Very few, perhaps 0,01% will suggest otherwise.
However, the trouble in Cyprus unlike in Northern Ireland is that these groups are not labelled as terrorists. With friends in high places, most of Cyprus’ paramilitary groups operate freely and unhindered as they have done for half a century. Waiting, on both sides they have links to those in power. Such a proximity to those in power does not easily permit the disarming of these groups without a radical shake up of the establishment of both sides but does leave the future re-activation of these groups a possibility. In how many countries does the head of state or government have a paramilitary past?

FORGET THE PHYSICAL, HOW ABOUT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE?
Even if paramilitary groups do not attack it makes little difference, psychologically they have already committed murder. Although, paramilitary groups claim to represent the

popular cause of "freedom" the fear of paramilitaries can frighten people to even look sideways out of their eyes. Unacceptable for a democracy and westernised state, the presence of paramilitary groups whether underground or on the surface, only hinders the functioning of democracy, while undermining the elected authority of the state and its ability to maintain law and order. Like bad soil no democracy can grow on abject terror. Fear is no foundation for a future Cyprus.

PARAMILITARY DECOMMISSIONING: ESSENTIAL
Tony Blair once said “there is no acceptable level of paramilitary groups.” The former British Prime Minister, I think raised an important point. State tolerance towards the presence of paramilitary groups, whether active or passive permits an anti-democratic influence over those in power and puts a mask over freedom of expression. Even though the gun has not been fired for 33 years it is not yet disarmed.
However, what is essential is that those who genuinely want to help Cyprus and its people, the designers of a future Cyprus must understand the importance of paramilitary decommissioning for creating the correct climate for peace to flourish. All parties, groups, ‘sides’ whatever their interests must adhere by a pledge and by their actions to work within the democratic process for resolving problems. Unless a peace plan is drawn up that will emphasize a commitment to democracy and dialogue and on that empowers the Federal government to maintain respect for law and order in the state, such a peace plan will be no more than a recipe for calamity.