Written evidence submitted by Embargoed!
1. INTRODUCTION
Embargoed! is an independent pressure group
campaigning to bring an immediate and unconditional end to all
embargoes against Turkish Cypriots in North Cyprus. Formed in
London, where a major concentration of Turkish Cypriots resides,
the group welcomes the opportunity to present this submission
to the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.
In light of the recent referenda on the Annan
Plan and previous legal agreements, we contend that the Greek
Cypriot administration, acting under the banner of the "Republic
of Cyprus", has neither the right nor the authority to represent
the Turkish Cypriot people.
For the last 40 years the Turkish Cypriot people
have been in a state of isolation for no good reason. Yet the
international community has been indifferent to their plight and
unwilling to do anything that would fundamentally change the status
quo established in Cyprus since December 1963.
The overwhelming acceptance of the Annan Plan
by the Turkish Cypriot people as a permanent, comprehensive, peaceful
settlement to the Cyprus Problem, and the emphatic rejection by
the Greek Cypriot people of that plan, now demands a new approach
by the international community. We believe the time has come for
the British Government to reassess, and alter, their foreign policy
towards Cyprus and more specifically to the Turkish Cypriot administration
in the north of the island.
Turkish Cypriots can no longer be held hostage
to the failed negotiations to reunite the island, and their ongoing,
unjustified suffering as a result of the internationally supported
effective embargoes must come to a swift end.
This is what the international community, including
the United Kingdom (UK), agreed to undertake following the April
referenda. It is essential these do not become empty promises
and so undermine the Turkish Cypriots' confidence in the world,
and most especially in the European Union (EU).
2. THE OUTCOME
OF THE
ANNAN PLAN
REFERENDA AND
THE IMPLICATIONS
FOR CYPRUS
The process for the Annan Plan represented the
best chance of achieving a breakthrough in the stalemate on the
island. Moreover, the Plan had the backing of all the parties
involved in Cyprus, the EU, the United States of America (USA)
and the wider international community.
The final Plan that was put to referenda was
supported by both Turkish and Greek Cypriots and acknowledged
by all parties, internally and externally, to be fair solution.
It gave neither side all they wanted, but it was workable if the
will was there to create a new partnership State.
UN Secretary General (UNSG) Kofi Annan himself
said, "There is no other plan out there—this is it".
Yet the Greek Cypriot side chose to reject this opportunity to
reunify Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot leader Papadopulous said, "Saying
`yes' in the referendum would do away with our internationally
recognised State exactly at the very moment it strengthens its
political weight with its ascension to the European Union"[86].
The Greek Cypriot attitude and vote prompted
a range of negative feedback, including from the UN Security Council,
which said it, "shares the UN Secretary General's disappointment
that efforts since 1999 to reunify the island have not succeeded
and regrets that an extraordinary historic opportunity to resolve
the Cyprus issue has been missed"[87].
The Turkish Cypriot people voted "yes",
hoping for an end to the Cyprus Problem and their 40 year isolation
through joint entry into the EU. The world applauded this positive
response from Turkish Cypriots, despite the significant sacrifices
the Plan required of them[88].
For example, for the Turkish Cypriots of Guzelyurt, in North West
Cyprus, voting in favour of the Plan meant them leaving their
homes of the past 30 years and becoming refugees all over again.
It was this courage and goodwill that prompted
the UNSG and many other world leaders and international bodies
to promise changes in Cyprus that would end the isolation of Turkish
Cypriots. The USNG report of 28 May 2004 to the UN Security Council[89]
expressed in no uncertain terms the paradigm shift expected from
the countries dealing with the Turkish Cypriots:
"The decision of the Turkish Cypriots is
to be welcomed. The Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkey have
made clear their respect for the wish of the Turkish Cypriots
to reunify in a bicommunal, bizonal federation. The Turkish Cypriot
vote has undone any rationale for pressuring and isolating them.
I would hope that the members of the Council can give a strong
lead to all States to cooperate both bilaterally and in international
bodies, to eliminate unnecessary restrictions and barriers that
have the effect of isolating the Turkish Cypriots and impeding
their development—not for the purposes of affording recognition
or assisting secession, but as a positive contribution to the
goal of reunification."
The views of the UN were also reflected in the
comments from various European Union representatives:
EU Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen's 25 April
2004:
"A unique opportunity to bring about a solution
to the long-lasting Cyprus issue has been missed…What we
will seriously consider now is finding a way to end the economic
isolation of the Turkish Cypriots."
The European Union Parliamentary Assembly Resolution,
no 1376 (2004), stated:
"The Assembly pays tribute to the Turkish
Cypriots, who supported the Annan Plan by an overwhelming majority,
thus opting for a future in Europe. The international community,
and in particular the Council of Europe and the European Union,
cannot ignore or betray the expressed desire of a majority of
Turkish Cypriots for greater openness and should take rapid and
appropriate steps to encourage it. The Turkish Cypriots' international
isolation must cease.
The Assembly therefore welcomes the support
expressed by several European political leaders for financial
assistance for the Turkish Cypriots and an easing of the international
sanctions against them. The United Nations should also consider
whether the resolutions on which the sanctions are based are still
justified. The Assembly considers it unfair for the Turkish Cypriot
community, which has expressed clear support for a reunited and
European Cyprus, to continue to be denied representation in the
European political debate. Such continued isolation may help strengthen
the positions of those who are opposing a unified Cyprus."
Five months have passed since the referenda.
Despite their yes vote and the many promises from around the world
to end their isolation, very little has changed for the Turkish
Cypriots. The "embargoes" still exist. The same status
quo on the island, where one people's rights are recognised, the
other's is not, still exists.
Should this status quo continue into the foreseeable
future, the Turkish Cypriots' goodwill towards the Greek Cypriots,
the EU and the international community will be destroyed. At the
same time, for the Greek Cypriot administration and people to
continue to exercise the same dominance over the affairs of the
whole of Cyprus will continue to ensure they have no incentive
to compromise and establish the international vision of a federal
solution.
Surely the fairest outcome following the Greek
Cypriots' vote against the Annan Plan, which prevented a unified
Cyprus acceding to the EU, is that they can no longer be allowed
to exercise control over matters that relate to North Cyprus,
and Turkish Cypriots and the EU? The Turkish Cypriots must be
empowered and dealt with on an equal footing with Greek Cypriots.
3. THE ONGOING
SUFFERING OF
THE TURKISH
CYPRIOT PEOPLE
The information below relating to the North-South
divide in Cyprus underlines the need to change the status quo.
It shows the adverse effect of the embargoes on the every day
lives of Turkish Cypriots, while their Greek Cypriot neighbours
continue to benefit from being the sole recognised entity on the
island. There is no justification for this.
GNP per capita[90]
— The average Turkish Cypriot earns
$5,000 per year
— The average Greek Cypriot earns $15,000
per year
Purchasing power[91]
— North Cyprus: $787 million
— South Cyprus: $9.4 billion
Exports[92]
— North Cyprus: $46 million
— South Cyprus: $1.03 billion
Impact of 5 July 1994 European Court of Justice
(Case C-432/92) judgement on North Cyprus trade with the European
Union (EU)
— EU member states not permitted to
import fruit and vegetables from North Cyprus without a certificate
issued by the Greek Cypriot authorities
— In 1993, North Cyprus exports to
the EU totalled almost $37 million. 10 years later, as a direct
consequence of this ruling, exports dropped to £12.5 million[93]
— In contrast, "EU countries constitute
the most important markets" for Greek Cypriots, with 54%
of exports EU bound in 2003 generating £117 million[94]
Time and cost to fly to Cyprus from the UK
— North Cyprus: flight from London
to Ercan, Nicosia via Turkey—six hours, average cost £270
per adult[95]
— South Cyprus: direct flight from
London to Larnaca—4.5 hours, cheap flights as low as £116
per adult[96]
Time taken for a UK posted letter to arrive
— North Cyprus (via Mersin 10, Turkey):
one-two weeks
— South Cyprus: three-four days[97]
Participation in international sporting and
cultural events
— North Cyprus: representation not
permitted in any international events, such as the Olympics, the
Eurovision Song Contest, or the World Cup—even friendly
football matches with other international club and national teams
are banned[98]
— South Cyprus: can represent `the
whole island' in any international social, sporting or cultural
activity
As can be seen from above, Turkish Cypriots
continue to live as second class citizens in their own homeland.
They have endured this for 40 years—ever since Greek Cypriots
seized physical and political control of the island in December
1963.
Today, Turkish Cypriots may not be in physical
danger and their economy propped up by Turkey. Yet Turkish Cypriots
continue to be denied their basic human rights through a range
of Greek Cypriot imposed embargoes that obstruct every aspect
of their lives:
— Denying their right of representation
in international political fora;
— Preventing direct travel abroad—all
flights to international destinations require a stopover in Turkey,
which increases the time and cost of the flight;
— Reducing North Cyprus postal services
to a PO Box in Turkey (Mersin 10). All other communication with
the rest of the world also only possible via Turkey;
— Restricting trade and tourism opportunities
between North Cyprus and the outside world;
— Barring Turkish Cypriot enjoyment
of cultural and sporting relations with people from other countries,
including Turkey.
Why do Greek Cypriots seek to impose these embargoes?
Their purpose was, and still is to bully Turkish Cypriots into
accepting a settlement only on Greek Cypriot terms.
The intensive lobbying of Governments, institutions
and individuals has ensured many steer clear of North Cyprus,
which Greek Cypriot propaganda positions as a pariah state[99].
Any efforts by external groups to create direct links between
North Cyprus and the outside world is met by a wave of Greek Cypriot
deterrents ranging from financial penalties to threats. Details
of these efforts have been documented by many sources, including
the internationally recognised Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Commerce[100].
Greek Cypriots get away with such tactics through
the continued indifference of the international community to the
plight of Turkish Cypriots. Their sole presence in the global
political arena means the domination and manipulation of decisions
that reinforce their position, such as the UN Security Council
Resolution 541 (1983), which calls upon the world not to recognise
any Cypriot State other than "the Republic of Cyprus".
However, there is no UN resolution which gives
the Greek Cypriots alone the right to call themselves the `Government
of Cyprus' and even resolution 541 is advisory, not mandatory.
Yet the international community chooses to treat the Greek Cypriots
as such, and ignore the legal, political and human rights of the
Turkish Cypriots.
Even the recent European Union actions to help
promote the economic development of North Cyprus, such as Council
Regulation (EC no 866/2004), also known as the Green Line Regulation,
shows undue sympathy to the Greek Cypriot cause at the expense
of Turkish Cypriots. The EU continues to follow Greek Cypriot
demands that Turkish Cypriot exports can only enter the EU via
South Cyprus. This creates added bureaucracy, complexity and cost
for Turkish Cypriot businesses:
— They must register an address in
South Cyprus together with an accounting system before they can
export to the EU
— All goods produced in North Cyprus
are liable to pay VAT in both South Cyprus and the member State
the goods are exported to
— Businesses that export goods produced
in the North will be obliged to pay company tax in both North
and South Cyprus
— Turkish Cypriots continue to be deprived
of using the more conveniently located air and sea ports in North
Cyprus for direct trade and travel purposes
— Even though the Turkish Cypriots
voted `yes', North Cyprus is refused direct financial aid as a
political settlement has not been reached
It is time for this unnecessary suffering and
unjust isolation of the Turkish Cypriots to end. Turkish Cypriots
have done nothing to deserve such treatment and as the recent
referenda results show, continue to place their trust and good
will in the hands of the international community.
4. THE UK'S
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY
TO TURKISH
CYPRIOTS
The British Government has a legal duty, as
a result of the Treaty of Guarantee of 1960, to maintain the political
equilibrium established between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots, as set of in the 1960 Constitution of the independent
Republic of Cyprus.
This equilibrium was shattered in December 1963,
with the subsequent expulsion of the Turkish Cypriots from the
Cyprus Government in 1964. No legal Government of the Republic
of Cyprus, as defined in the 1960 Constitution, has existed since
that time. In effect two administrations arose in Cyprus, one
Greek Cypriot, the other Turkish Cypriot. Yet successive British
Governments have only recognised the Greek Cypriot authorities.
We submit that the British Government should
alter this and deal directly with the Turkish Cypriot administration.
This would ensure the UK fulfils its treaty obligations to treat
the two sides equally, and also reflect the practical realities
of Cyprus—it is the Turkish Cypriots that exercise effective
control over the northern territory. Finally, it will demonstrate
to Turkish Cypriots, both in the UK and in Cyprus, that the UK
promise "to help end isolation of Northern Cyprus"[101],
made by UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to Turkish Cypriot Prime
Minister Mehmet Ali Talat in July 2004, is being kept.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS:
CREATING A
POSITIVE DYNAMIC
ON THE
ISLAND
The Turkish Cypriot side have long argued that
recognition of the rights of one side (the Greek Cypriots), whilst
ignoring those of the other (Turkish Cypriots) is not only inherently
unjust, but also fails to create an incentive for the recognised
side to reach an agreement. Is it any wonder that the Greek Cypriots
rejected the Annan Plan in April 2004, when they had already been
guaranteed a place in the European Union irrespective of their
voting decision?
It is time to change these negative dynamics
on the island. Rewarding the Turkish Cypriots for their brave
vote in favour of the Annan Plan, even though it would have resulted
in considerable sacrifices on their part, would send a strong
message to Greek Cypriots about their need to compromise. It would
also create a more equal playing field upon which a long-term
peaceful settlement is more likely.
Given its historical links and legal obligations
to Cyprus, the UK has a key role to play in bringing about a positive
change on the island. Embargoed!, having consulted some of the
major non governmental organisations in North Cyprus[102],
believe the UK should spearhead the following actions:
1. Acknowledge that the Greek Cypriot Government,
acting under the banner of the Republic of Cyprus, has neither
the right nor the authority to represent the Turkish Cypriot people
2. Deal directly with the elected representatives
and authorities of the Turkish Cypriot people
3. Push the EU for immediate amendments to
the Green Line Regulation that provide a fairer, simpler and more
efficient set of processes for Turkish Cypriot businesses
4. Drive EU support for a "Direct Regulation"
that permits the free movement of people, goods and services between
North Cyprus and the EU without the need for an intermediary
5. Admit Turkish Cypriot exports that are
transported directly from North Cyprus air and sea ports into
EU member States
6. Accept the Certificates of Origin of goods
to EU standards issued by the authorised Turkish Cypriot bodies
in North Cyprus, such as Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry and
Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce
7. Accredit the North Cyprus Veterinary Laboratory
with the authority to issue health and plant certificates so agricultural
products can be exported to the EU
8. Enable direct flights, postal and telecommunications
links to and from North Cyprus
9. Remove the visa requirement on Turkish
Cypriots
10. Support the participation of Turkish
Cypriot organisations and representatives at international political,
social, cultural, sportive events and organisations and specifically,
— Encourage the English Football
Association to support the Turkish Cypriots' efforts to secure
special permission from FIFA to play friendly football matches
with teams from other national associations
6. CONCLUSION
Now is the time to end the isolation of the
Turkish Cypriots and as a first step we call upon the international
community to remove, immediately and unconditionally, all effective
embargoes levied against North Cyprus. There is no time to lose
if the goodwill that has developed between the Turkish Cypriot
people and the outside world is to be maintained.
Turkish Cypriots have been held hostage to the
need for a final settlement of the Cyprus Problem for long enough.
They have voted in favour of the Annan Plan whilst the Greek Cypriots
overwhelmingly rejected it. There are no moral, legal or political
reasons left to justify the continued isolation of North Cyprus
and we therefore urge the UK Government to adopt policies that
will swiftly enable the Turkish Cypriots to enjoy their inherent
rights within the family of nations.
7. NOTES
Embargoed! contact details are as follows:
Embargoed!
Suite 205
14 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 1JY
www.embargoed.org
Embargoed! chairperson Bulent Osman can be contacted
on: 0776 611 2825
Embargoed!
14 September 2004
In addition, the following is an extract from
the Greek Cypriot Official Tourism website (13/09/04), used to
deter travellers visiting North Cyprus:
"All airports in the part of the Republic
illegally occupied by the Turkish invasion forces, have been declared
by the Government of Cyprus as prohibited ports of entry and exit,
and no visitor should enter or leave the Republic through these
ports.
As a result of the Turkish invasion and military
occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, the port of Ammochostos
and the Keryneia harbour are closed to shipping and navigation,
and have been declared by the Government of Cyprus as prohibited
ports of entry and exit, and no visitor is allowed to enter or
leave the Republic through these ports"
http://www.visitcyprus.org.cy/ctoweb/ctowebsite.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet
86 Speech broadcast in South Cyprus on 7 April 2004. Back
87
Security Council Statement on Cyprus, 28 April 2004. Back
88
United Nations Secretary General's statement, 24 April 2004. Back
89
UNSG Report S/2004/437. Back
90
CIA World Factbook, 2003, website: www.indexmundi.co Back
91
CIA World Factbook, 2003, website: www.indexmundi.co Back
92
CIA World Factbook, 2003, website: www.indexmundi.co Back
93
Figures taken from Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce website,
http://www.ktto.net/english/export1.xls Back
94
Section 3.2 of the "CYPRUS EXTERNAL TRADE DEVELOPMENTS IN
2003" report, produced by Greek Cypriot authorities http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/cyphome/govhome.nsf/0/ Back
95
Cyprus Turkish Airlines, http://www.kthy.net/ Back
96
For prices, http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Larnaca/, for
travel duration, http://www.cyprusairways.com/main/ Back
97
Royal Mail. Back
98
FIFA decision in 1987, as expressed in letter dated 22 June 1987
from JS Blatter, General Secretary of FIFA, to the Cyprus Turkish
Football Association. Back
99
See the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce publication "Embargoes
and isolation of North Cyprus" for examples of Greek Cypriot
lobbying to block Turkish Cypriot ties with the outside world
http://www.ktto.net/english/ya20020101.html. Back
100
http://www.ktto.net/english/ya20020101.html Back
101
The article "Straw promises to help end isolation of Northern
Cyprus", by Leyla Linton, appeared in The Independent on
02 July 2004. Back
102
These include the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry, the Cyprus
Turkish Football Association, and Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. Back
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