"This Homeland is Ours" said the masses;
Turkish Cypriot Uprising of 2002-3
by Turgut Durduran

"This homeland is ours"; I heard this slogan from New Cyprus Party [1] campaigns back in 1989, I was 13 back then. New Cyprus Party was rallying around the idea that Turkish Cypriots should break off from the rule of Turkey and refuse to be ruled by orders from Turkey. Its candidates were announcing "this homeland is ours" , therefore, "we refuse being a province of Turkey". For them, EU membership was inescapable and it was desirable. They said that it did not make sense to prolong the status quo in Cyprus any longer. That we should all look forward to getting a "bordeaux coloured passport"[1] and being EU citizens. That we can sign what is on the table ("Ghali Set of Ideas" from Butros Ghali) and live happily in a federated Cyprus[2].

They were welcomed (!) by the so-called "deep state" and its pawns in Cyprus. Threatening letters arrived, then Bombs exploded, then machine guns were fired[3]. How could they reject Turkey's iron first rule in north Cyprus and ask for reunification with Greek Cypriots? In response, they went about releasing declaration after declaration with Greek Cypriot parties. Asking for permissions to cross the border and meet their compatriots.

They were also welcomed (!) by the other left leaning parties who announced that this tiny movement consisted of marginal, lunatics, it was putting Turkish Cypriots and "motherland" Turkey in opposition. When those parties joined forces along with the "party of settlers"[4] claiming to be protesting the new election law, New Cyprus Party stayed out. They kept talking about "EU membership and Solution". They received around 1% of the vote.

Years went by fast. One after the other, the two other parties mentioned above joined governing conservative, nationalist parties in coalitions. The coalitions broke apart. It was obvious that they were in the government but they had no power. Power was in hands of Turkish military-civilian bureaucracy. They were finally admitting this themselves.

In the mean time, banks were collapsing one after another. Turkish Cypriots who had already been emmigrating in mass numbers, who were becoming a minority even in their ethnically cleansed part of their homeland were facing extra economic hardships. Thousands lost their money. North Cyprus continued to be a paradise for money launderers, casinos and drug trade.

A newspaper called Avrupa appeared[5]. They voiced a very harsh criticism against the regime in north Cyprus. They announced that it was under Turkish occupation. Many people used to silently acknowledge that. Some brave organizations had voiced it in the past. This time a daily paper begun using that on its front-page. Again, threats came about, bombs exploded, many court cases followed. At some point the editor and some colunmists were arrested with phony spying charges -- just to be released soon after. Later the editor and a columnist were arrested for an article the columnist wrote, again to be released soon after.

Enough said Turkish Cypriots. After it was very clear they were losing their money and some big bosses and mafia was pocketing it, they rioted and raided the parliament.

Enough said Turkish Cypriots again. The spying charges were too phony. Thousands filled the streets one day and shouted "This Homeland is Ours". Suddenly, thousands uttered that old slogan[6].

It then became the name of a new platform formed by political parties, trade unions, foundations and other NGOs. It was also known as the "41 Organizations". They did a pettition announcing "This Homeland is Ours", asked for self-rule and a civilian government. When it was over, it had nearly 18,000 signatures. A general strike followed, 15,000 people attended the rally, 38,000 striked that day.

By year 2000, something was clearly brewing. Eleven years later Turkish Cypriots were shouting "This Homeland is Ours" loudly.

By the end of 2002, "Annan Plan" (from Kofi Annan) was presented to two leaders of Cypriot communities, Turkey and Greece. Greek Cypriots and Greece were ready to accept the plan as a basis for negotiations. That was not a suprise. Of the two stubborn goats, Turkey, had just had a rapid change of political leadership and a slim hope of being invited to EU. The signals came in both directions. Denktash, Turkish Cypriot leader, was sick but defiant.

Time was ticking. The expected date, 12th December, 2002 was approaching. EU leaders were to meet in Copenhagen and invite Cyprus to join EU. Everyone was looking forward to that date. A solution must be signed by that date. Many were optimistic -- atleast in appearance. The so-called hawks were against it, ofcourse! Some others were sane enough to be pessimistic. This time 15,000 people shouted "This Homeland is Ours". Hundreds of signs saying "Eu membership and Solution" appeared. It was few decades late but the will was there. Turkish Cypriots wanted a solution immediately. It was November, 2002.

Then 12th December came. A diplomacy marathon was going on during days of 12-13th December. Turkish Cypriot leadership was betraying its public. It was not listening to their will. New government in Turkey did not have enough power against the "hawks" and the military. Cyprus was officially invited to EU. Greek Cypriots were celebrating. Turkish Cypriots felt left-out, betrayed. Turkey was also left waiting at steps of EU without fullfilling the accession criteria.

It was clear, the occupier and its collaborators did not want to let it go. Turkish Cypriots wanted to be free. In one week a massive dissatisfaction surfaced. Between December 13th and December 26th, there were protests everyday. All large cities saw protests with thousands of people. Turkish Cypriot youth was very active in the front-lines. They said "This Homeland is Ours" and we do not want to leave it and formed an initiative called "Operation Saving Our Future". The momentum was picking up. Finally, on December 26th, more than 30,000 people showed up to a rally in Nicosia. They said "This Homeland is Ours", "Denktash resign" and "EU Membership and Solution". It was the largest rally by Turkish Cypriots ever. This time a new deadline was set, February 28th, 2003. With a little optimism left, Turkish Cypriots set that date for a solution.

Turkish Cypriot public was busy protesting. Different forms of protests led by a wide spectrum of organizations continued. It has spilled to outside Cyprus and protests begun taking place in countries were Cypriots were living, working and studying. The leadership did not acknowledge this strong momentum. Another stronger rally took place on January 14th , 2003. This time more than 50,000 people showed up, some sources giving figures as high as 70,000 people. A quarter to a third of the population of north Cyprus actively showed their dissatisfaction with the leadership and its policies.

Now, hawks in Turkey and in Cyprus have to deal with the public directly. They have not given up, just yet, on January 3rd, 2003, Turkish president Sezer summarized their stance; "The expectations of the Turkish Cypriot people are very important. Naturally, these expectations will shape the negotiations," but "just as important as the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot people, are Turkey's historical and legal rights in its capacity as both a guarantor power and a motherland. This should not be forgotten either." I do not think I need to comment on this remark. On January 7th, they have announced a policy change taking a positive stance of the UN initiative. However, later on this was retracted following statements by more "hawkish" bureaucrats.

February 28th is rapidly approaching. Protests are still continuing with no success in the horizon. "This homeland is ours" but we do not have the power to rule it. We need to grab it!

***

This was the story of a slogan and how it has begun as the slogan of a radical, progressive movement but in 13 years became the slogan of a whole community. I have delibaretely omitted the parts of the story where British and US interests played a decisive role in shaping Cyprus. Where Greece has stuck her bloody nose into Cypriot affairs. I have also omitted how, even today, for the sake of a war against Iraq and other interests, US is bribing Turkey despite its horrific record.

***

I am now in United States completing my PhD. I am from the generation right after the division of the island. I grew up in a community hostile to the "other side". In elementary school, I was forced to attend rallies supporting our "president" when he declared his state -- illegal and unrecognized by all except Turkey (suprise!). In high school, I woke up when bombs exploded in front of our house. In college, I was on the internet stirring trouble. Now, I am proud to see people are going to rallies to get what they want, ignoring the threats.

I am, however, not proud that my island is still divided, my people are still oppressed, still away from their homes, still do not know the fate of their missing, still are emmigrating , still are ... ...

***

Turkish Cypriots can not handle the "hawks" on their own. We need all progressives around the world to raise their voice with us. Listen to our demands and force your governments to take action. It is not only the right thing to do but it is also critically important for increasing the stability of an instable region --- the Eastern Mediterranean. So show your solidarity and join our struggle[7]. Look for upcoming events in your area.

[1] Yeni Kibris Partisi in Turkish. The phrase "Bordeaux passport" alluding to the colour of EU passports has become a 'trade mark' of the party which later united with another group and changed its name to Patriotic Unity Movement (Yurtsever Birlik Hareketi).

[2] The Mediterranean island "Cyprus" has been split into a Greek Cypriot (G/C) south and Turkish-occupied north since Turkey's invasion in 1974 following an abortive coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the breakaway Turkish Cypriot (T/C) state, keeping 40,000 troops on the island. Around 100,000 Turkish settlers moved to the island from Turkey since 1974. Peace negotiations have been unsuccessful to reunite the island for the last 28 years. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan presented a plan on November 2002 to reunify the island before Greek side joins the European Union. The EU has given the T/Cs and G/Cs until February 28 to reach a settlement. As the deadline is approaching, massive demonstrations are being held in Cyprus in favor of reunification of the island. However Mr. Denktash, the so-called representative of T/Cs insists on not signing the U.N. plan. Although T/Cs are no longer behind him, he is supported by the unelected Army generals and senior bureaucrats in Turkey who see Cyprus as a vital Turkish interest.

[3] For a comprehensive report, please see "Overall View of Political Opression in north Cyprus" available at http://www.cyprusaction.org/humanrights/terrorism/longintro.html

[4] "Settlers" is term used to refer to people brought in from Turkey and settled in mass numbers in north Cyprus to alter its demographics. They are estimated to be more populous than Turkish Cypriots residing on the island. One of the demands of Turkish Cypriot protesters is to have a comprehensive census with international observers to establish the accurate origins of its current residents. Turkish Cypriot elections have been dominated by settlers for over 25 years, drowing the Turkish Cypriot will. It is commonly accepted that governing parties handed out thousands of citizenships to settlers and non-settlers from Turkey allowing them to vote in elections.

[5] Avrupa later became Afrika after faced bankruptcy due to libel cases brought up by Denktash. New name was picked to protest the "jungle law" in north Cyprus.

[6] At this point, to put the numbers in rallies in context, we should note that the population of north Cyprus is barely 200,000. Of that, it is expected that less than half is of Turkish Cypriot origin. The rest are "settlers". There are some 20-40,000 Turkish soldiers (depending on who is estimating the number) "protecting" the Turkish Cypriot population.

[7] There are many initiatives forming around the globe. For more information on these formations see http://www.cyprusaction.org/protests/ .

Turgut Durduran is a Cypriot studying in USA. He is active in several human rights and peace-building organizations. He is one of the co-founders of Peace-Cyprus.Org (a cyber organization aimed at informing people about ongoing peace building efforts in Cyprus), Hamamboculeri.Org (an alternative magazine published by a collective of Cypriot columnists) and Cyprus Action Network (a grassroots activist organization which seeks to improve the human rights conditions in Cyprus).