YBH Youth’s Position on the final developments in Cyprus Problem

The Executive Committee of YBH Youth has analyzed the results of the 24^th April Referenda and prepared the following report:

We are going through an important period in Cyprus Problem.

The talks going on for long years entered into a new stage with the referenda on the 24^th April and present a new situation…

YBH Youth had already expressed its support for the following an underlines that it still supports the struggle based on this thoughts,

1-       UN Secretary General’s S/2004/302 dated 16^th April report to the Security Council,

2-       Jacques F. Poos’ B5 0188/2004[1] report of that was approved by the European Parliament on 21^st April,

3-       The statements supporting a positive outcome of the referenda, made by the MEPs at the Plenaruim[2]  of the European Parliament, especially the statement made by Commissioner   Mr. Günter Verheugen[3],

4-       The ‘Join the EU by leaving nationalism behind’[4] call from the EP Socialist group MEP Poos, the ‘it’s time for peace, give peace a chance’ [5] statement made by the co-presidents of the Greens Group Monica Frassoni and Daniel Cohn-Bendit  

It’s a reality with these statements that the 31st March 2004 version[6] of the Annan Plan, proposed by the UN secretary General is,

-          Accepted by the International Community,

-          Supported by MEPs from many political groups in the EP,

-          Supported by the European Commission,

-          Supported by the European Council,

-          Approved by the UN Security Council.

YBH Youth, believes that its report that was presented on 9th April[7] is still valid.

Under this analysis YBH Youth determined that the following happened in the south and disapproves it with its progressive identity,

1-       During the campaigns for the referendum Tasos Papadopulos under his capacity of the President of the Republic of Cyprus excluded all other communities and made hard nationalist and chauvinist statements. He had no contribution in the rapprochement of the communities; on the contrary he contributed to the promotion of nationalism in the south.

2-       During the Referendum process the church had specifically interfered with the politics, carried out campaigns and the statements made by the religious figures promoted nationalism.

3-       Both official institutions and the media obstructed freedom of communication and made discriminatory, nationalistic and chauvinist propaganda.  State’s involvement with politics or the State organizing ceremonies is only found in oppressive anti-democratic regimes. There is no democratic regime in the south contrary to what is perceived. This can be seen by the no campaign carried out by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cyprus and also by the direct or indirect contributions to the no campaign by other public authorities. 

YBH Youth underlines that it still sticks to its position on the north and emphasizes that although there have been some formalistic changes the status quo is still present and that it will continue its struggle towards the regime. YBH Youth believes that some Turkish Cypriot leaders’ statements based on their old habits, contributed to the ‘No’ result in the south. 

Based on these analyses YBH Youth emphasizes that there is a need for a harder struggle against nationalistic and chauvinist policies that are on the rise in the whole Cyprus. There is also a need to attach more importance to the common struggle to reunite common Country.  

YBH Youth has also reevaluated its bicommunal relations which it determinedly carried out for years and courageously defended against all types of attacks. We emphasize our wholeheartedly support to our friends who are bravely struggling against the chauvinist and nationalist policies in the south. We believe that their position will greatly contribute to the reunification of our common Country.

We also respect the ideas of the ‘NO’ campaigners in the south. Having different perspectives should not become a factor separating us. It’s a necessity of democracy to tolerate them and live together.   However, the campaigns of the political organizations and parties that identify themselves as leftist/ socialist/progressive, which supported the anti-democratic practices, chauvinist politics and nationalist propaganda or which didn’t oppose to these campaigns cannot be accepted either.

In addition YBH Youth is still supporting the all common declarations it undersigned. However, we have seen that the aforementioned organizations, engaged in the ‘NO’ campaign have not stood behind the declaration with the same determination. Under these conditions it’s necessary that we reevaluate our common work with these organizations where we have a problem of trust towards.

YBH Youth perceives the near future as the process in which the youth organizations defining themselves as leftist/progressive will reprove themselves. YBH Youth underlines that the sincere, concrete and satisfactory efforts for rapprochement against chauvinism and nationalism, are important in rebuilding the damaged trust. 

As a result, YBH Youth suspends its relations with these organizations until the trust is rebuilt. YBH Youth can reconsider this decision. 

In spite of all these YBH Youth refuses doing politics with some generalizing definitions towards the south and once more underlines the importance of the common struggle for a common country for all cypriots. 

YBH Youth underlines that there are still 30 thousand troops in the north, it is governed by a militarist regime and that some partial arrangement cannot substitute for a fundamental change in the regime. YBH Youth calls all parties that are sensitive towards chauvinist and nationalist politics to a more effective struggle. YBH Youth, reminds that nationalism is a source for conflict and believes that all types of nationalism that will be promoted will not contribute in any way to the rapprochement and the reunification of Cyprus and Cypriots.

YBH Youth will still continue to its struggle for a settlement with a plan that is in line with the International law  and is accepted by the International Community.  

YBH Youth, calls upon all International progressive youth organizations to be sensitive towards the nationalist and chauvinist policies that are on the rise in the whole island and to and to continue with the solidarity they have been expressing.   

YBH Youth once more underlines that a NEW EUROPEAN CYPRUS is possible…

YBH Youth

27 April 2004