THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary-July 10, 2017- Topic 2

Divided island

On the reunification of Cyprus

The failure in Geneva last week of a round of talks on the reunification of Cyprus is by all measures a huge diplomatic setback. This is not the first time the United Nations-backed dialogue between the breakaway Turkish-Cypriot state in the north and the Greek-Cypriot Republic of Cyprus has been deadlocked. Even so, the current stalemate is disappointing as the prospects for a final deal had been pinned on the two interlocutors — Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci, his counterpart in Northern Cyprus. 

Both represent a generation that regards the status quo as an everyday reminder of the memories of partition of the island, whose combined population is just about one and a half million. The split took place in 1974 when Turkey invaded the north after an Athens-backed coup in Cyprus aimed at annexing the island. Among the main challenges the two leaders face is the demand for restitution of the property rights of the Greek-Cypriots who had fled the north in the 1970s. The establishment of an institutional framework to secure the interests of both ethnic groups is another. Nicosia’s assurances of a rotating presidency between Greek and Turkish-Cypriots in a future federal union have not soothed anxieties in the north. Another challenge is Turkey’s refusal to guarantee the withdrawal of its troops stationed in the north. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan insists on an indefinite Turkish military presence on the island.

The record of stalled negotiations, in fact, is almost as old as the 1974 partition. An early test of the diplomatic and political resolve to reunite the region was the 2002 Kofi Annan plan for reconciliation. Its terms were rejected by Greek-Cypriots in a 2004 referendum, which coincided with Cyprus joining the European Union. Voters had counted on the increased leverage EU membership would allow them vis-à-vis the north. On the other hand, the Turkish-Cypriots had ratified the Annan plan overwhelmingly, sensing enhanced prospects for a reunited island inside the bloc. The potential for reconciliation might also have been boosted by Turkey’s bid to join the EU, which was then high on the agenda in Brussels. More than a decade later, a reunion seems to be as elusive as ever. Yet, the economic incentives for reunification have, if anything, become more compelling. A united Cyprus would allow both parts of the island to realise their immense tourism potential. The prospect of exploitation of offshore gas reserves in the Mediterranean too is something the two sides could then realistically set their eyes on. But the imperative is not just economic — a successful settlement would allow Cyprus to be more in control of its affairs, without both the sides being so reliant on neighboring powers.

Vocabulary

Reunification: restoration of political unity to a place or group, especially a divided territory.

Example: We will strive for the peaceful reunification of the motherland

Stalemate: a position counting as a draw, in which a player is not in check but cannot move except into check.

Example: Last time I played him it ended up in stalemate

Interlocutor : a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation.

Example: But that's not what my interlocutors , particularly the German ones, really want.

Status quo: the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.

Example: They have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo

Invade: an armed force or its commander enter a country or region so as to subjugate or occupy it.

Example: It was all part of a grander French plan to invade Ireland

Synonyms: occupy, conquer, capture, seize, take (over), annex, win, gain

Annex: append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a document.

Example: The first ten amendments were annexed to the Constitution in 1791

Restitution: the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.

Example: Seeking the restitution of land taken from blacks under apartheid

Synonyms: return, restoration, handing back, surrender

Soothe: gently calm a person or their feelings.

Example: A shot of brandy might soothe his nerves

Synonyms: calm (down), pacify, comfort, hush, quiet, subdue

Reconciliation: the restoration of friendly relations.

Example: His reconciliation with your uncle

Synonyms: reuniting, reunion, bringing together (again)

Leverage: the exertion of force by means of a lever or an object used in the manner of a lever.

Example: My spade hit something solid that wouldn't respond to leverage

Synonyms: grip, purchase, hold, support, anchorage, force

Immense: extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree.

Example: The cost of restoration has been immense

Synonyms: huge, vast, massive, enormous, gigantic, colossal

Imperative: giving an authoritative command; peremptory.

Example: The bell pealed again, a final imperative call

Synonyms: peremptory, commanding, imperious, authoritative