Greek Cypriot historian and retired academic Jerry Kossifos made striking statements on the program of Greek Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou, covering topics ranging from Israel's increasing presence in the Republic of Cyprus to the Cyprus issue, the events of 1963, and Turkey's power in the region. In his remarks, Kossifos' warnings regarding the purchase of land and real estate by Israelis in Southern Cyprus were particularly notable.
"We must not sell our lands"
Arguing that land purchases by Israelis in Southern Cyprus should be prevented, Kossifos suggested that those leaving Israel due to the security environment there might turn to Cyprus. Kossifos stated, "We must stop selling our lands. One day, just as they managed to buy the best lands in Palestine, they will succeed in buying our best lands as well."
When asked by Panayiotou whether Israelis would apply a method similar to the one they followed in Palestine to Cyprus, Kossifos argued that the goal of the Israelis is "survival." Kossifos said, "If they cannot live in Israel, they will try to live elsewhere, just as they are seeing the danger and leaving now. They will try to live in Cyprus, on our land."
"They will create a second Israel in Cyprus"
Kossifos suggested that if the process of migration and property acquisition from Israel to Southern Cyprus continues, a "second Israel" could emerge in the south of the island. Stating, "They will create a second Israel in Cyprus," Kossifos argued that current laws on the Greek Cypriot side allow for this. Noting that the Greek Cypriot administration should intervene in land sales to foreigners, Kossifos said that the increasing demand makes it difficult for young Greek Cypriots to become homeowners.
Stating that the power struggle in the Middle East will directly affect the island, Kossifos argued that the regional interests of Turkey and Israel are increasingly clashing. "Turkey has its own interests, Israel has its own interests," said Kossifos, suggesting that if the conflicts continue in their current form, a clash between the two countries could occur. When asked by Panayiotou whether both sides would try to be influential over Cyprus, Kossifos replied, "Of course. Israel is already buying our land."
"I would not try to form an alliance with Israel"
Kossifos also opposed the relations the Greek Cypriot administration has developed with Israel. Upon Panayiotou's question, "What would you do if you were the President of the Republic of Cyprus?", Kossifos said, "I would not try to form an alliance with Israel."
Pointing to developments in Palestine, Kossifos accused the Israeli government of "committing genocide" and said that seeking help from such an administration would be inconsistent with their own values. The Greek Cypriot historian also argued that European countries should impose sanctions on Israel.
"We started it, we treated Turkish Cypriots badly"
One of the most striking remarks in Kossifos' interview concerned the 1963 period. Addressing the Greek Cypriot side's actions toward Turkish Cypriots, Kossifos said, "We made very big mistakes." Kossifos stated, "We started it in 1963. We did things in Cyprus that we should not have done. We treated the Turkish Cypriots badly at the beginning." Explaining that severe incidents occurred against Turkish Cypriots in some villages, Kossifos said that he had also conducted research on this subject. Kossifos said, "They were Cypriots. We always lived together, in a friendly manner."
Kossifos also said that relations between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should be redeveloped. Stating that it was wrong to alienate the two communities from each other, Kossifos called on Greek Cypriots to establish more contact with Turkish Cypriots. Kossifos said, "We should visit them, they should come to visit us. We should hold events together, we should eat together."
Praise for Turkey's diplomacy
Evaluating Turkey's regional policy, Kossifos drew attention to the historical power of Turkish diplomacy. Stating that Turkey can establish relations with Russia, China, and the USA at the same time, Kossifos said, "Turkey looks after its own interests."
Kossifos stated, "Historically, the Turks possess one of the best diplomatic traditions in the world. The diplomacy of the Ottoman Empire was always strong." Noting that Turkey acts according to its own national interests among the great powers, Kossifos argued that Greek Cypriot and Greek politics have not shown the same diplomatic success.
"We must establish good relations with Turkey"
Calling on the Greek Cypriot side to re-evaluate its relations with Turkey, Kossifos pointed to the developing economic relations between Greece and Turkey as an example. Arguing that establishing good relations with Turkey is also important for the future of the Cyprus issue, Kossifos said that a reconciliation between Turkey and Greece would facilitate the resolution of the problem on the island. Kossifos stated that Turkey follows regional developments closely and is successful in protecting its own interests.
Pointed to Kissinger and the USA for the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation
Kossifos also made statements different from the established narrative on the Greek Cypriot side regarding the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation. Stating that he does not place the primary responsibility for the division of the island on Turkey, Kossifos pointed to the then-US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, as well as the USA and the UK. The Greek Cypriot historian said, "The Turks did not divide Cyprus. Kissinger divided it," adding that the USA and the UK gave the green light to the developments. Arguing that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used Turkey and the junta in Greece in line with its own policy, Kossifos said that Greek Cypriots should not place all the responsibility on the Turks.
"There should be no hatred against Turkey"
Kossifos also criticized the creation of hostility toward the Turkish people over 1974. Arguing that what happened in Cyprus should be evaluated within the framework of Cold War conditions and the policies of great powers, Kossifos stated, "Cypriots should not carry this hatred against Turkey."
Kossifos said that developments in the Eastern Mediterranean will further increase the strategic importance of Cyprus. Describing the island as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier," Kossifos suggested that if the US military structure in the Middle East changes, it could further increase its military presence in Cyprus. Kossifos stated that the regional interests of Turkey, Israel, and the USA could directly affect the future of the Cyprus issue.
Despite calling for the development of relations, he also defended Enosis
Although the Greek Cypriot historian advocated for the development of relations with Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, he also clearly stated in the interview that he had not abandoned the idea of Enosis. Stating that he has supported union with Greece since his youth, Kossifos argued that Cyprus should unite with Greece. To Panayiotou's assessment that Greece "betrayed" Cyprus in the past, Kossifos replied, "It was not the Greek people who betrayed you. It was the junta, which was an instrument of the CIA."
Harsh criticism of the EU: "The Cyprus problem is frozen"
Kossifos also criticized the European Union's (EU) approach to the Cyprus issue. Arguing that Southern Cyprus's accession to the EU did not contribute to the resolution of the problem, Kossifos said, "I believe that the Cyprus problem has been frozen since the day we entered the European Union."
Kossifos also criticized the EU's impact on the Greek Cypriot and Greek cultural identity, arguing that Southern Cyprus and Greece should leave the union.
News Source: 12punto
