One can only hope that Ms Holguin sees and understands more than those of us who have been stewing in our juices for so long, experiencing one critical phase of the Cyprus problem after another.
\nWe have reached a point where we don\u2019t take seriously what our leaders and politicians say about the national issue, nor what we say to each other.
\nHowever, one can\u2019t help but wonder when hearing the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General say that \u2018civil society wants the process to move forward and leaders should listen to them.\u2019
\nIt is understandable to a degree that Ms Holguin has not yet realised\u2014or does not want to publicly admit\u2014that what is referred to as civil society elsewhere, in our context, especially when discussing the Cyprus issue, often resembles the Tower of Babel. This is meant metaphorically, of course.
\nIt has been impossible for decades for us to agree and move in the same direction, even if a large majority. You might argue that we did so in 2004 with the 76% \u2018No\u2019 vote. Fine, but it was convenient that there were only two response options. What if there had been three or four?
\nJust a few days ago, some opinion polls were published, and it became apparent once more that we are a scattered protest as far as our \u2018preferences\u2019 are concerned. A strong desire for a \u2018unitary state\u2019 remains, even if no one is proposing it except for a significant portion of the Greek Cypriot community.
\nA substantial percentage still favours a bizonal, bicommunal federation, even though we have been stuck in a narrow impasse since 2017, effectively trampling on the last vestiges of optimism. A steady proportion also supports the two-state solution, as well as the status quo, which is not on the table as a proposal. We used to get angry when Turkey and the occupied territories told us \u2018everything is on the table\u2019; now we informally do it ourselves.
\nAnd suddenly, Ms Holguin emerges from the Presidential Palace to tell us, \u201cI listen to civil society, I listen to the private sector. I have had many meetings, and my impression is that everyone wants to move forward and for something to happen on the island. I hope that the leaders will listen to the people, to civil society.\u201d
\nIf the envoy of Mr Guterres means that civil society is tired of the impasse and stagnation and simply wants something to happen to wake us up, we could accept that. But if she means that civil society (\u201ceveryone\u201d, she said) wants to find a solution within the UN framework, etc., then we must show understanding for her ignorance of the famous \u2018schools of thought\u2019 on resolving the Cyprus issue that has been locked in combat for decades\u2014both in the free and occupied areas\u2014or we must consider that, as a diplomat, she will soften the edges when speaking to the public; she will exaggerate a little until she can untangle the knot that the UN Secretary-General has given her.
\nWhat is more important is what the envoy says in her meetings with the President, Tatar, and foreign government officials. And what she hears from them!
\nSo, one can only hope that Ms Holguin sees and understands more than we do. Something less pessimistic.
\nFor now, however, it appears, even from the public statements of the main protagonists, that while Ms Holguin might not be hearing exactly what she wants from one of her key interlocutors, it seems certain that she is hearing horrors from the other. Will she ever publicly denounce this? Will Mr Guterres?
\nBecause ostracising Tatar is a priority. And he doesn\u2019t seem too sharp to avoid it.divided opinions. hope, leaders, civil society<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ms Holguin is hoping to see and understand more than those who have been deeply involved in the Cyprus issue for a long time. It is noted that there is a lack of seriousness towards the statements made by leaders and politicians regarding the national issue. Civil society in Cyprus has various conflicting opinions on how to move forward, including preferences for a unitary state, a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a two-state solution, or maintaining the status quo. Ms Holguin has expressed a desire for leaders to listen to civil society, but it is uncertain if she fully comprehends the complexities of the issue. It is suggested that her focus should be on her meetings with key officials to gauge the true sentiments and potential for progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":11323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[9250,2460,3,1539,413,5576,8314,415,5210,3259,3895,4407,3940,185,2257,4647,8737,634,8235,680,7567,5863,4843,8539,3840,4671,463,8257,133,7967,1844,177,3450,414,380,1774,6305],"class_list":["post-11322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other","tag-civil-society","tag-community","tag-cyprus","tag-cyprus-issue","tag-cyprus-problem","tag-fine","tag-framework","tag-government","tag-government-officials","tag-guterres","tag-hearing","tag-hope","tag-leaders","tag-main","tag-meetings","tag-occupied-areas","tag-occupied-territories","tag-opinion","tag-optimism","tag-personal-envoy","tag-politicians","tag-polls","tag-president","tag-presidential-palace","tag-progress","tag-proposal","tag-protest","tag-response","tag-schools","tag-state","tag-tatar","tag-turkey","tag-two-state-solution","tag-un","tag-us","tag-vote","tag-who"],"acf":{"keyphrase":"","keywords":"","sourceimg":"","country-category":""},"yoast_head":"\n