So it’s OK for politicians to visit village markets, but not for Tatar to go to Turkey?
WHEN politicians focus on conventions and elections, gallivanting around seems too much. Even though they already know what they will say, they have to do this because it’s an opportunity to once again listen to the troubles and thoughts of the citizens firsthand.
Who can hold back the candidates, especially while the excitement of the National Unity Party convention congress is increasing? Can you restrict Prime Minister Hamza Ersan Saner’s freedom of travel, as well as other candidates Faiz Sucuoğlu, Hasan Taçoy and Zorlu Töre? You can’t take away anyone’s right to freedom of travel.
For example, Republican Turkish Party leader Tufan Erhürman visited the historical Arasta Bazaar in Lefkoşa with his wife Nilden and their baby Toprak the other day and chatted with the shopkeepers! Shouldn’t he? Who can interfere, who can restrict his freedom of travel? Likewise, Democrat Party leader Fikri Ataoğlu, Rebirth Party leader Erhan Arıklı, People’s Party leader Kudret Özersay, Social Democracy Party leader Cemal Özyiğit and the chairmen and officials of other political parties that aren’t represented in Parliament wander around villages/towns or bazaars/markets listening to the problems of the citizens. Isn’t it natural for
them to ask for support? The candidate must visit the citizens personally for the sake of votes. This place is the size of a neighbourhood in İstanbul! So shouldn’t they go? We are in favour of going frequently and at every opportunity, we believe that it’s beneficial.
Well then, is it impossible to travel for the sake of votes but not for the sake of strengthening and reinforcing TRNC-Turkey relations in all respects? President Ersin Tatar’s being invited to visit various regions of Turkey and his speeches at conferences stand out for some reason in some opposition circles.
Regardless of what these circles think, it should be emphasised that such trips, meetings and visits are of great importance in terms of bilateral relations. Today, the strong ties formed between the Turkish
Cypriot people and the Anatolian people discourage [Greek Cypriot leader Nicos] Anastasiades and the powers behind him but it’s unthinkable for the Turkish Cypriots to break away from their motherland and the Turkish nation just because they want this. Moreover, President Tatar is greeted with enthusiasm and respect wherever he goes and he finds the opportunity to tell the Turkish public about the developments in Cyprus.
What difficulties did [late Turkish Cypriot leader] Dr [Fazıl] Küçük face to create such an opportunity? Organising rallies and conferences, making speeches or even getting an appointment with the Turkish governments was an issue.
At that time, just so the British government would not be offended, they used to make all sorts of excuses in order to not give an
appointment to Dr Küçük.
These facts were also well known by Rauf Denktaş . . . and others because they had witnessed it too. If the Cyprus cause had not been attributed to Turkey under the leadership of the Turkish media and university youth during those difficult days, we would not be any different from Crete today.
Thanks to the Cyprus rallies held from Edirne to Ardahan, from Samsun to Mersin, Anatolia learned about the Turkish Cypriot people’s troubles. Through the pressure created by public opinion, those in power removed the distance between themselves and the Turkish Cypriot leadership and the Cyprus issue became a national cause. . .
Since those days, an immeasurable amount of water has passed under bridges. It is not as if there have not been some troubles in relations with motherland Turkey from time to time. Nowadays, mutual visits of not only the President but also almost every institution have positive effects on bilateral relations and will continue to do so! For example, the decision of
German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Turkey upset the Greek Cypriots. What is there to be upset about? President Erdoğan invited her, she accepted and decided to go to Turkey on October 16.
In a statement issued on the subject, the newspaper Phileleftheros noted the eternal ties between Germany and Turkey and that the Turks living in Germany acted as a bridge between the two sides, emphasising Turkey’s geostrategic importance.
So do we have the right to meddle in who goes where? Merkel, who left politics and her position, can go to İstanbul, Ankara or İzmir! She has the right to go wherever she wants, as does Tatar! In fact, it’s a national duty to travel to every inch of Turkey’s land and create new and strong ties!