By ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (GREEK) TÜRKÇE (TURKISH)
For years I have been expressing my opposition to illegal second jobs held by public servants; I have been blatantly expressing that this is a form of black economy and a source of unfair competition. To top it all off, it is a violation of the constitution’s principle of neutrality and impartiality.
I’ve been writing about overtime payments, expressing outrage over unworked working hours.
Nevertheless, I would still express opposition if this issue made its way into the “Turkey-TRNC Financial Cooperation” protocol!
Why?
Because it is we who need to govern this country.
We need to learn to elect the right people.
We need to succeed in establishing a form of governance that is egalitarian, which focuses on planning, production and providing service.
***
I’m not claiming that every deputy or leader we elect is the “right” choice.
Nevertheless, no outside country has the right to impose on another who its president or prime minister will be.
We will have to learn to bear the consequences of our mistakes and shortcomings.
And to make the right choices!
***
Turkey is always resorting to the same method to legitimize its intervention, its impositions and its instructions. We are told, “Nature abhors a vacuum”.
This always has to be the “flaw”.
What then is to become of democracy?
What will happen to political will?
What will happen to society’s right to freely elect its own administrators?
***
It’s true; there is a need for municipal reform.
The Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority needs to be restructured completely.
The current pension system is unsustainable and its collapse is inevitable if things continue as they are.
The people have the right to receive proper services but the public service sector, unfortunately, has transformed into a sector where salaries have become the goal, not the service provided.
Bureaucracy has become torture for the public.
There is no equality when it comes to taxes, nor equal opportunities.
Both politics and the media have become dirty.
Swearing at people is not freedom!
Fine, but…
But the solution to these problems and governance should be from within.
From within!
Cyprus is a country, not a colony. It is not Turkey.
It doesn’t belong to Turkey either.
This objection should be explained and well understood first!
***
Human rights in Turkey, the right to assemble and demonstrate, labour union rights and freedom of the press lag far behind Cyprus.
Especially the independence of the judiciary!
These facts have all been recorded in international reports.
Then should we do the following?
Let us prepare a new “Democracy and Freedom Package” for Turkey for the next Turkey-TRNC Cooperation Agreement!
This package should be prepared by Cypriot experts.
And let us set conditions for Turkey just as those set in the “Financial and Economic Agreement!”
Let’s say, “This package needs to be implemented.”
Let us rewrite the legal system…
Place deadlines…
Let’s say that you have no other option but to accept the provisions…
Let’s say that “Nature abhors a vacuum”…
“You guys failed to do it on your own and we will be doing it for you.”
I dare you!
Try and see what kind of a response you would get.
***
Do not attempt to link the issue to the reforms envisaged by the European Union.
One is the EU!
The other is Turkey!
To propose universal standards is one thing…
Directly intervening in the politics, will, democracy and elections of a country is another…
To sideline the leader of a political party elected by its members and to appoint a replacement who received the fewest votes is a whole other story…
***
The discussion could lead us to the following argument…
“One who receives money receives instructions, my dear…”
Is that so?
Then why don’t you like it when someone says “neither your money nor your officials”…
Source: CYPRUS IS NOT TURKEY, NOR DOES IT BELONG TO TURKEY
