25 February, 2000

Journal of Cyprus Studies

The latest issue of Journal of Cyprus Studies (JCS), issue 14/15, is out as a double issue. JCS is published four times or as two double issues a year by the Centre for Cyprus Studies at Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta. The Journal is bilingual, and publishes material in English and / or Turkish.

"The Centre for Cyprus Studies at Eastern Mediterranean University was established for the purpose of encouraging scholarly research on the cultural history and political problems of Cyprus. The fields of research supported by the Centre range from archeology, anthropology and economics to history, linguistics and folklore (...)"

Among many enlightening and interesting articles, there is a contribution by Zenon Stavrinides with the title Is a Compromise Settlement in Cyprus Still Possible? Revisiting the Ghali "Set of Ideas" Z. Stavrinides is a Lecturer in Philosophy in the Department of Interdisciplinary Human Studies at the University of Bradford, and Secretary of the Association for Cypriot, Greek and Turkish Affairs. Z. Stavrinides begins his article by asking the following question:

"Is there any realistic hope that the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus may still manifest the desire and political will to negotiate and eventually achieve a mutually acceptable settlement to the long-festering Cyprus problem, obtain the endorsement of the governments of Greece and Turkey as well as the United nations, and proceed to forge together a common future? (...)"

As a response to Z. Stavrinides, M. Ergün Olgun contributes with his article entitled, "Partnership in Cyprus-Gallantry or Futility" M.E Olgun, studied Administrative Sciences at Middle East Technical University, Ankara Turkey. He received his M.A in Government from George Washington University, USA. At present he is the Undersecretary to President R.R. Denktaş. He is also a part time lecturer at Eastern Mediterranean University. "International Negotiations-The Case of Cyprus-" is his current course title. He also lectured on environmental management and strategic management. M.E.Olgun, while agreeing "with some of the conclusions in Z. Stavrinides’ article (...)", he disagrees "entirely with his thesis that the UN Set of Ideas can still form the basis of a new round of negotiations. (...)" M.E.Olgun, agrees with Stavrinides’ analysis, "(...) that if the Republic of Cyprus joins the European Union before there is a settlement, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will become, to all intents and purposes, a province of Turkey. (...)"