Why the choice for negotiator in Cyprus was a right one

Some people are unhappy with the "negotiator" pick of new Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Ak?nc?. The president is a social democrat and from the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), while the negotiator is a socialist and from the Republican Turks' Party (CTP), leading some to say that the new president has established a coalition at the presidency from day one.

It was no secret during the second round of voting in northern Cyprus that while Ak?nc? had become the "joint candidate" of the entire Turkish Cypriot left and those conservatives unhappy with the performance of ousted President Dr. Dervi? Ero?lu, as well as the two center-right parties that were supporting Ero?lu. As such, having a coalition in the presidential office would not be a surprise anyhow.

However, Ak?nc? was clear in asserting that he did not negotiate with anyone in offering the prestigious yet cumbersome job? Yes, cumbersome! Negotiations between the two peoples of the island have been continuing since 1968 and despite all the talk of a probable quick fix this year or, at the latest, within two years, the prospects are not that bright. To start with, leaving aside the thorny property issue or the territorial aspects of the problem, the two sides are far apart on the fundamental issues such as power sharing, partnership in sovereignty and indeed what a federation actually means.

Despite the complaints and incomprehensible objections emanating from publications trying to be "more royalist than the royal," the appointment of Özdil Nami was a soothing factor for people like this writer who were worried that with a new president who had been distant from active politics for more than a decade and a novice negotiating team, some nasty mistakes could be made that could have...