MANAGING INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS: LESSONS FROM MOLDOVA AND CYPRUS MANAGING INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS: LESSONS FROM MOLDOVA AND CYPRUS Edited by: Mensur Akgün Proofread by: Sophia Hutnik Prepared for Publication by: Lenka Peťková Cover Photograph: Sylvia Tiryaki Book Design and Cover: Sultan Özer Page Layout: Sultan Özer Printed by: Golden Medya Matbaacılık ve Tic. A.Ş. 100. Yıl Mah. MAS-SİT 1. Cad. No: 88 Bağcılar - Istanbul, Turkey Phone: (+90) 212 629 00 24 - 25 Fax: (+90) 212 629 00 13 Certificate No. 12358 First Published: April 2013 Global Political Trends Center Istanbul Kültür University Atakoy Campus, Bakirkoy 34156 Istanbul, Turkey Phone: (+90) 212 498 44 65 Fax: (+90) 212 498 44 05 www.gpotcenter.org Istanbul Kültür University Publisher Certificate No.14505 Library Catalogue Details: Managing Intractable Conflicts: Lessons from Moldova and Cyprus / ed. Mensur Akgün – Istanbul: Istanbul Kültür University. 120s.; 23cm. (Istanbul Kültür University Publication No. 191) ISBN 978-605-4763-05-4 I. International Relations Copyright © IKU, 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced electronically or mechanically without prior permission of Global Political Trends Center (GPoT Center) of Istanbul Kültür University (IKU). The views expressed in this book belong to the authors, and they may not necessarily concur partially or wholly with those of either GPoT Center or IKU. This publication is the outcome of the “Searching for New Conflict Resolution Strategies: Lessons from the Case of Cyprus” project, which was implemented by GPoT Center in collaboration with the Foreign Policy Association (APE) of Moldova between April 2012 and April 2013. GPoT Center and APE would like to thank the Open Society Foundations and the East East Beyond Borders Program of the Soros Foundation – Moldova for their support. MANAGING INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS: LESSONS FROM MOLDOVA AND CYPRUS INCLUDES CONTRIBUTIONS BY Alexandru Baltag Veaceslav Berbeca Christopher J. Borgen Denis Cenusa Mete Hatay Oazu Nantoi Ilia Roubanis Irina Severin Sylvia Tiryaki Orestis Tringides Radu Vrabie EDITED BY Mensur Akgün Contents Foreword on Behalf of Global Political Trends Center of Istanbul Kültür University By Sylvia Tiryaki & Mensur Akgün 7 Foreword on Behalf of East East Beyond Borders Program of the Soros Foundation – Moldova By Ana Coretchi 9 Introduction By Lenka Peťková 11 Nested Identities: From History Books to the Emergence of a Post-Conflict Generation in Moldova By Oazu Nantoi 15 Nested Identities: From History Books to the Emergence of a Post-Conflict Generation in Cyprus By Sylvia Tiryaki 25 Civil Society and Transnistrian Conflict Settlement By Denis Cenusa 33 The Role of Mass Media in the Settlement of the Cyprus Problem By Orestis Tringides 39 Challenges in Leadership and Public Opinion in Moldova: Threats and Opportunities By Alexandru Baltag 49 Nesting Stakes: From the Consolidation of Political Cleavages to Institutional Resistance in Moldova By Veaceslav Berbeca 53 Challenges to Reunification in Moldova and Cyprus: Between the EU’s Soft Power and Russia’s Soft Force By Irina Severin 63 Main Obstacles to Finding a Solution of the Transnistrian Conflict By Radu Vrabie 77 Public International Law and the Conflict over Transnistria By Christopher J. Borgen 83 Challenges to Keeping the Negotiation Process on Track By Ilia Roubanis, Mete Hatay & Alexandru Baltag 109 Recommendations 120 Foreword on Behalf of Global Political Trends Center of Istanbul Kültür University 7 FOREWORD ON BEHALF OF GLOBAL POLITICAL TRENDS CENTER OF ISTANBUL KÜLTÜR UNIVERSITY While the Cyprus and Transnistrian problems are just two of the numerous ongoing conflicts around the world, we believe that a comparative study of these two cases can provide useful information for actors involved in conflict resolution. The Global Political Trends Center (GPoT Center) of Istanbul Kültür University has been involved with almost all dimensions of the Cyprus conflict since the Center’s formation. During the past couple of years GPoT Center has organized several rounds of talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots entitled the Heybeliada Talks. The meetings have been conducted following the strict Chatham House rules in a retreat on Heybeliada Island close to Istanbul, and have become a symbol of GPoT Center’s second track activities on Cyprus. In addition, GPoT Center has focused on several different dimensions of the Cyprus problem through its various publications. We have come to understand that a comparative perspective is needed in order to better comprehend the psychology of the conflicting parties and formulate innovative solution oriented approaches. GPoT Center is proud to share this study that compares the Cyprus issue with the Transnistrian case, deriving lessons from both. We would like to present this book to those who are concerned not only with the two case studies but all those who are aware of the potential negative regional and international consequences of leaving these conflicts unresolved. While the origins of both problems diverge in many aspects that are futile to compare, there are also two major similarities. They are both based on ethnic belonging and in each case there are two states, one recognized and one not. Furthermore, the resolution processes for both of these cases are blocked making a comparison worthwhile. We believe that the one-year collaboration with our colleagues from the Foreign Policy Association (APE) of Moldova has been a successful and useful endeavor that has resulted in a publication that we hope will provide the readers with many new insights into conflict resolution studies. The questions asked when this project was launched were how to unblock the stalled processes, how to solve the issues in both crises, and whether or not actors who desire a resolution could learn any lessons from the Transnistrian or Cyprus experiences. We, who took part in this project, have learned numerous lessons and have been 8 Managing Intractable Conflicts: Lessons from Moldova and Cyprus able to see the similarities and differences between the two case studies first hand. Hopefully our readers will learn from our findings, and consider our suggestions as well. One of the most valuable outcomes of this project was the ability for the participants from various origins to discuss, contemplate and develop ideas under a common banner in Nicosia, Istanbul, and Chisinau. We are grateful to the Open Society Foundations and the East East Beyond Borders (EEBB) Program of the Soros Foundation – Moldova for making this project possible, the project could have never been executed without their support. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Ana Coretchi, the Program Director of the EEBB Program of the Soros Foundation – Moldova for the original spark that inspired the project partners to develop and implement this innovative endeavor. Sylvia Tiryaki, Deputy Director & Mensur Akgün, Director Global Political Trends Center of Istanbul Kültür University Foreword on Behalf of East East Beyond Borders Program of the Soros Foundation - Moldova 9 FOREWORD ON BEHALF OF EAST EAST BEYOND BORDERS PROGRAM OF THE SOROS FOUNDATION – MOLDOVA The Moldovan/Turkish/Greek/Turkish Cypriot/Greek Cypriot initiative, reflected in the present study, fits into a larger group of topics focused on over the years by the East East Beyond Borders Program (EEBBP) of the Soros Foundation – Moldova. It is evident that Moldovan society inherited numerous historical problems upon independence that were later exacerbated and transformed into chronic diseases that have continued to impede it from becoming a functioning entity with viable democratic institutions. These issues refer to a society that continues to be divided along several lines: ethnic, cultural, political, identity, social, linguistic, etc. The EEBB Program has made an effort to address these issues by including public agenda topics of major concern and bringing valuable experiences and expertise from the region into Moldova, mobilizing civil society and sharing what has been learned by counterparts who have managed to succeed in some areas focused on the resolution of similar conflicts. Several projects have been developed to study the experiences of various ethno- political conflicts from the region referring to Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Baltic countries, UK/Northern Ireland, Georgia, etc. in order to provide to the Moldovan expert community and civil society access to new experiences and lessons learned. The Cyprus case stays apart from this continuum, as it is considered a vulnerable precedent for any country that experiences division. In a way, the Moldovan authorities and civil society have very little desire to learn about Cyprus’ experience, as they tend to avoid becoming involved in the rather uncomfortable issue. However, any case study is equally valuable, from a positive and negative point of view, opening new opportunities for a better understanding of root causes and challenges of conflicts that can invigorate the search for potential solutions and conflict settlement strategies for other conflicts. For these reasons, experts from Moldova, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and USA have been brought together forming an international team that had the opportunity to take a closer look at both the Moldovan and Cypriot cases, learning about the situation on the ground as well as benefiting from meetings with decision/policy-makers and civil society representatives from both sides of the divide. 10