Stubble burning in Cyprus

Cleaning the field is a must after the harvest so that it can be prepared for the new season and new harvest. Like in most countries, burning stubble is prohibited in both the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south of the island. Yet, every summer, a few fires break out because some farmers ignorantly try to clear their fields by getting rid of the remains of the harvest by setting their fields on fire.

Nowadays there is a big fire in northern Cyprus. Some "ignorant" new executives - now celebrating 100 days in office - premeditatedly stepped into such a difficult situation, effectively praying that the metaphorical fire would not destroy the forest. I must admit, even if I had some reservations, since the Turkish Cypriot people are willing to swallow some very pungent pills to end the nearly half-century of isolation from the international community, I believed I and everyone should respect the will of the Turkish Cypriot people. Alas, things apparently went awry, as new Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? and his property issue negotiator walked into a minefield and devastated the pro-settlement atmosphere in northern Cyprus. Who is this property issue negotiator?

The support of the Greek Cypriot church, remarks by political figures from the Greek Cypriot political side and the "progress" in the Cyprus negotiations have likely provided a death knell to the trust in the ability of the new Turkish Cypriot negotiating team. It was not only the U.N. special envoy that heralded the miraculous step back by the Turkish Cypriot side on the individual property quagmire; explanations from senior Greek Cypriot executives following closed-door meetings that "our demands on property were all met, individual property rights will be restored, Ak?nc?...