Arıklı Slams İlber Ortaylı Over Annan Plan Remarks: “He Hit a Nerve”

Commenting on social media, Arıklı accused Ortaylı of being unjust to Turkish Cypriots. “Professor İlber Ortaylı made a major misstep by accusing those who voted ‘yes’ in the Annan Plan referendum of betrayal and stupidity,” he said.

Arıklı acknowledged Ortaylı as one of the most respected historians of the era and praised his academic contributions, noting that he has long been a vocal defender of Turkish Cypriot identity. However, he emphasized that such remarks were unacceptable.

Recalling his own role at the forefront of the “no” campaign during the referendum, Arıklı said, “Those were some of the worst days of my life—days when brothers turned against each other and insults filled the air. But neither the late Rauf Denktaş nor we ever labeled the 65% who voted ‘yes’ as traitors.”

He further noted that nearly all official authorities in Turkey at the time, including the military, pressured Turkish Cypriots to support the plan, adding, “In such an atmosphere, getting even a 35% ‘no’ vote was a miracle.”

While reiterating his respect for Ortaylı as a historian, Arıklı concluded, “The Annan Plan era is not yet history. The people who lived through it are still alive, and the memories are still fresh. It would have been better had he not commented on it at all.” Arıklı called on Ortaylı to clarify his remarks and issue a public apology.