Cyprus-Forum.com

[Get Real!]

VP...

1. The administration would have to have its TC representation in place to protect my rights.

It’s the Democracy reinforced by the EU that will protect your rights. I strongly believe Cyprus can work for as long us Democracy is allowed to do its job, it's imbalanced arrangements that can ruin us.

2. Schools for TC children.

That’s no sweat. Turkish is already being taught at uni/colleges I’ll have you know.

3. All documentation in both languages.

That’s already there.

4. TC representation in all government and official bodies.

Again, the Democracy doesn’t discriminate so I don’t see a problem there.

5. Return of property to TC refugees if this is a long and delayed process then the payment to temporary accommodation.

To avoid further displacements I think all should just receive a lump sum payment per/lot and just get on with life.

6. Support in finding employment according to education and experience.

That’s something that affects us both.

7. Heavy penalties for acts of discrimination in all areas of life, through a speedy process not delayed and thrown into a draw somewhere.

Actually, that’s starting to pick up pace I’ve noticed.

[Jerry]

I think I know now why Clerides and others were in favour of the Annan plan. They honestly believed it was the best deal they would ever get and if the article that started this debate is a true reflection of what it is like in the north they were probably right. Many TCs are not happy with their lot and are a declining proportion of the population. The GCs cannot afford to encourage too many TCs to move south because that will accelerate the TC exodus and make the north even more Turkish. A Turkish (mainland) populated north will never be accepted as a partner by the GCs and the partition will be final- legal or not. It's possible that one day in the future, perhaps as part of EU entry requirements, Turkey may return a significant part of the island to the GCs in exchange for recognition or annexation even of the north but it looks as if partition (unfortunately) is here to stay. I think Papadopoulos's problem is that he is unable to tell the difference between Turkey and Turkish Cypriots.

[Get Real!]

Jerry, many TCs just want to have a good life and they're getting it by working and even living here. The "resistance" to the RoC you see on this board and others comes from the much smaller intellectual or if you like educated group, who ALSO want POWER.

They don't want to EARN it via Democracy and prefer an easy version FORCED on 750,000 odd people!

Fat chance!

[Jerry]

You may be right GR but those nationalists are the ones who are changing the demography of the island with what, I believe, is an inevitable result.

[Viewpoint]

Get Real!

It’s the Democracy reinforced by the EU that will protect your rights. I strongly believe Cyprus can work for as long us Democracy is allowed to do its job, it's imbalanced arrangements that can ruin us.

Could you please clarify how you see the political balance issue between communities, and are you aware of your current constitution?

That’s no sweat. Turkish is already being taught at uni/colleges I’ll have you know.

We are not talking one or two classes of Turkish but whole schools for TCs or curriculum where Turkish and Greek are taught equally.

That’s already there

Parking fines aren't in Turkish and if you look I am pretty certain you will find many more signs and documents that need to have Turkish on them.

Again, the Democracy doesn’t discriminate so I don’t see a problem there

Please provide more details...if the administering body is given a free hand to discriminate and cover its tracks then how do you ensure this does not happen?

To avoid further displacements I think all should just receive a lump sum payment per/lot and just get on with life

Would this also cover GCs as well or just TCs? are you aware GC do not want this as they can go claim compensation right now yet they refuse to do so.

That’s something that affects us both.

But a GC is at an advantage so there is an unfair balance, what will you do to combat this?.

Actually, that’s starting to pick up pace I’ve noticed.

I think there is a very long way to go in the south with very strong racist undertones which breeds discrimination, what do you suggest we do to combat this, just leave it to EU yet again and a long winded process of claiming your rights, cant see this somehow. Strong local remedies are more important the EU should be the last resort.

[humanist]

VP, thank you for the points you have pointed out ....... threy clear many things for me ....... I don't think your requests are fair and infact apropopriate. I also fully support number 7 and one that i hope will have heavy penalties for those that show racisim/violence and discrimination.

Jerry that is a very good posts. I had to read it slowly and twice but that is one argument that is very plausible.

Jerry, GR has some valid points also. I think if there was to have an influx of turkish speaking cypriots move to the south, there will only be unification of the island as essentailly anyone born after 1974 will be considered a settler and turkey will need to look after those people. Though that is not my suggestion. I would prefer to see large portion of settlers remain behind as a lot of them have been here for a generation now and would be unfair to oust them. However an indeoendednt committeee needs to set up to look at each family and individual, independently,

[Viewpoint]

humanist

VP, thank you for the points you have pointed out ....... threy clear many things for me ....... I don't think your requests are fair and infact apropopriate. I also fully support number 7 and one that i hope will have heavy penalties for those that show racisim/violence and discrimination.

I took time to list down a few things as you requested only common courtesy to respond to why you feel my requests are unfair and not just put forward a sweeping statement which does not resolve anything.

[humanist]

VP I am so sorry ........ I was meaning to say that I did not think your requests are unfair or innappropriate in any way. I think they are very fair and appropriate and I feel the RoC needs to act immediately to ensure that they are representative of all Cyriots. Sorry it was a mistake on my part. If I were a politician in Cyprus I would definetley have represented your views to parliament, becuase they are not only applicable to you as an individual but the majority of Turkish speaking Cypriots.

Once again my apology, gramatical error.


Furthermore I can see how these changes will pave the way for bizonality/ bicommunality to be built upon. Furthemore I wish to say that Turkish ought to be taught to all children right from primary to university level, surely it would be a benefit not a hindrance, in a few years time Turkey will be in the EU and anyone with as many languages as possible will benefit.

[iceman]

The "resistance" to the RoC you see on this board and others comes from the much smaller intellectual or if you like educated group, who ALSO want POWER.

Why am i not surprised that you prefer to deal with the uneducated ignorant TC's while trying to avoid the educated who actually know what their rights on this island are.??

[joderv1]

Hi VP In answer to your comments. I am not English, my parents are Maltese, but I was born in UK. I speak very little Turkish and yes my husband is TC, but his Turkish is excellent.

We bought an apartment a few years ago as an investment before we decided to move here. We have our own business and yes we did feel that we could survive on income. The business is doing ok, but not compared to income in UK and also I was working. We felt cost of living was cheaper based on his families comments and others who live here. We took that forgranted.

We did not expect to live off income in UK as we were going to set up a business. Our children are one and eight and my daughter adapted great and was speaking fluent Turkish after 6 months.

I have dealt with the UK system all my life and I do understand things are not perfect there. We underestimated just how good a life us and our child had there and we thought life would be better here. It is not, which is sad for us as not easy moving to another country. Also his family (even after 13 years) are still not accepting the fact I am NOT Turkish Cypriot.

I was not under any illusion it would be easy, but there are certain things that we just do not like. It is a fact that we do not want to live here any longer and will be moving back to the UK.

Thanks for your comments VP.

I hope others who are looking to come to North Cyprus or even the South will do full research and live here for a few months before leaving their old life. Others love it here and others don't. I know at least another 2 couples who are leaving.

The grass is not always greener.

Good Luck.

Jo.