Cyprus-Forum.com

[humanist]

In one of the post that I got a glimpse last night just before heading off to bed I read a post from Kikapu in relation to settlers and if there were two states the state ought to provide funds for settlers instead of the federal governement.

I really want to coment on that and here it goes.

Kikapu I feel that is ading more to the division of Cyprus and its citizens and therefore creates a hiarcical classes within Cyprus.

I believe that the issue of settlers needs to be studied carefully and explored in its fullest sense. Firstly on this issue I would say that settlers (as Zan pointed out to me once ) are human beings and deserve the same respect as any toher human being/ Cypriot citizen.

Secondly if we ever reach a solution, which includes settlers staying on in Cyprus and personally I belive that quite a number of them ought to remain on the Island. This is based on the fact that their lives have been Cyprus many have been born there, many have intermarried and hence have family networks, friendhsips and lively hoods ought to stay on. (and lets face it once there is a solution to the Cyprus problem Turkey will be admitted into the EU and therefore and essentailly we are all one citizen of the EU, it wont matter as it should be).

To this end I would say it again that the Turkish speaking Cypriots need to go to referendum to decide which percentage of settlers stay. Secondly I hope that Cyprus unites in an absolute way by which I mean that it is a true unification and not based on the fact that one side has cornered the other or that Turkish speaking Cypriots have been compromised so that Turkey can gain membership.

Thirdly if we unify and settlers stay people need to be given equal rights, and should be able to move freely and live freely within their country to this end I disagree with your coment that the northern state or pink state or whatever we want to call it coff up to support those people. We either accept them or we don't. I feel that it would be tottally unfair if we create a second class citizen by any decision, the Turkish speaking Cypriots are saying that they felt second class citizens for a long time and want their own state so they feel that they are equal, so why create another similar situation.

Personally I believe that turkey has fucked up in this matter and she needs to pay. In a time of solution Turkey needs to foot the bill for the accomodation, education and health needs of settlers.

on the part of the RoC/ United States of Cyprus or whatever this new country will be called, settlers ought to be afforded teh samer rights as other Cypriots. If we don't want them then the decision ought to be made prior to unification, though this is not likely to happen as they are part of cyprus society, ethically it would be unethical not to allow a portion f settlers to remain on as citizens.

As greek speaking Cypriots I would find it unethical and disgusting to make a blanket statemenat that all settlers are to be deported.

I hope that the past 32 years have been a lesson for all cypriots and that we learn from the past as so we do not recreate it with a new generation of second class citizenship. This will be imperative for a far just united society.

Once again the church has a great deal of land and that land needs to be earmarked for turkish speaking cypriots and settlers occuprying refugee property. A register of refugees who will not return and would be happy for compenasation ought to also be taken so that people can remain in their current accommodation where possible. A great number of refugees especially those living overseas will not return, this might enable some turkish speaking cypriots to remain where they are, as well as settlers.

Further to my suggestion I would say that the two states of Cyprus remain as they curretly are, in a united Cyprus there should not matter what size they are, once again this is an ideal istic perception of a humanist, but I cannot see why it cannot be a reality. One United Cyprus, one united health system, one united educational system, one united business/ commerce/ department one united immigration department etc etc etc.

NO MORE DIVISIONS AND SEPARATIONS WE EITHER DO IT RIGHT OR WE KEEP IT AS IS UNTIL WE HAVE ENLIGHTENED, JUST, FAIR INDIVIDUALS THAT BRING IT TOGETHER.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SAY MY PEACE.

[Piratis]

I believe that the issue of settlers needs to be studied carefully and explored in its fullest sense. Firstly on this issue I would say that settlers (as Zan pointed out to me once ) are human beings and deserve the same respect as any toher human being/ Cypriot citizen.

They are definitely human beings and they are definitely not Cypriot citizens. They are Turkish citizens who are in Cyprus illegally, not as illegal immigrants like some other foreigners are, but as part of a policy of Turkey to change the demographics in Cyprus against all international laws and the Geneva convention which specifically states that "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."

Not RoC, not GCs, not TCs, but Turkey is the one responsible for the settlers. Therefore Turkey is the country that should take these people back where they belong to ensure their human rights and compensate them for any damage that they have suffered due to the illegal Turkish policies.

Beyond that, if a Turkish citizen is entitled to the Cypriot citizenship (because he was married to a TC for example) then this person will get the citizenship and be equal Cypriot citizen like all the rest. However who is entitled for such citizenships can be determined only by the relevant authorities of Republic of Cyprus, and not anybody else.

[humanist]

Piratis

Beyond that, if a Turkish citizen is entitled to the Cypriot citizenship (because he was married to a TC for example) then this person will get the citizenship and be equal Cypriot citizen like all the rest. However who is entitled for such citizenships can be determined only by the relevant authorities of Republic of Cyprus, and not anybody else.

Piratis I agree, however the case gets complicated where do you draw the line, for example a young man maries a Turkish Cypriot woman, what about his family? his parents and siblings? Do we break up that family and keep the young man only? What about their children?

[humanist]

Piratis, the question gets even more complicated, despite of what some turkish speaking cypriots on this forum would like to have us believe is that the turkish cypriot culture is not affected by the settler population I wonder what the majority of turkish speaking cypriots would think in relation to this and if infact they want the settlers to stay ..... I guess we will never know. I would like to find out though ....... and not from the usual forum crowed....

[Piratis]

The relevant authorities of Cyprus will determine who is entitled and who is not.

For example, even in the case that you go to the USA in a perfectly legal way, and you marry a USA citizen, then the authorities there will determine if you can get a citizenship (I think you still have to pass from an interview), and who can get the citizenship along with you. I don't think that would include your parents, probably only any under age children that you might have.

Every country has its own laws about this issues. Cyprus has its own laws and any applications for citizenships will be judged by those authorities based on the laws of Cyprus.

[denizaksulu]

Piratis , you talk too much. If not tomorrow, in the near future we will all be European. Read Humanist post again, slowly. Cant you understand what he is saying. Or do you draw blank whenever anybody talks sense. Grow up.

[humanist]

denizaksulu ....i hope that you are right about the near future and I hope that the near future is nearer than we envision, I think Cypriots deserve better than what they have now.

[denizaksulu]

Piratis; its not the relevant authorities in RoC who will determine. It will be the EU. You ( RoC ) have sold your right to determine anything. You can not pick and choose at your whim what goes on in the EU. You keep on quoting EU says this and EU says that. Your RoC government decides nothing, "mate"! I withdraw the "mate" bit. I have a lot of GC mates I will keep you on hold. I bet you'll be glad.
Selam

[humanist]

piratis

They are definitely human beings and they are definitely not Cypriot citizens. They are Turkish citizens who are in Cyprus illegally, not as illegal immigrants like some other foreigners are, but as part of a policy of Turkey to change the demographics in Cyprus against all international laws and the Geneva convention which specifically states that "The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies."

I appreciate your argument, however as we have seen for the past 32 years the international community has not done anything to ensure this does not happen or at least stop it from happenning..... so in order to reach peace perhaps we can accept some settlers and grant them citizenship and equality as one day soon we will all be european and able to live anywhere regardless so we might as well end the crrent status quo, refugees return home, turkish cypriots enjoy the economic benefits that is enjoyed by other Cypriots. That's where we are going to end up anyway so why not sooner rather than later. Enough of this discrimination, racism, fascism and separation.

[denizaksulu]

The settlers issue was not to the liking of many TCs immediately after 1974. But as we become more aware of the plight of refugees and settlers and the rights and wrongs of the situation, it is too late do do anything, like returning them to their (settlers) points of origin. They are mostly part of the population of Northern Cyprus and you cannot uproot them now. Piratis please, dont quote me anymore resolutions this and resolution that. They are pieces of paper, face reality. If you listen to me I will call "mate". Ok?