Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

Many of the images in Turkish-Cypriot society about the other side
were formed during the period from 1963-1974, when they
experienced discrimination, harassment, and persecution as a
minority in Cyprus. Greek Cypriots had fought during the British
period for ‘enosis', or union with Greece, and many saw as a
disappointment the independence that resulted from their struggle.
The constitution was viewed as unworkable and included too many
privileges for the Turkish Cypriots. There was resentment by the
Greek Cypriots about what was perceived as unfair advantages, as
well as frustration from the inability to pass legislation. When the
Turkish Cypriots withdrew into enclaves scattered throughout the
island, they became invisible to most Greek Cypriots, and extremist
groups were able to act with impunity. The suffering of the Turkish
Cypriots during this period, which went unnoticed by the majority of
the Greek-Cypriot population, is firmly embedded in the minds and
hearts of Turkish Cypriots. Fortunately, Turkish Cypriots hold a few positive images of Greek Cypriots, but it is the negative characteristics
that receive constant reinforcement from the authorities, the
educational system, and the media.
In general, some of the more commonly held beliefs about the
Greek Cypriots include the following:
■ ‘Greek Cypriots think Cyprus belongs to them. They believe that
Cyprus is a Greek island, that they are the rightful owners. They
have not been able to abandon the Megali Idea that points toward
enosis with Greece. Greek Cypriots don’t believe we have a right to
be in Cyprus. They don’t respect us or even recognize our communal
identity. They think we are under full control of Turkey, without a
will of our own.'
■ ‘Greek Cypriots ignore their responsibilities for past mistakes. They
think the conflict started in 1974. They always concentrate on the
Turkish military actions, but they fail to see what happened before
that, how they created the conditions for the Turkish intervention.
Greek Cypriots distort the facts about the period 1963-1974, the
missing persons, the stolen icons, and other issues, making it seem as
if everything was fine until Turkey intervened.'
■ ‘Greek Cypriots fail to understand the reality in the north. They don’t
see the growing disparity between the two sides, and they
misunderstand our wish to have our autonomy and equality. They
don’t see how the embargos they implement hurt them in the long
run, giving us Turkey as our only window to the rest of the world.
They have a naïve view of the situation with Anatolian Turks coming
to Cyprus, and they don’t see that it is their own actions that are
bringing more of them. The conditions are driving us away from
Cyprus, and soon they will find themselves sharing the island with
Turkish peasants rather than with Turkish Cypriots.'
■ ‘Greek Cypriots think of us as inferior. They don’t understand that
we have our own political institutions, that we have a democratically
elected government, that we have rules and regulations under which
we administrate our society. They don’t realize the creativity and
ingenuity it takes just to keep things working, and how our business skills have enabled us to survive in the face of many difficulties. They
still think of us as ‘good enough for making shamishi. If there is ever
the possibility for them to do so, they will try to make us their
workers again.'
■ ‘Greek Cypriots are preoccupied with their own victimization. They
fail to see that they have victimized others. We know they have some
genuine and serious concerns about their security, but they are not
at all concerned about our security. Greek Cypriots have a
superiority complex, not only toward us but towards others as well.
They want everything for themselves. They take all the advantages
and benefits of being recognized, and they do not share it with us.'
■ ‘Greek Cypriots are not serious about resolving the conflict. They
would like to see things return to the pre-1974 status, when they
were in control of the whole island, but they don’t want a solution
based on true partnership. In fact, they fail to understand what
partnership means; they don’t see the importance of equal political
status. They lack understanding of the issue of parity, both politically
and economically. Greek Cypriots do not have strong enough pain to
need change from the present status, and they have no incentive for
compromise. Their desire to join the European Union was driven by
political motives, and they don’t see how the final result will be the
permanent division of Cyprus. Perhaps this is what they want, so they
don’t have to deal with us any more.'
■ ‘Greek Cypriots are not realistic about the future. They think that if
the Turkish army leaves, everything will be okay. They don’t
understand that unrestricted freedom of movement will allow the
extremists on both sides to create trouble. They forget to mention
that since 1974 there have been very few civilian deaths in Cyprus at
the hands of the other community. No one would want to see EOKA
and TMT operating again. Greek Cypriots also have false hopes of
returning to their former homes. They seem to be living in a dream
world, thinking they can just turn back the hands of time and make
things like they used to be. Finally, Greek Cypriots forget that
entering the European Union will mean that Europeans will be able to settle more easily in Cyprus. They don’t understand the changes
that will take place when they have to follow European rules.'
■ ‘Individually, the Greek Cypriots are good people. They are very
serious, and they have been very successful in building a strong
economy and persuasive in influencing international opinion. They
are diplomatic, polite, and can be quite charming. In social
situations, they are fun to be with – good singers and dancers, and
plenty of really funny jokes! Unfortunately, they are more religious
than us, and they are controlled too much by the church. We are also
worried that Russian interest groups and the Russian mafia are
gaining too much influence over some politicians.'

SOURCE:BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE GREEN LINE

[bigOz]

I thought you were doing some poll in this forum and I was about to reply with an answer!

How do Turkish Cypriots see Greek Cypriots?
By driving to the other side accross the Green line!

[DT.]

I thought you were doing some poll in this forum and I was about to reply with an answer!

How do Turkish Cypriots see Greek Cypriots?
By driving to the other side accross the Green line!

whats next...why did the greek chicken cross the road?

[miltiades]

A little houmur and less political talk is good sometimes. I wish bigoz would live by his motto
of" respect and be respected. Do you realize some time ago I had fierce discusions with two G/Cs who were using the Greeg flag as their avatar and eventualy quite sensibly substituted . It would be nice to see a fellow Cypriot indicating to me and every one else that not only is he a proud T/C but also a proud Cypriot. So what say you bigoz , are you big enough for a magnanimus gesture ?

[bigOz]

A little houmur and less political talk is good sometimes. I wish bigoz would live by his motto
of" respect and be respected. Do you realize some time ago I had fierce discusions with two G/Cs who were using the Greeg flag as their avatar and eventualy quite sensibly substituted . It would be nice to see a fellow Cypriot indicating to me and every one else that not only is he a proud T/C but also a proud Cypriot. So what say you bigoz , are you big enough for a magnanimus gesture ?

Yes miltiades I am! Not because I like Turkey and Turkish peiople any less, but because it has served its purpose, and most of all because I do not intend to offend anyone who genuinely believes in a safe unified Cyprus with due consideration for TCs feelings.

The fact that you have none in your avatar also helps

[Get Real!]

SOURCE:BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE GREEN LINE

Greek Cypriots think Cyprus belongs to them. They believe that
Cyprus is a Greek island, that they are the rightful owners.

First and foremost Cyprus belongs to her indigenous people the Greek Cypriots with a rich history spanning thousands of years before Christ was even born. Read it, believe it, and never wear it out.

Greek Cypriots ignore their responsibilities for past mistakes. They think the conflict started in 1974.

Greek Cypriots are very much aware that their problems started early in the 16th century first with constant Ottoman raids and then with the full scale Ottoman invasion of 1571. The conflict didn’t start in 1974, 1963, or 1955, but when Anatolian barbarians saw fit to come to this island uninvited in yet another attempt to disrupt and destroy yet another civilization.

Greek Cypriots fail to understand the reality in the north. They don’t see the growing disparity between the two sides, and they
misunderstand our wish to have our autonomy and equality.

Greek Cypriots were always very much aware of their disparity from the Ottoman remnants on the island, after all 300+ years of Ottoman rule is more than enough to figure that out, and today wish them well and hope that they receive their autonomy & equality somewhere in their beloved Turkey. Good luck, we are sure your brothers will fully understand and accommodate you.

Greek Cypriots think of us as inferior. They don’t understand that
we have our own political institutions, that we have a democratically
elected government, that we have rules and regulations under which
we administrate our society.

Glad to see you’ve been practicing setting up a society. You’ll need it when you arrive at your promised land somewhere Turkey. Again, good luck and God speed.

Greek Cypriots are not serious about resolving the conflict. They
would like to see things return to the pre-1974 status, when they
were in control of the whole island, but they don’t want a solution
based on true partnership.

Cyprus is a sovereign country with its recognized government, borders, and people. Cyprus is not a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation, to strike partnerships with. You either abide by her laws or return to your motherland.

Greek Cypriots are not realistic about the future. They think that if
the Turkish army leaves, everything will be okay.

Correction… when EVERYONE, soldier or civilian, who does not abide by the laws of Cyprus and does not swear allegiance to Cyprus, leaves then everything will surely be ok, I assure you.

[DT.]

Get Real building bridges across the divide again..

[denizaksulu]

"Nobody does it better" than GRRRR! Indeed

[miltiades]

A little houmur and less political talk is good sometimes. I wish bigoz would live by his motto
of" respect and be respected. Do you realize some time ago I had fierce discusions with two G/Cs who were using the Greeg flag as their avatar and eventualy quite sensibly substituted . It would be nice to see a fellow Cypriot indicating to me and every one else that not only is he a proud T/C but also a proud Cypriot. So what say you bigoz , are you big enough for a magnanimus gesture ?

Yes miltiades I am! Not because I like Turkey and Turkish people any less, but because it has served its purpose, and most of all because I do not intend to offend anyone who genuinely believes in a safe unified Cyprus with due consideration for TCs feelings.

The fact that you have none in your avatar also helps

BigOz , you have my respect , and let all those G/C fanatics , Nikeforos and co. realize that we have amongst us T/Cs proud people , sensitive to issues and big enough to show their Cypriotness . We are what we are , G/Cs T/Cs and others , but above all we are Cypriots.
You have shown that you are a genuine and caring person who considers the feelings of other people just as you want others to consider your feelings too.

Those fanatics who express anti T/C or anti G/C feelings ought to take note of the relationships that exist on these forum amongst Cypriots.

[Viewpoint]

A little houmur and less political talk is good sometimes. I wish bigoz would live by his motto
of" respect and be respected. Do you realize some time ago I had fierce discusions with two G/Cs who were using the Greeg flag as their avatar and eventualy quite sensibly substituted . It would be nice to see a fellow Cypriot indicating to me and every one else that not only is he a proud T/C but also a proud Cypriot. So what say you bigoz , are you big enough for a magnanimus gesture ?

Yes miltiades I am! Not because I like Turkey and Turkish people any less, but because it has served its purpose, and most of all because I do not intend to offend anyone who genuinely believes in a safe unified Cyprus with due consideration for TCs feelings.

The fact that you have none in your avatar also helps

BigOz , you have my respect , and let all those G/C fanatics , Nikeforos and co. realize that we have amongst us T/Cs proud people , sensitive to issues and big enough to show their Cypriotness . We are what we are , G/Cs T/Cs and others , but above all we are Cypriots.
You have shown that you are a genuine and caring person who considers the feelings of other people just as you want others to consider your feelings too.

Those fanatics who express anti T/C or anti G/C feelings ought to take note of the relationships that exist on these forum amongst Cypriots.

Unless of course they happen to disagree with you.