Cyprus-Forum.com

[alexISS]

I am watching the fireworks from here!. Its wonderful.
He he heee!!! I cant believe you guys are serious.
Regards
DA

Dead serious!

[Get Real!]

You're dreaming Alexis, you've got the hardware but you forgot to get the user's manual!

To prove my point go stick a big blue flag on a Turkish rock and watch the fireworks...

And what happened when the Turks stuck their flag on Imia? Do you actually know? The two countries actually were on the brink of war, and it was only after the Turks removed the flag that things cooled off... So no, it's YOU who's dreaming when you actually believe that the free Cyprus would not have been already invaded if Greece wasn't the guarantor of its safety. Still waiting for a comment on the Sismic incident btw...

I'll tell you what happened, the Turks won the battle by getting you to agree (sign) to leave the rocks vacant!

If you can't inhabit it and you can't put things on it then they have technically turned your rock into a Green line!

That's why I keep telling you guys that with your military prowess and negotiating skills there should be no Greek islands left by the end of the century and you're trying to convince me that you're protecting Cyprus???

[alexISS]

I'll tell you what happened, the Turks won the battle by getting you to agree (sign) to leave the rocks vacant!

If you can't inhabit it and you can't put things on it then they have technically turned your rock into a Green line!

That's why I keep telling you guys that with your military prowess and negotiating skills there should be no Greek islands left by the end of the century and you're trying to convince me that you're protecting Cyprus???

Ok now you're just making things up. Greece signed what? Where on earth did you hear that? I'll say it again, Greek pilots defend the Aegean every day against Turkey, and to even think that Turkey wouldn't invade free Cyprus if it wasn't for Greece is proof of ignorance. Cyprus has no airforce, what do you think the National Guard would do against Turkish fighter jets? Maybe you'll use the s-300 missiles? Oh right, they're in Crete...

[denizaksulu]

Someody please correct me but were the Aegean Islands supposed to remain de-militarised (apart from locally conscripted contingents) according to the Laussanne Treaty? And does it or should the airspace be included? Is anything "in Force"? GCs need not answer but are welcome. Is SN still around or has he gone aground?
Regards
DA

[alexISS]

Someody please correct me but were the Aegean Islands supposed to remain de-militarised (apart from locally conscripted contingents) according to the Laussanne Treaty? And does it or should the airspace be included? Is anything "in Force"? GCs need not answer but are welcome. Is SN still around or has he gone aground?
Regards
DA

The eastern aegean islands were actually "militarized" after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 74, because Turkey became a clear threat to Greece.

Here is a quote from
http://www.greekembassy.org/Embassy/Con ... article=82
regarding the issue:

Contrary to Turkey's assertions, the militarization of the islands of the Eastern Aegean falls into three distinct categories:

1. The right to install military forces on the islands of Limnos and Samothrake has been established by the Treaty of Montreux of 1936, and has repeatedly been recognized by Turkey (see, e.g., statement made by former Turkish Foreign Minister Rusdi Aras to the Turkish National Assembly on July 31, 1936; letter of former Turkish Ambassador to Athens to the Greek government, dated May 6, 1936).
2. Concerning Lesvos, Chios, Samos, and Ikaria, the Treaty of Lausanne imposed partial demilitarization of these islands and not total demilitarization, as Turkey claims. In fact, the presence of some military forces is provided for, and Greece does indeed maintain a military presence on these islands in light of the need to protect her eastern frontier.
3. For the same reasons, Greece maintains in the Dodecanese a certain number of National Guard units which have been registered within the framework of the Treaty for Conventional Forces in Europe.

In addition to the above, Article 51 of the United Nations Charter sets down that every country has the inalienable right to legitimate defence of its territory. Unfortunately, the exercise of this right is particularly applicable and necessary in the case of Greece, given:

* the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974
* arbitrary Turkish claims and hostile declarations and actions concerning the territorial integrity of the Greek islands for over two decades
* the formation by Turkey of the 4th Army Group of the Aegean, which is stationed exactly opposite the Greek islands, and is equipped with the largest fleet of landing-craft in the Mediterranean
* the recent Turkish attack on the Imia islets and Turkey's threats of “casus belli” if Greece exercises her internationally recognized

Besides, all the military infrastructure in the Aegean islands is clearly defensive, I served my military term in Chios and I've personal experience on the matter.

[Kifeas]

Someody please correct me but were the Aegean Islands supposed to remain de-militarised (apart from locally conscripted contingents) according to the Laussanne Treaty? And does it or should the airspace be included? Is anything "in Force"? GCs need not answer but are welcome. Is SN still around or has he gone aground?
Regards
DA

Denizaksulu, when your "motherland" will manage to explain to you why it maintains on full alert the entire 3rd Army division (some 150,000 troops) along the entire west (Aegean) coastline of Turkey, opposite the Greek islands, then come here and we will definatelly explain to you why the Greek islands became so heavily militarised!

[denizaksulu]

Thanks alexISS for the prompt response, I havent read the link yet, but does it mean the The Treaty of Lausanne has been "broken".
I clearly remember news items that the "Eastern Aegean Islands were militarised" prior to 1974 and not as a result of.
Someone might come up with references. Being unofficial might be difficult finding, but you might be a source of 'un-official' verification, perhaps? I am going back to your link.
Regards
DA

[alexISS]

Thanks alexISS for the prompt response, I havent read the link yet, but does it mean the The Treaty of Lausanne has been "broken".
I clearly remember news items that the "Eastern Aegean Islands were militarised" prior to 1974 and not as a result of.
Someone might come up with references. Being unofficial might be difficult finding, but you might be a source of 'un-official' verification, perhaps? I am going back to your link.
Regards
DA

No, the treaty has not been "broken", but certain articles of it were nullified since certain prerequisites were "broken" by Turkey; in short: Turkey became a threat to Greece.

Regarding the militarization status of the islands priot to 74, I know for a fact that in Chios, half of the island's active barracks were built overnight when Turkey invaded Cyprus, the same is valid for many other islands as well. I haven't searched for "official" info on this but I could try at your request

[denizaksulu]

Thank you Kifeas. I have never mentioned my "motherland" so leave it out. I know that Greece has its army ready to "defend" itself on the borders. It would be foolish not to do so. What I am trying to find out is the "legality" issue of the terms of the treaty, which I want clarified. You might want to link this poser to GRs point about Turkeys rights over Cyprus Intervention as relates to the Laussanne Treaty.
Thank you
Regards
DA

[denizaksulu]

Thanks alexISS, I have noted that you say the treaty was not "Broken", until you mention that Turkey did brake the terms. Please find out more. I like to hear it from the "horses mouth". (english expression; I am sure you are familiar with it. I never knowingly insult. GR keep quite)
Regards
DA