Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Greekster91** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:32 pm

Just wondering, Varosha is a blockaded city in now northern Cyprus where no one lives. From what I here it was a thriving tourist city. If it was returned, it be competition for larnaca, right? Or was there a total difference between them i don't know about.

Also why doesn't northern Cyprus not just give it back if there not using it? Are they using it as a bargaining chip?

by **denizaksulu** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:35 pm

Greekster91 wrote:Just wondering, Varosha is a blockaded city in now northern Cyprus where no one lives. From what I here it was a thriving tourist city. If it was returned, it be competition for larnaca, right? Or was there a total difference between them i don't know about.

Also why doesn't northern Cyprus not just give it back if there not using it? Are they using it as a bargaining chip?

Got it in one.
It was a lovely city with one of the best beaches in Cyprus. I would love to see it thriving again. :cry:

by **Nikitas** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:12 am

Greekster,

As a native of Varosha, or Famagusta as is the Venetian name, or Ammohostos in Greek, it is THE bargaining chip in this deal we call the Cyprus Problem. Not in the obvious straightforward way "you give me X and I will return Varosha to you" but in a more complicated deal. You see the rich prize is not the city itself but the work and the money that will be spent to rebuild it.

Just think! All the demolition contracts to knock down and remove several thousand buildings. The architectural contracts for town planners, architects and engineers that will redesign, construct, consult etc. The materials, the building contracts and the list goes on! We are talking major money. Part to be provide by international grants, most to be paid by the returning inhabitants and their descendants. And the big question is WHO MAKES THE MONEY!

Whoe gets the mine and who gets the gold, that is the game played now. It will be the biggest civil engineering project in the island's history. No wonder everyone is waiting like a coiled snake!

As far as competition for Larnaca, I don't think so. Each city has its own attractions. And in any case it will take years for Famagusta to "come on line". ANd like I said, the money is not in tourism, it is in the rebuilding.

Hope this elucidation has been elucidating

Nikitas

by **Greekster91** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:50 pm

Thank you guys for your imput. But the people who owned the hotels/homes in Varosha are most still alive? If they are don't they still own thier property and don't they have to rebuild it?

Has the north ever came to try and make a deal like, i'll give you varosha for x? And if they did what was the deal?

by **denizaksulu** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:03 pm

Greekster91 wrote:Thank you guys for your imput. But the people who owned the hotels/homes in Varosha are most still alive? If they are don't they still own thier property and don't they have to rebuild it?

Has the north ever came to try and make a deal like, i'll give you varosha for x? And if they did what was the deal?

I think one of the deals involved 'recognition ' of the TRNC. Tha was not and will not be forthcoming so there it stands.
I cant remember what else was on the table except a cup of Cyprus coffee a bottle of Keo beer and Cyprus delight :lol:

by **EPSILON** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:14 pm

denizaksulu wrote:
Greekster91 wrote:Thank you guys for your imput. But the people who owned the hotels/homes in Varosha are most still alive? If they are don't they still own thier property and don't they have to rebuild it?

Has the north ever came to try and make a deal like, i'll give you varosha for x? And if they did what was the deal?

I think one of the deals involved 'recognition ' of the TRNC. Tha was not and will not be forthcoming so there it stands.
I cant remember what else was on the table except a cup of Cyprus coffee a bottle of Keo beer and Cyprus delight

Famagusta, even as a dead city, still helping its own citizens- Its show to the World and particularly the high salary politicians in Eu how Eu will be when Turks enter (if this ever happen) in.

by **bigdog** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:47 pm

Has anyone at all been in there since ? Suppose it`s too dangerous ?
A few years ago a GC taxi driver took my wife and I to the north to show us where he used to live . He took on a drive and some places including a beech you could see into the city . I found it so strange to stand so close to somewhere yet not be able to go any closer because of a simple fence . I know your not supposed to but I did get a few pics .