Eliko wrote:phoenix, according to your proposals, one must accept that the geographical position of a country must be disregarded in order to embrace the 'standards' of the West (as you indicate in the case of Cyprus).
Israel was planted in the same region, it becomes confusing when that nation refers to itself as Middle Eastern.
The ruined city of Varosha, the destruction in Lebanon, Iraq etc are all examples of Western interference in the affairs of other nations, particularly in the Middle East, do you not think that a pattern is emerging, that the intention is to destroy the cultures of other nations and replace them with Western 'standards' ? (I do not refer to Western 'culture' as I do not think it exists).
I may be wrong but I think there is a possibility that those 'standards' are not wanted in decent societies, what do you think?.
As to citizenship, I am sure we all know who we are well enough, despite all the integration policies rammed down our throats almost daily, it has become an offence for people to state their allegiance to their own country (particularly in the U.K.), is that what you would like to see in Cyprus ?.
Eliko, to answer your last point first:
Yes! Why should Cyprus continue to humour false allegiances? People have to be truly united in the common good of the Nation they aspire to. It was the confusion by the “Turkish Cypriots”, still clinging to Turkey which allowed the end result that has destroyed Cyprus.
We may be at cross purposes about your term Western “standards”. I am not interested in the cultural practices of individuals which change with the ebb and flow of socio-economic determinants. Only, in the Hellenic ideals of Democracy and Civilization which Cyprus has embraced despite continual pertuberances from outsiders. These are the undisputed cornerstones of Western Civilization which is why, like it or not, Cyprus is a “Western” country. Only Turkey keeps the “Middle-Eastern” regressive connection ongoing.
How do you define a “decent” society and how does the West fail in that, if I am right in presuming that is what you imply?
Pip-pip
Phoenix
