Cyprus-Forum.com

[phoenix]

Citizenship Test for Cypriotishness.

Let's move forward a few years to a time when Cyprus is being restored to its original glory; complete and whole.

How would we tackle re-integration of Turkish speaking people/others, who wish to remain on Cyprus once the Turkish Army has obtained its booty and left?

A number of countries Like Britain, Canada and Australia are contemplating introducing Citizenship Tests. Candidates would attend a formal period of study to learn basic English, customs, history of the natives, sport traditions (e.g. “cricket test”) and various lines of the respective National Anthem. They then sit a formal Test and if they pass they can stay, swear an oath and gain Citizenship. BINGO!

This enforced method of assimilation would promote greater social cohesion between the different communities.

NOW:
What sort of quintessential topics, traditions, and pass-times would be suitable for anyone wishing to become a Citizen of Cyprus to have to acquire in order to gain CYPRIOTISHNESS?

Pip-pip
Phoenix

[raymanuva]

Apart that this is just being a silly joke... no Turkish Cypriot should take such a test as this would promote discrimination and there would be no point for a solution.

[Eliko]

[quote="phoenix"]Citizenship Test for Cypriotishness.

Let's move forward a few years to a time when Cyprus is being restored to its original glory; complete and whole.

How would we tackle re-integration of Turkish speaking people/others, who wish to remain on Cyprus once the Turkish Army has obtained its booty and left?

A number of countries Like Britain, Canada and Australia are contemplating introducing Citizenship Tests. Candidates would attend a formal period of study to learn basic English, customs, history of the natives, sport traditions (e.g. “cricket test”) and various lines of the respective National Anthem. They then sit a formal Test and if they pass they can stay, swear an oath and gain Citizenship. BINGO!

This enforced method of assimilation would promote greater social cohesion between the different communities.

NOW:
What sort of quintessential topics, traditions, and pass-times would be suitable for anyone wishing to become a Citizen of Cyprus to have to acquire in order to gain CYPRIOTISHNESS? [>quote:]


Quite simply, demonstrate their willingness and ability to disregard all the decadent influences foisted upon their culture by the Western powers.

Revert to their original perceptions of respectability and hospitality.

Revive their age old traditions and make every effort to re-establish themselves as an example to other nations.

Maintain the integrity of their culture (which still exists in many of the older generation) and express the desire to live in peace with their fellow man.

Those who would seek citizenship should swear to adopt such principles.

A tall order I fear, other nations would not allow it.

[phoenix]

Quite simply, demonstrate their willingness and ability to disregard all the decadent influences foisted upon their culture by the Western powers.

Revert to their original perceptions of respectability and hospitality.

Revive their age old traditions and make every effort to re-establish themselves as an example to other nations.

Maintain the integrity of their culture (which still exists in many of the older generation) and express the desire to live in peace with their fellow man.

Those who would seek citizenship should swear to adopt such principles.

A tall order I fear, other nations would not allow it.

Cyprus IS part of the Western culture and anyone wishing to acquire Cypriotishness may have to learn to live with more Western traditions.

It may not be such a tall order. Given less choice and more guidelines people become happier (endless research supports this view).

It is more about re-training to fit in with where Cyprus is headed, not necessarily where it was entrenched in the past.

Pip-pip
Phoenix

[Eliko]

Phoenix, sorry mate, there I was thinking Cyprus was part of the Middle East.

[phoenix]

Phoenix, sorry mate, there I was thinking Cyprus was part of the Middle East.

We all make mistakes. . . to err is human, to forgive is divine etc.

This would be precisely why implementation of a common starting point by training, would be worthwhile. There would be less chance of such misunderstandings. Turks may WISH Cyprus into the Middle East, but its Western Civilization says otherwise!

Acceptance of Cypriotishness' precedents should lead to greater integration.

Which I think is what the majority may desire.

Pip-pip
Phoenix

[Nikitas]

Why so much care for the settlers?

On this point my approach is rather ruthless- ! They go back where they came from. There are plenty of Cypriots of the diaspora who want to come back if only we give them sufficent incentives. And I am referring to Cypriots of all the communities on the island. Returning Cypriots do not need to pass any cockamamie citizenships test either!

And if anyone is even remotely likely to think of this as a Greek ploy to bring back Greeks, then let's limit the incentive only to Turkish Cypriots. Any of them returning to live in Cyprus, or even just to stay long enough to establish residence, they get a cash bonus, priority on housing, job retraining, the works.

I reckon I am not the only one who has had it with the plight of settlers in the event of a settlement. These people knew what the were getting into when they came over here- it was a raid for them, not a legitimate resettlement and they do have a place to go back to. So stop this silly game with their becomeing citizens. As for their children, they can go back to their ancestral homes. Turkey needs them.

[phoenix]

Apart that this is just being a silly joke... no Turkish Cypriot should take such a test as this would promote discrimination and there would be no point for a solution.

Discrimination is not proposed beyond that which pre-exists at the outset. The communities have already been polarised to the present extreme by the introduction of the Turkish Army into the equation.

Working towards citizenship is the least that can be expected from anyone demanding to set up home and a future in someone else's homeland. It should not be a matter of choice for prospective citizens. Properly conducted, it could aid integration; assuming that is the desired end-goal by the outsiders.

You do not appear to have any enthusiasm for integration and would rather stifle any prospects of a solution towards a united and workable Cyprus.

Pip-pip
Phoenix

[Svetlana]

The Government already have Citizenship tests for non-EU Nationals, who have lived in Cyprus for more than 5 years, perhaps on Work Visas, and wish to remain here.

Lana

[Eliko]

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 ?.