Cyprus-Forum.com

[Viewpoint]

By Jean Christou

E.U. EMBASSIES in Cyprus said they breathed a sigh of relief when the government withdrew invitations for member states to take part in the military parade to mark Independence Day on October 1.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, diplomats from five of the bloc’s main players said they had been saved from causing public embarrassment to the government by having to politely decline.

Last week the government admitted that invitations had been sent out to member states, but then cancelled them due to “a lack of time for proper organisation”.

Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said 14 of the 27 member states had responded positively but did not reveal which ones. It was not a question of having being snubbed by the others, he said.

The Sunday Mail spoke to more than five embassies, all of whom said they had not given their response before the withdrawal of the invitations.

“We don't want to say anything embarrassing,” said one diplomat. “We received an invite and then it was withdrawn. It’s a complicated issue so we don't want to talk about it. The invitation was withdrawn, so we didn't have to make a decision.”

A second diplomat said most of the embassies had held back from replying until as close to the deadline as possible, because their answer would likely have been negative.

All had sent the request back to their governments for advice on what to do.

Some said it was the ensuing silence from the major players that had probably prompted the government to change its mind and withdraw the invitations before it became an embarrassment.
“We were trying not to have to make the decision,” said the second diplomat, speaking about his own country. “Although we did not see how we could participate, how we were going to answer? We didn't know.”

Another concern raised was that four EU countries, Britain, Slovakia, Hungry and Austria participate in UNFICYP. If these counties had taken part in the Greek Cypriot parade it would have put them in the diplomatic spotlight.

“How would Greek Cypriots feel if these countries took part in a parade in the north? It would raise a lot of hackles and questions,” said a third diplomat.

Most diplomats believe the government came up with the idea after some member states sent small contingents to take part in the recent July 14 parade in France.

“We received an invitation from the Cyprus government and we were surprised,” said one EU ambassador.

“We didn't reply because we don't have a military attach? and then the invitation was withdrawn. We wouldn't have taken part. Our country does not send military personnel abroad.

It’s just not something we do.”

Many of the embassies were concerned about the implications such a move would have on the Cyprus issue, rather than seeing it as a snub to the Cyprus government.

“Most embassies wondered what would be the value of participating. Would it be positive for the island or would we end up as provocative participants?” said a fourth diplomat.
He believes the invitations were withdrawn after the government realised the main embassies would not participate. Taking part in the French parade was acceptable because there were no connotations “as would be the case here”, he said.

“As it turned out we did not have to give an answer,” said the second diplomat. “But we didn't think the whole thing was a smart move because we are in a kind of special situation here with the UN still on the island.”

A spokesman at the Greek embassy said the only invite they had on record was the usual on for the ambassador to attend the parade on October 1, which he would be doing as was customary.

Despite repeated attempts, the government spokesman did not return calls to the Sunday Mail.

Defence Minister Christodoulos Pashiardis said it was a matter for the Foreign Ministry, also out of reach.

“It's not an issue for the Defence Ministry,” said Pashiardis.

He said he could not name any of the 14 countries who accepted the invitation, and also whether similar invitations would be sent out next year when time constraints would not be a problem.
MEP Marios Matskais, who has asked the European Parliament to appeal to EU governments to put a stop to all military parades on Cyprus, is in no doubt that the invitations were withdrawn due to the reluctance of member states to take part. It has nothing to do with time constraints, he said.

“It’s a joke,” he said. “I suspect they had some feedback from the other member states that there was going to be a polite refusal and they didn't want to be embarrassed.”
Matsakis said the French parade was something completely different.

“This is Cyprus: it could create a big problem and no member state could take the risk of becoming involved,” he said.

“There would be no useful purpose for member states to send their military to Cyprus. In fact there is no useful purpose to military parades in general. It was a very bad idea from the start and it has become an embarrassing farce for the government.”

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007

Interesting article has the tide turned? is this just another version of what Piratis is waiting for a swing but not in his favor, this is also a possibility.

[paliometoxo]

yes they should stop alla army parades.. including the one celebrating the invasion

[RichardB]

Interesting point paliometoxo

What are your views on stopping the military parades in the north VP?

[Viewpoint]

Interesting point paliometoxo

What are your views on stopping the military parades in the north VP?

I dont agree they shoudl be held but we are not in the EU and therefore do not have to toes the line, the GCs are so they should stick to the rules but there is a strong underlying message here that member states we preparing to bycott the whole thing.

[RichardB]

Thanks for the reply

But I dont think that there are any 'Rules' or EU legislation banning Military parades in any member state

However it would seem that common sense should prevail in Cyprus and that an 'unwritten rule' for the halting of military parades should be upheld island wide (North and South) due to the sensativity of the political situation.

Just my opinion

[humanist]

RicahrdB I agree with you also.

However, everyone in Cyrus politicans and civilians have lost sight of what matters.

[denizaksulu]

Interesting point paliometoxo

What are your views on stopping the military parades in the north VP?

Well, the answer is obvious, isnt it? Not recognised by EU and any other nation except Turkey, as you keep on reminding them, why will they stop?

[Kifeas]

Interesting point paliometoxo

What are your views on stopping the military parades in the north VP?

Well, the answer is obvious, isnt it? Not recognised by EU and any other nation except Turkey, as you keep on reminding them, why will they stop?

"Why will they not stop" what? The military parades which they do not make nor decide themselves, but the Turkish Army does? Since when Talat's regime dictates anything onto the generals and now the only barrier left is the fact of the non-recognition?

[humanist]

deniz I think that is poor reason that you have presented.

the esential question is do I agree with military parades, do I agree with the notion of the army essentially build around destroying human life, if you do then you do if you don't well you don't. whether you are members of the EU or not plays no part about your ideology/

end of story.

[Bananiot]

The issue here is the naivety of the people that have been ruling us for the last 4.5 years. Also the easiness in which they tell us lies. They "withdrew the request because they realised that the time was short", so the government spokesman said. These people are unbelievable!