Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

Government seeks explanations after on reports of ferry to Syria from north
By Jean Christou
CYPRUS IS seeking clarifications from Syria about a planned ferry service between the north and the Syrian port of Latakia, reports of which emerged at the weekend.
Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said explanations given so far by Syria were not satisfactory and further questions needed to be answered.

Palmas said the government would react dynamically if the Syrian response did not give adequate justification as to the development.

"The deputy foreign minister met today with the Syrian charge d'affaires and posed three succinct questions on this matter," he said. "We were not given clear answers and we will wait for them to clarify their position. Until today at least, our relations with Syria have been excellent and we would wish that they continue this way. There was no immediate comment from Syria.

According to a Reuters report, when Cyprus broached the issue with Syria, Damascus countered by expressing unease at the island's relations with Israel, a source familiar with the issue said.

"It was something they [the Syrians] raised in discussions, and it appears to bother them," said the source, who requested anonymity.
Turkish press on Saturday said daily ferry services between occupied Famagusta port and Latakia in Syria were due to commence on October 12. However reports yesterday said the inaugural trip took place on Saturday.

“A Turkish Cypriot delegation which travelled over the weekend by ferry from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC] to Syria was able to enter Syrian soil by presenting passports issued by KKTC, developments widely considered a step forward in the easing of the international isolation of the country's citizens,” Turkish Zaman reported.

Turkish Cypriot ‘Prime Minister’ Turgay Avc? said the re-started service came about after a series of meetings between Turkish Cypriot and Syrian officials responsible for maritime, commerce, industry and tourism.

Avci was present on Saturday when the ship left Famagusta harbour. It was part of efforts to lift the so-called "unfair" isolation of the Turkish Cypriots by the Cyprus government, he said.

Palmas said the government wanted to know whether it was true that Turkish Cypriot officials had met Syrian ministers, whether there was an agreement between the ‘TRNC’ and whether the trips would go ahead.

“We expect them to clarify their position on this matter,” Palmas said.
Acting Foreign Minister Fotis Fotiou met with the Syria’s Charge d’ Affaires in Cyprus Nader Nader yesterday morning, who was asked to answer the three questions.
“We consider it unacceptable that a government and in particular a government of such a friendly country as Syria could proceed to such agreements with the occupation regime,” Fotiou said.
Fotiou said that Nader had explained that as far as the Syrian Foreign Ministry was concerned, no meetings had taken place with Turkish Cypriot officials.
Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis who is in New York for the UN General Assembly is also expected to talk with the Foreign Minister of Syria.
Acting President Demetris Christofias said such actions harm the friendly relations between the two countries.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007

[Tim Drayton]

Paradoxically, the main demand for such a ferry service would probably be from Syrians wishing to cross over into the south and work illegally on building sites here! (There are countless small construction sites near where I live, and I usually hear Arabic being spoken when I walk pass them.)

[DT.]

What does the title of this thread have to do with this article Alistair?

[zan]

Paradoxically, the main demand for such a ferry service would probably be from Syrians wishing to cross over into the south and work illegally on building sites here! (There are countless small construction sites near where I live, and I usually hear Arabic being spoken when I walk pass them.)

Make the demand and the rest will follow....We are working on it!!!!

[phoenix]

They are just opening up routes for every kind of illicit activity, that's all. Nothing to be proud of

[zan]

They are just opening up routes for every kind of illicit activity, that's all. Nothing to be proud of

When my people break out of your siege then anything they do that helps that I will be proud of.....There is more than one way to skin a cat mate.....We are tired of waiting for you to do the right thing......

[phoenix]

They are just opening up routes for every kind of illicit activity, that's all. Nothing to be proud of

When my people break out of your siege then anything they do that helps that I will be proud of.....There is more than one way to skin a cat mate.....We are tired of waiting for you to do the right thing......

So you are just condoning criminality.
This is precisely what happens when criminals think they have got away with one crime (stealing the north of Cyprus) . . . they think they can continue with their life of crime and they are above the law.

You should be ashamed to endorse such a view . . I wish you didn't contaminate my island with such attitudes

[zan]

They are just opening up routes for every kind of illicit activity, that's all. Nothing to be proud of

When my people break out of your siege then anything they do that helps that I will be proud of.....There is more than one way to skin a cat mate.....We are tired of waiting for you to do the right thing......

So you are just condoning criminality.
This is precisely what happens when criminals think they have got away with one crime (stealing the north of Cyprus) . . . they think they can continue with their life of crime and they are above the law.

You should be ashamed to endorse such a view . . I wish you didn't contaminate my island with such attitudes

Yopu are condoning the "RoC" and that is the crime of the century. We have no choice...what is your excuse..

[phoenix]

They are just opening up routes for every kind of illicit activity, that's all. Nothing to be proud of

When my people break out of your siege then anything they do that helps that I will be proud of.....There is more than one way to skin a cat mate.....We are tired of waiting for you to do the right thing......

So you are just condoning criminality.
This is precisely what happens when criminals think they have got away with one crime (stealing the north of Cyprus) . . . they think they can continue with their life of crime and they are above the law.

You should be ashamed to endorse such a view . . I wish you didn't contaminate my island with such attitudes

Yopu are condoning the "RoC" and that is the crime of the century. We have no choice...what is your excuse..

The WHOLE world condones (recognizes) the RoC Zan.

What does that tell you about your stance? You are alone in your thinking because you are WRONG in your thinking.
Criminals to the end.

[zan]

They are just opening up routes for every kind of illicit activity, that's all. Nothing to be proud of

When my people break out of your siege then anything they do that helps that I will be proud of.....There is more than one way to skin a cat mate.....We are tired of waiting for you to do the right thing......

So you are just condoning criminality.
This is precisely what happens when criminals think they have got away with one crime (stealing the north of Cyprus) . . . they think they can continue with their life of crime and they are above the law.

You should be ashamed to endorse such a view . . I wish you didn't contaminate my island with such attitudes

Yopu are condoning the "RoC" and that is the crime of the century. We have no choice...what is your excuse..

The WHOLE world condones (recognizes) the RoC Zan.

What does that tell you about your stance? You are alone in your thinking because you are WRONG in your thinking.
Criminals to the end.

The whole world goes on the technicalities that the Greeks used to trick them and they had no choice. The Akritas plan saw to that...Just like Kifeas they concentrate on these technicalities and forget about just doing the right thing...Perhaps a little humility and honesty would be nice but I think it would stick in your throats