Cyprus-Forum.com

[magikthrill]

i think there was a thread about this a few days ago??

Posters advertising northern Cyprus as a holiday resort have been banned from London buses after complaints.
Some London-based Greek Cypriots, still angry over the 1974 invasion by the Turks, found the adverts offensive, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Many Greek Cypriots say the properties they were driven from are being used as holiday homes.

TfL has turned down a request from the North Cyprus Tourist Board (NCTB) to repeat the adverts.

An appeal by the North Cyprus Tourist Board is being reviewed by TfL.

TfL said: "It's our policy not to run adverts if people complain about them... and to avoid causing offence to any section of society."

The NCTB maintains it is not promoting the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus but trying to promote tourism to an area visited by more than 100,000 Britons last year.

But the Cyprus High Commission said many Greek Cypriots found the promotion offensive.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4375581.stm

[Deejay]

Hey magikthrill,

The UK and the world are applying double standards here.

Why is it that Turkish land in the South of Cyprus can be developed or occupied by Greek Cypriots, and when it is done in the North it becomes a big deal? My family lost land in the South and when I see pictures of Limasol, I don't see it as my home. I have lived longer in the North and abroad now than what my family had spent there in the South.

The only way to solve the problem is with compensation of land equivalent to what was lost.

I just like to bring up this point. Below is a letter that was written to the Mayor of London.
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Dear Ken,

Re: North Cyprus adverts on London Buses and the making of an appointment.

I am writing on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot Community living in London. As you are aware, there is a large Turkish Cypriot Community based all around London.

It has come to our attention, because it has been reported in the Turkish Cypriot media, that you have taken a decision not to accept adverts for North Cyprus on London buses etc.

I would like you to know that I, and a significant number of Turkish Cypriots voted for you in the last election, as it was believed that you were the candidate that would benefit London in the best way, by promoting
racial equality and friendship in this cosmopolitan city we live in.

Your actions have however upset the Turkish Cypriots, and I would like to ask for an appointment with you so that I can enlighten you on the facts.

Here is a brief summary of what has happened in Cyprus recently, and why we feel there is an injustice done on the Turkish Cypriots by yourselves. The report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Cyprus, and the 'policies' the British Government should adopt with regard to a solution and also to Northern Cyprus was scrutinised. It was concluded, that no diplomatic 'recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' would takeeffect, however that Britain would take a leading role in ending the unjust embargoes against Northern Cyprus. It was stated that:

(from the conclusion of the report)
'5. We conclude that undertakings given to Turkish Cypriots by the international community must be honoured. We recommend that the Government do more to turn its words into action, by working with the Luxembourg presidency of the EU to remove obstacles to direct trade with and travel to northern Cyprus, and that it encourage the wider international community to do the same. (Paragraph 135...'

Therefore, we ask that you take this into consideration, as the British Government has stipulated on the recent visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, that they will take steps to end the embargoes as concluded above. Therefore, your actions have contravened the stance taken by the British Government.

For many years, President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been negotiating for a justiciable settlement on the issue of Cyprus, based on a two State, equal and bi-zonal solution. President Denktas has, indeed, made many agreements in 1977-79 which enunciates that 'any solution to the Cyprus problem shall be on the basis of bi-zonality and equality'.

President Denktas has had certain principles, which in my opinion, is absolutely necessary in any solution, if the said solution is to be workable, and protective for the Turkish Cypriots. We the Turkish Cypriots
know very well what we have had to endure in the past by the Greek Cypriots.

We entered into a partnership Republic of Cyprus with our Greek friends on the island, and we were 'equal' with 'powers of veto' in important decisions. The vice-president would be Turkish Cypriot, and both Peoples had to elect their representatives respectively. However, the Greek Cypriots in 1963 attempted to 'change' important parts of the Constitution of 1960, which would have in effect made Cyprus a Greek island with a Turkish Cypriot minority.

The Greek Cypriots backed by Greece then attempted to ethnically cleanse us from the island by acts of genocide; killing and forcing thousands of Turkish Cypriots out of Cyprus; forcing us into less then 3% of the island's territory; and attacking and exterminating 103 Turkish Cypriot villages.

Makarios himself concluded:

"Until this Turkish community forming part of the Turkish race which has been the terrible enemy of hellenism is expelled, the duty of the heroes of EOKA can never be considered as terminated...'

Hence, when one bears the above in mind, the most favoured solution to the Cyprus problem is for the 'two sides' to have EQUAL RIGHTS and their SELF DETERMINATION be respected, in their own respective State.

President Denktas, has been trying to establish a 'new' partnership agreement with the Greek Cypriots based on two politically equal States and respect for one another. It is unfortunate that Mr Verhaugen and other EU Diplomats reiterated 'that Cyprus (Greek side as the whole island!) would enter the EU with or
without a solution...'. They thought that it was the fault of 'the Turkish side or President Denktas' who was to be blamed for the situation in Cyprus.

In fact, the Greek Cypriots actual entry into the EU can be said to contravene their own agreement and international law which stipulates:

'...not to participate, in whole or in part, in any political or economic union with any other State whatsoever.'

Hence, the Greek Cypriots entered the EU which constitutes 'Member States' and the Greek Cypriots are NOW recognised as 'the sole legitimate owner and representative of Cyprus.' Therefore, why should the Greek Cypriots want to 'share the island' with the Turkish Cypriots?

When President Denktas consistently called on the EU not to accept an illegal application for EU membership by the Greek Cypriots, and NOT to make statements like Mr Verhaugen that the Greeks shall enter regardless of a solution, 'as they can not and do not represent the Turkish Cypriots', Mr Denktas was blamed for the failure to find a solution.

To my astonishment, Mr Theodoru, a highly respected Greek Cypriot diplomat, has been reported as confessing in Alithia Newspaper (2/3/05) that :

'the Greek Cypriots have never wanted a solution...and also that the tactic of Mr Papodopolous was never to find a solution...'

This may sound shocking that such a confession be made on behalf of the Greek Cypriot diplomat, but more importantly here is what Mr De Soto has stipulated :

'...the Greek Cypriots do not want a solution for two reasons. The first reason is because they have economic stability and prosperity...the second is that they are Members of the European Union...'.

Those that have blamed the 'Turkish side and President Denktas' should now apologise and realise the truth, for they have been deceived!

The Greek Cypriots have nothing to hide, they speak overtly of their present and indeed past intentions. The UN Special Representative on Cyprus Mr De Soto has also made this statement (above) so plainly, that it
has sent SHOCK WAVES to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot public opinion. Our people were lead to believe that 'it was Mr Denktas that was at fault and that, when Mr Talat becomes our leader at the negotiating table...we will find a solution to the Cyprus problem with less difficulty.' However it has now become apparent that President Denktas and indeed the Turkish side has always acted honestly and with good intention to the solving of the Cyprus problem.

The Prime Minister of the TRNC, Mr Talat, has expressed that:

'...I do not trust Mr Papadopolous....he is a fanatic and could do anything...and AKEL leader Mr Christofyas lied to me in Burgenstock, that he was going to vote 'yes' in the referandum....' (Kibris Newspaper - 7/3/05)

Therefore, it is most evident that it is not President Denktas's fault for the failure of the Cyprus problem.

The Greek Cypriots have indeed mislead the EU, the UN and the Turkish Cypriots MUST be recognised and respected whilst bearing in mind the statements by Greek Cypriot respective political figures and Mr De Soto's statements. The Turkish Cypriots are clearly NOT at fault and deserve that the embargoes are lifted immediately and their Human Rights fully respected, and their right to self determination must be recognised.

I look forward to a favourible response, and would ask for an appointment with you.

[magikthrill]

Hey magikthrill,

The UK and the world are applying double standards here.

Why is it that Turkish land in the South of Cyprus can be developed or occupied by Greek Cypriots, and when it is done in the North it becomes a big deal? My family lost land in the South and when I see pictures of Limasol, I don't see it as my home. I have lived longer in the North and abroad now than what my family had spent there in the South.

The home in the south is still yours. Just like many of the homes of settlers and TCs in the north arent theirs.

[garbitsch]

Hey magikthrill,

The UK and the world are applying double standards here.

Why is it that Turkish land in the South of Cyprus can be developed or occupied by Greek Cypriots, and when it is done in the North it becomes a big deal? My family lost land in the South and when I see pictures of Limasol, I don't see it as my home. I have lived longer in the North and abroad now than what my family had spent there in the South.

The home in the south is still yours. Just like many of the homes of settlers and TCs in the north arent theirs.

One of them is destroyed. The others are inhabited by people who have no intention to abandon them. Is it right to claim these houses back and kick these people out? Obviously not.