Cyprus-Forum.com

[Kikapu]

The Washington Times

Cyprus, Turkey peace talks fading

By Andrew Borowiec
May 16, 2008

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Hopes for talks to break a deadlock over Cyprus are fading, with both sides increasingly weighed down by issues that for years have prevented the unity of the Mediterranean island.

The Greek-Cypriot government announced this week that "difficulties have arisen" in the work of 13 technical committees charged with preparing the ground for hard-core negotiations, originally scheduled for June.

"Unfortunately, we don"t see the results we had expected to see," said government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou.

The statement was in contrast to the near-euphoric expectations of progress that followed the February election of Dimitris Christofias , a Communist, as Greek-Cypriot president. The optimism was heightened in April when the wall dividing the old town in the heart of the capital was opened to pedestrian traffic.

"Is Christofias getting cold feet on talks?" asked a headline in the English-language daily Cyprus Mail.

Turkish analysts said Turkey"s internal crisis and charges against the governing Justice and Development Party could effectively paralyze Turkey"s role as one of the guarantors of any solution. Turkey has an estimated 35,000 troops in northern Cyprus and their presence has weighed heavily on the deadlock.

According to Stephen Larrabee of Rand Corp., in view of the growing deadlock, "opportunities to make progress on the Cyprus issue could be lost."

"Turkey"s European Union negotiations could be suspended, and power could shift to the [Turkish] military, which traditionally supports a tougher line on Cyprus," he said.

In an apparent effort to save the preliminary talks, Mr. Christofias is expected to meet Mehmet Ali Talat, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, next week. The Turkish-Cypriot side does not expect new proposals to emerge from the meeting.

Differences between the protagonists also emerged at a special seminar
organized by the U.S. Embassy in Istanbul for journalists from the three countries at the center of the problem. Participants said they could not find a common language on any issue.

"The Greeks spoke of the Turkish invasion of 1974, and the Turks called it peace operation," one participant said. "The Greeks would not pronounce the name of the Turkish-Cypriot airport, Ercan, because it was named to honor a pilot shot down over Cyprus."

Soli Ozel, a professor at Istanbul Bilgi University, said, "All of this does not bode well for the [Turkish] government"s stance on Cyprus. No one is going to stick his neck out for a process that got badly burned four years ago." He was referring to the referendum in which the Greek-Cypriot side rejected a U.N. unification proposal.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbc ... /home.html

[Kifeas]

Is solution possible in Cyprus?
Monday, May 19, 2008

Orhan KİLERCİOĞLU
I recently visited Cyprus, and I noticed that the parties are curiously looking forward to seeing the results of the July 8 process introduced after the rejection of the Annan plan by Cypriot-Greeks. It is also worthy of attention that Cypriot-Turks are not optimistic about the prospective outcome.President of the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek side willing to have soft relations with him are lashing out at Turkey and talks between the working groups continue, although slowly. The result is predictable due to biased objectives of the July 8 process.

Illegitimate Greek administration:

There is this assumption, which public opinion at times agrees with too, that Greece and the Greek side in Cyprus might think of reaching a result by applying pressure and in this direction try to benefit from Turkey's goal to become a European Union member. It's even been brought by the European Union to the agenda that Turkey should recognize the illegitimate Greek administration in the South and open its ports to Greek Cypriots. And the Greek side hugely benefited from this. Greek Cypriot perhaps want to hold on to this hope so expect positive outcome of the process. Similar presumptions, without doubt, are nothing but dreams.The Greek side continuously prevented a fair and lasting solution on Cyprus. Though Cypriot Greek leader Demitris Christophias seems not so head-strong on the terms like his predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos, his ideas will undoubtedly become clear in time.In fact Christophias laid out his views of the process during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the south of the island. The Greek Cypriot leader aims to term the TRNC the illegitimate Republic of Cyprus. The Greek side targets ending the military presence, withdrawal of the Turkish military as much as ridding Turkey's guarantor status.After the TRNC endorsed the Annan Plan, the developments showed that the Greek side and Greece have started to feel anxious. So, the Greek side is not as comfortable as they were in the past. They are now making better assessments on the cost of their prospective mistakes.

Who owns what?:

Another important point is that the subjects included in the July 8 process have already been discussed for years, including the period of the Annan Plan. That makes it hard to see what the parties are going after.The Greek side has always seen Turks as a minority and today they make plans to get results by employing it. Greek Cypriots either forget the ownership of the island belongs to Turks or they engage in wishful thinking about it. When the administration of the island was turned over to Britain, Turkish Cypriots made up 52 percent of the population and possessed 68 percent of the territory. Then what happened that they became the minority? Massacre plotted by Greek Cypriots with the help of Greece gave birth to today's environment.In conclusion, the July 8 process proceeds on a rocky road. A solution in Cyprus was refused by the Greek “No” to the Annan Plan. If Christophias sincerely wants peace, he should first apologize for the massacre of Turks.

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/arti ... sid=104838

This is just one small sample of what rubbish the corrupted Kemalist establishment teaches the kids in the schools of Turkey and the TC community!

[Kikapu]

Is solution possible in Cyprus?
Monday, May 19, 2008

Orhan KİLERCİOĞLU
I recently visited Cyprus, and I noticed that the parties are curiously looking forward to seeing the results of the July 8 process introduced after the rejection of the Annan plan by Cypriot-Greeks. It is also worthy of attention that Cypriot-Turks are not optimistic about the prospective outcome.President of the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek side willing to have soft relations with him are lashing out at Turkey and talks between the working groups continue, although slowly. The result is predictable due to biased objectives of the July 8 process.

Illegitimate Greek administration:

There is this assumption, which public opinion at times agrees with too, that Greece and the Greek side in Cyprus might think of reaching a result by applying pressure and in this direction try to benefit from Turkey's goal to become a European Union member. It's even been brought by the European Union to the agenda that Turkey should recognize the illegitimate Greek administration in the South and open its ports to Greek Cypriots. And the Greek side hugely benefited from this. Greek Cypriot perhaps want to hold on to this hope so expect positive outcome of the process. Similar presumptions, without doubt, are nothing but dreams.The Greek side continuously prevented a fair and lasting solution on Cyprus. Though Cypriot Greek leader Demitris Christophias seems not so head-strong on the terms like his predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos, his ideas will undoubtedly become clear in time.In fact Christophias laid out his views of the process during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the south of the island. The Greek Cypriot leader aims to term the TRNC the illegitimate Republic of Cyprus. The Greek side targets ending the military presence, withdrawal of the Turkish military as much as ridding Turkey's guarantor status.After the TRNC endorsed the Annan Plan, the developments showed that the Greek side and Greece have started to feel anxious. So, the Greek side is not as comfortable as they were in the past. They are now making better assessments on the cost of their prospective mistakes.

Who owns what?:

Another important point is that the subjects included in the July 8 process have already been discussed for years, including the period of the Annan Plan. That makes it hard to see what the parties are going after.The Greek side has always seen Turks as a minority and today they make plans to get results by employing it. Greek Cypriots either forget the ownership of the island belongs to Turks or they engage in wishful thinking about it. When the administration of the island was turned over to Britain, Turkish Cypriots made up 52 percent of the population and possessed 68 percent of the territory. Then what happened that they became the minority? Massacre plotted by Greek Cypriots with the help of Greece gave birth to today's environment.In conclusion, the July 8 process proceeds on a rocky road. A solution in Cyprus was refused by the Greek “No” to the Annan Plan. If Christophias sincerely wants peace, he should first apologize for the massacre of Turks.

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/arti ... sid=104838

This is just one small sample of what rubbish the corrupted Kemalist establishment teaches the kids in the schools of Turkey and the TC community!

April fool's day still comes once a year, does it not.??

Just checking.

I'm sorry my TC friends, but it is crap like this that gets me in trouble with some of you for supposedly having a GC view and not a TC one, because if any one of you cannot see pure propaganda and inaccurate information formulated to hide their true intentions, which is no peace and try and blame others at the same time, then I will continue getting in trouble with some of you on what I write. Any TC who takes this article seriously needs a reality check as soon as possible.

After 4 years it appears most "Turks" did not understand what the AP was all about and are still trying to peddle it, or was it the case of that they understood it very well is the reason why it is still being peddled.

In short, the man who wrote this article, is an IDIOT.

I hope TDN have better "reporters" than this armature.

Even Fanos was better than this guy, when it came to writing crap.

[74LB]

Is solution possible in Cyprus?
Monday, May 19, 2008

Orhan KİLERCİOĞLU
I recently visited Cyprus, and I noticed that the parties are curiously looking forward to seeing the results of the July 8 process introduced after the rejection of the Annan plan by Cypriot-Greeks. It is also worthy of attention that Cypriot-Turks are not optimistic about the prospective outcome.President of the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek side willing to have soft relations with him are lashing out at Turkey and talks between the working groups continue, although slowly. The result is predictable due to biased objectives of the July 8 process.

Illegitimate Greek administration:

There is this assumption, which public opinion at times agrees with too, that Greece and the Greek side in Cyprus might think of reaching a result by applying pressure and in this direction try to benefit from Turkey's goal to become a European Union member. It's even been brought by the European Union to the agenda that Turkey should recognize the illegitimate Greek administration in the South and open its ports to Greek Cypriots. And the Greek side hugely benefited from this. Greek Cypriot perhaps want to hold on to this hope so expect positive outcome of the process. Similar presumptions, without doubt, are nothing but dreams.The Greek side continuously prevented a fair and lasting solution on Cyprus. Though Cypriot Greek leader Demitris Christophias seems not so head-strong on the terms like his predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos, his ideas will undoubtedly become clear in time.In fact Christophias laid out his views of the process during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the south of the island. The Greek Cypriot leader aims to term the TRNC the illegitimate Republic of Cyprus. The Greek side targets ending the military presence, withdrawal of the Turkish military as much as ridding Turkey's guarantor status.After the TRNC endorsed the Annan Plan, the developments showed that the Greek side and Greece have started to feel anxious. So, the Greek side is not as comfortable as they were in the past. They are now making better assessments on the cost of their prospective mistakes.

Who owns what?:

Another important point is that the subjects included in the July 8 process have already been discussed for years, including the period of the Annan Plan. That makes it hard to see what the parties are going after.The Greek side has always seen Turks as a minority and today they make plans to get results by employing it. Greek Cypriots either forget the ownership of the island belongs to Turks or they engage in wishful thinking about it. When the administration of the island was turned over to Britain, Turkish Cypriots made up 52 percent of the population and possessed 68 percent of the territory. Then what happened that they became the minority? Massacre plotted by Greek Cypriots with the help of Greece gave birth to today's environment.In conclusion, the July 8 process proceeds on a rocky road. A solution in Cyprus was refused by the Greek “No” to the Annan Plan. If Christophias sincerely wants peace, he should first apologize for the massacre of Turks.

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/arti ... sid=104838

This is just one small sample of what rubbish the corrupted Kemalist establishment teaches the kids in the schools of Turkey and the TC community!

April fool's day still comes once a year, does it not.??

Just checking.

I'm sorry my TC friends, but it is crap like this that gets me in trouble with some of you for supposedly having a GC view and not a TC one, because if any one of you cannot see pure propaganda and inaccurate information formulated to hide their true intentions, which is no peace and try and blame others at the same time, then I will continue getting in trouble with some of you on what I write. Any TC who takes this article seriously needs a reality check as soon as possible.

After 4 years it appears most "Turks" did not understand what the AP was all about and are still trying to peddle it, or was it the case of that they understood it very well is the reason why it is still being peddled.

In short, the man who wrote this article, is an IDIOT.

I hope TDN have better "reporters" than this armature.

Even Fanos was better than this guy, when it came to writing crap.

Kikapu, I would also agree - this article looks a very badly translated one from Turkish but even accounting for that anyone can see the bias it portrays.

Kifeas,
I wouldn't be so sure about this being taught to the kids in the TRNC schools though ? I have relatives who are teachers in the TRNC and this is not part of their curriculum.

[Kikapu]

Kikapu, I would also agree - this article looks a very badly translated one from Turkish but even accounting for that anyone can see the bias it portrays.

Thanks for understanding 74LB, but I'm not even concerned about it being biased, but ratherbeing a a complete bullshit report that insults one's intelligence. That's what I'm not happy with this idiots report, because anyone with an ounce of brain will see right through this report, which makes the "Turks" look bad for trying to pull a fast one. All I ask is some honesty during these negotiations and same on reporting it, that's all.

[Kifeas]

Will Cyprus pay the price for Turkey’s troubles?
by AMANDA AKCAKOCA

Now that the euphoria over the demise of Tassos Papadopoulos' presidency has died down it is becoming clear that even with the new pro-solution Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias in charge there is not going to be a quick solution to the Cyprus issue.
Though Christofias and his counterpart in the north, Mehmet Ali Talat, have friendly relations, this is no guarantee they will find a way out of this decades-old problem that goes right to the heart of the two communities. With a painful history, deep distrust and a hazy common vision for the future, it is difficult to see a bright end to this sad story. Mustering the required levels of political will and moving away from playing the blame game is no easy task and requires everybody to really want a future beyond the past. Unfortunately, it also seems that what fresh optimism there is may be quashed by the political crisis in Turkey.
Turkish Cypriot's unfortunate dependency on Turkey and the unorthodox role the Turkish military has in northern Cyprus means that decisions regarding the terms of a settlement have to pass through Ankara. Even during the current working group and committee talks, which are being held to prepare the ground for direct talks between Talat and Christofias, the Turkish Cypriots have to defer to Ankara on numerous issues. It is little wonder that the Greek Cypriots continue to suggest it would be easier to hold direct talks with Ankara. This must be humiliating for the Turkish Cypriots because it is clear proof that they are not in charge of their own destiny.

With the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) facing likely closure and many of its senior figures on the brink of being banned, Prime Minister Erdoğan's hands are increasingly tied on both foreign and domestic issues, and he will be in no position to take meaningful steps on Cyprus. As Erdoğan fights these vicious elements he will not want to provoke any of the anti-AK Party circles further, in particular the military and the judiciary. This is unfortunate as back in 2003-2004 during the last round of peace talks Erdoğan was in a strong position with a majority in Parliament after decades of weak coalition governments. It was also during the "romance" period with the EU that Turkey pulled out all the stops to have accession talks opened. This gave the government a strong mandate that enabled the prime minister to make some very bold moves and ignore resistance from the military, the nationalists and others who were happy with the status quo.

Nowadays things could not be more different. Erdoğan is in a weak position and will be focusing on saving the party, and himself -- by one way or another. With the 2009 March municipal elections on the horizon, the AK Party or its reincarnation, in the event that it is banned, needs to concentrate on getting a strong result. Turkey will probably therefore be unwilling to move very far from the boundaries of the 2004 Annan plan, even if the Turkish Cypriots are ready to do so given that Talat will be keen to get a deal in the bag before the Turkish Cypriot parliamentary elections next May, which may alter the political set-up in the north. This will cause difficulties because Turkey needs to be able to take a flexible approach on a number of issues including security, guarantorship, property, settlers, etc.

Unless Erdoğan decides to throw caution to the wind and take brave new steps on Cyprus it is unlikely there will be a solution soon. The only other way forward could be if the EU were to give some very concrete promises to Turkey in the form of a much clearer membership perspective, which would give Erdoğan some political meat. But this is not likely to happen. Of course the Turkish Cypriots could also get up, take to the streets and make it abundantly clear that they do not want to remain a hostage to Turkey or the current stalemate. But this would take a lot of courage and I am not sure they are ready -- particularly with 35,000 soldiers on their doorstep.

But let's be clear on what will eventually happen if there is no solution due to Turkish/Turkish Cypriot intransigence: more and more Turkish Cypriots will obtain Republic of Cyprus passports and will leave the island -- after all there are only a certain number of people the tourism industry can employ. There will be no land left to build on so the construction industry and retail boom will fizzle out; the property dispute with the south will escalate and Turkey will end up having to pay billions in compensation; the Turkish Cypriots will find less sympathy from the international community and the Greek Cypriots will once again become the victims. The majority of the population will probably be Turkish mainlanders, British and the Turkish military. The only real Turkish Cypriots left will be the donkeys and mountain goats.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/yazar ... rno=142446

[bilako22]

Kikapu, I would also agree - this article looks a very badly translated one from Turkish but even accounting for that anyone can see the bias it portrays.

Thanks for understanding 74LB, but I'm not even concerned about it being biased, but ratherbeing a a complete bullshit report that insults one's intelligence. That's what I'm not happy with this idiots report, because anyone with an ounce of brain will see right through this report, which makes the "Turks" look bad for trying to pull a fast one. All I ask is some honesty during these negotiations and same on reporting it, that's all.

Another idiotic response from Kikapu , who is using this article to make an anti-Turk remark.

[repulsewarrior]

bilako, what kikapu understands is that things have to change. what is more important than Cyprus, kikapu?

i too am asking for honesty. Honesty enough from all of us to embrace the need to focus, and to change ourselves, with the acknowledgement that we can through our own acts demonstrate something better, as Humans, even if we are "Turks" (or "Greeks"), of service, and toward a higher purpose which goes beyond having an identity as a person.

kikapu's response is not idiotic, he may be using it as an anti-Turk device. If anything the issue is "fast ones",
at which any adversary refines. Therefore, my hope is that we can apply ourselves against this exploitation of our free will, ...one way is through exposure, rather than attacking each other in defence of such behaviour for any particular cause, we should be united in the analysis, exposing more and more of this "history", if we are able. Without links to other documentation, nor without any discussion that opens to more dialog, this attack is useless to us, it adds to the credibility which is lacking. It keeps us apart, so that we cannot as a group help each other. Your one liner is filled with the same smarm, we profess to be against. You can do better for all of us.

I appreciate that you are a sensitive and caring individual, so i am asking for your governance accordingly.

[bilako22]

bilako, what kikapu understands is that things have to change. what is more important than Cyprus, kikapu?

i too am asking for honesty. Honesty enough from all of us to embrace the need to focus, and to change ourselves, with the acknowledgement that we can through our own acts demonstrate something better, as Humans, even if we are "Turks" (or "Greeks"), of service, and toward a higher purpose which goes beyond having an identity as a person.

kikapu's response is not idiotic, he may be using it as an anti-Turk device. If anything the issue is "fast ones",
at which any adversary refines. Therefore, my hope is that we can apply ourselves against this exploitation of our free will, ...one way is through exposure, rather than attacking each other in defence of such behaviour for any particular cause, we should be united in the analysis, exposing more and more of this "history", if we are able. Without links to other documentation, nor without any discussion that opens to more dialog, this attack is useless to us, it adds to the credibility which is lacking. It keeps us apart, so that we cannot as a group help each other. Your one liner is filled with the same smarm, we profess to be against. You can do better for all of us.

I appreciate that you are a sensitive and caring individual, so i am asking for your governance accordingly.

Fine . if Kikapu disagrees with the article then he should present an articulate response within which he highlights the errors made by the reporter.

[Kikapu]

The Associated PressPublished: May 22, 2008

Greek Cypriots concerned Turkey opposes Cyprus reunification and wants two separate states


UNITED NATIONS: Greek Cypriots are concerned that the government of Turkey opposes the reunification of Cyprus and wants instead two separate states, the Cypriot government spokesman says.

Stephanos Stephanou said a recent statement by the National Security Council of Turkey indicates that Turkey wants to change the longstanding agreement between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to reunify Cyprus in a loose bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

He said the Turkish statement will be high on the agenda of Friday's meeting between Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat at the residence of the U.N. special representative in Cyprus.

"The National Security Council of Turkey a few days ago came out with a statement that Turkey wants a solution of two states and speaks about the necessity of a new cooperation between the two states — of the Greek Cypriot state and the Turkish Cypriot state as they say — and this is the idea of the virgin birth of a new state," Stephanou said.

"For us this is a very dangerous position because if we agree, if we accept the idea of a virgin birth, that means we eliminate the idea of the Cyprus Republic and the history of the Cyprus Republic which is member of the United Nations and of the European Union," he told a news conference Tuesday at the U.N. Correspondents Association.

Cyprus has been divided between a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish-occupied north since 1974, when Turkey invaded after an abortive Athens-backed coup by supporters of union with Greece.

In a 2004 referendum, a U.N. reunification plan was rejected by Greek Cypriot voters and accepted by Turkish Cypriots. Soon after, the island joined the European Union, but the bloc's benefits are enjoyed only by Greek Cypriots.

The election in February of communist-rooted Christofias as Cypriot president rekindled efforts to end the country's division, and optimism grew following his meeting in March with Talat. They agreed to set up working groups to narrow differences before they begin negotiations.

Stephanou said the Greek Cypriots "are not so satisfied" with the progress of those discussions so Christofias asked for Friday's meeting "to see how can the two communities overcome the problems and the obstacles and to have progress in this procedure."

The most important problem, he said, "is the two communities to speak the same language in relation with the basis of the solution."

Following the statement by the National Security Council of Turkey, he said, "we are not sure that we speak the same language."

"The two communities in 1977 and 1979 agreed on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, the framework in which Cyprus will reunite again," Stephanou said.

"The idea ... is to transform the Republic of Cyprus to a United Republic of Cyprus as one state and not two state," he said. "This is the ... aim, goal that the two communities must agree on, and we believe that the most important element of the progress of the dialogue is that: to speak the same language on the basis of the solution."

Stephanou said "the key of the solution is in the hands of Turkey, and Turkey must change her positions on the Cyprus problem in order to allow the people of Cyprus to find (a) mutual accepted solution."

He said it's up to the international community, the European Union and the United Nations "to exercise their influence on Turkey to work towards the solution of the Cyprus problem."

If Turkey helps in a solution, Stephanou said, Turkey will have an easier time joining the European Union.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/ ... -Talks.php