Cyprus-Forum.com

[eracles]

Can you find the words reunification anywhere?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1923bdbc-ea58 ... fd2ac.html

Cyprus must overcome challenges and set up a partnership state

Published: March 5 2008 02:00 | Last updated: March 5 2008 02:00

From Mr Mehmet Ali Talat.

Sir, Last month's elections on the Greek Cypriot side have opened a new chapter in the history of our island. The newly elected leader of the Greek Cypriots, Demetris Christofias, and I now share a grave responsibility: to reach a settlement for Cyprus acceptable to both peoples, based on political equality in a new partnership structure.

Much has changed since 2004, when the Turkish Cypriot people voted in favour of the comprehensive settlement plan proposed by then United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, while Greek Cypriots voted against. Ironically, a few days later the Greek Cypriots, who had rejected the UN settlement proposal, were admitted to full membership of the European Union, whereas we, who had just voted to end the division of the island, remained excluded. Despite that disappointment, we remain committed to a European approach and a UN-sponsored comprehensive solution for Cyprus.

It will be a comprehensive solution, with a great deal of input from our friends in the EU; but the process must be led by the UN. For four decades the UN has been at the centre of peace-making efforts. There is a vast accumulation of work on the Cyprus problem, which will be the basis of any future discussion and should not be wasted.

There will be difficult issues to deal with. Mr Christofias starts from a 75 per cent No vote, whereas I start from a 65 per cent Yes vote. The questions of property rights, of the preservation of our cultural heritage, of security arrangements, and most importantly for partnership in the future government of our island, will not be easy to resolve.

But they can and must be resolved. The details can be worked out; the goal is to establish a new partnership state in Cyprus, based on the political equality of the two peoples and the equal status of two constituent states. Only a settlement on that basis will be approved by the peoples of the island in a simultaneous and separate popular vote.

The election result demonstrates the desire of Greek Cypriots to change and move forward. I am unreservedly committed to the search for a settlement. I believe a settlement to be in the interests of my people, of the Greek Cypriots, of the island as a whole and of the European Union and the wider international community.

I am realistic. There will be tough talking ahead, and problems will inevitably arise. But I am determined to overcome them.

Mehmet Ali Talat,

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

[observer]

Can you find the words reunification anywhere?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1923bdbc-ea58 ... fd2ac.html

Cyprus must overcome challenges and set up a partnership state

Published: March 5 2008 02:00 | Last updated: March 5 2008 02:00

From Mr Mehmet Ali Talat.

Sir, Last month's elections on the Greek Cypriot side have opened a new chapter in the history of our island. The newly elected leader of the Greek Cypriots, Demetris Christofias, and I now share a grave responsibility: to reach a settlement for Cyprus acceptable to both peoples, based on political equality in a new partnership structure.

Much has changed since 2004, when the Turkish Cypriot people voted in favour of the comprehensive settlement plan proposed by then United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, while Greek Cypriots voted against. Ironically, a few days later the Greek Cypriots, who had rejected the UN settlement proposal, were admitted to full membership of the European Union, whereas we, who had just voted to end the division of the island, remained excluded. Despite that disappointment, we remain committed to a European approach and a UN-sponsored comprehensive solution for Cyprus.

It will be a comprehensive solution, with a great deal of input from our friends in the EU; but the process must be led by the UN. For four decades the UN has been at the centre of peace-making efforts. There is a vast accumulation of work on the Cyprus problem, which will be the basis of any future discussion and should not be wasted.

There will be difficult issues to deal with. Mr Christofias starts from a 75 per cent No vote, whereas I start from a 65 per cent Yes vote. The questions of property rights, of the preservation of our cultural heritage, of security arrangements, and most importantly for partnership in the future government of our island, will not be easy to resolve.

But they can and must be resolved. The details can be worked out; the goal is to establish a new partnership state in Cyprus, based on the political equality of the two peoples and the equal status of two constituent states. Only a settlement on that basis will be approved by the peoples of the island in a simultaneous and separate popular vote.

The election result demonstrates the desire of Greek Cypriots to change and move forward. I am unreservedly committed to the search for a settlement. I believe a settlement to be in the interests of my people, of the Greek Cypriots, of the island as a whole and of the European Union and the wider international community.

I am realistic. There will be tough talking ahead, and problems will inevitably arise. But I am determined to overcome them.

Mehmet Ali Talat,

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Not a word about blind either

[observer]

"My priority will be the salvation of this island, to reunify it with Turkish Cypriots under the umbrella of a bizonal, bicommunal federation," Christofias said before the election.
http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:dYN1 ... cd=2&gl=uk

Seems like they are talking from the same script.

[Andros]

Ultimately the use of the words, "two constituent states" in that articles already deems the entire process as a failure in my opinion. We are seeking a B-Communal structure! Not two inter-states as part of a Turkish inststed Confederal Republic. I am not optimistic.

[observer]

Ultimately the use of the words, "two constituent states" in that articles already deems the entire process as a failure in my opinion. We are seeking a B-Communal structure! Not two inter-states as part of a Turkish inststed Confederal Republic. I am not optimistic.

The United States of America seem to get along quite well.

I am quite optimistic when I read what Talat and Christofias say. I get quite pessimistic when I read what many of the contributors to this forum say.

[Andros]

Observer,

I am assuming that you believe the island should be split into two States then? Ruled under One President, while each state has its own political leader, rules and self governing body?

Ok. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but do not agree that Cyprus is a tiny island and should not really be split into two decisive states. Do you not beleive that two constituent states will ultimately lead to two republic states - let say if one of the states believes that it works better on its own? Or that the "Loose federal" state is unable to administer the two inter-states as its power are limited and impractical?

I think, and this is only my opinion of course, that a loose federal United Republic of Cyprus, with the dissolving of the Republic of Cyprus, would be a disaster.

[Nikitas]

"equal status of two constituent states"

And until someone explailns what this means in detail and how it works on a day to day basis for the average person we are not going anywhere. There is no room for ambiguity here.

[observer]

Andros

Observer,

I am assuming that you believe the island should be split into two States then? Ruled under One President, while each state has its own political leader, rules and self governing body?

Ok. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but do not agree that Cyprus is a tiny island and should not really be split into two decisive states. Do you not beleive that two constituent states will ultimately lead to two republic states - let say if one of the states believes that it works better on its own? Or that the "Loose federal" state is unable to administer the two inter-states as its power are limited and impractical?

I think, and this is only my opinion of course, that a loose federal United Republic of Cyprus, with the dissolving of the Republic of Cyprus, would be a disaster.

I actually believe that forming a single constituent state now would be impossible. I also believe that it would be a disaster. GCs would vote for GCs, TCs would vote for TCs.

There have been two separate communities for 34 years at least, others would say there had been two separate communities for 50 years. Some might even say for 4 centuries! The reality on the island is that we are two separate republics now. To go from this to a loose federal structure within the EU is a step forward.

Where we go from there will depend on our politicians, our people, our experiences, and what we believe will be to our mutual economic benefit. Within the EU, you can point to examples of closer cooperation - Ireland/Northern Ireland and France/Germany come to mind. You can also find examples of regionalisation away from a central government - Spain and England/Scotland are examples.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but having in mind the recent history of Cyprus, it seems to me that a loose federal solution now is preferable to a single unitary government (even if it was possible) with all the real strains and stresses that are here now.

[DT.]

Ultimately the use of the words, "two constituent states" in that articles already deems the entire process as a failure in my opinion. We are seeking a B-Communal structure! Not two inter-states as part of a Turkish inststed Confederal Republic. I am not optimistic.

The United States of America seem to get along quite well.

I am quite optimistic when I read what Talat and Christofias say. I get quite pessimistic when I read what many of the contributors to this forum say.

You want to show me where it says that only Puerto Ricans can reside and vote in Montana?

[observer]

"equal status of two constituent states"

And until someone explailns what this means in detail and how it works on a day to day basis for the average person we are not going anywhere. There is no room for ambiguity here.

I agree. I'm not too hung up about whether you call it a state, a zone, a canton, or whatever. No country's internal political arrangements are exactly similar to any other country's political arrangements, and definitions are needed.
There is lots of room for good will here