...i have read your proposal twice so far. It pleases me in that there is nothing overtly wrong in its intentions.
However, there are issues (i have), having made several attempts to express them to your Forum and having had no reply, having had my posts here deleted, that i can only hope you may have seen them, or are aware of them.
Half my life (and more) has been involved as an activist toward Cyprus' liberation, years now writing everyday, (it is easy to find me: google repulsewarrior), not just from the Turkish Army's illegal occupation, but from the "Greekness" and the "Turkishness" that brought ruin to my family and to thousands more who value higher Principles and our dignity as Human beings, equal in such basic Rights.
((And i feel i have been ignored.) (But, i will try again.))
...define a Cypriot: as an Individual; first.
Let Cypriots define themselves as Persons; who by residing in such a Constituency's Jurisdiction may be identified as a minority have special needs compared to this majority accordingly. Cypriots in this way will assure each's capacity, as Constituencies to serve all Cypriots; in one language or another, first, perhaps, but one hopes in an even greater capacity accordingly. Such as it is, and as it should be: Cypriots are not "Greeks", nor are they "Turks", Cypriots may be Greek and/or Turkish, and also neither; but, they are Individuals and as such none of "that" matters in fact. Cypriots, as Individuals, want a State. Cypriots as Persons want representation too.
...and what about enclaves; just a dirty word: is it?
The green line no longer a militarised "border", only a frontier among many is something to think about if across the whole island they (enclaves) were scattered. Justice seen, at least for some from '63 an '74 who may return as Communities, along with their (natural) Rights as Individuals. Free Movement, Association and Expression are secured by such change to our Political Geography, for all Cypriots it makes for a new beginning. Service by either Constituency will be close at hand anywhere on the island, in any case; the Citizen in effect having more choice(s), and the National Assemblies' electorates would span island-wide.
...i don't see 'your' ballot clearly in my mind.
Democracy is based on the Ballot, isn't it. Mine, if you've read my manifesto is clear. Each and every Citizen's ballot is respected in exactly the same way. In my Cyprus, Policy will drive politicians; for their Parties to have power (at the Federal level), they will have to appeal to all Cypriots, in effect gaining a majority by appealing to both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots accordingly in a Legislature where the seats are evenly divided and each and every voter votes in the same way for one of each. Frankly, i don't like "weighting"; demographics change. There is no point it seems to me to set such proportions in stone, and it seems absurd, as a Cypriot if you are Russian, Sri Lankan, or Lebanese, e.g. The Constituencies may see things differently for example, on how to get things done, having minorities with their own Agendas in mind; but Cypriots, through their Republic, will have set a standard that they expect such self-representation to hold to account, the National Assemblies to complete.
Ethnographically speaking, if Cypriots want to defend their distinct identities they will come to understand that it depends on their welcoming nature (in more languages than Turkish and Greek), as facilitators of exchange to those from three Continents close by who will want to live here, and from afar (feeling the same threat from an English everyone (must) speaks, meeting many Cypriots who speak their language they may be willing to learn another language too.) Imagine Cyprus in two hundred years, that is really not a long time from now; what does "Greek" and "Turkish" matter, in such a world, if as a Cypriot in Cyprus your vote is based on where you reside?
...enosis: i say; it is time to take back the word.
What is wrong with the Flag of Cyprus? Who treats it and who treated it as a rag? Why should they the murderous around us have such satisfaction, that it will change? And further more, on a personal note, i would like to hear Cyprus' National Anthem, the one hidden in a drawer somewhere, before deciding on a new one. The Flag is our flag, the People's. It sends a powerful message. Indeed, the people must stand together under this flag, if they are ever to free themselves from "Them". I see more reasons for the Flag to stay the same, than to change it.
On our beaches we should be having picnics together. And under 'our' flag, that's enosis; who would refuse?
...who knows, maybe we will.
Who as a Cypriot doesn't want to say, enough, to such notions as "Greekness" and "Turkishness" because 'we' are not few and insignificant as such dogmatists will have us believe. As voters over decades now, voters unnaturally divided have not voted overwhelmingly for "Them", never less than half voting as Cypriots; i remind us all again and again.
...wishing you well, Mr. Christos.
Mr. Panayiotides did not reply.
