askimwos wrote:Just to answer the initial question...Yes, GCs learnt the hard way that relying on Greece was not in their benefit. Cyprus is a rich island in terms of resources, location, manpower and has proved that it can manage itself better as an independent country. GCs despite all the setback suffered with the Turkish invation managed to rebuild the country and enjoy a much better quality of life that the average Greek mainlander. The overwhelming majority of GCs when asked what they would choose between an independent Cyprus and Enosis with Greece would without hesitation choose the first. Afterall its a question of one being master of his country or a mere province of Greece.
TCs unfortunately have not yet realised that their interests are better served in a truly United and BBF Cyprus. The less the degree of dependence on the motherlands the better the prospects of development. I can understand this because its hard to convince a person that is under occupation himself that without a protector he would have a better life. The same happened in the 50's and 60's with GCs - Independence was new to them, they have been under British Occupation for almost a century and they believed that with Greece as a protector they would be better off. I think it all comes doen to selfconfidence - the GCs in 1974 had to swim and they swam - the TCs have never had their chance to prove first to themselves that they do not need their motherland in order to prosper.
askimwos, thanks for your considered opinions and response to my question. So I guess you are acknowledging that there has been a shift in GC opinion in relation to ENOSIS, and this is due in large part to realising that being in control of one's own destiny, and making a success of it, builds confidence. Plus, realising that the mother can't always be trusted! I like the positive message you provide for the TCs, to make their own way without the motherland overseeing them. However, I feel that the TCs will probably argue they won't have the freedom to do this within a reunified island, as they will still be a minority within the population. I guess this is why finding a political solution is so difficult, particularly if the usual concept of democracy (one man, one vote), which I see as essential, is followed. Do the models for BBF allow for the TCs to feel masters of their own destiny, without interference from the motherland?