Paphitis wrote:
Personally I do not agree with demilitarisation as this is the abandoning of a sovereign county's right for self defence. Even Switzerland, a non-aligned nation has a military, and so should Cyprus.
Superb Paphitis, thank you for that explanation as that was the very substance of this topic I was searching for. However, and according to the former TWO UN based unification plans, the only military on the island (allowed) will be that of Turkey's forces!
Also, according to the 1960 treaty - the island was allowed to become independent, according to Britain, only in the form of a partnership. Well, that certainly causes many issues when sitting around a table to discuss the Cyprus problem with the Turks, which is why I do not envy anyone seeking a "Federal" plan involving the Turkish Cypriots (due to their strong affiliation to their so-called ethnic kin: Turkey).
The truth of the matter is, that we (Greek Cypriots) need to seriously sit down and decide which of the many options for a Cyprus settlement will actually work. If we are sitting at a table with eyes only for a "Confederal" style agreement with two-inter constitute federal type states under one Constitution with all of the
former treaties and guarantees including those demanded by Turkey and Britain, then I would suggest a very decisive clean, break.
And, please let's not kid ourselves regarding an agreement where the Continuation of the ROC is an acceptable possibility through the eyes of the Turkish Cypriot, as this will only delay our search for a solution and give the Turks of Turkey even more time to play with. Please do not forget the regulations the EU have already recommended for the Turkish Cypriots under their current title of the "TRNC"; Greenline regulation, Direct Trade and etc, and also the upgrade of the Turkish Cypriot Community to the Turkish Cypriot State by the OIC.
In essence, and in my opinion only, a break up of Turkey will only fuel an opportunity for the the annexation of Northern Cyprus with the mainland Turks in the process - think about it! Turkey's break up would only be of its most eastern border, thus causing serious political turmoil in the country, thus creating a climate of uncertainly with regards to it foreign policy. The Turkish Cypriot government would indeed be replaced by a more hard-line figure, stop the current EU and Cyprus talks process, send the UN on its Northern Cypriot side home (shut its office!), and probably call for a forced-referendum on annexation - which we all know is what Turkey ultimately wants to happen anyway!
As for the need for a military presence on the island, well, if Britain can have two military sovereign areas on our island, why should we remain indifferent? Our Paphos base is there to stay, especially of the Turks are demanding their so-called guarantor rights! Let's be honest here, Portugal has no so-called soverign bases in Angolia, Britain has no (and couldn't anyway) so-called soverign areas in Hong Kong, so why in Cyprus? Are we that politically weak against British imperialism? At this moment in time, the two British Cyprus envoys appear to talk to us as if we are a bunch of kids, creating a false scenario of complete euphoria even, when deep down inside they must be laughing their heads off.
I honestly believe that President Christofias has a huge task ahead of him, probably more that he himself understands. I also think that we have seriously over-estimated our leader's complete understanding of all of the possible situations that can inevitably cause our downfall as a Cypriot society with regards to the current Cyprus negotiations process.
A partionist, No! More like a realist Get Real. I admire you for the many conversation battles you have won against the Turks in this forum, but please don't try the same tactics with an old Greek Cypriot goat. At least meeting with me half way with a longer explanation would be better that an insult. If I were to adopt a "Partitionist" view, this forum would not have any room the amount of reasons I could dig up against the Turkish Cypriots and their on/off support for their mainland Turkish brothers only when in need. So please, let's work together in the search for a settlement Cyprus plan that will last, protect and the future generation of Cypriots on the island of Cyprus, even if does mean temporarily shutting off a part of the island until they realise what they must do to perhaps one day unite with us and accept complete EU entry in all four corners of Cyprus. While at the moment, I do not believe the Turkish Cypriots are ready for the kind of Socialist solution we are suggesting to them.
…and an even further assumption, or is that an illusion, that you’ve received a PM from an imaginary entity… 
