Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tim Drayton]

Ali Baturay’s column in the 13 May edition of Asil Nadir’s Kıbrıs newspaper carried the title “WHY HAS THIS COUNTRY BECOME A PARADISE FOR CRIMINALS?”.

http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/index.php ... /Ana_sayfa

This title carries extra poignancy when it is remembered that the proprietor of the newspaper is himself a fugitive from justice in the UK, where he faces charges of theft and fraud to the tune of 34 million pounds. Here is my translation of the final paragraphs of this article:

“[…]
A truth should finally be faced and those who give voice to this truth should not be seen as enemies of Turkey.

People should not be so free to enter this country without let or hindrance; criminals should not throng these shores after they have been pardoned or have completed their sentences in Turkey.

They should not arrive without a penny in their pockets and be left with no other choice than to steal.

From a humanitarian viewpoint, they should not be exploited by employers here; somebody should tell certain people that the streets of North Cyprus are not paved with gold.

No, I do not wish to say, “All criminals come from Turkey”; there are clearly thieves, con artists and rapists who were born and grew up here; indeed we find confirmation of this in newspapers from time to time; however, unfortunately, the majority of criminals come from Turkey.

This country cannot cope with the criminals of a country with a population of 70 million; it will buckle under the strain; and do not call those who say this enemies of Turkey, do not accuse the writer of these lines of not liking the Turkish people, for this is not so; speaking the truth should not be perceived of as enmity towards Turkey, otherwise we cannot solve these problems; we will be unable to solve them if things continue in this way.”

Significantly, this is not a paper that is noted for being anti Turkey. In my experience, the vast majority of Cypriots, regardless of what language they speak, are decent, honest, law-abiding people. The Turkish Cypriots deserve a better fate than this. I sincerely hope that the current round of negotiations lead to a just settlement and the north of this island will no longer be plagued with foreign criminals.

[humanist]

Hey Tim have you read the latest ....... there are doubts about negotiations and a deal being struck. It appears Talat has come clean, he wants all the settlers to stay, he wants two separate states on the Island and would like Turkey to run the show.

This round of negotiations is doomed just liek the others over the last 30 years.

[Get Real!]

“WHY HAS THIS COUNTRY BECOME A PARADISE FOR CRIMINALS?”.

No surprises there because the “TRNC” is an illegal Turkish military base founded on a territory whose rightful owners, both government and people, were ethnically cleansed and subsequently condemned by international law.

The good book says…

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.”

Matthew 7:21-26 (New International Version)