Cyprus-Forum.com

[Kifeas]

Christofias got told off by Papadopoulos after he met with Talat. He made amends with the Memorandum he signed with GB and his critics were silenced. He is probably doing a balancing act at the moment but his real intentions will be seen when the negotiations start. The same applies to Talat. I think these two will have to hurry up because this small window will probably close in 2009 just prior to the elections in the north which Talat is tipped to lose.

What a whole bunch of nonsense! What a twisted logic! What a ridiculously fictitious scenario!

To Bananiot, if the TC misinformation propaganda started playing the same ridiculous drums that used to play when Papadopoulos was the negotiator, then they must be right and therefore we must find an even more ridiculous way to “excuse” and “justify” Christofias in the eyes of the misinformed TC public! His fraction first aided the TC propaganda to establish among the TCs that Papadopoulos was an elephant, and now he tries to “explain” why Christofias indeed [sic] also looks like an elephant to the TCs! In other words, the ultimate of the ridiculousness!

[Bananiot]

The man who has supported that agreed partition is the best solution has spoken! I think I will make him even more crazy.

Christofias has made a huge mistake by trying to appease Papadopoulos and his rejectionist lackies as soon as he became President. By condemning outright the Annan Plan he forced Talat to fall back to the Denktash rhetoric (parthenogenesis etc) and obviously, if the two sides can begin to see eye to eye again, they will have to pull the Annan Plan from the drawers again.

The only possibility that can exist for a solution is the Annan Plan with certain changes regarding the property issue and the guarantee of Turkey and probably shortening of deadlines. Those that believed Papadopoulos that a European solution is just round the corner can blame the ... Kemalo fascist etc and tell us loud and clear that they prefer partition than having anything to do with Turks.

[Kifeas]

Bananiot, tell us something new and original! No need to start reproducing here again the garbage views and theories of Lukas Charalambous and Makarios Droushiotis! We know to well about the unsubstantiated, nonsensical, fictitious and pathetic "ideas" of those two lunatic fellows whom no one takes seriously!

[Bananiot]

Just like your idea of partition? Does not Rauf have the patronage of your "original" idea?

[repulsewarrior]

dear Mr.B, i believe that spacehips for the most part are man made, thus my ridiculous sentiments, like the population of Cyprus is twelve million, or that enclaves introduced into our geography is civil, but none of these, as "possibilities" are as offensive as your post, which is not for Talat, or for any element that may make things clearer in our dialog, but against Demetris with an intent to undermine the one success that Cypriots share, one United Republic of Cyprus. I don't think that Papa has the charm for leadership either, and the MoU is probably to his credit, if so I applaud his effort because as an advocate few provide a case better, while, the President of Cyprus has shown an ability to manage his time, better, with an increase in our support internationally, and talks which already have provided some results.

VP,

Christofiyas appears to have gone back on his word of 2 consituent founding states with equal polticial weight in a new republic and is reverting to a papadop style appraoch we need plenty of preparation before talks may start.

...can you give us some real news to form our own opinions?, thank-you.

What makes you think that Talat has a responsibility to Turkey, toward appeasing their desires, in these negociations. His responsibility is to his constituency, and to this island. My hope is that he is a better Cypriot than most. And my hope is for a "greek" Assembly not unlike his own, equal in power, and proportionally as large, which serves its electors by providing the infrastucture which a majority may enact for themselves, while as a majority demonstrating a capacity to provide for the special needs of other minorities amongst them, Unified under a State, the United Republic of Cyprus, stronger with its reformed Constitution, Sovereign in our defense, our representation as Individuals outside our State, and our Individual Rights, having a new election for the first time under these new rules.

If the press in the kKTc is easy to manipulate, so be it, i will wait to see what more news develops, but the delay, if you ask me, is good news to pass so quietly in this case, because it means there is sober thought, rather than a set-up, or another impasse.

[Kifeas]

Just like your idea of partition? Does not Rauf have the patronage of your "original" idea?

No Mr. Bananiot, my idea of partition has nothing to do with that of Rauf Denktash! Denktash's idea of partition is his prime objective and more importantly, it incorporates nearly all or most of the currently occupied area of Cyprus. His idea of partition is purely based on illegitimate and opportunistic claims! My idea of partition is not a prime objective, but only an alternative one to the almost certain impossibility of ever going to make sense with the Turkish side, but more importantly it incorporates a reasonable and proportional split of territories, based on the legal demographics and property ownership ratios between the two communities!

[repulsewarrior]

Is this something he's told you in the cabinet meeting? Is it something you have a hunch about? Did you wake up today and say...hmmm that rascal is gonna back peddle today, the seagulls are flying upside down. Or is this just an attempt to hide your shameful behaviour in the solomou thread?

It was in our newspapers yesterday, that Christofiyas is slowly becoming another Papdop and even started to say the same things. We had high hope for this guy I hope he doesn't turn out like the rest of your leaders arrogant and one sided.

lol all those years "we" had many, "you" had one,
....and there must have been 5-7 agreements
before the Annan, don't you think
that Denktash was "better" at one sided, and arrogant?
...what a guy, only Makarios could rival.

[Viewpoint]

Let see what will come out of the talks between the 2 leaders, hopefully they will not have moved away from the declaration in May of 2 founding states one country one identity.

[Bananiot]

Oh yes, I like your excuses Kifeas. Partition is fine as long as we get 82% (your property included I presume) of the land and we agree with it. Well, I am going to disappoint you because, you do not have what it takes to enforce this either. Even your kind of partition (which is different (sic) to Rauf's partition) will need to be negotiated and some give and take ould be required. Perhaps then you can consider plan c, which you identified as bloodshed!

[halil]

Cypriots read and Think !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The reunification deal needs to satisfy Greek Cypriot demands for unity and the demands of Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat for autonomy. Cyprus would have one federal government with a 'single international personality', but two constituent states 'of equal status.'

Yet the political winds are with Christofias. His own party, the Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), has long been the strongest proponent of developing contacts with the Turkish Cypriot community in order to reunify the island, though it voted, tactically, against the benchmark UN reunification plan in the 2004 referendum. The main opposition party, the conservative Democratic Rally (DISY), is also pushing hard to settle the conflict.

The two eminences grises will likely be conciliatory: Athens and Ankara have recently improved bilateral relations and support the negotiations. Greece will likely publicly declare that it supports the Cyprus government in whatever sovereign policy it pursues, and Turkey will insist that the 'sovereign' Turkish Cypriots are free to pursue their chosen course. Behind the scenes, Athens will apply pressure on Christofias to ensure he pursues a policy consistent with Greece's larger concern of promoting good relations with Turkey.

All this compromise is economically -- as well as politically -- expedient, Pope explains. Greek Cypriots have traditionally prospered economically while Turkish Cypriots have struggled under the international isolation; the standard of living in the south is currently about four times that in the north. Yet the tourism sector is struggling, and Turkey's strong economy could allow the island to become a hub for financial services.

Timescale
Both sides want swift progress, but are singing from different sheets. Talat seeks a solution by year-end on the basis of the 2004 UN blueprint for a federal state, whereas Christofias wants a deal on the basis of a 2006 UN plan for step-by-step peace-building measures. An agreement within the next 12 months could be possible.

There remain contentious issues: questions about the presence of Turkish troops in the north, the return of refugees from the south and their property claims, and the de facto economic embargo on the north. Christofias might also face political constraints from hardliners in his government coalition.

Yet expectations are high and the unprecedented mutual trust and confidence make reunification more likely than before. If the talks founder, there may be a return to the bad old ways: Greek Cypriots could use their EU membership as a wrecking-ball for the bloc's relations with Turkey, as they have done before. Turkey may retaliate by using its NATO membership to punish the EU. Both sides risk peace and prosperity -- though this has not deterred them from self-sabotage in the past.

http://www.oxan.com/worldnextweek/2008- ... yprus.aspx