Cyprus-Forum.com

[delboy000]

http://www.konsey.org.uk/

[Paphitis]

http://www.lobbyforcyprus.org/

[Agios Ionas]

So... the 'clueless' delboy000 turned out to be nothing but a partitionist delivering links to Turkish propaganda.

From the website in question:

Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have each lived in the island for more than 400 years, but we have no common language, no common religion, and no common culture.

Greeks started settling on Cyprus in great numbers during the 14th century B.C. The newcomers spread the use of their spoken word and their culture. By the end of the second millennium B.C., a distinctive culture had developed on Cyprus. The island's culture was tempered and enriched by its position as a crossroads for the commerce of three continents, but in essence it was distinctively Hellenic since 12th century B.C.

The Ottoman Turks arrived in 1571.

What is +400 years compared to +3000 years? Not much if you ask me. But I firmly believe that both GC's and TC's are entitled to live on the island... as Cypriots... not as Greeks or Turks.

* One nation

* One sovereignty

* One people (Cypriots)

* Two official religions, Sunni Islam and Greek Orthodox (but minority religions must be allowed and respected as well).

* Two official languages (Cypriot dialects of Greek and Turkish)

* A third mandatory secondary language to be taught in school (English) would tie things up nicely and well. This will allow everyone to communicate with each other as well as with visitors to the island.

Just as you should be able to choose to study French, German or Spanish etc in school you should also be given the chance to study Turkish if you're a GC and Greek if you're a TC. Such choices would best be introduced at the beginning of secondary school, at least during the second half of secondary school.

The earlier kids start to learn the easier it is because as you all know young children are like sponges when it comes to learning. It's always good to learn languages (even if just a tiny little bit) as it helps to communicate and understand each other better. Multilinguality could be considered a tool for peace.

It's also essential to learn some about other religious faiths than the one you're considered to belong to. The more you know about Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism etc the easier it gets to see things from another person's perspective if said person has beliefs different from your own. Religious knowledge could also be considered a tool for peace.

It's also important to respect languages spoken by minorities and cater for the needs of these individuals where it's applicable and cost-effective to do so. English should suffice in most cases. But in special cases it could be necessary to have information translated into other languages, eg at hospitals, the police stations and other governmental institutions. I reckon it's possible to find individuals or organisations willing to do such translations for free just because they want to support the minority communities they belong to. If not it's quite possible that the EU would give funds to finance such projects.

[pantheman]

http://www.konsey.org.uk/

Well, well, well, the beast finally reveals itself. What an asshole!

[Magnus]

From the website in question:

Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have each lived in the island for more than 400 years, but we have no common language, no common religion, and no common culture.

You know, I saw this quote that Agios Ionas found on that site and I thought 'where have I heard those exact same words before?' Now I remember:

There has never been a Cypriot nation and Cyprus has never been part of the Greek State. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have each lived in the island for more than 400 years, but we have no common language, no common religion, and no common culture.

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18854

Looks like Soyer's source is revealed at last. Another dent to his already compromised integrity.

[Tim Drayton]

So... the 'clueless' delboy000 turned out to be nothing but a partitionist delivering links to Turkish propaganda.

From the website in question:

Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have each lived in the island for more than 400 years, but we have no common language, no common religion, and no common culture.

Greeks started settling on Cyprus in great numbers during the 14th century B.C. The newcomers spread the use of their spoken word and their culture. By the end of the second millennium B.C., a distinctive culture had developed on Cyprus. The island's culture was tempered and enriched by its position as a crossroads for the commerce of three continents, but in essence it was distinctively Hellenic since 12th century B.C.

The Ottoman Turks arrived in 1571.

What is +400 years compared to +3000 years? Not much if you ask me. But I firmly believe that both GC's and TC's are entitled to live on the island... as Cypriots... not as Greeks or Turks.

* One nation

* One sovereignty

* One people (Cypriots)

* Two official religions, Sunni Islam and Greek Orthodox (but minority religions must be allowed and respected as well).

* Two official languages (Cypriot dialects of Greek and Turkish)

* A third mandatory secondary language to be taught in school (English) would tie things up nicely and well. This will allow everyone to communicate with each other as well as with visitors to the island.

Just as you should be able to choose to study French, German or Spanish etc in school you should also be given the chance to study Turkish if you're a GC and Greek if you're a TC. Such choices would best be introduced at the beginning of secondary school, at least during the second half of secondary school.

The earlier kids start to learn the easier it is because as you all know young children are like sponges when it comes to learning. It's always good to learn languages (even if just a tiny little bit) as it helps to communicate and understand each other better. Multilinguality could be considered a tool for peace.

It's also essential to learn some about other religious faiths than the one you're considered to belong to. The more you know about Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism etc the easier it gets to see things from another person's perspective if said person has beliefs different from your own. Religious knowledge could also be considered a tool for peace.

It's also important to respect languages spoken by minorities and cater for the needs of these individuals where it's applicable and cost-effective to do so. English should suffice in most cases. But in special cases it could be necessary to have information translated into other languages, eg at hospitals, the police stations and other governmental institutions. I reckon it's possible to find individuals or organisations willing to do such translations for free just because they want to support the minority communities they belong to. If not it's quite possible that the EU would give funds to finance such projects.

GC students now have the option of studying Turkish as a foreign language in some state secondary schools.

A private school in Kyrenia introduced Greek as a foreign language onto its curriculum a couple of years ago, but was pressurised into reversing this decision.

[pantheman]

GC students now have the option of studying Turkish as a foreign language in some state secondary schools.

A private school in Kyrenia introduced Greek as a foreign language onto its curriculum a couple of years ago, but was pressurised into reversing this decision.

Yes another good will gesture that Halil likes to talk about. Oh, and not forgetting the best gesture of all, to charge for entry to Apostolos Adreas so you assholes can care for your donkeys. Nice gestures, sure to go along way to promote reconcilliation. Thanks, but no thanks!

[Tim Drayton]

GC students now have the option of studying Turkish as a foreign language in some state secondary schools.

A private school in Kyrenia introduced Greek as a foreign language onto its curriculum a couple of years ago, but was pressurised into reversing this decision.

Yes another good will gesture that Halil likes to talk about. Oh, and not forgetting the best gesture of all, to charge for entry to Apostolos Adreas so you assholes can care for your donkeys. Nice gestures, sure to go along way to promote reconcilliation. Thanks, but no thanks!

How do you propose promoting reconciliation?

[pantheman]

GC students now have the option of studying Turkish as a foreign language in some state secondary schools.

A private school in Kyrenia introduced Greek as a foreign language onto its curriculum a couple of years ago, but was pressurised into reversing this decision.

Yes another good will gesture that Halil likes to talk about. Oh, and not forgetting the best gesture of all, to charge for entry to Apostolos Adreas so you assholes can care for your donkeys. Nice gestures, sure to go along way to promote reconcilliation. Thanks, but no thanks!

How do you propose promoting reconciliation?

firstly, get rid of that F flag on the mountain.
Remove half the troops (not needed today)
Reverse the charge of Apostolos Andreas
instigate a program of renovation for places of religious interest, ie churches
Abide by the customs union and recognise cypriot shipping ports and airports

theres a few to be getting on with.

perhaps you might want to say what you expect the GC to do.

Given we give out RoC passports for EU benefits
Free use of medical treatment
pensions paid
Allow TC to come over and work
allow free movement of TC goods into the RoC

and probably a whole lot more.

Whats do you propose Tim, my Turkish expert friend?

[Tim Drayton]

firstly, get rid of that F flag on the mountain.
Remove half the troops (not needed today)
Reverse the charge of Apostolos Andreas
instigate a program of renovation for places of religious interest, ie churches
Abide by the customs union and recognise cypriot shipping ports and airports

I agree 100% with all of these demands.

In the meantime, if Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot school students are given the opportunity, if they so wish, to learn one another's languages, I believe this can also make a positive contribution towards reconciliation.

Agios Ionas in his post suggested that this would be a positive measure, and I merely pointed out that there have recently been some moves in this direction. What is your big problem with that? I am having a lot of difficulty understanding your totally disproportionate outbursts today.