Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

Since Britain continues to occupy part of our Island it is in our interest to know what it is up to.

The shocking fact to emerge from your research dear Paphitis, is that so much of the intelligence gathering is homed in on Cyprus itself.

I imagined their surveillance was primarily for the Middle East. How wrong I was!

It is an outrage that they force their way into our country and have the audacity to spy on us from within.

They are probably selling or gifting this information to Turkey.

Shame on Britain for being a traitor to a fellow EU country.

[ttoli]

Who said that?

[Paphitis]

Since Britain continues to occupy part of our Island it is in our interest to know what it is up to.

The shocking fact to emerge from your research dear Paphitis, is that so much of the intelligence gathering is homed in on Cyprus itself.

I imagined their surveillance was primarily for the Middle East. How wrong I was!

It is an outrage that they force their way into our country and have the audacity to spy on us from within.

They are probably selling or gifting this information to Turkey.

Shame on Britain for being a traitor to a fellow EU country.

Some of their intelligence gathering activities have been focusing on CNG military exercises, Air Defence Missile sites (SAMs), troop movements and listening in on CNG and Cypriot Diplomatic communications even to the point of eavesdropping on mobile phone conversations. They are a security risk to Cyprus and need to rethink their attitude and actually assist Cyprus with it's security needs instead of undermining them. This is especially important due to the fact that the island is occupied by the Turkish Army. Have they ever offered the Cyprus Government any information about Turkish troop movements and exercises? I have no real proof, but can only presume that some of Britain's intelligence gathering in Cyprus is in fact offered to her NATO ally, Turkey.

Cypriots are grateful for Britain's role in assisting Cyprus with the recent bush fires by deploying AB212 helicopters, but it is also important that Britain plays a security role. Britain is after all a Guarantor to Cyprus and it's bases are on Cypriot territory.

If the British continue to undermine the islands security, then they must be asked to pack up and leave.

[miltiades]

Throughout history super powers have primarily targeted their activities not for the benefit of those nations that they either ruled or as in the case of Cyprus , have a military presence .
However the British government ought to be made aware in very clear terms that any activities by their military bases in Cyprus that are considered by the RoC as " damaging " to the security of the island must seize forthwith .
Having the bases in Cyprus as "sovereign areas " must also be questioned in view of the fact that such military facilities were included in the Zurich agreement which also included Britain as one of the guarantors of Cyprus's independence and territorial integrity !!!
I have always supported the continuation of the existence of the British military bases in Cyprus that provide not only employment to locals but also provide as I understand it a respectable amount to our finances , however should the operation of the bases was to be proven as detrimental to the interests of Cyprus then I shall be the first to demand the withdrawal of the bases. The RoC ought to investigate seriously any misdemeanours by the British military bases .

[DT.]

Throughout history super powers have primarily targeted their activities not for the benefit of those nations that they either ruled or as in the case of Cyprus , have a military presence .
However the British government ought to be made aware in very clear terms that any activities by their military bases in Cyprus that are considered by the RoC as " damaging " to the security of the island must seize forthwith .
Having the bases in Cyprus as "sovereign areas " must also be questioned in view of the fact that such military facilities were included in the Zurich agreement which also included Britain as one of the guarantors of Cyprus's independence and territorial integrity !!!
I have always supported the continuation of the existence of the British military bases in Cyprus that provide not only employment to locals but also provide as I understand it a respectable amount to our finances , however should the operation of the bases was to be proven as detrimental to the interests of Cyprus then I shall be the first to demand the withdrawal of the bases. The RoC ought to investigate seriously any misdemeanours by the British military bases .

How do the bases provide a respectable amount to our finances?

[purdey]

It's on credit terms..

[Paphitis]

It's on credit terms..

They are refusing to pay up!

Britain is offering nothing to Cypriot security requirements and can be considered a security risk. This is a much more serious issue than any financial arrangements.

[purdey]

With respect Paphitas, I hear no rumblings from ROC government about the British security risk. Surely such news would be music to the ears of those who want SBA land back and the British out.
As for the financial situation, yes Britain is refusing to pay, but again where is the pressure from within to get what is owed.
Something tells me behind closed doors, everyone is happy, unless someone can prove otherwise.

[miltiades]

Throughout history super powers have primarily targeted their activities not for the benefit of those nations that they either ruled or as in the case of Cyprus , have a military presence .
However the British government ought to be made aware in very clear terms that any activities by their military bases in Cyprus that are considered by the RoC as " damaging " to the security of the island must seize forthwith .
Having the bases in Cyprus as "sovereign areas " must also be questioned in view of the fact that such military facilities were included in the Zurich agreement which also included Britain as one of the guarantors of Cyprus's independence and territorial integrity !!!
I have always supported the continuation of the existence of the British military bases in Cyprus that provide not only employment to locals but also provide as I understand it a respectable amount to our finances , however should the operation of the bases was to be proven as detrimental to the interests of Cyprus then I shall be the first to demand the withdrawal of the bases. The RoC ought to investigate seriously any misdemeanours by the British military bases .

How do the bases provide a respectable amount to our finances?

I take it that they purchase some, if not all , of their food , water etc from within Cyprus , as well as the expenditure of the British forces in Cyprus.
It is a well known fact that the British forces in Cyprus also spend quite a bit of their money in local restaurants bars and shops. There is no doubt that financially , and forgetting the fact that if the bases were disbanded the land would be worth millions, Cyprus benefits financially .

[Paphitis]

With respect Paphitas, I hear no rumblings from ROC government about the British security risk. Surely such news would be music to the ears of those who want SBA land back and the British out.

All in good time Purdey. The non cooperation with the Cyprus Government will result in Britain's eventual withdrawal. Don't ever think for 1 minute that you are actually welcomed in Cyprus. The only way in which this can be turned around is if Britain actually offer something that benefits Cyprus.

My only hope is that The Cyprus Government sees it appropriate to ask the British to leave right now. After all, we have nothing to lose and plenty to gain. The British are not paying their lease and make no contribution to the island's security requirements. There is considerable evidence that suggests that they are undermining our security and are a liability to the islands defence as the Dhekelia Base even cuts the Famagusta District from the rest of the Republic, which is an enormous strategic advantage to the Turkish Army, if they decide to break out of the cease fire line.

Cyprus has received no assistance from Britain in 74 and has actually never been assisted with defence and security. The bases are a terrible security risk, and it is up to Britain to convince us their worth to our island by assisting Cyprus in it's defence and security needs.

As for the financial situation, yes Britain is refusing to pay, but again where is the pressure from within to get what is owed.
Something tells me behind closed doors, everyone is happy, unless someone can prove otherwise.

As stated earlier, money is no object as their is clearly more at stake by presenting a security risk to the nation.