Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

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 .

This is no argument against their undermining of our nation and providing the Turkish Army with a distinct strategic advantage in the east.

[purdey]

I presume I am welcome in Cyprus ?
I am under no illussions that the British bases are not welcome in Cyprus and I appreciate the British are occupying Cypriot soil.
As for security I would be suprised if any sharing of information goes on, especially relating to the security of Cyprus.

[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?

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 .

Water is not for sale on this island. It hurts us to "sell" it, besides they have their own desalination plants.
The soldiers are forbidden from approaching Ayia Napa and are discouraged from eating and drinking outside the bases. Their families will roam but in the grand scheme of things its nothing to write home about.

So, NO, the bases definitely do not contribute.

[Paphitis]

I presume I am welcome in Cyprus ?
I am under no illussions that the British bases are not welcome in Cyprus and I appreciate the British are occupying Cypriot soil.
As for security I would be suprised if any sharing of information goes on, especially relating to the security of Cyprus.

The British expats are not the issue and any law abiding EU citizen is welcome.

The issue is that either the British Forces and security organisations assist the Republic with it's defence requirements as a "Guarantor Power" and cease gathering intelligence about the island's defence installations which may invariably fall in the wrong hands. Either contribute to Cyprus or leave. It is as simple as that.

Let me ask you 2 question. If Turkey breaks out from the Cease Fire line in Famagusta, will the British allow the CNG to use Dhekelia as a transit point and as a supply line to defend it's own territory? Or will Britain not allow this and choose to instead allow the Turkish Army to transit instead?

You are an ex serviceman and must have some insight into such a hypothetical scenario. That is what military people do. Look at hypothetical scenarios such as this.

[DT.]

I presume I am welcome in Cyprus ?
I am under no illussions that the British bases are not welcome in Cyprus and I appreciate the British are occupying Cypriot soil.
As for security I would be suprised if any sharing of information goes on, especially relating to the security of Cyprus.

The British expats are not the issue and any law abiding EU citizen is welcome.

This issue is that either the British Forces and security organisations assist the Republic with it's defence requirements as a "Guarantor Power" and cease gathering intelligence about the island's defence installations which may invariably fall in the wrong hands. Either contribute to Cyprus or leave. It is as simple as that.

Let me ask you 2 question. If Turkey breaks out from the Cease Fire line in Famagusta, will the British allow the CNG to use Dhekelia as a transit point and as a supply line to defend it's own territory? Or will Britain not allow this and choose to instead allow the Turkish Army to transit instead?

You are an ex serviceman and must have some insight into such a hypothetical scenario. That is what military people do. Look at hypothetical scenarios such as this.

The CNG's plans assume that the bases will be closed to all millitary units.

[Nikitas]

So the British are using their bases to spy on us, on our neighbors, on Greece and anyone they can reach with their signals equipment. So what?

It is also likely that the British, having allowed the Turks to gain a foohold on the island now realise that they have a powerful adversary right there, able to a)take over their valued bases, and/or b) set up rival spying facilities and sell their services to clients of the British.

The Americans are probably playing one against the other.

Now we add the French and the Russians to the mix and everything will be perfect.

[Nikitas]

Paphitis,

Re the scenarios you pointed out, there is the precedent of the 1974 clash where the British would allow National Guardsmen to use the SBA territory only if they surrendered their weapons first. No need for further comment.

[Paphitis]

I presume I am welcome in Cyprus ?
I am under no illussions that the British bases are not welcome in Cyprus and I appreciate the British are occupying Cypriot soil.
As for security I would be suprised if any sharing of information goes on, especially relating to the security of Cyprus.

The British expats are not the issue and any law abiding EU citizen is welcome.

This issue is that either the British Forces and security organisations assist the Republic with it's defence requirements as a "Guarantor Power" and cease gathering intelligence about the island's defence installations which may invariably fall in the wrong hands. Either contribute to Cyprus or leave. It is as simple as that.

Let me ask you 2 question. If Turkey breaks out from the Cease Fire line in Famagusta, will the British allow the CNG to use Dhekelia as a transit point and as a supply line to defend it's own territory? Or will Britain not allow this and choose to instead allow the Turkish Army to transit instead?

You are an ex serviceman and must have some insight into such a hypothetical scenario. That is what military people do. Look at hypothetical scenarios such as this.

The CNG's plans assume that the bases will be closed to all millitary units.

So basically, the whole Famagusta district is at the Turkish Army's mercy.

So how will the CNG get there if required? Through the occupied areas!!

This only further improves my argument. Britain is a blight on our nations security and defence. Cyprus needs to apply pressure to remove this security risk.

[purdey]

I think you know the answer to both questions as you are ex military yourself. They would stand fast, turn away from both sides and await intructions from Whitehall.
In the meantime all hell would break loose and a ceasefire would be brokered, but yet again the damage would have been done.

[purdey]

Nikitas, please were do the French (at the moment) come into the equation. There army is vastly reduced, there equipment is not in working order, and they have little or no interest in any security operation that could lead to any conflict.