Cyprus-Forum.com

[Nikitas]

Purdey,

Telegraph.co.uk, hmmmm not the best source of info when it comes to a traditional adversary of England. According to them the Athens Olympics were about to be cancelled 24 hours before they started due to security problems.

[purdey]

Come on Nikitas you are in Comms and Media, check the source. Leaked from French government circles and not denied by Ministry of defence.
As for the UK's standing with our old adversary, have you not heard, there is a love affair a foot.

[Nikitas]

I will check it. But also there are those first hand bits of knowledge like seeing the excellent condition of French ships that participate in joint exercises with the Greek navy, and the weaponry exhibited at the bi annual Defendory exhibition. Reduced forces by no means indicates degradation in total.

If there is a worry about the French it is their historic habit of adherence to rigid military dogma. I discern a lack of fluid thinking, the Maginot line and all that being an example.

[purdey]

I have never been to the Bi Annual Defendory Exhibition, may I ask ask are the weapons on show put through there paces for all to see ?
European Fighter jet springs to mind, great piece of kit, I have seen it on test flights, but where is it ?

[Nikitas]

Purdey,

The weaponry is on static display with lots of techy videos to see.

We had test flights of both the Eurofighter and the Rafale recently in Greece. Word has it that local interests are clashing over the selection- one mob wants to go the French way, others are firmly stuck to the US planes. Word has it that the Air Force would love the Rafale.

[Simon]

Nikitas,

Do you know when Greece will make its decision on its next generation fighter?

[Nikitas]

These things work in mysterious ways Simon. It is a long process and all kinds of factors weigh in the final decision. The ideal situation would be for the military to decide which plane suits the tactical and strategic needs best and then buy it. But if that were the case Greece would have 100 F15s rather than 200 F16s. It should be sometime in the next year or so. Sarkozy's visit to Greece was not unconnected with the selection process.

[Paphitis]

These things work in mysterious ways Simon. It is a long process and all kinds of factors weigh in the final decision. The ideal situation would be for the military to decide which plane suits the tactical and strategic needs best and then buy it. But if that were the case Greece would have 100 F15s rather than 200 F16s. It should be sometime in the next year or so. Sarkozy's visit to Greece was not unconnected with the selection process.

Not participating in the JSF program was a big mistake!

[BC Numismatics]

While I completely agree that the British bases should be returned to Cyprus, I wonder if an immediate demand for Britain to remove them might not cause more trouble.

For example, what if Britain decides not to comply? Wouldn't this open up more political problems for the Cypriot government to deal with (especially in the EU) when it might be best to concentrate efforts on dealing with the 'TRNC' and Turkey first?

What if it just pushes Britain and Turkey even closer together? Cyprus would be left with two enemies occupying the island instead of one enemy and one 'theoretical' ally as in the current situation.

It might be more prudent to play nice with Britain until the Cyprus Problem can be resolved. After all, a tactical threat is only a threat when you're at war.

After a solution to the Cyprus Problem then it would be easier to get Britain to leave as they would have no grounds to remain if the guarantor powers are removed.

I stand to be corrected on this one though, I can't entirely determine the balance between military and political objectives in this case. There are too many uncertain variables.

Magnus,
The Sovereign Base Areas are legally & constitutionally British territories.They have their own laws,which are based on both English & colonial Cypriot law.

The idea that the British can be demanded to leave is just absolutely ridiculous anyway!

Aidan.

[Paphitis]

While I completely agree that the British bases should be returned to Cyprus, I wonder if an immediate demand for Britain to remove them might not cause more trouble.

For example, what if Britain decides not to comply? Wouldn't this open up more political problems for the Cypriot government to deal with (especially in the EU) when it might be best to concentrate efforts on dealing with the 'TRNC' and Turkey first?

What if it just pushes Britain and Turkey even closer together? Cyprus would be left with two enemies occupying the island instead of one enemy and one 'theoretical' ally as in the current situation.

It might be more prudent to play nice with Britain until the Cyprus Problem can be resolved. After all, a tactical threat is only a threat when you're at war.

After a solution to the Cyprus Problem then it would be easier to get Britain to leave as they would have no grounds to remain if the guarantor powers are removed.

I stand to be corrected on this one though, I can't entirely determine the balance between military and political objectives in this case. There are too many uncertain variables.

Magnus,
The Sovereign Base Areas are legally & constitutionally British territories.They have their own laws,which are based on both English & colonial Cypriot law.

The idea that the British can be demanded to leave is just absolutely ridiculous anyway!

Aidan.

I beg to differ. The British SBA' can be asked to leave on the grounds that they are in breach of their tenancy arrangements with the RoC. They are also supposedly a Guarantor Power which did nothing to stop the Turkish Invasion. Therefore, it can be argued that certain aspects of the 1959 Zurich agreement, pertaining to the SBA's and the Guarantor Treaty are no longer valid and are void, provided that the RoC wishes to press this particular point which may or may not be in her best interests due to the current political climate!!