Cyprus-Forum.com

[Viewpoint]

If Russia (your buddies) and Turkey were to agree similtaneous recognition of the TRNC South Ossetia and Abkazia do you thin other nations would follow?

VP, the Russian ambassador to Turkey was merely joking. He was asked if now there is a chance that Russia will recognize "TRNC," and his answer -among laughter- was that “if Turkey were (ever) to recognize Abkhazia and Ossetia, then Russia may also consider recognizing the "TRNC!"” It was an indirect way to say that there is no possibility, likewise there is no possibility for Turkey to go against the will of her US and NATO allies in recognizing Abkhazia and Ossetia.

Kifeas, You'd better hope it was a joke. He said a mutual recognition could be easilly announced if Turkey agreed to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Jocular or not, such comments by the Russian Ambassador Plenipotentary and Extraordinary to Turkey cannot simply be brushed off as a joke. Not at that level. Turkey is more important to Russia than Cyprus, when you think about it...

Sorry for bursting up your bubble but, “No” Expatkiwi, I do not hope it was a joke, because it has already been double checked and verified through the Russian embassy in Cyprus and the Russian foreign ministry, that it was a joke IN FACT!

Such errors are not made on sensative issues from high level officials you are only kidding ourselves or the Russians are pulling the wool over your eyes.

[utu]

Such errors are not made on sensative issues from high level officials you are only kidding ourselves or the Russians are pulling the wool over your eyes.

I have been told that such 'joking' comments by diplomats can be a useful tool to gauge responses on issues without making a major - what the Americans term - FUBAR. Still, joking or not, the fact that it was said is diplomatically significant. Just how significant will depend upon how the Caucasus crisis develops. The confirmation of recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Nicaragua is another complication which is not going make things any easier...

[Viewpoint]

Such errors are not made on sensative issues from high level officials you are only kidding ourselves or the Russians are pulling the wool over your eyes.

I have been told that such 'joking' comments by diplomats can be a useful tool to gauge responses on issues without making a major - what the Americans term - FUBAR. Still, joking or not, the fact that it was said is diplomatically significant. Just how significant will depend upon how the Caucasus crisis develops. The confirmation of recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Nicaragua is another complication which is not going make things any easier...

utu in 5 years time with no further recognition of South Ossetia and Abkazia and a deadlock in the Cyprus talks, with Turkey losing its EU perspective, deals will be struck and similtaneous recognition will be just another option that GCs will have to work hard to avoid. But as we all know if it benefits the larger nations recognition will come.

[utu]

utu in 5 years time with no further recognition of South Ossetia and Abkazia and a deadlock in the Cyprus talks, with Turkey losing its EU perspective, deals will be struck and similtaneous recognition will be just another option that GCs will have to work hard to avoid. But as we all know if it benefits the larger nations recognition will come.

I certainly can't argue with the last sentence, Viewpoint. The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council weild a lot of clout in regards to geopolitical matters. It depends upon their interests...