Paphitis wrote: For instance and here I also note your oft-posted commitment to the New Europe, how do you square a BBF solution to the laws of the same EU regarding freedom of movement and right to enjoy one's property?
BBF is just a fancy way of disguising
partition. It is by it's very nature in
contravention to basic EU laws and principles. It defines 2 self
governing federated states,
segregated on racial lines to maintain a
numerical superiority of a particular community within it's so called zone. This can only be achieved by
impeding freedom of movement, the right of certain individuals returning to their properties, and by
limiting one communities democratic rights and hence
human rights within that zone.
My position on this is that I support the
implementation of the
EU Acquis over all of Cyprus. All persons must have
freedom of movement, and to enjoy
basic democratic rights no matter where they reside.
All refugees must be allowed the opportunity to
return to their
dispossessed homes. Any solution to Cyprus must conform to basic EU law. There can be no exception for Cyprus.
On other matters of substance I would ask where you stand on matters of security and territorial adjustments. What level of Turkish Army (if any at all of course) should remain post-solution and whether any notion of Guarantor-ship from outside Europe is acceptable to you? What level of territorial adjustment do you wish to see in the BBF?
I am
totally opposed to any
Treaty of Guarantees, particularly from
Greece, Turkey and UK. I am also
opposed to any
Greek or Turkish troops being stationed on the island. I also consider demilitarisation as a flawed concept. Cyprus should not be demilitarised, and I also opposed the Zurich 1960 provisions in capping the size of the CNG. I consider the military to be the
backbone of any nation. Having said that, military service should become voluntary, and I am also willing to compromise by allowing the TC community a minimum quota in defence matters, in order to alleviate their security concerns. I am also willing to accept
compromise by accepting a
Treaty of Guarantee from either EU, or UN but only for a fixed time period such as 10 years.
Territorial adjustment is an extremely
important issue. The current territorial adjustment which appear to be giving the TCs control of
29% of Cyprus is
unacceptable, especially since the Greek sector will be
carrying the burden of industrial and service industry zones. In other words, the Greek sector will be the one burdened with providing both GCs and TCs economic prosperity and jobs. The TCs are wanting to negotiate many things such as
"Virgin Birth" of 2 Federated states governed loosely by a Central Federal Government with little power except for matters of foreign Affairs and Defence. And even here, the TCs are asking for
veto rights which effectively leaves them in 100% control of the Federation as well. In other words, the TCs want a Confederacy, which could quite easily facilitate the permanent partition they always wanted. This is why I advocate a
fairer distribution in proportion with each communities population as at pre Jul, 1974. I advocate an
18%-82% land re-distribution, but with the condition that all citizens have a right to return to their lost homes.
I am opposed to "Virgin Birth". I advocate the maintenance and defence of the current Republic of Cyprus and it's evolution into a Strong Federation. The Republic of Cyprus is our last line of defence. It is our biggest weapon and this is why the Turks want us to disband it. If we ever disband the entity which gives us our legitimacy, then we have effectively lost the whole war and have capitulated to Turkey. These more substantive things have been discussed in other threads in recent days by members, including P, but where do you stand on them? I do not think discussions on these should be ignored or left to negotiators alone. It may also make the voting of those members who wish to take part in this poll be a little better informed.
Formulating a solution in a few paragraphs is an injustice, as one would need to write a thesis as large as the Annan Plan itself, to fully address all issues. The above however is a very basic outline of where I stand. I have attempted to avoid symbolic rhetoric and address the issues with substance.
I thank all those who have supported me. I have received some PMs, from many of you and I will be replying to you all shortly.
I also hope that I have made my positions clear and I request your support in this poll.
I stand here knowing that whatever I say and do is for 1 aim. To protect The Republic of Cyprus and to respect basic human and democratic rights and by the rule of EU law.If any members have any additional questions, then please feel free to PM me.
I wish my opponent good luck!
I have on many occasions posted that I support fully the efforts of the ROC government , supported also by the International forum and not least the UN and importantly the EU.
Paphitis states quite clearly "BBF is just a fancy way of disguising
partition. It is by it's very nature in
contravention to basic EU laws and principles."""
President Christophias states also quite clearly :"" President Christofias said the form of the solution would be a bizonal bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, one citizenship, and a single international identity.""
I have supported the above position of the ROC government.
The President went on to say "''We wish once again to clarify that with the solution of the Cyprus problem we are aiming at the creation of a reunited Federal Republic of Cyprus, which will be a continuation and evolvement of the Republic of Cyprus, which was established in 1960, as the common state of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Our aim is for the solution to terminate the occupation and the influx of Turkish settlers, to reunite our people, the land, the institutions and the economy of our state. Our immovable aim is for the solution to restore and guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all the people,''
I have also supported the above aims of the ROC government .
The President then added: President Christofias assured that efforts were focusing on a solution that would ''make the people of Cyprus the real master in their land and that no foreign power can have the right or the capacity to intervene at will in the internal affairs of our country, we are struggling for an independent Cyprus for the Cypriots which will neither be a second Greek state nor a state under guardianship, an extension of Anatolia.''
My position is exactly the same as that of the ROC . An independent Cyprus which is neither Greek nor Turkish , this statement alone could be my signature.
I have chosen to reaffirm my position on the Cyprob by quoting parts of the Presidents' speech to the Opening of the 22nd Conference of the Central Council of the World Federation for Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) on August 19th 2008.
The position that all true Cypriots must adopt is one of support for the ROC in its efforts to negotiate a solution. Picking certain issues and dismissing them before a final version is presented to the people is not constructive. Stating , as Paphitis has done , that BBF is a disquised partition and that he will do all he can to Derail it , is rather pompous. Neither he nor I have any influence what so ever in determining the end result , we have only our vote to cast when the finished result is presented to the Cypriot people.
All along , my support has been behind the efforts of the ROC , AND iM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT SO FAR , not one single member of the ROC government has put forward WAR as the only option. Not one single member has threatened to incinerate a section of the Cypriot population . Paphitis has not either but he supports those that have stated that WAR in the only option.
Paphitis stated that he would "oppose" a complete demilitarization of Cyprus , I have not yet read the position of our government on the matter but let me say that I would find it hard to believe that the T/Cs would be happy with the continuation of the CNG at its present levels.
Paphitis also stated that his aim is :To protect The Republic of Cyprus and to respect basic human and democratic rights and by the rule of EU law.[/size]
I can not but agree on this matter , but would like to underline the need to respect all Cypriots basic human rights.
I stand for common sense , on this island there are other people apart from G/Cs , together we swim or together we drown .
I have challenged the extreme views of both G/Cs and Turkish Cypriots , none but the extremists , can accuse me of being one sided .I have had sustained attacks by both the T/C extremists and the G/C extremists , relentlessly I have carried on and intend to carry one for a long time .
Good night all/
