Get Real wrote:
Absolute rubbish! Your lack of knowledge fails you again.
Britain gained control of Cyprus in 1878 as a result of an agreement with the Ottomans in return for support in the Balkans. This story is referred to as the “Cyprus Convention”. Anyway, Cyprus was annexed in 1914 when Turkey joined forces with Germany in WWI. The Republic of Turkey did not even exist until 1922!
Do you now realize why it's important to have as near a perfect knowledge of historical facts as possible BEFORE we get involved in political discussions?
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Mr Get Real,
Well, what can I say in response to comments like the above? Shall I start by saying that I have NO knowledge of the Cyprus issue what-so-ever and pick up a book in
translated Modern Greek and read YOUR view of the events affecting Cyprus, or shall I just let you ramble along blinded by the state of affairs affecting the Cyprus situation today? Honestly, I'd prefer the latter - but I'll have a go at explaining only the frost of how "We" see things. It also goes to show how "Different" our points of views are, thus even more of a reason for an agreed, or forced, Partition on Cyprus.
Before I start, may I point out that the Greek and Turkish Cypriots SHARE the island of Cyprus as Two peoples. Cyprus is not owned by the Greek Cypriots due to its majority population. The partnership between Britain, Turkey and Greece on Cyprus is based on principal, international agreements, conformity, guarantees and NOT on a population minority/majority basis. The "two leaders" currently undergoing peace talks should be evidence of this.
If it’s an answer you are seeking, then here it is (a partial one) my old friend:
Turkey is an EVOLUTION of what is now commonly known to the western world as the "Ottoman Empire". It was never "Dismantled", but simply repackaged by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Pasha!
If Mustafa Kemal Ataturk hadn't have passed away from ill health and lived past WWII, I am sure Cyprus would have returned to its rightful Ottoman owners (You can't change how we see it GR, at least understand that). Instead, Great Britain, due to the relentless killing of British soldiers and members of their families living in Cyprus by the TERRORIST EOKA-A Greek Cypriot regime in the 1950s (especially in 1955), had forced the UK into releasing the island off of its colonial arm and AGREED to declare it a Republic. Unfortunately, and as usual with
Turkey's late response to this scenario affecting Cyprus, rather than Turkey ceasing the opportunity and reclaiming the island after British failure to administer it after annexation in 1914 (which obviously is not a system I believe you advocate GR, seeing that you also disagree with the annexation of Northern Cyprus with Turkey today), Turkey agreed with Britain to SHARE the island with Britain and Greece.
Turkey could easily have dismissed such a call by Britain (and I wish it had to be honest), allowed the island of Cyprus to become a blood-bath of fighting between British, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties, thus eventually adopting the “Forced” Yugoslavian Model – what a mistake we (ALSO) made with the signing of the 1960 Cyprus Constitution. You see GR, it depends which ANGLE you look at it.
Therefore, the
Greek Cypriots were NOT suckered into the 1960 Constitution, but were
begging for such an agreement to materialise, obviously with the view to changing it as they tried, miserably, in the bloody year of 1963. The Greek Cypriots obviously dismissed the international agreements signed as part of the 1960 Cyprus constitution, thus dug its eventual grave after a second failed attempt to cease complete control of the island in the summer of 15th July 1974. Again, obviously, this time GREECE and its military dictatorship at the time turned its back, not only on Turkey, Britain and the Turkish Cypriots,
BUT ALSO ON THE GREEK CYPRIOTS - how sad, and what an excellent opportunity it was for Turkey (I do admit to some GC views!). However, at least Turkey has
NEVER turned its back on us - the Turkish Cypriots.
We can argue the situation of 1878, 1914, 1942 and etc until the cows come home Get Real, but truthfully, what really matters is the situation of CYPRUS TODAY.
Today we have two PARTNER Peoples of Cyprus trying to BROKER a DEAL. I know this is a scenario hard for any Pro-Greek Cypriot to comprehend or fathom, but it's the reality. WE, Turkish Cypriots, are (unfortunately), again, prepared to give up the “Self-Declared” TRNC for a Two-State Confederal formula, while obviously you (the GCs) want an
EVOLUTION of the current GC Administered ROC to materialise. I guess a bit like how the Republic of Turkey was an evolution of the OTTOMAN Empire! - What’s the real difference? Exactly, nothing!
Time is running out Get Real, and if a
Two-State Confederal formula based on a "Virgin Birth" is not agreed upon soon, then Partition based on the CURRENT borderlines will no doubt become a harsh reality for the Greek Cypriots. Turkey knows that it WILL NOT become an EU member state in the near future, therefore the so-called GC hold on Turkey’s so-called “Desperate” wish for EU entry is only in the MINDS of the dim-witted Pro-Greek Cypriots – obviously your President, Christofias, knew this reality very well when he took over from Papadopoulos which is why he was so Desperate to kick-start talks. Turkey’s eventual EU membership, if and when it happens, will be as a result of when the EU is READY to accept Turkey – probably after a crisis, like how Turkey suddenly became a member of NATO due to the Korean affair. I wouldn’t be surprised if Turkey’s EU membership materialises after the EU realise how much it “Requires” the natural resources from the ex-Soviet, Turkic countries, after an agreement in Northern Iraq and after Turkey’s Geographical and Strategic importance with Georgia and Armenia, of course not forgetting the now close relation between Turkey and Russia (surrounding the Black Sea!). There are many more reasons as to why the EU will, once again as it did with the Recognition of Kosovo, defy the un-important and selfish wishes of both tiny Greece and the Greek Cypriots and make the right decision in benefiting all of the EU member countries, as opposed to making the Greek world happy and dismiss such an important country like Turkiye.
The EU is becoming extremely frustrated with the Greek Cypriots, and so are we - your Partner peoples of the island of Cyprus. As for Greece, well, Greece kind of reminds me of a desperate dying dog with its aging population which will no doubt soon face many National problems in the future to come – I’ll let you ponder on that one! I wouldn’t rely on Greece too much, but look to befriend Turkey (and that GR actually came from a very intelligent and prominent (liberal) Greek Professor from the University of Athens, not too long ago).
With ALL my love my Greek Cypriot Compatriot,
Mr H.
P.s - as I've said in the past, as I only post from work, my time is extremely limited when writing on this forum. I also don't have the Internet at home, thus may give you a hint of my true (old) age and what I do for a living! We will meet one day GR as I find your unmindful stance exceptionally fascinating, but only after a Cyprus solution! Perhaps we'll sit together in the Venetian harbour in Girne and drink some Turkish Coffee laughing at the pre-solution days and the Cyprus Forum! Until then, I look forward to your post.
VP - thank you for your kind comments in your earlier post.
