Cyprus-Forum.com

[Get Real!]

That's interesting; free (stolen) property and no duties. But what about the Settlers' offspring? Are the TCs now training them, alongside themselves, during MS or are they too, exempt for life?

I doubt Turkey worries too much about expanding or improving the relatively miniscule TC contingent, and as for settlers joining the Turkish army they'd have go back to Turkey to join via the standard channels wouldn't they? And then probably get sent off wherever Turkish military fate has for them… Afghanistan even!

But anyway, to wrap this up I very much doubt settlers have anything military to do in Cyprus.

[Get Real!]

Tim,I was just wondering...How come you were interpreting for these people in the trnc???? From Turkish into...What???

Sorry, my lips are sealed. Professional integrity and all that - I am sure you have been there. If I could tell you, you jaw would drop in astonishment.

Translator or interpreter?

[insan]

ASAP, i'll be with u with very amazing info abt settlers that r mostly based on my observations,relations (1976- 87),(2003-2009) and some based on the hearsays. Now I'm too busy in my internet cafe. Cya soon.

[Oracle]

That's interesting; free (stolen) property and no duties. But what about the Settlers' offspring? Are the TCs now training them, alongside themselves, during MS or are they too, exempt for life?

I doubt Turkey worries too much about expanding or improving the relatively miniscule TC contingent, and as for settlers joining the Turkish army they'd have go back to Turkey to join via the standard channels wouldn't they? And then probably get sent off wherever Turkish military fate has for them… Afghanistan even!

But anyway, to wrap this up I very much doubt settlers have anything military to do in Cyprus.

See, I would like to know!

The Militarily-eligible ones from Bir's estimated total of 300,000 civilians, could number as much as 100,000 of that initial figure (i.e. male and of the right age). Whether initially promised exemption (to tempt them over), they can still be enforceably recruited by Turkey, at the drop of a fez. They are already on the island for goodness sake, that's a plus for them even if you think they are useless. They are part of the population which back home in Turkey would have had to do MS anyway, and perhaps end up as part of the 40,000 occupying Turkish troops assigned to constantly threaten us!

So all I'm saying is that these (300,000 settlers) are not all simply passive civilians. Amongst them are men of the right age and state of health, to be considered as potential soldier material. Their loyalties are still strongly Turkish, and aside being trained in Turkey for MS, or trained within Cyprus by the contingent 40,000 troops, or even trained by the TC administration (since they may want to "integrate" them); it is something we should factor-in.

The full force of this potential threat, not just from the known 40,000 Turkish troops, but those extras (the unknowns), comprising a natural percentage of the population of the Settler civilians, should be made to weigh further against Turkey, when the EU calls for it to reduce its troops on the Island, to facilitate less strained negotiations.

[skipper]

On Thursday and Friday I was interpreting at interviews conducted in Famagusta with some local Cyprus-born young men whose parents were from Turkey. This experience was an eye opener. I had the opportunity to engage some general conversation with them and gauge their outlook on their existence. I can tell you that it was very negative. These men -aged in their mid-twenties - were all unemployed and said that they had given up all hope of ever finding work. They felt that they were victims of discrimination, especially in the eyes of the police. To them, Famagusta police station was a notorious place where people were routinely coerced into signing false confessions. They live with their parents, sleep until the afternoon and the highlight of their day is when they go out in the evening, buy some bottles of whisky and hang out on a piece of wasteground, getting drunk. I got no real sense that these people identified either with the TRNC or with Turkey. I can see an explosive situation building up here, especially as the TRNC economy is heading for a severe downturn and is not going to be able to create work for these people. There is a large concentration of young, disaffected second-generation Turkish migrants in Famagusta. Perhaps I am exaggerating, but I wonder if one day we might see on the streets of Famagusta the kind of events we witnessed a couple of years ago in the suburbs of Paris involving the disaffected children of immgrants.

I live in Famagusta and like all places there are areas where you would n't venture out at night. Ask any TC youth what they think of the police and you'ill get the same contempt as you saw in your interview and it can't be because of discrimination because there are as many (if not more) settlers working in the police as there are TC's. I seriously doubt there is any serious descrimination in the police against them.

As for them not being able to find work, young people here with university degrees can not find in general let alone people from lower socio-economic groups. These settler children are also just as lazy as TC youth, no one wants to work its all the easy life. I guess the difference between the two types of youth is that TC parents are more likely to have money to support their children. But in general I can say there is definitely a dependancy culture on the government for jobs.

You'ill also find in places where children grew up along with TC children (mainly in the villages) these 2nd generation have atleast some affinity with Cyprus. In the open part of Maras there is virtually no interaction at all as most TC families who fled from the South after 74 and where housed there have long moved on.

Discrimination and disillusionment would result in a high chance of violence but I seriously doubt there is the kind of discrimination these young people are talking about.

As for children of settlers not crossing over to the south it happens all the time considering you can cross over with a TRNC ID card.

[Oracle]

ASAP, i'll be with u with very amazing info abt settlers that r mostly based on my observations,relations (1976- 87),(2003-2009) and some based on the hearsays. Now I'm too busy in my internet cafe. Cya soon.

Please do that dear because I know you have the potential to make a great Liberal and possibly a pacifist.

Insan, have you done MS in the "trnc"? Were there any Settlers training with you? Could you possibly answer any of my questions at the start of the thread, about settlers being obliged or not to do MS? If as GR! says they may be exempted, would this be something you resent (having to perhaps defend them, even if they are grown men).

Thank you ..... I will trust to your honesty.

[skipper]

Firstly children of migrants with TRNC citizenship also get TRNC citizenship and therefore do their army duty under the TC contingent.

The TC contingent and the actual Turkish Army are seperate as mentioned before but the structures, training and mode of operation is practically the same.

Republic of Turkey citizens who are here and have n't done their military service are not exempt from military service and they have to do it in Turkey not Cyprus.

There are around 260,000 TRNC ID numbers at the moment based on a UK based relative of mine who got an ID card recently because he had to sort out his military service.

Migrants/Workers who dont have TRNC citizenship are not being negotiated for as they will either have to leave or apply to get a work visa for residence in any future settlement.

Make what you will from the above..

[Get Real!]

Republic of Turkey citizens who are here and have n't done their military service are not exempt from military service and they have to do it in Turkey not Cyprus.

Are you saying that Turkey has an OBLIGATORY military service for all able-bodied males?

[skipper]

Republic of Turkey citizens who are here and have n't done their military service are not exempt from military service and they have to do it in Turkey not Cyprus.

Are you saying that Turkey has an OBLIGATORY military service for all able-bodied males?

This is news to you? As soon as you finish your education you get called up for national service, the same was as it in Greece, Russia, etc etc.

[Oracle]

skipper thanks for the above details.

It seems the Settlers are not of special status regarding MS. So amongst the 300,000 would be a considerable number already trained in Turkey, or if given "trnc" citizenship training with the TCs.

We are looking at a whole group of extra trained Turkish soldiers, which need to be factored when assessing the realistic, immediate extent of the threat posed to us by Turkey.

So does anyone out there, "empathise" with our predicament?