Cyprus-Forum.com

[YFred]

Omer, being denied the right to trade freely is also embargoed. It has caused the migration of 10s of thousands of TCs from Cyprus (RoC Policy since 1960). RoC has as much responsibility as Turkey on this matter. Do not dismiss any initiative that works towards the ending of it. Being unable to trade because they occupy GC property whiles the GCs are able to trade with the world despite the fact that they occupying TC property may be legal but it’s immoral. It is as immoral as the Natasha’s working in those nightclubs in the middle of the fields in the TRNC.

[Omer Seyhan]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week, where members were given a report of the previous years activities and a new committee was elected. The membership also heard a keynote address from Councillor Meral Ece OBE. With a diverse and growing support base, re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire to hear about Embargoed!’s lobbying activities. Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE praised the group for its pro-active campaign work and hoped more Turkish Cypriots would follow suit, stating that “only by participating within the UK’s political mainstream could the community make its presence felt”. She expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest, and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year, although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years. We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply. Our people have had enough. We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides . This is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

http://www.embargoed.org/

LOL

And I though Human rights is a right for ALL Cypriots to enjoy. Silly me. Aparentently we have 'Greek Cypriot Human Rights' or 'Turkish Cypriot Human Rights' as if they are separate. Embargoed has lost the meaning of human rights.

What embargoes? There are no embargoes on the TRNC because there is no recognition of the TRNC upon which any country can impose an embargo. Embargoed! should come clean and admit that what they really desire is TRNC recognition or an upgrade in the TRNC's status abroad like Taiwan.

Instead this group exploits already angry Turkish Cypriots getting them to blame Greek Cypriots for everything. Its very manipulative and unpleasant, and actually hinders reconciliation between both communities.

But hey, before I spill my coffee, I'm sure nobody takes these amateurs seriously in our community... After all they are just another 'Lobby for Cyprus'... short-sighted and one-sided.

Omer, u have a conventional mind set. During 1963-67 there was no TRNC but there were embargoes on TC community. During 1975-1983, there was no TRNC but there were embargoes on TC community.

If there has been no embargoes on TC community most probably KTFD would have maintained and TC community have had a strong economic structure, brain power, proper socio-political order, socio-psychological mood etc. These positive elements would give self-confidence to TC community and contribute the reconciliation process.

Since 1963, there r no embargoes for GC products that have been cultivated on TC land. Neither the roads, hotels, touristic establishments, airport etc built on TC land r embargoed. Is it fair?

Omer, maybe u don't take seriously those people who struggle to have the embargoes lifted but vast majority of TCs took them seriously and wish embargoes lifted on TC community.

What's ur suggestions to TC community? Consent to embargoes for another 45 or 100 years until a solution is found?

I agree the T/C community has had it tough. A solution is clearly the only way to address all these issues and more, and you know that I'm sure.

For Embargoed, however, its easier to blame G/Cs, that fits into the justification for TRNC, but in reality we all know it is more complicated than that..

Yes I know all about EOKA....but there are other contributors to T/C isolation.

Did TMT under Denktash (and sponsored by Turkey) not encourage T/Cs to cut off all links with G/Cs? Did they not murder T/Cs who defied them and who believed in unity in order to scare the community? Did they not stop T/Cs from joining the power-sharing govt?

Segregation was planned and orchestrated by a minority in our community backed by Turkey who encouraged the T/Cs to move into enclaves. Denktash had very good links with Yorgadjis and when T/C lawyers and journalists of Cumhuriyet newspaper Ayhan Hikmet & Ahmet Gurkhan asked for protection from TMT's bullying and threats, Yorgadjis called his buddy Denktash who had them assasinated.

Watch this to learn about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk7eqh0MgEE

The same Denktash who set up the TRNC, whose people later set up Embargoed is now wanted in Turkey for questioning over his involvement in a clandestine group called Ergenekon which planned to topple the democratically elected Turkish government. Ergenekon is regarded as a terrorist group in Turkey. I don't take people who have such close links to Denktash seriously and nor should you...

[insan]

Omer, being denied the right to trade freely is also embargoed. It has caused the migration of 10s of thousands of TCs from Cyprus (RoC Policy since 1960). RoC has as much responsibility as Turkey on this matter. Do not dismiss any initiative that works towards the ending of it. Being unable to trade because they occupy GC property whiles the GCs are able to trade with the world despite the fact that they occupying TC property may be legal but it’s immoral. It is as immoral as the Natasha’s working in those nightclubs in the middle of the fields in the TRNC.

YFred, can we discuss abt the responsibilities of so-called RoC and Turkey regarding the embargoes? I'd like to hear ur opinions.

[The Cypriot]

After all they are just another 'Lobby for Cyprus'... short-sighted and one-sided.

I've just had an idea!

Embargoed! and Lobby should get all their supporters together and organise a huge (actually it may not be that huge) custard pie fight at the Emirates stadium - I expect most of them are Arsenal fans.

They could charge an entrance. I'm sure there are crowds of people who would pay to see it!

The two protagonists can get all their anger, hatred and resentment out by covering each other in yellow gunge. And make a small fortune into the bargain.

How's that for being intelligent and colourful!

Then, afterwards, they can clean themselves and their act up - and work together to lobby their imperialist, ex-colonialist host nation to remove ALL embargoes on ALL Cypriots.

How's that for HUMAN? How's that for RIGHTS?

[Omer Seyhan]

Omer, being denied the right to trade freely is also embargoed. It has caused the migration of 10s of thousands of TCs from Cyprus (RoC Policy since 1960). RoC has as much responsibility as Turkey on this matter. Do not dismiss any initiative that works towards the ending of it. Being unable to trade because they occupy GC property whiles the GCs are able to trade with the world despite the fact that they occupying TC property may be legal but it’s immoral. It is as immoral as the Natasha’s working in those nightclubs in the middle of the fields in the TRNC.

Embargoes are what you have on Cuba.

Actually, T/Cs can trade via the Green Line Regulations or via Turkey freely. However, the TRNC govt does not want that, they prefer to sell directly from Ercan or Famagusta with a nice big TRNC stamp on their products. But because the TRNC is non-recognised by nearly every country on the planet this is never going to be possible unless enough of them recognise the TRNC first or upgrade its status somehow and they know this very well.

With hindsight I can say with confidence that a solution is the only way to address this issue and many other issues such as property. Therefore you should focus on the nice golden goose egg that is ready to hatch and not waste time with trying to get a meagre egg out of a Rooster...

[Omer Seyhan]

After all they are just another 'Lobby for Cyprus'... short-sighted and one-sided.

I've just had an idea!

Embargoed! and Lobby should get all their supporters together and organise a huge (actually it may not be that huge) custard pie fight at the Emirates stadium - I expect most of them are Arsenal fans.

They could charge an entrance. I'm sure there are crowds of people who would pay to see it!

The two protagonists can get all there anger, hatred and resentment out by covering each other in yellow gunge. And make a small fortune into the bargain.

How's that for being intelligent and colourful!

Then, afterwards, they can clean themselves and their act up - and work together to lobby their imperialist, ex-colonialist host nation to remove ALL embargoes on ALL Cypriots.

How's that for HUMAN? How's that for RIGHTS?

That would fun to watch....from a far.

[insan]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week, where members were given a report of the previous years activities and a new committee was elected. The membership also heard a keynote address from Councillor Meral Ece OBE. With a diverse and growing support base, re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire to hear about Embargoed!’s lobbying activities. Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE praised the group for its pro-active campaign work and hoped more Turkish Cypriots would follow suit, stating that “only by participating within the UK’s political mainstream could the community make its presence felt”. She expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest, and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year, although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years. We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply. Our people have had enough. We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides . This is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

http://www.embargoed.org/

LOL

And I though Human rights is a right for ALL Cypriots to enjoy. Silly me. Aparentently we have 'Greek Cypriot Human Rights' or 'Turkish Cypriot Human Rights' as if they are separate. Embargoed has lost the meaning of human rights.

What embargoes? There are no embargoes on the TRNC because there is no recognition of the TRNC upon which any country can impose an embargo. Embargoed! should come clean and admit that what they really desire is TRNC recognition or an upgrade in the TRNC's status abroad like Taiwan.

Instead this group exploits already angry Turkish Cypriots getting them to blame Greek Cypriots for everything. Its very manipulative and unpleasant, and actually hinders reconciliation between both communities.

But hey, before I spill my coffee, I'm sure nobody takes these amateurs seriously in our community... After all they are just another 'Lobby for Cyprus'... short-sighted and one-sided.

Omer, u have a conventional mind set. During 1963-67 there was no TRNC but there were embargoes on TC community. During 1975-1983, there was no TRNC but there were embargoes on TC community.

If there has been no embargoes on TC community most probably KTFD would have maintained and TC community have had a strong economic structure, brain power, proper socio-political order, socio-psychological mood etc. These positive elements would give self-confidence to TC community and contribute the reconciliation process.

Since 1963, there r no embargoes for GC products that have been cultivated on TC land. Neither the roads, hotels, touristic establishments, airport etc built on TC land r embargoed. Is it fair?

Omer, maybe u don't take seriously those people who struggle to have the embargoes lifted but vast majority of TCs took them seriously and wish embargoes lifted on TC community.

What's ur suggestions to TC community? Consent to embargoes for another 45 or 100 years until a solution is found?

I agree the T/C community has had it tough. A solution is clearly the only way to address all these issues and more, and you know that I'm sure.

For Embargoed, however, its easier to blame G/Cs, that fits into the justification for TRNC, but in reality we all know it is more complicated than that..

Yes I know all about EOKA....but there are other contributors to T/C isolation.

Did TMT under Denktash (and sponsored by Turkey) not encourage T/Cs to cut off all links with G/Cs? Did they not murder T/Cs who defied them and who believed in unity in order to scare the community? Did they not stop T/Cs from joining the power-sharing govt?

Segregation was planned and orchestrated by a minority in our community backed by Turkey who encouraged the T/Cs to move into enclaves. Denktash had very good links with Yorgadjis and when T/C lawyers and journalists of Cumhuriyet newspaper Ayhan Hikmet & Ahmet Gurkhan asked for protection from TMT's bullying and threats, Yorgadjis called his buddy Denktash who had them assasinated.

Watch this to learn about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk7eqh0MgEE

The same Denktash who set up the TRNC, whose people later set up Embargoed is now wanted in Turkey for questioning over his involvement in a clandestine group called Ergenekon which planned to topple the democratically elected Turkish government. Ergenekon is regarded as a terrorist group in Turkey. I don't take people who have such close links to Denktash seriously and nor should you...

Omer, the sole aim of GC leadership backed by some Greek political groups and wealthy diaspora Greeks have always been to degarde TC community in minority status. Correct?

Were TCs and Turkey aware of this? They were. Correct?

Did they prepare Akritas Plan in order to create impressions that TC community was the source of all problems that made state affairs unworkable? Yes. Correct?

Did GCs have many armed underground organizations aimed achieving their goal; Enosis or a Greek controlled Cyprus? Yes. Correct?

Under such circumstances, what's wrong with TMT's actions towards the achievement of Taksim?

Do u suppose, had they stayed in RoC the problem would be solved and both the representatives of GC community and the Athens backed nationalist underground organizations of GCs would accept TC community as a politically equal entity?

If so, there was a great chance for this during the inter-communal talks of 1967-1974 period... Why didn't they reach a solution? Even in 1968, Denktash proposed the return of TC refugees to their homes, accepted by Makarios but not materialized. Why?

[Kifeas]

Omer, being denied the right to trade freely is also embargoed. It has caused the migration of 10s of thousands of TCs from Cyprus (RoC Policy since 1960). RoC has as much responsibility as Turkey on this matter. Do not dismiss any initiative that works towards the ending of it. Being unable to trade because they occupy GC property whiles the GCs are able to trade with the world despite the fact that they occupying TC property may be legal but it’s immoral. It is as immoral as the Natasha’s working in those nightclubs in the middle of the fields in the TRNC.

Embargoes are what you have on Cuba.

Actually, T/Cs can trade via the Green Line Regulations or via Turkey freely. However, the TRNC govt does not want that, they prefer to sell directly from Ercan or Famagusta with a nice big TRNC stamp on their products. But because the TRNC is non-recognised by nearly every country on the planet this is never going to be possible unless enough of them recognise the TRNC first or upgrade its status somehow and they know this very well.

With hindsight I can say with confidence that a solution is the only way to address this issue and many other issues such as property. Therefore you should focus on the nice golden goose egg that is ready to hatch and not waste time with trying to get a meagre egg out of a Rooster...

Omer, you indeed have some positive ideas and views, and if only half of the TCs would share them, I am sure the problem would have been solved long ago. You seem to believe that a solution is just around the corner, and I only wish I could share your optimism. Unfortunately, I am afraid we are still miles apart from such a happy end. To help make my point, I will ask you to evaluate the positions of the GC side, as laid out by President Christofias during the ongoing talks between him and Talat since last May (2008,) and tell me what you find to be problematic for you as a TC, in those positions /proposals.

PS: So far, the power-sharing and governing, the economy and EU and the property aspects /chapters of the problem were discussed, and the positions of the two sides are more or less well known to the public. Furthermore, the positions of the two sides on the security /guarantees and the settlers issues are also well known.

[The Cypriot]

Omer, the sole aim of GC leadership backed by some Greek political groups and wealthy diaspora Greeks have always been to degarde TC community in minority status. Correct?

Were TCs and Turkey aware of this? They were. Correct?

Did they prepare Akritas Plan in order to create impressions that TC community was the source of all problems that made state affairs unworkable? Yes. Correct?

Did GCs have many armed underground organizations aimed achieving their goal; Enosis or a Greek controlled Cyprus? Yes. Correct?

Under such circumstances, what's wrong with TMT's actions towards the achievement of Taksim?

Do u suppose, had they stayed in RoC the problem would be solved and both the representatives of GC community and the Athens backed nationalist underground organizations of GCs would accept TC community as a politically equal entity?

If so, there was a great chance for this during the inter-communal talks of 1967-1974 period... Why didn't they reach a solution? Even in 1968, Denktash proposed the return of TC refugees to their homes, accepted by Makarios but not materialized. Why?

I don't wish to appear unsympathetic to what any Cypriot has been through in the last 40 or 50 years, insan, but just imagine what this would do for reconciliation:

[The Cypriot]

Therefore you should focus on the nice golden goose egg that is ready to hatch and not waste time with trying to get a meagre egg out of a Rooster...

And the egg could be used to make the custard!!!