Eurasia wrote:The British do what they have always done.Cause nothing but misery and trouble to all those they have touched.
But the British public are rightfully trying to make amends and move away from that image, dear Eurasia.
Even Mr Carter abandoned his initial attempts at Memorial building for Colonialism ....
Here's a little correspondence I found ....
A Memorial to British Soldiers in North Cyprus
By
David Carter
WHEN our memorial project began, many of us hoped we would be able one day to erect a permanent monument in memory of the British Forces who died in Cyprus in the course of fighting the Eoka terrorist movement.
Throughout South Cyprus there are museums and monuments to honor the EOKA members who died. There is none for the British, not even on the territory of the British Sovereign Bases.
This matter was raised with President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus and the local military authorities. Mr Denktas and the Turkish Army promised their co-operation. They offered a plot of land on which the British monument could be built.
However, there were conditions: we would have to prove former British servicemen and women, British expats in the TRNC and others would contribute to the cost and give their wholehearted support.
The first to contribute (£100) was Colonel John Watts MC, the former CO of the British Military Hospital in Nicosia during the Eoka period.
President Denktas opened a special bank account in Lefkosa/Nicosia for those who wished to follow the colonel's example.
A Canadian architect in North Cyprus agreed to design the memorial and supervise its building free of charge.
To move the project forward, we needed to form a co-ordinating commitee in the TRNC and another in the UK. Their purpose would be to raise the necessary funds.
Dave Cranston, ex-RUR, raised the concept of the memorial project on Britain's Channel 4 Teletext pages as well as with the British Legion, regimental associations and civilian police officers who served in Cyprus and had lost comrades.
We approached prominent figures in the British establishment and Members of Parliament of all political persuasions, expecting favorable responses, especially in the wake of "September 11" and our service personnel being posted to Afghanistan and elsewhere in the "war against terrorism".
Our optimism was misplaced. Expats threw up their arms in horror at the suggestion of a memorial in North Cyprus. They considered it would "send the wrong political signals". Others who vacation in South Cyprus or have holiday homes there, refused any assistance. They said they would be banned from Cyprus and feared Greek retaliation. We were advised in curt terms to "drop it".
Iain Duncan Smith, a former Army officer who now leads the Tory Party, declined to say (twice) whether he would or would lend his support. He said only that he had "noted" the content of our letters.
Well done Mr Carter for trying to distance yourself from these Neo-Colonialists ... Or NOT!
Now, how can we stop Phase 2 ?
Does Denktash still have that Bank Account Open?
