Cyprus-Forum.com

[The Cypriot]

Excellent letter, The Cypriot. As good as your spot-on letter to the Economist.

Thanks Hatter... we've got to keep these people in check. And I can't wait to read VP's arse-licker response; typos and all!

[Hatter]

Excellent letter, The Cypriot. As good as your spot-on letter to the Economist.

Thanks Hatter... we've got to keep these people in check. And I can't wait to read VP's arse-licker response; typos and all!

[Oracle]

Dear Baroness Ludford

British MEP slams Orams Cyprus ruling

I refer to the article in today's Famagusta Gazette (see link above) reporting on your press release on the Orams/Apostolides case. I am taking the liberty of copying this email to Lynne Featherstone MP who I voted for in the last election and who has a large number of other constituents of Cypriot origin in the hope that she might take this serious matter up with your party leadership.

As a firm believer in the principles I thought your party adhered to I was dismayed that a prominent MEP such as yourself should publicly declare that a decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) – one enabling a Cypriot refugee to seek recourse from the opportunist buyers of his stolen property – was strange.

I was even more dismayed that a Liberal Democrat politician, specialising in human rights and justice, should have such a flawed understanding of the admittedly complex Cyprus problem. I should like therefore to point out some fundamental misperceptions you appear to have about Cyprus which may have led to your 'strange' declaration.

EU law is suspended in the north of Cyprus not simply because of the 'division of the island' – as you claim – but because the legitimate government of the entire territory is unable to exercise effective control there. This is due to Turkey's huge military presence. Only aggressive might therefore prevents a court judgement from being enforced on the island and so there can be no justifiable reason why a refugee victim of such might should not pursue justice in another part of the EU, where Turkey's military does not interfere with the rule of law.

This being so the only parties the ECJ judgment is likely to 'bewilder', aside from yourself, are:

a) Turkey, together with its subordinate regime, which since 1974 has adhered to the entirely 'anti-liberal' philosophy of 'might-is-right' in the north of Cyprus and which has encouraged the sale of stolen property belonging to refugees who fled their homes in fear of their lives;

b) Unscrupulous buyers of these stolen properties – now rendered entirely worthless by the ECJ decision.

In regards to the Annan Plan – which you're still harking back to a full five years after the event – you really ought to consider why the overwhelming majority of the people of Cyprus, taken as a whole, exercised their democratic right to reject it. A plan suddenly presented to them, after decades of intransigence by Turkey, with the aim of exonerating this invading power for its crimes, just before Cyprus – having met all the accession criteria – joined the EU.

It was rejected because it sought to restrict the rights of Cypriots to have their property restored and to settle freely within their own homeland. It was rejected because it would have entrenched a repulsive system of apartheid on a tiny island and legitimised the presence of foreign occupation troops in perpetuity. No freedom-loving people in Europe, or the world, would have accepted such a settlement – except perhaps through desperation of a kind faced by Cypriots in the north, isolated from the world and dominated by a foreign military.

That over 75% of the electorate in the area of Cyprus free from Turkey's iron grip said "No" is an irrefutable indicator of the plan's merits as an equitable solution. It's time you let it go.

While I agree with you that it is very important that the EU finally weighs in to help push forward a political settlement on the island it can only work and will only be acceptable to the majority of Cypriots if it is fully in accordance with EU laws and democratic principles – not a rehash of the totally discredited Annan Plan.

Unfortunately, such a settlement, by Cypriots and for Cypriots, is unlikely ever to be acceptable to Turkey, or the settlers it has imported to the island (now outnumbering indigenous Cypriots by 2 to 1 in the north); settlers who have been given the right by Turkey's subordinate regime to vote on any such settlement plan.

This is why Cypriot refugees feel they have no option but to pursue justice through the only means available to them, the EU courts.

And if you were true to your principles as a Liberal Democrat MEP, specialising in human rights and justice, you would support them.

Thank you "Voice of The Cypriots" ... you neglected to tell her she is a nasty witch ... but I'll let it pass

[bill cobbett]

Ludford eh? Liberal Democrats eh? Bleeding Proportional Representation!

May I remind fellow Londoners of voting age that June 4 is EuroElections Day and trust that you will do your duty.

[The Cypriot]

Thank you "Voice of The Cypriots" ...

Well the GCs and TCs have been letting the wily Brits divide and rule them for long enough, O. And I've learnt that a Cypriot voice is impossible to argue against. (Even if I'm only speaking for myself)

[yiannisP]

Thank you for writing that letter Cypriot.

[The Cypriot]

It was a pure joy to be given this unparalleled opportunity to nail her.

I'll let you know if I get a response. (I do hope she's not Embargoed! from doing so)

[miltiades]

Excellent letter, The Cypriot. As good as your spot-on letter to the Economist.

Thanks Hatter... we've got to keep these people in check. And I can't wait to read VP's arse-licker response; typos and all!

Only just looked at your letter to the offending Baroness .
Well done , do you think she may reply ?

ps. I will prepare a letter my self in which I shall bestow upon her another title , Baroness Plonker !!

[kurupetos]

Ludford, who is a specialist in justice matters, said the ECJ ruling will strike many observers as being strange.

[miltiades]

Ludford, who is a specialist in justice matters, said the ECJ ruling will strike many observers as being strange.

She is obviously a first class Plonker !!