Cyprus-Forum.com

[sadik]

In summary, Talat says they offered to the GCs Varosha, in return for the lifting of the ambargos and opening of the ports at the meetings in Brussels and the GC side very strongly rejected this. He says GC side always demands the return of Varosha but they are not sincere about it. Among other things, he also said that their vision is the vision of solution. He added that they don't have a separatist agenda, but unfortunately the GC leadership lately has been behaving in a separatist manner..

Sorry, only in Turkish:
http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,s ... 544,00.asp

[Kifeas]

In summary, Talat says they offered to the GCs Varosha, in return for the lifting of the ambargos and opening of the ports at the meetings in Brussels and the GC side very strongly rejected this. He says GC side always demands the return of Varosha but they are not sincere about it. Among other things, he also said that their vision is the vision of solution. He added that they don't have a separatist agenda, but unfortunately the GC leadership lately has been behaving in a separatist manner..

Sorry, only in Turkish:
http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,s ... 544,00.asp

This is the GC version for comparison purposes.
Statements by the Government Spokesman - 21.06.2005
Government Spokesman - EU Regulations - talks in Brussels

"The Government Spokesman Mr Kypros Chrysostomides, invited to comment yesterday on whether the Turkish Cypriot side had proposed the return of Famagusta in the event that the Greek Cypriot side accepted direct trade and the management of its port by the Turkish Cypriots, said: “What they asked for, was the adoption of the two regulations beforehand, namely, the financial assistance to the Turkish Cypriots and the regulation on direct trade, the opening of ports and airports and, once this was done, they would then be willing to discuss the issue of Famagusta, of Varosha, that is, the opening of the closed town of Famagusta. However, they mentioned something which Mr Denktash persistently used to say, namely that 90% of the area of Varosha belongs to the Turkish Religion Foundation (EVKAF) and that it is an issue which should be dealt with by the courts. They had not given, that is, any specific indication on this. On the contrary, they wanted everything beforehand and pursued political upgrading and basically recognition: the opening of all ports and airports etc, before accepting to discuss the issue of Famagusta under the condition I said before which is the examination of the issue of ownership that the area of Varosha allegedly belongs to EVKAF.”

Mr Chrysostomides categorically denied a report in the Turkish Cypriot press that the Greek Cypriot side’s position was negative during the recent deliberations in Brussels and that the Deputy Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Mr Nicolas Schmit had noted it. “I wish to say that the Luxembourg presidency acted tirelessly and impartially and made every effort to reach a solution, something which the Government of Cyprus notes with gratitude. The whole effort failed due to insistence of the Turkish Cypriot side on its own positions”, Mr Chrysostomides said."

[metecyp]

The two statements about Varosha show us how biased our leaders are. Both sides are basically saying they offerred what the other side wanted but the other side rejected it and the masses on both sides believe that the other side is being greedy.

[MicAtCyp]

So obviously either one of the 2, or both are lying or distorting the truth.
Is there a way to cross reference or find the truth from independent sources?

[metecyp]

So obviously either one of the 2, or both are lying or distorting the truth.
Is there a way to cross reference or find the truth from independent sources?

Well, nobody is lying really but they're just omitting the facts to suit their arguments. For example, Talat says "We offerred Varosha but they rejected" without telling what the whole proposal was and why GCs rejected. Same goes for the GC side.

I guess we have to talk to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Mr Nicolas Schmit!

[Yiannis]

Come on guys is there such a thing as a trustworthy politician??They are all saying things the way that suits them unfortunately or not.All we can do is to hope they know what they are doing.

[cannedmoose]

Can anyone tell me why Varosha is such a big deal? Effectively much of it is falling to pieces due to its total neglect for the past 31 years, the hotels are probably full of asbestos which would have to be removed to meet modern standards, and there would have to be land reclaimation to prevent the sea from encroaching further up the beach as it's now doing. Ultimately, restoring Varosha to its former 'glory' will take a huge amount of time and investment. Therefore, why is Varosha more important an issue than anywhere else in Cyprus, why is there not a similar song and dance about the return of Morphou or part of Mesaoria?

Hence, I tend to agree with those GCs who don't see the return of Varosha as an 'equal trade-off' for permitting direct trade and movement between the TRNC and the rest of the world.

Before anyone gives me a lecture on the status and history of Varosha, spare me, I'm already well aware of it.

[-mikkie2-]

Moose,

It is very simple. It is economic. Varosha was home to around 50000 Greek Cypriots. It has the best beaches in Cyprus. Think Protaras and you understand what I mean. It was the playground of the rich. Its economic potential in todays world would by ten time what it was 30 years ago. So you see, flattening it and starting again would not make much of a splash. It would be peanuts in comparison to its potential. That is why it is such a huge bargaining chip for the Turks and that is why they are reluctant to give it back.

[cannedmoose]

Moose,

It is very simple. It is economic. Varosha was home to around 50000 Greek Cypriots. It has the best beaches in Cyprus. Think Protaras and you understand what I mean. It was the playground of the rich. Its economic potential in todays world would by ten time what it was 30 years ago. So you see, flattening it and starting again would not make much of a splash. It would be peanuts in comparison to its potential. That is why it is such a huge bargaining chip for the Turks and that is why they are reluctant to give it back.

Thanks mikkie

[metecyp]

Therefore, why is Varosha more important an issue than anywhere else in Cyprus, why is there not a similar song and dance about the return of Morphou or part of Mesaoria?

The other thing is, as you know, there's nobody living in Varosha right now. So it's very easy to hand it over, there's no TCs/Turks to relocate and all that whereas in other places like Morphou, it's mostly TCs who migrated from Paphos area and they really don't have nowhere else to go and they have no intention to go back to Pafos. So it's much more problematic.