Cyprus-Forum.com

[MrH]

Article from The Cyprus Mail

Time for a reality check

THERE WAS one thing the overseas Cypriot organisations seemed to have in common during the opening session of their annual conference on Monday night. Either they all had the same script writer, or they simply rehashed the same speeches they’ve been making for the past 20 years, changing the names of the Cyprus problem protagonists where appropriate.

Most of it is forgivable, and to be expected, such as the Turkey-bashing, given the nature of the conference and the situation in Cyprus, but little or none of the delegates appeared to speak of current realities.

“All of you are here today because each and every one of you has made a difference,” said one overseas leader, who in the same breath added: “I know many of you have been frustrated that for 35 years not a single refugee has returned home and not a single soldier has been removed from the occupied areas”.

Where is the difference they’ve made if not a single refugee has gone home nor a single Turkish soldier left the island? This is the reality that both the leaders of the overseas Cypriots, and the politicians who spoke at the opening should have been discussing.

“This isn’t working. Where do we go from here?” might have been a more useful topic for discussion. Instead one after the other, the overseas leaders came out with the same old rhetoric about international law and justice, followed closely by DIKO leader Marios Garoyian who squarely blamed Turkey and the UN.

It was as if neither side wanted to admit to the other that for all the enlightenment campaigns carried out abroad, international law has not yet and is not going to be brought down on Turkey’s head, no matter how much we stomp our feet.

It’s no use saying, as one delegate did, that the Obama administration sees things differently as regards Cyprus. This is simply wishful thinking or at worst self-delusional.

The only person who spoke in realities at the conference and talked about looking within to see where some of the blame might have lain, was President Demetris Christofias.

“We have laid down the carpet for Ankara to invade and occupy part of Cyprus. If we want to make friends in the international community, we have to tell this to the world,” he said. He was right. Simultaneously slamming the international community and the UN, while seeking their help, is not diplomacy.

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Given then that neither the US nor the EU are going to rain their wrath down on Turkey because of Cyprus, the only hope for a solution lies with the two current leaders. This is the reality.

And as they enter the second phase of negotiations next week, the first anniversary of the current round of talks, courage, not blame must be the watchword. However given that the level of public discourse is still stuck well in the past, it is clear they are both up against serious obstacles as much from within as without.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

With regards to the above, and after so many hints from so many news articles and prominent political figures from both sides of the Cyprus border (North and Cyprus Cyprus) and abroad, do you honestly believe that anything short of either a Confederation of two independent Constituent states or a clean Partition of two Republic states is still possible?

Turkey is now to important for the EU to "CONFRONT"...there it is, in black and white, and from probably the MOST important and influential Greek Cypriot (Mr George Vassiliou) political figure alive, do you not agree?

P.s - I interviewed Mr George Vassilio back in the early 1990s and can honestly say that his view of the Cyprus issue has not changed. I would even say that they have actually now been proven right - particularly now, after how desperate and concerned Mr D Christofias was soon after his election victory in "Winning the international community and immediately kick-starting talks".

[The Cypriot]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

[CBBB]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

[growuptcs]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

Your just another dillusional Turk CBBB. How can the church make money out of partition? Your sidetracking nonsense is all you have left in your life huh?

[CBBB]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

Your just another dillusional Turk CBBB. How can the church make money out of partition? Your sidetracking nonsense is all you have left in your life huh?

I am not a Turk and when did the Church ever subordinate its financial interests for the good of the people?

Unless you are talking about all the Church land given away to refugees after 1974, oh no, you can't be, because that didn't happen!! They just helped their illegitimate offspring to set up a chain of hotels on the Church land so they could rake in more money!

[Paphitis]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

Your just another dillusional Turk CBBB. How can the church make money out of partition? Your sidetracking nonsense is all you have left in your life huh?

I am not a Turk and when did the Church ever subordinate its financial interests for the good of the people?

Unless you are talking about all the Church land given away to refugees after 1974, oh no, you can't be, because that didn't happen!! They just helped their illegitimate offspring to set up a chain of hotels on the Church land so they could rake in more money!

Not very Christian now is it?

[growuptcs]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

Your just another dillusional Turk CBBB. How can the church make money out of partition? Your sidetracking nonsense is all you have left in your life huh?

I am not a Turk and when did the Church ever subordinate its financial interests for the good of the people?

Unless you are talking about all the Church land given away to refugees after 1974, oh no, you can't be, because that didn't happen!! They just helped their illegitimate offspring to set up a chain of hotels on the Church land so they could rake in more money!

If you have any land that the church owns, personally, then you have a point to make a case. If not all your doing is counting other peoples property(money). Stop being a Turk about Cypriot assets and take your hands out of Cypriot pockets and mind your own business.

[insan]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

Your just another dillusional Turk CBBB. How can the church make money out of partition? Your sidetracking nonsense is all you have left in your life huh?

I am not a Turk and when did the Church ever subordinate its financial interests for the good of the people?

Unless you are talking about all the Church land given away to refugees after 1974, oh no, you can't be, because that didn't happen!! They just helped their illegitimate offspring to set up a chain of hotels on the Church land so they could rake in more money!

If you have any land that the church owns, personally, then you have a point to make a case. If not all your doing is counting other peoples property(money). Stop being a Turk about Cypriot assets and take your hands out of Cypriot pockets and mind your own business.

Piratis 2? Where's freedom of speech? It reminded me Piratis accusing Bananiot being a Turk lover... tsk tsk tsk...

[The Cypriot]

Former President George Vassiliou also warned this week that anyone who believes Cyprus will put Turkey in the EU dock come December was sadly mistaken. “They (the EU) will find a way to postpone the decision on Turkey’s accession process. I do not honestly believe that the EU will confront Turkey or breach its relations with Ankara in December. They will try to find a way out,” he said.

Sadly, I can see the logic. It's in the EU's interests to keep fudging the issue, to not close the door on Turkey but to use Cyprus as the main obstacle for keeping this perennial basket case at arms length. It suits Turkey too as we know it is unwilling/unable to make the necessary concessions on Cyprus or on anything else substantive. The losers, of course, as always, will continue to be the Cypriots, those living in the north in particular. And individuals in the south will continue to use the EU courts as the only means available for securing some kind of satisfaction.

Thank God the Church is now on the case with its eternal spirit and infinite wealth in the pursuit of justice.

So the Church thinks it can make money out of partition, that appears to be the only reason the Church does anything!

Oh yee of little faith, CBBB. Don't underestimate the Church's ability to inflict a serious body blow to Turkey, which has substantial assets in EU states against which his Eminence and his boys can claim. And think of the PR scoop, esp. in the God-fearing US Bible-belt, when all the wrongs against Christianity are revealed? It will be the Orams case x 1,000!

[Hatter]

Turkey is now to important for the EU to "CONFRONT"...there it is, in black and white, and from probably the MOST important and influential Greek Cypriot (Mr George Vassiliou) political figure alive, do you not agree?

Vassiliou the most important and influential political figure? You wish!

Vassiliou these days represents only himself. His political party is virtually, if not actually, nonexistent or dissolved, with no deputies in the parliament. His main claim to fame, as an ardent supporter of the AP, is politically bankrupt.