Cyprus-Forum.com

[pantelis]

Talat Reacts to EU, BM with Letter about Constitution
The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat reacted strongly against the Greek Cypriot parliament that held a voting on the European Union (EU) Constitution draft on behalf of the "Cyprus Republic".

Protesting against the vote for the EU Constitution in Southern Cyprus, Talat sent a June 27 letter to prime ministers and presidents of the EU member states along with the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso, EU Council Secretary-General Javier Salona and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In the letter, Talat said, "The 1959-1960 London and Zurich Agreements call for the approval of Cypriot Turks for such decisions to be taken." Talat emphasized that
the approval of the EU Constitution by the Greek Representatives' Council on behalf of the 'Cyprus Republic' would not have any legal or moral grounds and the TRNC would not be bounded by any such agreements.

Talat is right on this one, except that he is being selective on what and where the "1960 agreements" apply to Cyprus's present situation.

If the EU accepts the ROC vote on the constitution, which I think they have, then they also accept the RoC "majority" vote on the Annan plan. They also accept the fact that the TCs have no "voice" in the EU and the rest world in general, by choice.
I believe that if the TCs start acting more independent, from Turkey that is, the RoC and the rest of the world would start taking them more seriously. As long as the Turkish army remains on the island, controlling all aspects of life there, Turkey is seen as the "hand and mouth" of the Turkish Cypriots. It is like pretending that the Iraqis or the Afghanis are in control of their countries, or the Lebanese were in control of Lebanon, while the Syrian troops were stationed there.

My question is:
Would the Turkish Cypriots or Talat, if were given the chance, have voted for, or against the EU constitution?

[Nickp]

How could you expect the TC's in the North to function without Turkish mainland support and hence have their own voice?

Without Turkish mainland support they would have no security or financial structures in place. With the isolation of the north there not exactly going to be able to function viablaily, hence they would have nothing.

Even though i personally think the GC's have the right to vote on the consitution becuase they are the caretaker government since 1964, i do belive that the TC's should be able to have some say.

[suetoniuspaulinus]

Talat Reacts to EU, BM with Letter about Constitution
They also accept the fact that the TCs have no "voice" in the EU and the rest world in general, by choice.

Mr pantelis

They chose YES in the referendum. YOU chose to deny them their voice

[Main_Source]

Suetonius, thats CRAP and you know it. Stop trying to make out that GC dont want a reunification or want TC to suffer...we all know how biased towards Turkey the Annan plan was.

[pantelis]

How could you expect the TC's in the North to function without Turkish mainland support and hence have their own voice?

Israel is financially supported by the US, without the US having to station an army there and without the US controlling the day to day affairs of the Israeli citizens. The Turkish flags, the symbol of Turkish State, are flying all over the north, because Turkey is in control. The TCs Cypriots do not have the choice to take these flags down.

The British flag flies in the UK bases in Cyprus, for the same reason.

If the people of an area have no real say or power over the area they live in, how could anyone respect or offer them a "say" in their affairs outside their territory.

At the end of the day, the entire argument, about the EU constitution vote, is pointless and simply another chance for Talat to be heard.

The TCs and Turkey's change of policy towards the Cyprus problem came about due to the EU prospects, the RoC cultivated and raked.

I understand it, when a country already a member of the EU, takes a vote whether to adopt a change might affect them. It is ridiculously funny, when a "country" like the one Talat "leads", complains about not been given the right to vote on a change concerning the EU, without really adopting anything else that EU already represents and aspires.

If Talat wants to be taken seriously, he should also take vote within his "parliament", on the EU constitution. Before he does that, he should start making changes to his “puppet” image.


As a start, the TCs should elect only 24 representatives, not 50, since this the number agreed in 1960, 70%-30%, or 56 to 24 representatives. Talat should call himself the “vice-president” as per the 1960 constitution. Then, he should attempt to take his place in the RoC government, and the 24 TC representatives should attempt to take their vacant seats in the new Cyprus parliament building. If the GCs prevent them from taking their positions, then they have every right to protest that the GCs are voting on issues in their absence, or even protest that the GCs are responsible for the TC self-imposed isolation.

[demetriou_74]

How could you expect the TC's in the North to function without Turkish mainland support and hence have their own voice?

Without Turkish mainland support they would have no security or financial structures in place. With the isolation of the north there not exactly going to be able to function viablaily, hence they would have nothing.

Even though i personally think the GC's have the right to vote on the consitution becuase they are the caretaker government since 1964, i do belive that the TC's should be able to have some say.

without turkey's support they would have to find a real solution to the cyprus issue. time after time turkey has bailed them out. once turkey stop the trnc will have to find a solution or just be left to face the world alone

[MicAtCyp]

As a start, the TCs should elect only 24 representatives, not 50, since this the number agreed in 1960, 70%-30%, or 56 to 24 representatives. Talat should call himself the "vice-president" as per the 1960 constitution. Then, he should attempt to take his place in the RoC government, and the 24 TC representatives should attempt to take their vacant seats in the new Cyprus parliament building. If the GCs prevent them from taking their positions, then they have every right to protest that the GCs are voting on issues in their absence, or even protest that the GCs are responsible for the TC self-imposed isolation.

You should aplly for the position of advisor to Talat re Panteli. Very interesting thoughts above.
However I think you forgot the most important point. The constitution under which that parliament will work. As you know fundamental articles of the "trnc" constitution (with which they now work) are totally based on the ethnic cleasing of the GCs and stealing of their properties. If you suggest they work on an in line to the RoC 1960 constitution or to the EU constitution is like telling them to get disolved and the Cyprus problem is finished!

Anyway my opinion is that the only difference between Denktash and Talat is that Denktash did not want a solution, whereas Talat pretends he wants. Insanity-wise they are both at the same level.

PS.By the way exactly the same thread was initiated by Rafaella.

[cannedmoose]

I understand it, when a country already a member of the EU, takes a vote whether to adopt a change might affect them. It is ridiculously funny, when a "country" like the one Talat "leads", complains about not been given the right to vote on a change concerning the EU, without really adopting anything else that EU already represents and aspires.

That's a fair enough point Pantelis. It's also one of the questions I've often asked myself about Talat. If he is pro-unification, why is he not taking steps, by consulting the EU and seeking advice, for adoption of the acquis communautaire. It would ultimately make the integration of the TRNC territory into the EU a far smoother and less immediately painful process. Yet, unless this has happened behind the scenes, I've seen no sign of it. If Talat is looking for a way to further ingratiate himself with the countries of the EU, this would be possibly the biggest indicator he could give of his intention to solve the problem and to take unilateral steps towards bringing the TCs closer to Europe.

[gladius]

Suetonius, thats CRAP and you know it. Stop trying to make out that GC dont want a reunification or want TC to suffer...we all know how biased towards Turkey the Annan plan was.

Anytime at an Agreement the GC are not enabled to do with the TC what they want they call it biased.........
You must understand that there is another people on the island which has the right to live in peace and selfdetermination.........

[Yiannis]

Hey gladius whats your reason of participating in this forum???
Am i right that all u are doing is desagreeing with anything a GC is saying and promoting partition?