Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tony-4497]

The talks are between the 2 communities and Christofias participates in his capacity as the leader of the GC community. The RoC is not party to the talks and RoC officials (e.g. RoC foreign minnister) stay away.

The RoC certainly did not approve the Annan plan or any part thereof.

[Nikitas]

Going to multiple zones would negate the principle of bizonality. At least that is what I understand from official staements so far.

[Oracle]

Oracle

If this is what most GCs want then we are going about it in completely the wrong way - perpetually having doomed negotiations means that Turkey is put under no pressure and is allowed to continue bringing in settlers,that simply cannot be shipped back after decades. What's the way out?

I disagree that we are going about it the wrong way. Turkey may have stalled and doomed negotiations in the past few years, since we have been in the EU, but that game is unsustainable, even for Turkey. Its continued political ostracism will force it to relinquish the illegally occupied territory. We just shouldn't rush into giving them land, as there is no ethical reason for doing so, and such rewarding of illegal occupations sets an unwanted precedent which Turkey will not fail to capitalise on in the future. That is ... they will go for more, no matter how much you give them by agreement since the end goal is Turkish Expansion.

[Tony-4497]

"bizonality" is not a concept that has been defined anywhere.. there is no bizonal federation in the world today.. so the RoC should take the lead in defining it, not just follow.. the TC zone could consist of two or three sub-zones connected between them, if necessary.. this is not so important though.. it could be 1 piece.. so long as it is 18% of RoC and property rights within this are respected for all

[Tony-4497]

Oracle

We may be saying the same thing in different ways. My point is that the RoC should offer a BBF that suits us, NOT Turkey. Once they reject it then we will have the ethical ground to release ourselves from the BBF concept and actively push for a unitary RoC, which is a fairer solution.

If on the other hand we continue the current situation for 20 more years, without Turkey having any cost or pressure, it will simply be impossible to reverse the situation on the ground (you cannot deport a million turks - that's what they are aiming for)

[Nikitas]

Oracle,

The opportunity to show unyielding resolve to defend national territory was lost in 1996 at Imia. It is being eroded every day when deeper incursions into Greek territory are tolerated by the Athenian state, what someone called favlokratia. Cyprus is the wrong place for such a show.

[YFred]

Oracle

We may be saying the same thing in different ways. My point is that the RoC should offer a BBF that suits us, NOT Turkey. Once they reject it then we will have the ethical ground to release ourselves from the BBF concept and actively push for a unitary RoC, which is a fairer solution.

If on the other hand we continue the current situation for 20 more years, without Turkey having any cost or pressure, it will simply be impossible to reverse the situation on the ground (you cannot deport a million turks - that's what they are aiming for)

The aim has never been to have a million. The aim was always to restore the balance of the population before the GC attempt to cleanse Cyprus of TCs. Unfortunately even after 74, the tide continued due to our lovely cousins in the south with their suffocating activities.

[Nikitas]

"If on the other hand we continue the current situation for 20 more years, without Turkey having any cost or pressure, it will simply be impossible to reverse the situation on the ground (you cannot deport a million turks - that's what they are aiming for)"

Nothing is irreversible, that much is proven by events in Palestine and former Yugoslavia. Who would have thought that after 50 years of formal and internationally recognised existence Yugoslavia could be dissolved in one day!

The trick is not to get that far. The ball is in the TCs court at the moment.

[-mikkie2-]

"The ball is in the TCs court at the moment."

Hmm, I don't think that is the case. You see, Turkey would be quite happy to annex northern Cyprus, if all else fails. They have very little loose in fact. They already have many of the benefits of EU membership already and even if her relationship with the EU is demoted to just a 'special' partnership as defined by Sarkozy and Merkel, they will still be winners.

The TC's are quite happy with this because it means that they keep what they have. Longer term obviously there will be repercussions for the TC community as it will be totally assimilated in Turkish culture and also its bad for the GC community because the north will then be flooded by mainland Turks. I really fail to see where the ball is because the game is not being played fair. All the RoC has is the veto within the EU - its the nuclear option as it were with very little in between.

[wallace]

"The ball is in the TCs court at the moment."

Hmm, I don't think that is the case. You see, Turkey would be quite happy to annex northern Cyprus, if all else fails. They have very little loose in fact. They already have many of the benefits of EU membership already and even if her relationship with the EU is demoted to just a 'special' partnership as defined by Sarkozy and Merkel, they will still be winners.

The TC's are quite happy with this because it means that they keep what they have. Longer term obviously there will be repercussions for the TC community as it will be totally assimilated in Turkish culture and also its bad for the GC community because the north will then be flooded by mainland Turks. I really fail to see where the ball is because the game is not being played fair. All the RoC has is the veto within the EU - its the nuclear option as it were with very little in between.

Why didn't they annex the north in 2004 after the referendum? They shouted in 2004 that it was the last chance for a solution just like they are doing now? The north of Cyprus is EU ground. They will never be able to annex it.