Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

Occupied Cyprus votes against Georgia refugees right of return

CYPRUS is the only European Union member-state which did not vote in favour of a UN resolution that recognised the right of return of all internally displaced persons and refugees and their descendants to their homes throughout Georgia, it emerged yesterday.

Cyprus was among 78 countries which abstained from voting – 48, including all EU countries voted in favour, 19 voted against.

The resolution was passed on Wednesday.

“Following extensive debate … the General Assembly today adopted a resolution that recognised the right of return of all internally displaced persons and refugees and their descendants to their homes throughout Georgia and that underlined the urgent need for unimpeded access for humanitarian activities to peoples residing in all conflict-affected areas in that country,” a UN media statement said.

The total number of people displaced by the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia breakaway region stood at 192,000, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

In the aftermath of the conflict, South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia and was recognised by Russia and Nicaragua.

The opposition criticised the government’s decision to abstain, saying it went against EU policy and effectively making Cyprus the black sheep of the bloc.

Quoted in daily Alithia, DISY deputy chairman Averof Neophytou said the issue was linked to the Cyprus problem since it concerned the efforts of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to break away after the invasion of Russian troops in 2008.

Neophytou said the Cyprus was trying not to annoy Russia, considered a traditional friend of Cyprus.

The government yesterday said the two cases were not the same.

“I want to say that a large number of countries took the same stance as the Republic of Cyprus and I think, through this position, everyone is satisfied,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said. “The two issues must not be put on the same level.”

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=47788



This has to be an absolute joke...

What the hell is going on over there?

If Russia wants such lap dog obedience from Cyprus, then perhaps they could offer the RoC something in return. Perhaps they could repay us for this hypocritical stance by helping us to remove the TA from Cyprus.

I mean Russia's support within the security council is well known, but have Cypriot politicians really thought this policy decision through?

[CBBB]

I thought this was a bloody stupid decision, especially as Russia of late has been courting Turkey. Despite the abuse it will draw from some people, we would be a lot better off letting the septics screw us than the Russians!

[DT.]

Once again, voting against something and abstaining are two different things.

[Paphitis]

Once again, voting against something and abstaining are two different things.

Agreed!

But Cyprus in its current predicament should never have abstained, because now it is sending the wrong signals and compromising our stance when it comes to GC refugees in Cyprus. At the very least, it is hugely hypocritical.

[CBBB]

Once again, voting against something and abstaining are two different things.

True, but shouldn't Cyprus have been the first ones to vote for this resolution?

[Paphitis]

Once again, voting against something and abstaining are two different things.

True, but shouldn't Cyprus have been the first ones to vote for this resolution?

I'm afraid so, as far as I'm concerned anyway....

By abstaining, the RoC does in fact recognise the right of return for refugees, but will do not support it for fear of offending Russia, a supposedly valued ally that has done stuff all for Cyprus and is more interested in improving trade relations with Turkey.

So what happens when there is another UN resolution and some other nations abstain for fear of offending Turkey? I'm sure others can see this folly as well!

[Oracle]

Why should they get the backing of everyone to return to their homes when our people have been waiting so long and have not been given the same level of backing against Turkey?

Cyprus was correct to abstain ... on principle!

If anyone has the right to return to their homes it should be the GCs FIRST and foremost!

[Oracle]

If those countries want the Georgian refugees to return home (which we all do, including RoC) ... then it has to be linked to a return for the Cypriot refugees also!

[Paphitis]

Why should they get the backing of everyone to return to their homes when our people have been waiting so long and have not been given the same level of backing against Turkey?

Cyprus was correct to abstain ... on principle!

If anyone has the right to return to their homes it should be the GCs FIRST and foremost!

Just because we have been waiting for so long does not mean others should be punished by being ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homes just like we were in 74...

By not being allowed to return, Russia is doing a great injustice, and I don't think the injustice in Georgia is any more or any less an injustice that we have faced for 35 years. I think it is important that we recognise this fact.

Cyprus just can't be correct, because if that is so, then other countries would also be correct to abstain and even vote against Cypriots and our right to return to our homes.

I would love for Cypriots to return to their homes first, but you simply can't deny the rights of others to also return to their rightful homes just because we were wronged first...

If Russia expects from us such a compromising policy to our national cause, then it should send us her troops to liberate Cyprus as a just reward for our loyalty to them, and to also absolve their own crimes in Georgia by at least doing a good deed for justice in Cyprus.

[Oracle]

Why should they get the backing of everyone to return to their homes when our people have been waiting so long and have not been given the same level of backing against Turkey?

Cyprus was correct to abstain ... on principle!

If anyone has the right to return to their homes it should be the GCs FIRST and foremost!

Just because we have been waiting for so long does not mean others should be punished by being ethnically cleansed from their ancestral homes just like we were in 74...

By not being allowed to return, Russia is doing a great injustice, and I don't think the injustice in Georgia is any more or any less an injustice that we have faced for 35 years. I think it is important that we recognise this fact.

Cyprus just can't be correct, because if that is so, then other countries would also be correct to abstain and even vote against Cypriots and our right to return to our homes.

I would love for Cypriots to return to their homes first, but you simply can't deny the rights of others to also return to their rightful homes just because we were wronged first...

I think you'll find, with deeper analysis, that the vote (en masse) went exactly as "planned" (Christofias & Co have been busy meeting all concerned ).

The take-home message is that:

(a) the Georgians have the support of everyone to return to their homes (including Cyprus' support, who merely abstained, i.e. did not vote against!) .... BUT,

(b) let us not FORGET Cyprus ... who by abstaining has sent that message as deep as it could!

The more I think about it, the more I like it!