Cyprus-Forum.com

[yialousa1971]

I never called him a Turk. Maybe you cannot read. But I accuse you of being a homosexual.

Ignore them they are trying to make this forum look Turkish, look how many threads/posts they have made this week. When someone comes here all they will see is Turks, just like on Youtube where they tag their videos with Cyprus.

[yialousa1971]

World of paradoxes.
http://greekcypriot.blogspot.com/2009/09/world-of-paradoxes.html
(Source: Cyprus Weekly) - In his address to the United Nations General Assembly last night President Christofias highlighted three paradoxes, all of them linked directly to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus:

1: That Turkey, though a member of the Security Council, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the United Nations

2: That Turkey, though a member of the Security Council, maintains occupation troops on the territory of another member state of the UN and of the European Union.

3: That Turkey, though a member of the Security Council, undermines the unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus by promoting the creation of a second state in violation of Security Council Resolution 541, which branded the unilateral declaration of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state null and void.

There is a fourth - very blatant - paradox that reflects directly on an international community prepared to look the other way as laws are flouted and human rights ignored.

The United Nations is supposed to represent the conscience of the world, while the Security Council is supposed to act in the name of international legality.

Turkey’s very presence on the Security Council is a reflection of how far the United Nations still has to go if its promises to build a just world are to be believed.

Granted, Turkey is not the only country that does not deserve a place on an international body purportedly brought together by a shared commitment to peace and justice.

Nor would treating it as a pariah state necessarily bring the desired results.

But surely the time has come the UN to take a long hard look at its members and – just like any club – remind its members that there are rules to the game that must be adhered to.

UN Security Council member Turkey would be a good place to start.




Below is the President's speech to the UN in its entirety:
http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/All/FD1A05F4A1C7BF25C225763B003EA35B?Opendocument

Mr. President,

I wish to extend to you sincere congratulations on your election as President of the 64th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and to also express appreciation for the excellent work done by your predecessor, Mr. Miguel d’ Escoto Brockmann.

I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the work of the Organisation and to congratulate him for his initiative to convene the High-level Summit on Climate Change.

Since its independence, the Republic of Cyprus has been committed to multilateral diplomacy and the strengthening of the role of the United Nations.

World stability and welfare have been threatened by the recent global economic crisis. The crisis showed the weaknesses of our collective oversight systems. It is only through collective international action and not through economic nationalism that we can overcome such challenges. The same is true of action against disease and poverty, as well as the prevention of further damage to the environment, which affects the lives of us all.

The most important lesson to be learnt from the financial crisis is that the economy cannot be seen in isolation from the needs of society.

Despite the remarkable development of production forces, that could have secured decent living conditions for all, in many parts of the world people are still deprived of basic goods such as drinking water and health care, as well as access to education and work.

The magnitude of the financial crisis shows that it is a crisis of the system and of its most extreme manifestation- neo-liberalism and market lawlessness. In its present form, globalization is not the realization of the vision of philosophers and social revolutionaries for global brotherhood and prosperity for all. This is because globalization is driven by the pursuit of excessive profits. As a result, the rich are becoming richer and the poor poorer.

Mr. President,

More than half way to the 2015 deadline for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, the financial crisis is forcing states and institutions to re-assess global priorities. The UN is the most important international body able to tackle the effects of the global financial crisis, and to act collectively and effectively, to prevent their most dire consequences.

The world today is facing multiple challenges and threats: climate change, depletion of resources, human rights abuses, failure to protect vulnerable populations, increased regional and interstate conflict, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, pandemics.

From this podium we have heard the desperate voice of those who live on small island states, the despairing appeal of youth and the dramatic warnings of scientists about climate change. If we do not take measures now, we face the risk of extinction. We join our voice and lend our support to the proposals for taking concrete action. We must take measures now. Tomorrow will be too late. The December Meeting in Copenhagen must become a historic turning point towards addressing effectively catastrophic climate changes.

Mr. President,

Since its independence, the Republic of Cyprus has relied heavily on the principles of the United Nations in maintaining its independence, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

After the twin crime of a military coup and foreign invasion of Cyprus in 1974, when military force attempted to obliterate our statehood and violated the integrity of our state, the United Nations responded with a number of important resolutions, expressing the international community’s moral and legal support to the Republic of Cyprus.

The plethora of Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions on Cyprus provided my country with the necessary support to continue its struggle for a solution to its political problem, on the basis of those resolutions, the principles of the UN Charter and of international law.

Shortly after my election in office, I undertook the initiative to bring the stalemate to an end. As a result of that, we embarked a year ago, on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, and under the auspices of the Good Offices Mission of the Secretary–General, on intensive negotiations with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat. Trusting the sincerity of Mr. Talat’s intentions, we have engaged in a common effort to bring an end to the division of our country.

We agreed that the process would be in the hands of the Cypriots without arbitration and artificial timetables.

Some progress has been achieved in the negotiations. But not such as to make us confident that we are close to a final solution to the Cyprus problem.

Our goal is the restoration of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of the Republic of Cyprus, the common homeland of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. It is also our goal to restore the human rights and basic freedoms of all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus regardless of their ethnic background.

We are committed to the evolution of the unitary state into a federal state consisting of two largely autonomous regions. One region will be administered by the Greek-Cypriot community and the other by the Turkish-Cypriot community. Given the fact that in Cyprus the population lived intermingled throughout the island, this constituted for us a great historical concession made by the late President Makarios to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots.

We remain true to this commitment. The United Federal Republic of Cyprus must safeguard the unity of the state and its institutions, as well as of the economy and the people.

Unfortunately, despite our common efforts, the Turkish Cypriot side, supported by Turkey, continues to present positions and proposals which lead us outside the framework of the United Nations Resolutions on Cyprus with regard to the termination of military occupation, the illegal possession of properties and the presence of settlers. Possible acceptance of these positions would lead to an acceptance of many of the consequences of the occupation and to violations of international Conventions on human rights, basic freedoms and the principles on which federations are built. It is clear that such a solution would be neither viable, nor functional, and would not ensure the continuing unity of the state and the country.

We sincerely hope that during the second round of negotiations, which has just started, there will be a reconsideration of Turkish positions, so that we can, as soon as possible, reach an agreed solution which we can then present to the people in separate simultaneous referenda.

This solution must be by the Cypriots, for the Cypriots. It is evident that we will not present the people with a solution originating from outside and neither can we accept arbitration and exercise of pressure through artificial timetables. These preconditions were agreed with the Secretary-General under whose auspices the negotiations are taking place. I would like to take this opportunity to thank once again the Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon for his Good Offices Mission and for the role of the United Nations as a facilitator in the negotiating process.

After the 1974 invasion and the occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey has become a key player for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The success of our efforts for a solution of the problem depends on Turkey’s political will and the policies it implements. It is not enough for the Turkish leadership to publicly state that it supports the negotiating process.

Turkey should contribute in a practical way to a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined in the relevant Security Council resolutions. Instead Turkey pursues a confederal solution.

A good will measure on the part of Turkey would have been the implementation of SC Resolution 550 of 1984 which stipulates the transfer of the occupied ghost-town of Varoshia to the administration of the United Nations and the return of its legal inhabitants to their homes and properties. In addition, Turkey should proceed with the normalization of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, as well as with its recognition as stipulated by the decisions of the European Union.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you: Is it not a paradox for a country that is a member of the Security Council not to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the United Nations, the European Union and of all international organizations?

Is it not a paradox for a member of the Security Council to maintain occupation troops for 35 years on the territory of another UN member state, and a member state of the European Union?

Is it not a paradox to undermine the unity and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus by promoting the creation of a second state on the island in violation of Security Council Resolution 541 of 1983 which unanimously condemns the illegal UDI, calling it null and void, and calls on all states to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus?

Yes, it is a paradox and it is also illegal. In fact it is an anomaly! Cyprus has never sought nor wishes to have hostile relations with its neighbour, Turkey. But it is our responsibility to defend the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state.

Nevertheless, I would like from this august body to express my readiness to initiate dialogue with the Turkish leadership, in parallel to our negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot leader, to share ideas about the future, which would greatly enhance the chances of a positive outcome to the negotiations.

Cyprus has consistently supported the accession of Turkey to the European Union, in the belief that the whole adaptation process and Turkey’s eventual membership would benefit our neighbours, our region and us. However, this support is not unconditional. Turkey should fulfil its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus as well as towards the European Union.

Mr. President,

I would like to state one more time that our Turkish Cypriot compatriots are equal citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, and that I personally will strive consistently for their rights and for finding their rightful place in all organs of the state.

My political roots are in the Progressive Peoples’ Movement of my country which always stood by the side of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots for peace and harmonious co-existence. Nevertheless, the rights of our Turkish Cypriot compatriots cannot be implemented at the expense of the rights of the bigger community, which is the Greek-Cypriot community. There must be mutual respect. I want to assure you that I will spare no effort in order to achieve a balanced and just solution which would restore the rights of the people as a whole.

We have all paid a heavy price - human, political and economic - and continue to pay a heavy price. The profits of lasting peace will be beneficial for the people of Cyprus, of Turkey and for the peoples of our region as a whole.

Real political leaders are not the ones who think of the next election but of the next generation. We have the responsibility to work together to achieve a lasting peace in our region.

I wish to the family of Nations a successful conclusion of the deliberations of the 64th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

I thank you.

[Paphitis]

Cyprus mediator Alexander Downer is spy
In light of the recent discussions, speculations and threats (by Turkey) about the potentially large hydrocarbon deposits south of Cyprus it is probably worth referring to an article titled, “The Mediator who is a Spy” written by Angelos Athanasopoulos that was published in the Greek newspaper, To Vima late last year. The article can be accessed here.http://www.tovima.gr/default.asp?pid=2&ct=32&artId=24349&dt=23/11/2008

As most people will know, the former Australian foreign minister, Alexander Downer was appointed as the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Cyprus in 2007. Essentially, he has been working as a mediator between the two negotiating parties that are trying to figure out a solution following the Turkish invasion of the island a little more than 35 years ago.

Interestingly, Alexander Downer has since May 2008 been working for the British company, Hakluyt & Co. This company was founded in the 1990s by former MI6 agents to provide strategic intelligence/information to multinational corporations that want to invest in areas where the political and economic environment is unstable; of course, with a view to profit.

Despite being founded by former British former secret service agents Hakluyt is increasingly comprised of former politicians, diplomats and people in general with access to political, economic and business centers of power. As the former foreign minister of Australia, Alexander Downer would have supervised the intelligence services of Australia and had direct access to “hot” information. Obviously, he still has friends both inside and outside Australia.

To Vima contacted Hakluyt last year and a company executive, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that Alexander Downer was working on behalf of them; and in particular, as a member of the Advisory Council. He also stated that members of the Advisory Council, "are either not paid or receive a token amount". He also stated that members do "not make their living from this job". In Cyprus, Alexander Downer was asked directly about his role and the membership of Hakluyt, and he answered:
I do not know where all the members working for the company come from, nor am I responsible for these members. I am a member of the Advisory Council, I meet with members of the Council once a year and provide perspectives on the situation of different regions such as Asia.
Athanasopoulos then raises some important questions, which have recently become even more relevant, as speculation over the hydrocarbon deposits has increased:

However, questions arise from the activities of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Cyprus. Because of his role, Mr Downer has access to confidential information which would be useful to many. Does he only inform the United Nations and the parties in Cyprus or does he inform others? And who are they? Moreover, how will the actual negotiations on the Cyprus issue be influenced by the dual activities of Downer?

If Hakluyt provides information to businesses so they can reduce investment risk, the presence of Downer could affect, for example, the activity of oil companies interested in undertaking investigations into suspected continental shelf deposits off the coast of Cyprus? Moreover, the relationship of Hakluyt with giants such as BP and Shell could easily lead to such suspicions.

Athanasopoulos then goes on to provide information on the the identity of Hakluyt. General information can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakluyt_&_Company (the company's website does not really contain any information). He also states that the people who have worked for Hakluyt are long and illustrious. Alarmingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, in 1997, just two years after the company's establishment, the current foreign minister of Sweden, Carl Bildt also became a member. Hellenic Antidote recently provided some interesting information on the odious Bildt and his rabidly pro-Turkish positions which can be accessed here http://hellenicantidote.blogspot.com/2009/07/sweden-toes-turkish-line.html. Also, Athanasopoulos points out, and certainly not surprisingly, the former U.S. Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger and his firm Kissinger Associates have also worked with Hakluyt. Every Greek should know about Kissinger's evil and his role in the dismemberment of the island.

Source: To Vima (Angelos Athanasopoulos), Antipodes
Posted by Antipodean at 7:09 PM
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
http://antipodes-antipodean.blogspot.com/2009/07/cyprus-mediator-alexander-downer-is-spy.html

What a load of rubbish!

Despite being founded by former British former secret service agents Hakluyt is increasingly comprised of former politicians, diplomats and people in general with access to political, economic and business centers of power. As the former foreign minister of Australia, Alexander Downer would have supervised the intelligence services of Australia and had direct access to “hot” information. Obviously, he still has friends both inside and outside Australia.

Absolute nonsense.

Alexander Downer never had a blanket security clearance over all intelligence matters.

The Prime Minister does not even have a blanket clearance, and only receives information on a "need to know basis".

The ADF's Chief of Staff is the only person who has blanket access, and brief's the Prime Minister as required.

[Christine Toskos]

All I know that the little allies that Turkey has left were sickened that Turkey was not there to defend their presence on the Greek island of Cyprus in the UN last week. I know international law condemns Turkey's presence on foreign lands. It is just a matter of time that the US will turn her back on Turkey. Turkey will be partition. Imagine, Turkey wants Cyprus to be partition but instead it will be Turkey that will be partition. You don't think it will happen! Look what happened to the Soviet Union. It was partition.

[yialousa1971]

FREEDOM FOR CYPRUS BLOG
Friday, 25 September 2009
China View reports that all the voices against Alexander Downer comes from nationalists!

The plot thickens as international news agencies get involved in the Alexander Downder issue. Have a look at the China View report.

U.N. envoy to Cyprus has no business interests in Turkey: statement
www.chinaview.cn 2009-09-25 22:43:03 Print

NICOSIA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.N. office in Nicosia on Friday strongly denied Greek Cypriot reports that its top envoy to Cyprus has business interests in Turkey, undermining his role as a neutral mediator.

"Allegations that the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, Alexander Downer, has business interests in Turkey and that these interests constitute a conflict of interest are totally false," the office said in a statement.

"Mr. Downer has no business interests in either Turkey or Greece and has never in his life conducted any business with or in either of those countries," the statement added.

The U.N. office noted that the former Australian foreign minister is a partner in the consultancy firm Bespoke Approach, which primarily operates in Australia and countries such as China and Indonesia.

The American private equity firm KKR, a client of Bespoke Approach, has significant investments in Turkey. In 2007, KKR entered the Turkey market with a 1.2 billion U.S. dollar acquisition of U.N. Ro Ro, the country's largest shipping company.

But the U.N. statement said that it is another partner of Bespoke Approach, not Downer, advising KKR "solely on Australian matters."

"At no time has Bespoke Approach been involved with any issues in relation to Turkey," the statement concluded.

Like most of his predecessors, Downer has become a target of Greek Cypriot nationalists, who suggest that the U.N. envoy is pro-Turkey.

The U.N. has tried to push the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides to end a decades-long division in the Mediterranean island.
Editor: Yan
Posted by Admin at 23:39
http://freedom4cyprus.blogspot.com/2009/09/china-view-reports-that-all-voices.html

[yialousa1971]

Greece’s Alapis pharma eyeing Serbian market

Kalliope Gourntis - 02.10.2009
Greece’s Alapis pharmaceuticals and cosmetics said it is interested in any worthwhile opportunity that may arise in the Serbian market.

The Greek company had expressed in April an interest in acquiring Serbian firm Galenika in order to acquire a powerful production base in the country, but the Serbian government recently postponed the tender for 2010.

“Galenika is not the only objective in Serbia. We are convinced of the country’s potential,” Alapis Senior Director Giannis Georgakopoulos said in a statement.

The Greek pharmaceutical firm is already active in Serbia as a wholesaler having acquired Sumadijalek 18 months ago. Following Alapis’ investments in the company, Sumadijalek is now active in the whole of Serbia and is amongst the country’s top eight wholesale companies, according to Alapis management.

To finance potential acquisitions in Serbia, Alapis plans to use part of the 451.1 million euros it raised through a rights issue.

“We have invested and will continue long-term investments in the country. Therefore, having established powerful liquidity, especially after the capital growth, we hold a comparative advantage over many competitors, which we intend to use in any good investment opportunity that might come up,” said Georgakopoulos, who is also General Manager of Sumadijalek.

Aside from takeovers in Serbia, Alapis will also use the funds from the share capital increase to partially cover short-term lending, to finance trading capital and to expand activities in Greece and southeast Europe in general through selected takeovers.

The 451.1-million euro rights issue which was completed in September, was oversubscribed about 1.5 times. On offer were 980,600,200 shares at a discounted 0.46 euros each.

Underwriters of the issue were ABN AMRO, BofA Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch and Jefferies.

Athens-quoted Alapis, which exports to more than 25 countries, employs 2,500 people and has subsidiaries in Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Albania, Poland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Alapis (http://www.alapis.gr), with a market value of 1.02 billion euros, also manufactures para-pharmaceutical products, veterinary pharmaceuticals and detergents. It distributes pet accessories, medical equipment and health equipment products.

Source: Balkans.com Business News
http://www.balkans.com/sr/open-news.php?uniquenumber=95824159

[Tony-4497]

Monday, 7 September 2009
Fanoulla Argyrous reply to Sir David Hannay's latest article on Cyprus.

You can find the latest provocative article on AGORA http://agora-dialogue.com/?p=868

Sir David’s thorough analysis of possible outcomes and their implications effectively indicates that Greek Cypriots would be stupid to accept a solution similar to the Annan plan (i.e. the one currently being discussed). The balance of bargaining power has shifted since Cyprus’s EU entry and it would seem to me that Turkey, finally, needs a solution more than (or just as bad as) Greek Cypriots.

If Sir David et al want to support Turkey’s EU aspirations through promoting a Cyprus solution, they should:

(1) Appreciate that for the 82% GC majority in Cyprus to accept a bizonal federation with political equality to the 18% TC minority is a MAJOR concession, which has NEVER been accepted by the people but only its leaders – in fact, the only time such a solution was offered to GC people, it was rejected by 76%.

(2) Considering the above, use their influence to persuade Turkey that such a solution is in itself a major Turkish win and should therefore refrain from demanding further unreasonable or illegal concessions from GC, such as forfeiting their properties, accepting Turkish guarantees and near-sovereignty of the TC state, agreeing to rotating presidency, handing over 29% of land and 55% of coastline to just 18% of the population etc etc.

A bizonal federation with political equality is a hugely unfair solution for the 82% GCs to start with. If they want it to have any chance of success they should focus on at least making it as painless for GCs as possible.

[zan]

Monday, 7 September 2009
Fanoulla Argyrous reply to Sir David Hannay's latest article on Cyprus.

You can find the latest provocative article on AGORA http://agora-dialogue.com/?p=868

Sir David’s thorough analysis of possible outcomes and their implications effectively indicates that Greek Cypriots would be stupid to accept a solution similar to the Annan plan (i.e. the one currently being discussed). The balance of bargaining power has shifted since Cyprus’s EU entry and it would seem to me that Turkey, finally, needs a solution more than (or just as bad as) Greek Cypriots.

If Sir David et al want to support Turkey’s EU aspirations through promoting a Cyprus solution, they should:

(1) Appreciate that for the 82% GC majority in Cyprus to accept a bizonal federation with political equality to the 18% TC minority is a MAJOR concession, which has NEVER been accepted by the people but only its leaders – in fact, the only time such a solution was offered to GC people, it was rejected by 76%.

(2) Considering the above, use their influence to persuade Turkey that such a solution is in itself a major Turkish win and should therefore refrain from demanding further unreasonable or illegal concessions from GC, such as forfeiting their properties, accepting Turkish guarantees and near-sovereignty of the TC state, agreeing to rotating presidency, handing over 29% of land and 55% of coastline to just 18% of the population etc etc.

A bizonal federation with political equality is a hugely unfair solution for the 82% GCs to start with. If they want it to have any chance of success they should focus on at least making it as painless for GCs as possible.

Over 200 pages of constitution and 9000 pages of laws and still we can't find a way to make the GCs happy.....Regardless of elected leaders making your "democratic" decisions for you

If the numerically superior GCs had made the decision to include fellow countrymen into the model of a Cypriot nation instead of pursuing a dream of unifying with Greece then none of this shit COULD have happened. Now the same is happening again...You want us to have just the right amount of land that allows to exist and not flourish all because of a history between Greek and Turk. Where is the compromise in that???

[yialousa1971]

Turkey helped the Turks in Thrace to vote in Thrace

In the video the Greek reporter says you walk the streets of Xanthi and nobody speaks Greek everyone on the street speaks Turkish. A line that is supported by Turkey that pays for Turkish schools,libraries , financial aid . The number of Turks there is estimated at 600,000 , and those were those that left because they refused Greek citizenship but came back, and now they vote for Turk candidates for PASOK, the buses coming from Turkey and plane rides are payed by Turkish gov't with the slogan "Turk Go To Thrace to Vote in a Turk"

[yialousa1971]

Tarpon Springs to Turkey: 'Get out of Cyprus'

By Mark Schantz | The Suncoast News
Published: October 10, 2009
http://suncoastpinellas.tbo.com/content/2009/oct/10/pi-tarpon-springs-to-turkey-get-out-of-cyprus/

TARPON SPRINGS - The City Commission entered the arena of international politics to "oppose Turkey's illegal occupation of Cyprus."

A resolution the commission approved Tuesday night proclaims: "Turkey's continuing military occupation and policy of importing illegal settlers violates international law...relevant United Nations resolutions and continues to violate the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Cyprus."

The resolution passed 5-0, even though one commissioner questioned the extent of its criticism of Turkey in the decades-old dispute over the Mediterranean island.

Mayor Beverley Billiris said she recently traveled to Larnaca, Cyprus. A diplomat with the Republic of Cyprus asked Tarpon Springs to lend its voice to efforts to unify the island, she said.

Billiris traveled to Larnaca, a port city on Cyprus' southern coast, to accept it as a sister city of Tarpon Springs.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when the Turkish military invaded Cyprus in response to a coup attempt against the Cypriot government spurred by the military junta that then ruled Greece. Most of the world recognizes the control of the Republic of Cyprus over the island.

Only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which controls the northern third of the island. Turkey has about 30,000 troops on the portion of the island it occupies.

Commissioner Robin Saenger supported the resolution, but questioned if it should offer such a strong condemnation of Turkey. The dispute between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus has gone on for decades, she noted.

Strife between the majority Greek Cypriots and the minority Turkish Cypriots broke out almost immediately after Cyprus gained its independence from Great Britain in 1960.

Tarpon Commissioner Chris Alahouzos, a native of Greece, said turkey invaded Cyprus just to get access to a port. The Turkish forces killed many Cypriots and displaced others from their homes, he said, adding, "The country needs to be united again so these people can go home."


RESOLUTION No. 2009-42
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF TARPON SPRINGS, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE ONGOING ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS BY THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY.

WHEREAS, Larnaca, Republic of Cyprus, is now our Sister City; and

WHEREAS, the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida condemns the continuing illegal occupation of nearly 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey for more than 35 years; and

WHEREAS, Turkeyʼs continuing military occupation and policy of importing illegal settlers violates international law and relevant United Nations resolutions and continues to violate the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Cyprus; and

WHEREAS, on September 2008, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetri s Christofias and leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat, began full-fledged negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations to reunify the island and its people; and

WHEREAS, the agreed upon basis for a solution is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty, single international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and with political equality as defined in the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions; and

WHEREAS, the United States has long supported the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus; and

WHEREAS, today Cypriot Americans are contributing and prospering in business, in academia, and in various professions in Tarpon Springs, Florida as well as across the United States and today form an integral part of this society; and

WHEREAS, the City of Tarpon Springs encourages the further enhancement and strengthening of bilateral relations between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Tarpon Springs, Florida, that we urge all individuals to write letters to their Members of the United States Congress to express their opposition to Turkeyʼs continuing illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus and violations of the human rights of the Cypriot people, request the Government of Turkey to immediately begin the withdrawal of its military occupation forces from Cyprus, urge that Turkey adhere to the relevant United Nations resolutions on Cyprus, impress upon Turkey to contribute constructively to the current efforts to reunify the island on the agreed upon basis for a solution, and urge Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to speak on behalf of Cyprus.