Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

But most attention will be on Greece and Turkey. Ultimately, no agreement will be possible unless they too come to the table and play their part. Questions concerning the continuation or modification of the 1960 treaties that formed the Republic of Cyprus – covering issues such as the size of Greek and Turkish military contingents and the nature and extent of their roles as guarantors of Cyprus’ ‘independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity’ – will necessarily require active engagement by both Athens and Ankara, both with the communities on the island and with each other.

In this sense, the Greek elections are being held at an ideal moment – for two reasons. For a start, after the tensions in the Aegean over the summer, it appeared as though the Greek Government, and the population at large, would have been in little mood to engage with Turkey over Cyprus; and understandably so. In this sense, while the elections in Greece will have little effect on decisions taken in Ankara, it may at least allow for a clearing of the air in Athens. But more importantly, it should hopefully allow the country to move beyond the narrow political introspection that always accompanies election campaigns and allow the new government to focus its efforts on a range of issues that desperately need to be tackled – including Cyprus. A new government with a clear mandate should hopefully be in a strong position to engage in talks with Turkey on security when the time comes.

But, of course, things might not work out so well. There is a real danger that the outcome of the forthcoming polls could be inconclusive. If so, we could face the prospect of one – if not two – further elections in the coming months. Needless to say, this could be potentially disastrous for the talks in Cyprus. A weak government in Greece, let alone a caretaker administration, will be in no position to make the hard decisions that will inevitably be required at some point soon. Nor will it be able to take a decisive position when it comes to any final efforts to sell the outcome to the two communities on the island. In this sense, there is more riding on these elections than is perhaps realised.

http://eliamep.blogactiv.eu/author/ker-lindsay-james/

James Ker-Lindsay is senior research fellow and Director of the MSc programmes in International Conflict and International Relations at Kingston University.

[Nikitas]

Both major parties, as well as some of the smaller ones that could form government alliances, are in agreement- Turkey must fulfill all its obligations towards the EU for the accession process to proceed and that the solution in Cyprus must be a viable and workable BBF. So the election outcome will not affect policy.

What remains stable is Greece's arms length approach to Cyprus. Greeks are careful about being sucked into a Cyprus morass yet again.

[Get Real!]

What remains stable is Greece's arms length approach to Cyprus. Greeks are careful about being sucked into a Cyprus morass yet again.

Why would they care? They failed in their campaign to spread their mythological vomit here so they then just run off pretending that nothing ever happened! Are you surprised?

[Nikitas]

Not really. Repeatedly I said that the Cyprus adventure for Greece was ok as long as it was risk free. When the ante was raised they decided that the grapes were out of reach.

During the Annan days I sat and watched some asshole on TV here in Athens explain how Matsis and Afxentiou "engaged in ethnic cleansing".

[Get Real!]

Not really. Repeatedly I said that the Cyprus adventure for Greece was ok as long as it was risk free. When the ante was raised they decided that the grapes were out of reach.

During the Annan days I sat and watched some asshole on TV here in Athens explain how Matsis and Afxentiou "engaged in ethnic cleansing".

I don’t know how you keep your cool living in the land of the lying cowards because I’d probably lose it and go on a shooting rampage!

[Lit]

Not really. Repeatedly I said that the Cyprus adventure for Greece was ok as long as it was risk free. When the ante was raised they decided that the grapes were out of reach.

During the Annan days I sat and watched some asshole on TV here in Athens explain how Matsis and Afxentiou "engaged in ethnic cleansing".

I don’t know how you keep your cool living in the land of the lying cowards because I’d probably lose it and go on a shooting rampage!

I can't believe your using the word coward, you!? Thats exactly what you are!

What are you today, a Syrian? F_ck off!

[Paphitis]

Both major parties, as well as some of the smaller ones that could form government alliances, are in agreement- Turkey must fulfill all its obligations towards the EU for the accession process to proceed and that the solution in Cyprus must be a viable and workable BBF. So the election outcome will not affect policy.

What remains stable is Greece's arms length approach to Cyprus. Greeks are careful about being sucked into a Cyprus morass yet again.

You need to understand why exactly Greece is remaining out of Cypriot affairs.

It would suit Turkish interests if Greece were to play a more 'active' role as a Guarantor Power, so that Turkey can further insist on maintaining this treaty which is against Cypriot interests...

Greece is doing the right thing. As long as the current RoC policy is passive and in favor of a negotiating settlement, Greece needs to stay out. If the RoC wants to up the ante to something not so passive, then obviously Greece will get involved militarily if need be.

So it all depends on Cyprus, and for the time being Greece is in no position to meddle in Cypriot affairs like Turkey does. It would be counterproductive if it did.

[insan]

Both major parties, as well as some of the smaller ones that could form government alliances, are in agreement- Turkey must fulfill all its obligations towards the EU for the accession process to proceed and that the solution in Cyprus must be a viable and workable BBF. So the election outcome will not affect policy.

What remains stable is Greece's arms length approach to Cyprus. Greeks are careful about being sucked into a Cyprus morass yet again.

You need to understand why exactly Greece is remaining out of Cypriot affairs.

It would suit Turkish interests if Greece were to play a more 'active' role as a Guarantor Power, so that Turkey can further insist on maintaining this treaty which is against Cypriot interests...

Greece is doing the right thing. As long as the current RoC policy is passive and in favor of a negotiating settlement, Greece needs to stay out. If the RoC wants to up the ante to something not so passive, then obviously Greece will get involved militarily if need be.

So it all depends on Cyprus, and for the time being Greece is in no position to meddle in Cypriot affairs like Turkey does. It would be counterproductive if it did.

This is another behind-the-scenes activity of Greek-GC duo and it is well known by Turkey besides all concerned parties r well aware. With the recent arm purchases of Turkey and Greece that was associated with each other; it became clearer that Turkey and Greece instead trusting each other; percieve each other as an increasing threat. This situation, justifies only a little part of their interests in Cyprus.

As long as Turkey-Greece and TCs-GCs perceive each other as a threat to their national security and interests; no matter whether a solution is reached or not, there will always be uneasiness and tensions damaging the already weak relations of two nations and two communities, perhaps to a dangerous point.

Solution: Both parties need to stop hiding behind their fingers, be honest, cease bombarding their nations and communities with exagerrated negative propaganda, intensify bi-national and bi-communal relations without any ulterior motives to score political points over these rapproachments.

[Bananiot]

Papantreou won, it seems, the debate last night. Karamanlis accused Papandreou for supporting the Annan Plan but then Papandreou revealed that Karamanlis also accepted the Plan at the leaders' council but then, when some of his mates in his party told him off he backed down,

Karamanlis just kept quite. Never said a word after this.

[Paphitis]

Both major parties, as well as some of the smaller ones that could form government alliances, are in agreement- Turkey must fulfill all its obligations towards the EU for the accession process to proceed and that the solution in Cyprus must be a viable and workable BBF. So the election outcome will not affect policy.

What remains stable is Greece's arms length approach to Cyprus. Greeks are careful about being sucked into a Cyprus morass yet again.

You need to understand why exactly Greece is remaining out of Cypriot affairs.

It would suit Turkish interests if Greece were to play a more 'active' role as a Guarantor Power, so that Turkey can further insist on maintaining this treaty which is against Cypriot interests...

Greece is doing the right thing. As long as the current RoC policy is passive and in favor of a negotiating settlement, Greece needs to stay out. If the RoC wants to up the ante to something not so passive, then obviously Greece will get involved militarily if need be.

So it all depends on Cyprus, and for the time being Greece is in no position to meddle in Cypriot affairs like Turkey does. It would be counterproductive if it did.

This is another behind-the-scenes activity of Greek-GC duo and it is well known by Turkey besides all concerned parties r well aware. With the recent arm purchases of Turkey and Greece that was associated with each other; it became clearer that Turkey and Greece instead trusting each other; percieve each other as an increasing threat. This situation, justifies only a little part of their interests in Cyprus.

As long as Turkey-Greece and TCs-GCs perceive each other as a threat to their national security and interests; no matter whether a solution is reached or not, there will always be uneasiness and tensions damaging the already weak relations of two nations and two communities, perhaps to a dangerous point.

Solution: Both parties need to stop hiding behind their fingers, be honest, cease bombarding their nations and communities with exagerrated negative propaganda, intensify bi-national and bi-communal relations without any ulterior motives to score political points over these rapproachments.

When you stop flying into the Athens FIR without lodging flight plans, overfly Greek sovereign territory, and withdraw from Cyprus, then perhaps Greece may start to trust Turkey.

For now, Greece renounces the Treaty of Guarantee and this fact alone is really upsetting to Turkey because this strengthens the RoC's desire for independence without foreign intervention...an anathema to Turkey...