Cyprus-Forum.com

[YFred]

I think Christofias has come up with a formula that the TC's will not be able to reject. The proof of the TC intentions will come when territory is being negotiated because having given the TC's what they wanted in the executive and governance, they'd better damn well give on the territory front.

What would constitute "they'd better damn well give on the territory front."?
How much?

Pres X gave a figure a few days ago, not in terms of land, but in terms of an automatic return of 80% of refugees to the old villages with the remaining 20% having a personal choice of return to a tissy zone or compensation.

Bear in mind Freddie that Pres X will have to sell this settlement to the RoC electorate, 80% return will prob swing it for him.

The positions of either side are not that far apart, Talat mentioned 100,000 back to their properties part of the Southern side and 60,000 either move to the north or accept compensation. I don't think the figures in reality are that different and even if they are tweaked slightly should be acceptable to both sides.

[Nikitas]

The territory issue is the most vital of all. The territory must reflect the population proportions, it must ensure that the British bases lie on GC territory and the agreement MUST contain a clause that should the British leave, then the base territory reverts exclusively to the GC side. This is necessary inorder to avoid any future disputes over that territory. Additionally the Bases MUST be surrounded by GC territory and not have any contact with the TC sector. The demarcation lines must be clear and easily administered, ie follow natural or man made landmarks that are easy to identify, ie the old Nicosia-Famagusta road etc.

The above will avoid that nonsense about flyovers and underpasses of the Annan plan. Each community should be able to connect by road to all parts of its area without crossing territory of the other or of the Bases. In short ,there should be no hindrance in daily life due to territorial disputes.

Others do not seem to regard the territory issue as important. It is the most important part and vital inorder to avoid problems in the future.

[-mikkie2-]

"Each community should be able to connect by road to all parts of its area without crossing territory of the other or of the Bases."

So how does Karpasia fare under your idea?

I don't think that things are that straightforward. To the east you have Lefka which is exclusively TC. If we get Morphou back how will that effect the territory in that area? How will the population in Pyrgos be able to get to Nicosia without having to cross TC areas? Karpasia obviously is isolated so you can't have a land corridor. What about the coast line?

I think the territory issue is very difficult to address and even harder if you wish to ensure just two zones.

[-mikkie2-]

I also think we need to get away from the idea of having clean separation as this enhances any future push for partition. We need to think of Cyprus as a common home and to get into cooperating with eachother rather than avoiding eachother.

[Nikitas]

Karpasia can be reached by sea.

Lefka is a problem, but can be solved. As we will let go Kyrenia, a much more significant part than Lefka, then the TCs can let go of Lefka. This does not mean that the inhabitants will be kicked out, just that they will live under GC administration. There will be many pockets of the "other" community in each sector.

With the passage of time the population will move and the monoethnic composition of each side will diminish. But the biregional character will remain and that is why it is vital to prevent any dispute on that issue from arising in the future.

[Nikitas]

Karpasia can be reached by sea.

Lefka is a problem, but can be solved. As we will let go Kyrenia, a much more significant part than Lefka, then the TCs can let go of Lefka. This does not mean that the inhabitants will be kicked out, just that they will live under GC administration. There will be many pockets of the "other" community in each sector.

With the passage of time the population will move and the monoethnic composition of each side will diminish. But the biregional character will remain and that is why it is vital to prevent any dispute on that issue from arising in the future.

[Cypriot Nick]

Karpasia can be reached by sea.

Lefka is a problem, but can be solved. As we will let go Kyrenia, a much more significant part than Lefka, then the TCs can let go of Lefka. This does not mean that the inhabitants will be kicked out, just that they will live under GC administration. There will be many pockets of the "other" community in each sector.

With the passage of time the population will move and the monoethnic composition of each side will diminish. But the biregional character will remain and that is why it is vital to prevent any dispute on that issue from arising in the future.

Does this suggest that we are moving towards a Belgian model? Ok,considering that the question of territory is settled (by which ever variation or angle) and both sides accept it, would Cyprus have an army?

[-mikkie2-]

I think the idea of demelitarisation of Cyprus is a very bad one.

Cyprus needs to protect its coastline and it also needs to protect its interests in its exclusive economic zone. Therefore, some form of armed forces are required which should be under the control of the federal gvt. We cannot rely on the British or Greek or Turkish armed forces because their primary concern is their own self interest. And we know where all that lead us in the past!

Cyprus should have a small professional army and navy composed of mixed TC and GC contingents and should number less than 5000. Cyprus should be a NATO member also.

[-mikkie2-]

Nikitas, I think your ideas are perfectly valid in the way you describe them. There will have to be elements of each community that will have to live under the administration of the other.

[Cypriot Nick]

I think the idea of demelitarisation of Cyprus is a very bad one.

Cyprus needs to protect its coastline and it also needs to protect its interests in its exclusive economic zone. Therefore, some form of armed forces are required which should be under the control of the federal gvt. We cannot rely on the British or Greek or Turkish armed forces because their primary concern is their own self interest. And we know where all that lead us in the past!

Cyprus should have a small professional army and navy composed of mixed TC and GC contingents and should number less than 5000. Cyprus should be a NATO member also.

Hi Mikkie,

I think that Cyprus should have a police force only to undertake the duties that you have mentioned. The police force may have a naval component in order to carry out coast guard duties. However, in terms of their duties on land I do not think that they would need heavy miltary hardware (tanks,artllery,APC's etc) in order to maintain law and order.