Cyprus-Forum.com

[yialousa1971]

I have been telling everyone that our non existent international diplomacy and Banana Republic antics and rhetoric will land is in very hot water, just like it did in 1967 and 15 Jul 74 which then led to the invasion.

If Cyprus is part of the EU, then it should behave like an EU member and apply to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP), and then perhaps make it clear that it wants to join NATO, even if Turkey will veto against this. This will send a very clear message to the US and other allies that Cyprus can be trusted. There needs to be some rapprochement between Cyprus and very vital countries to our interests, and not bash those that hold the key to our resurrection, because we are going to get done over again and again.

Bashing the US is not your answer... As grotesque as it may seem to many of you, the RoC President needs to make Obama his new best friend, and abandon those fantasies of an "anti imperialist" stand from such like as Cuba, Iran and Syria.

Cyprus has many friends in the US and other countries like it, but at times, even they just shy away from sheer frustration.

As countries move into the 21st century, our politicians still remain in the 60s and 70s.

I also mentioned the fact that our best natural ally within the region is Israel. This is another country where Cyprus can trade with, and develop defence ties. It is also a country which is not scared to flex its muscle, and at present, diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey are at an all time low. Get to know them, because the RoC's existence may depend on it.

I disagree Paphitis. If it came for Turkey to choose between the RoC and Israel, Turkey would immediately strive to improve its relationship with Israel. I have no doubt who Israel will take notice of. Cyprus has too little to offer.IMO

Israel does not have many friends in the region. Most of her dependable allies are far away. Therefore, if Cyprus and Israel developed A grade trade and defence relations, then this would be appreciated, because all of a sudden Cyprus has become a reliable ally as compared to every other country in the region which wants to destroy or undermine Israel as perceived by the Israelis themselves.

And Israel is one country which has enormous clout within the entire western world, and can even manipulate US Foreign Policy to some extent.

Also, the Nicosia FIR is very large, and almost extends out towards Kastelorizo (near Rodos), and Cyprus could perhaps allow the IAF to use the FIR for training, instead of being confined within Israel. This would be a big offering, and who knows what the Israeli's might do in return. They will probably start with selling cheap arms, but the biggest bonus is that the 2 will become strong regional allies.

So I believe Cyprus has much to offer Israel, and Israel has much to offer Cyprus (not just arms).

I also believe that Israel is more important to our interests than Greece will ever be.

I also believe that Israel is more important to our interests than Greece will ever be

Your as bad as GR he looks to the Arabs and you look towards the Jews.

[Paphitis]

I have been telling everyone that our non existent international diplomacy and Banana Republic antics and rhetoric will land is in very hot water, just like it did in 1967 and 15 Jul 74 which then led to the invasion.

If Cyprus is part of the EU, then it should behave like an EU member and apply to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP), and then perhaps make it clear that it wants to join NATO, even if Turkey will veto against this. This will send a very clear message to the US and other allies that Cyprus can be trusted. There needs to be some rapprochement between Cyprus and very vital countries to our interests, and not bash those that hold the key to our resurrection, because we are going to get done over again and again.

Bashing the US is not your answer... As grotesque as it may seem to many of you, the RoC President needs to make Obama his new best friend, and abandon those fantasies of an "anti imperialist" stand from such like as Cuba, Iran and Syria.

Cyprus has many friends in the US and other countries like it, but at times, even they just shy away from sheer frustration.

As countries move into the 21st century, our politicians still remain in the 60s and 70s.

I also mentioned the fact that our best natural ally within the region is Israel. This is another country where Cyprus can trade with, and develop defence ties. It is also a country which is not scared to flex its muscle, and at present, diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey are at an all time low. Get to know them, because the RoC's existence may depend on it.

I disagree Paphitis. If it came for Turkey to choose between the RoC and Israel, Turkey would immediately strive to improve its relationship with Israel. I have no doubt who Israel will take notice of. Cyprus has too little to offer.IMO

Israel does not have many friends in the region. Most of her dependable allies are far away. Therefore, if Cyprus and Israel developed A grade trade and defence relations, then this would be appreciated, because all of a sudden Cyprus has become a reliable ally as compared to every other country in the region which wants to destroy or undermine Israel as perceived by the Israelis themselves.

And Israel is one country which has enormous clout within the entire western world, and can even manipulate US Foreign Policy to some extent.

Also, the Nicosia FIR is very large, and almost extends out towards Kastelorizo (near Rodos), and Cyprus could perhaps allow the IAF to use the FIR for training, instead of being confined within Israel. This would be a big offering, and who knows what the Israeli's might do in return. They will probably start with selling cheap arms, but the biggest bonus is that the 2 will become strong regional allies.

So I believe Cyprus has much to offer Israel, and Israel has much to offer Cyprus (not just arms).

I also believe that Israel is more important to our interests than Greece will ever be.

I also believe that Israel is more important to our interests than Greece will ever be

Your as bad as GR he looks to the Arabs and you look towards the Jews.

It is a well known fact that Israel has a presence as a regional power and also has vast influence within Washington as well as others, whereas Greece is sleeping or even unconscious.

[Bananiot]

And, If I could ask, what forges these friendships? Do you think that the most important issues are the moral ones which we remember constantly in Cyprus after 1974? Do you think Israel or any other country, will pick Cyprus as its best friend, just because we are the victims of an aggression by Turkey?

Another thing that infuriates me is our third world fixation to divide countries and people into friends and foes, forgetting that economic and geopolitical interests are the important factors that decide policy.

I have no doubt that Christofias is not doing the country any good by his actions, especially when he scorn the west in his vulgar and undiplomatic manner. I am glad, though, that some of you are beginning to see the light at last realising (I hope) that our heroic anti west rhetoric can only land us into bigger troubles. Let us see how long this will last.

You may also note that in this strange country of ours, the most vociferous anti west voices come from the nationalist right, which spares no effort to tell us of the evil west and all the bad things that come with it. GR is a prime example of these people and his constant accusations about the "crimes against humanity" committed by almost all western leaders,is quite amazing.

[Paphitis]

And, If I could ask, what forges these friendships? Do you think that the most important issues are the moral ones which we remember constantly in Cyprus after 1974? Do you think Israel or any other country, will pick Cyprus as its best friend, just because we are the victims of an aggression by Turkey?

Morals have nothing to do with foreign diplomacy.

Israel could potentially pick Cyprus as its best friend within the region, because it the only westernised non Islamic nation within the region.

It has nothing to do with Cyprus being a victim at all.

Another thing that infuriates me is our third world fixation to divide countries and people into friends and foes, forgetting that economic and geopolitical interests are the important factors that decide policy.

Correct. Israel would be an ideal ally within the region which could serve our geopolitical interests quite well. We are not smart with our foreign diplomacy at all.

I have said it before, that Israel is a very important potential ally for Cyprus. It is much more important than Russia, Greece and France combined. Turkey seems increasingly eager to look East, which means that one day it could even become a potential enemy of the Israeli state. So Cyprus may well one day look upon Cyprus and say "thank God we have one friend here", even though Cyprus is tiny.

I have no doubt that Christofias is not doing the country any good by his actions, especially when he scorn the west in his vulgar and undiplomatic manner. I am glad, though, that some of you are beginning to see the light at last realising (I hope) that our heroic anti west rhetoric can only land us into bigger troubles. Let us see how long this will last.

It was our heroic anti west rhetoric and actions that landed us here, but it seems we are too stupid to learn.

You may also note that in this strange country of ours, the most vociferous anti west voices come from the nationalist right, which spares no effort to tell us of the evil west and all the bad things that come with it. GR is a prime example of these people and his constant accusations about the "crimes against humanity" committed by almost all western leaders,is quite amazing.

There have been some very regretful evil doings by the west. That you can not deny. So political groups in Cyprus have every right to be critical and weary.

But there comes a time where we should move on and concentrate on our geopolitical interests within the EU, and even try to join the PfP and NATO (although Turkey will veto) and forge new relations with Israel, the US, UK, as well as our traditional sleeping allies such as France, Russia, China, and Greece.

The west is not perfect and certainly is no utopia for morals, but I think it is doing its best and has achieved an equilibrium.

[Get Real!]

You may also note that in this strange country of ours, the most vociferous anti west voices come from the nationalist right, which spares no effort to tell us of the evil west and all the bad things that come with it. GR is a prime example of these people and his constant accusations about the "crimes against humanity" committed by almost all western leaders,is quite amazing.

Bananiot, I feel you’re an intelligent enough bloke to know that even if Cyprus was to raise the US flag and praise America from morning to dusk, it still wouldn’t be enough for the US to send her military to remove Turkey from Cypriot occupied soil.

Like you said, economic and geopolitical interests are the important factors that decide policy, so given that Cyprus hasn’t got much of those to offer then it’s a waste of time trying isn’t it?

So if praise alone can’t do it, and our geopolitical interests on offer aren’t enough then all we’ve got left is international law!

The same of course applies for all small nations, and even large victimized nations too like Iraq & Afghanistan, and that’s why it’s important that Cyprus becomes a champion of human rights and upholder of international law by always speaking out for every country and all peoples who suffer.

Under our circumstances, it’s the only avenue likely to earn global respect and ultimate liberation.

[Paphitis]

You may also note that in this strange country of ours, the most vociferous anti west voices come from the nationalist right, which spares no effort to tell us of the evil west and all the bad things that come with it. GR is a prime example of these people and his constant accusations about the "crimes against humanity" committed by almost all western leaders,is quite amazing.

Bananiot, I feel you’re an intelligent enough bloke to know that even if Cyprus was to raise the US flag and praise America from morning to dusk, it still wouldn’t be enough for the US to send her military to remove Turkey from Cypriot occupied soil.

Like you said, economic and geopolitical interests are the important factors that decide policy, so given that Cyprus hasn’t got much of those to offer then it’s a waste of time trying isn’t it?

So if praise alone can’t do it, and our geopolitical interests on offer aren’t enough then all we’ve got left is international law!

The same of course applies for all small nations, and even large victimized nations too like Iraq & Afghanistan, and that’s why it’s important that Cyprus becomes a champion of human rights and upholder of international law by always speaking out for every country and all peoples who suffer.

Under our circumstances, it’s the only avenue likely to earn global respect and ultimate liberation.

No one insinuated that the US will ever send troops and attack Turkish positions in Cyprus.

But it is a well known fact, that Washington could remove the occupation by pressuring Ankara through diplomatic means.

We keep saying that the key to a solution is Ankara. This is true. But Washington is the locksmith!

[Get Real!]

We keep saying that the key to a solution is Ankara. This is true. But Washington is the locksmith!

Either way the “locksmith” isn't interested so why should I praise him?

[Paphitis]

We keep saying that the key to a solution is Ankara. This is true. But Washington is the locksmith!

Either way the “locksmith” isn't interested so why should I praise him?

Its about forming ties with nations that can help us. It about about forming ties with nations that WILL help us, as it would also suit their interests, as long as we display some common sense.

We have seen how much France, Greece and Russia have helped the situation, but now its time to visit the puppet masters in Washington.

America does not need praise from Cyprus, but strategic friendships do matter, even if it is just tiny Cyprus.

Personally, I don't think we have anything more to lose.

[Get Real!]

We keep saying that the key to a solution is Ankara. This is true. But Washington is the locksmith!

Either way the “locksmith” isn't interested so why should I praise him?

Its about forming ties with nations that can help us. It about about forming ties with nations that WILL help us, as it would also suit their interests, as long as we display some common sense.

We have seen how much France, Greece and Russia have helped the situation, but now its time to visit the puppet masters in Washington.

America does not need praise from Cyprus, but strategic friendships do matter, even if it is just tiny Cyprus.

Personally, I don't think we have anything more to lose.

They will not help you because you’ve got nothing to make them care enough to help you, so quit hanging around like a Poodle for a bone!

You’re contradicting yourselves! On the one hand you emphasize that there’s no such thing as free lunch, and on the other you know you’ve got nothing to offer to get that lunch!

[Paphitis]

We keep saying that the key to a solution is Ankara. This is true. But Washington is the locksmith!

Either way the “locksmith” isn't interested so why should I praise him?

Its about forming ties with nations that can help us. It about about forming ties with nations that WILL help us, as it would also suit their interests, as long as we display some common sense.

We have seen how much France, Greece and Russia have helped the situation, but now its time to visit the puppet masters in Washington.

America does not need praise from Cyprus, but strategic friendships do matter, even if it is just tiny Cyprus.

Personally, I don't think we have anything more to lose.

They will not help you because you’ve got nothing to make them care enough to help you, so quit hanging around like a Poodle for a bone!

You’re contradicting yourselves! On the one hand you emphasize that there’s no such thing as free lunch, and on the other you know you’ve got nothing to offer to get that lunch!

We have plenty to offer.

Firstly, the future of the SBAs hang in the balance since the 1960 Zurich Agreement will become defunct.

Secondly, Cyprus has rich Oil and Gas reserves which it shares with Egypt and Israel. East Timor had the same but the difference is, East Timor knew exactly how to use these reserves in order to liberate itself.

Finally, Cyprus could potentially become Israel's most dependable friend within the region, and so the 2 nations could feed of each other.

There are many more things we could offer, but the surf is up, so I'm outa here...