Cyprus-Forum.com

[icefist]

I remember when it was the war in Iraq and we were calculating to see if the missiles of Saddam can reach Cyprus. Those missiles were so incarcerate that it is easy to imagine how some of them could land in our cities instead of the bases.

Dejavu Iran's Shahab-3 missiles can also reach Cyprus.
So let's hope there won't be escalation in that country.
There still is small hope.

[Paphitis]

'I read it in the Guardian so it must be true' What is the primary objective of a newspaper, to report the truth or sell copies & adverts !!

Every year we hear about cutbacks in the MoD. We're just about due the annual 'The Red Arrows are too expensive and are being scrapped' as well.

The UK is financially in a pickle, just like the majority of the world. The Govt announced they need to save 20% on public spending overall this week. Do we see 1 in 5 council offices closig, 1 in 5 police stations closimg etc. No we don't, we see generl cutbacks accross the board. I'm sure the MoD will do the same as usual.

The SBAs were leased to the UK 'for impertuity', they're not going to give them back now for little or no reason, especially given their current geographic location. The majority of threat to the UK comes from the Middle East at the moment, it's handy having a stop off point so close, shall we say !

Lastly, if we gave them to the Yanks (AS IF), they'd be a quick end to the Cyprus problem, but we'd all be speaking Turkish by Christmas.

Anyway, don't believe everything you read in the papers

then pay all the rent owing or you will be issued with an eviction notice.

Furthermore, you are in breach of the 1960 Zurich Agreement, so all bets are off.

[Jerry]

Jerry postedI recall that back in the 60s the Labour Government talked about giving up the bases but the US persuaded/asked them to stay. I don't like the idea of any imperialist power maintaining bases on someone else's territory but having said that I'm sure the income from them helped the Cyprus economy in its early days. "

The UK actually is 56 years behind in payments it was obligated to make as part of the Treaties establishing the bases. It unilaterally decided to cut payments in 1963. I read somewhere that there was talk of Cyprus taking the UK to the ICJ or the Hague or someshit. Maybe now is a good time to do it. It would give a lot Cypriot lawyers plenty of work during a recession.

I'm aware that the rent has not been paid, I was referring to the spending power of the base residents and of course the many Cypriots who work there. A significant number of tourists are/have been ex military who wanted to visit years after their posting in Cyprus.

[nigeyboy]

Pay the rent or Zurich agreement - make your mind up !

[boomerang]

the uk is bust...keeping the bases is a drain on the economy...and from I read the UK hasn't reached rock bottom yet...things are gonna get tougher for the UK economy as time progresses...

the only option is scaling down big time and it's a matter of time before they leave on their own accord...

[Paphitis]

Pay the rent or Zurich agreement - make your mind up !

You don't own the SBAs. The SBAs are leased to the UK and you have not been paying the rent.

Furthermore, under the 1960 Zurich Agreement, the UK has an obligation to protect and guarantee the sovereignty of Cyprus, and so far the UK has not kept its side of the bargain.

So the status of the SBAs is legally up in the air, and the RoC is able to challenge their status when it suits. Don't you forget that bozo.

[nigeyboy]

We're all over the place here aren't we. Are the bases closing because the MoD cannot afford to keep them or are the bases closing because Cyprus wants them back because the rent hasn't been paid or they've not done a good enough job of protecting Cyprus.

Please clarify ?

[Paphitis]

We're all over the place here aren't we. Are the bases closing because the MoD cannot afford to keep them or are the bases closing because Cyprus wants them back because the rent hasn't been paid or they've not done a good enough job of protecting Cyprus.

Please clarify ?

Wow, you are an illiterate aren't you?

Firstly, no one seriously stated that the SBAs are closing because the MoD can't afford them!

Secondly, the existence of the SBAs is only due to the fact that the RoC have allowed them to stay thus far, with outstanding rent since 1963 and despite the fact the UK has not kept its side of the bargain regarding Guarantees to the territorial integrity of the RoC.

So the future of the SBAs does hang in the balance unless you cough up all monies owed, and abide by the Zurich Agreement's Treaty of Guarantee.

[nigeyboy]

such an aggressive nature - i bet they loved you in the school debating society !

[ViperMMA]

my oh my.... and I thought the true cyprus problem was the "invasion" not the British Troops.

Without the intervention of the UK along with other forces Cyprus as you know it now or remembered it, may well have been a very different place to that which you are now residing.

If what you are saying is true then yes they should be made to pay their "rent" but to think that this country would be better off without the troops/british presence is very small minded, force the troops out and you will force away a good lot of commercialism and the holiday industry would also suffer. Who else is going to come here and pay for your over priced goods???

Sounds like your short term plans are pretty similar to the MoDs short term plans, in the short term it may seem like it is saving money but in the long run it will suffer.