Cyprus-Forum.com

[Malapapa]

For comment, wider dissemination and use...


Dear Sir or Madam

Cypriot rights

We note that your organisation has business interests in the self-styled ‘TRNC’ in the northern part of Cyprus.

You may know that the entire island of Cyprus is legally the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, though it does not have effective control of the ‘TRNC’ area as a result of illegal invasion, occupation and settlement by Turkey.

Some 200,000 Cypriots were displaced from the ‘TRNC’ area by Turkey’s actions in violation of their human and property rights.

You may also know that recent rulings of the European Court of Justice and the UK Court of Appeal in the high profile Orams case have affirmed that judgments of the courts of the Republic of Cyprus over its entire territory, including the ‘TRNC’ area, are enforceable in the UK and other EU countries.

Perhaps inadvertently, your organisation, by operating in the ‘TRNC’, may be infringing property rights of displaced Cypriots, who own the vast majority of property there. This means you may be liable to the rightful Cypriot owners for trespass, back-rent, restitution and damages under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. In line with the Orams case, any judgment against you in a Republic of Cyprus court is enforceable against your assets across the EU.

You may very well be fully aware of all this, and even now be considering what action you should take to protect the interests and reputation of your organisation.

Nevertheless, as members of the Cyprus Forum, we thought it important to ensure that relevant parties with an interest in Cyprus remain suitably educated about the island, its people and their rights.

Yours faithfully

Cyprus Forum members

[Gasman]

Didn't the RoC Govt already try to do something about HSBC in the past? At the time when HSBC bought out the Bank over there? I am sure I read that somewhere.

[bill cobbett]

Eeseh chakkos reh Mala. Ela nah seh phileesoh!

The other that springs to mind is the US Hawthorn (Estates?) which has fingers in a couple of large development pies along the north coast.

[Gasman]

Wasn't the Government, but here's what I read:

"When HSBC bought out Turkish Demirbank in 2002 and they announced they were opening branches in N. Cyprus, a senior manager from the GC central bank went to London to pressure the British Financial Services Authority to stop HSBC's operations in the north, but this one protest the greeks did not win. And they are still protesting about it"

[Malapapa]

Eeseh chakkos reh Mala. Ela nah seh phileesoh!

Thanks... but I can't take the credit. I have a team of top-notch international legal and financial strategic experts advising me.

The other that springs to mind is the US Hawthorn (Estates?) which has fingers in a couple of large development pies along the north coast.

We must compile an email list and start bombarding them...

[Malapapa]

Wasn't the Government, but here's what I read:

"When HSBC bought out Turkish Demirbank in 2002 and they announced they were opening branches in N. Cyprus, a senior manager from the GC central bank went to London to pressure the British Financial Services Authority to stop HSBC's operations in the north, but this one protest the greeks did not win. And they are still protesting about it"

The rules have changed now, though. HSBC stand to lose shed loads...

[Gasman]

I understood Medview is registered in the UK. They've sold shedloads of property over there. Isn't Ali Safa in the UK too?

[Malapapa]

Here we go....

http://www.cypyp.com/yellowg.htm

GR! Do you know the best way to send a mass email on behalf of CF members once the wording is agreed?

[Mikiko]

You must be joking

[Hermes]

On the subject, don't forget the UK-based Lewis Trust Group (LTG). See here for details of their investments in Karpasia:

http://www.lobbyforcyprus.org/press/pre ... anddev.htm

LTG is an investment company that operates retail stores, real estate, a wealth management company, and hotels. The company's 300 River Island retail stores are geared toward young people, while its Cavendish Asset Management arm attracts a more mature crowd. The group's real estate unit has more than 300 million sq. ft. under management in the UK and US. Lewis Trust Group's hotel operation comprises more than 20 hotels in Israel and Spain. The Lewis family owns a large majority of the company; Managing Director Bernard Lewis holds the biggest chunk.

I'm sure our lawyers are on the case.