Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged all sides in Cyprus to show “huge courage” in the settlement negotiations.

“It will require bold leadership and a spirit of compromise,” Brown said after a meeting in London with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “but I believe that progress is being made. I applaud the leadership being shown by both leaders. But the parties must now maintain that momentum and turn the dream of peace into a reality for all the people of Cyprus.”


Brown also said he has long been a supports of Turkey’s EU accession. “I was able to confirm to the Prime Minister that my position remains as firm as ever. I have said that Europe will benefit from the cultural, the economic and political strengths that Turkey will bring to Europe’s top table and that the reform process led by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Erdogan, will remove the remaining obstacles to accession negotiations and therefore I look forward to working with Turkey as a trusted European partner,” said Brown.


Erdogan said he and his British counterpart had discussed Cyprus among many issues. “We discussed what we can do to find the way towards a solution of the problem in Cyprus. And this was important because of the fact that the UK happens to be also one of the three guarantor countries when it comes to Cyprus,” the Turkish Prime Minister said.

[paliometoxo]

when will they stop will all this urges crap and do something?:/

[georgios100]

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged all sides in Cyprus to show “huge courage” in the settlement negotiations.

“It will require bold leadership and a spirit of compromise,” Brown said after a meeting in London with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “but I believe that progress is being made. I applaud the leadership being shown by both leaders. But the parties must now maintain that momentum and turn the dream of peace into a reality for all the people of Cyprus.”


Brown also said he has long been a supports of Turkey’s EU accession. “I was able to confirm to the Prime Minister that my position remains as firm as ever. I have said that Europe will benefit from the cultural, the economic and political strengths that Turkey will bring to Europe’s top table and that the reform process led by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Erdogan, will remove the remaining obstacles to accession negotiations and therefore I look forward to working with Turkey as a trusted European partner,” said Brown.


Erdogan said he and his British counterpart had discussed Cyprus among many issues. “We discussed what we can do to find the way towards a solution of the problem in Cyprus. And this was important because of the fact that the UK happens to be also one of the three guarantor countries when it comes to Cyprus,” the Turkish Prime Minister said.

The UK is not a guarantor but an occupier. The only guaranty the UK kept is the SBAs status to remain in Cyprus. If Brown really wants to help out, he should order the dismantling of the bases in a prompt time frame. No more talking Mr Brown, just do what is right for a change. Thousands of displaced Cypriots can use the 92 square kms of the SBAs. In addition, UK must pay approx 1 billion Euros in back rent since 1964 plus interest.

Georgios100

[paliometoxo]

do you think uk will give anything to cyprus? never

[paliometoxo]

BRITISH base authorities are planning to axe 166 civilian and military jobs in what will be first major lay-off by the Ministry of Defence in Cyprus.
The announcement puts an end to months of speculation about plans to streamline bases operations, which costs the UK government over £300 million a year to maintain.
The MOD said that most jobs will likely go by the end of this year, adding that it proposes to consult with staff and trade unions about the cuts within weeks.
The move is not connected to British government attempts to dig deeper for a fresh round of savings in the defence sector after a budget overspill of £6 billion.
Bases spokesman Stuart Bardsley confirmed that jobs would be lost at both Dhekelia and Akrotiri bases, with the deepest cuts being felt in the engineering and logistics sector.
“In order to create efficiency and remain within our allocated budget we have to do things differently and as with any other business the majority of our budget is spent on salaries,” he said.
Bardsley told the Cyprus Mail that job losses would be kept to a minimum and “sensitively handled” in accordance with employment regulations.
For locally employed staff, a preference exercise will also be conducted offering alternative employment, if suitable job opportunities can be found - or an early release package.
Military personnel numbers will be adjusted through an evaluation of the length of their postings to Cyprus.
Cyprus is currently home to about 3,500 soldiers and employs over 1,000 civilians, with Akrotiri being the largest RAF base outside the UK.
The redundancy announcement follows on the heels of a series of unpopular widespread spending cuts on the bases which saw budgets for cleaning, house maintenance and school transport being slashed.
Speculation has been rife that the future of Dhekelia hangs in the balance after press reports have claimed the eastern base will be shut down after a Strategic Defence Review later this year.
With a series of sweeping changes being predicted in the review, it’s thought that Cyprus has already been earmarked for the biggest cuts.
It is understood that closing the sprawling Dhekelia base would save £100m sterling a year.
Cyprus is used by British troops as a forward post, with a battalion of infantry stationed here as reinforcements for Afghanistan, and troops returning from the front line are posted to Akrotiri for rest and recuperation between operations.
The Ministry of Defence has acknowledged that it faces financial challenges, but noted the Treasury has already pledged that not a penny will be cut from the budget this year.
However it said “it is not possible to give a meaningful assessment beyond 2010-2011 as future spending plans have not yet been set.”

[RichardB]

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged all sides in Cyprus to show “huge courage” in the settlement negotiations.

“It will require bold leadership and a spirit of compromise,” Brown said after a meeting in London with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “but I believe that progress is being made. I applaud the leadership being shown by both leaders. But the parties must now maintain that momentum and turn the dream of peace into a reality for all the people of Cyprus.”


Brown also said he has long been a supports of Turkey’s EU accession. “I was able to confirm to the Prime Minister that my position remains as firm as ever. I have said that Europe will benefit from the cultural, the economic and political strengths that Turkey will bring to Europe’s top table and that the reform process led by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Erdogan, will remove the remaining obstacles to accession negotiations and therefore I look forward to working with Turkey as a trusted European partner,” said Brown.


Erdogan said he and his British counterpart had discussed Cyprus among many issues. “We discussed what we can do to find the way towards a solution of the problem in Cyprus. And this was important because of the fact that the UK happens to be also one of the three guarantor countries when it comes to Cyprus,” the Turkish Prime Minister said.

The UK is not a guarantor but an occupier. The only guaranty the UK kept is the SBAs status to remain in Cyprus. If Brown really wants to help out, he should order the dismantling of the bases in a prompt time frame. No more talking Mr Brown, just do what is right for a change. Thousands of displaced Cypriots can use the 92 square kms of the SBAs. In addition, UK must pay approx 1 billion Euros in back rent since 1964 plus interest.

Georgios100

Georgios whilst agreeing with your sentiments re the SBAs (BTW have you seen the article in the Cy Mail link at the bottom of the forum homepage) The issues of the Cy prob and the SBAs are 2 different issues.
Each one can and should be solved without being entwined with the other.

Must say i agree with Palios post re quit urging and more action

[georgios100]

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged all sides in Cyprus to show “huge courage” in the settlement negotiations.

“It will require bold leadership and a spirit of compromise,” Brown said after a meeting in London with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “but I believe that progress is being made. I applaud the leadership being shown by both leaders. But the parties must now maintain that momentum and turn the dream of peace into a reality for all the people of Cyprus.”


Brown also said he has long been a supports of Turkey’s EU accession. “I was able to confirm to the Prime Minister that my position remains as firm as ever. I have said that Europe will benefit from the cultural, the economic and political strengths that Turkey will bring to Europe’s top table and that the reform process led by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Erdogan, will remove the remaining obstacles to accession negotiations and therefore I look forward to working with Turkey as a trusted European partner,” said Brown.


Erdogan said he and his British counterpart had discussed Cyprus among many issues. “We discussed what we can do to find the way towards a solution of the problem in Cyprus. And this was important because of the fact that the UK happens to be also one of the three guarantor countries when it comes to Cyprus,” the Turkish Prime Minister said.

The UK is not a guarantor but an occupier. The only guaranty the UK kept is the SBAs status to remain in Cyprus. If Brown really wants to help out, he should order the dismantling of the bases in a prompt time frame. No more talking Mr Brown, just do what is right for a change. Thousands of displaced Cypriots can use the 92 square kms of the SBAs. In addition, UK must pay approx 1 billion Euros in back rent since 1964 plus interest.

Georgios100

Georgios whilst agreeing with your sentiments re the SBAs (BTW have you seen the article in the Cy Mail link at the bottom of the forum homepage) The issues of the Cy prob and the SBAs are 2 different issues.
Each one can and should be solved without being entwined with the other.

Must say i agree with Palios post re quit urging and more action[/quote}



The SBAs are another issue, I agree. We can deal with multiple issues at the same time. I endorse the positive news about shutting down Dhekelia, a step forward from the UK. The Akrotiri SBA still remains to be dealt with.

The Cyprob & SBA are indirectly connected. If we are to assume Dhekelia is closed, this huge oceanfront area could be used to provide some relief to the thousands of displaced Cypriots in a form of financial compensation or land re-assignment. As you know, the property issue of CYprob is a sticky one. It is well understood that not all GCs or TCs will get their land back. Using the SBA lands as a countermeasure could facilitate the property issue.

I posted several threads on this forum about the removal of the SBAs. The latest news from the UK (possible closure of Dhekelia) should be taken seriously. This opening is finally here. I propose to draft a statement between all CF members (or the ones that agree) and file it to the SBA authority in Cyprus. The statement would demand the immediate closure of Dhekelia base and a review of a possible reduction of the Akrotiri base.

I invite all members of CF to contribute all they can. I am not asking for donations. Just a verbal "YES" to the proposed statement.

Georgios100

[B25]

Georgios, I think you will find that, the report that palio has posted is out dated. I believe others reports by the MoD have since been announced that dhekelia is staying put.

Wishful thinking on your part I'm afraid.

[Acikgoz]

do you think uk will give anything to cyprus? never

I have to agree with you on this, although a few more years of poor government they may have to. Difference with Gibralta is that it is self-sustaining in comparison

[Gasman]

when will they stop will all this urges crap and do something?:/

Do WHAT exactly?

On the one hand you want to be independent but seem to also want 'outsiders' to solve the problems.

Is it because that's what Cyprus is used to?

I mean we had Oracle fantasising about some 'EU Army' coming in to sort the Turks out!

Of course GB would say he 'urges both sides' - I am sure leaders of every other country would say the same. I am also sure Protocol prohibits them from saying what they might really think.

I do agree it will require courage and compromise. It's whether either leader has the guts and can convince their people that they will have to accept 'compromise' and maybe some hardship too.