Cyprus-Forum.com

[YFred]

Nato chief tells EU to reach security pact with Turkey

http://euobserver.com/13/30134

... Berlin, for instance, has already been voicing its concern with Greek and Turkish authorities to stop treating each other as if they were still at war over the divided island of Cyprus and cut down their defence budgets.

Greece spends more than any other EU member on its military, about €13.4 billion or 5.6 percent of GDP and has recently pledged to bring the figure down to three percent, but only if Turkey does the same...

No sense in comparing CYPRUS with Turkey when it comes to arms.

There you go again you are going to upset our patriots. They are very proud of their NG. They are very fast runners especially away from fighting.

[Get Real!]

I was giving a TC point of view to having minimal military on the north of the island which would require a position of minimal military concern from the south of the island.

We already know the selfish and shameless TC point of view… hundreds have confirmed it before you! But you don’t keep the loot unless you EARN it…

So perhaps we should only have in the north 11,000 military then everyone will be happy?

No deals! The CNG arms as it pleases and since you’ve sided with the enemy it’s none of your concern…

[Get Real!]

What they don't understand is what a waste of time it is to spend all this money on arms when they can't defend themselves.

At the very least, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time and firepower to turn Louroujina into glass!

[Paphitis]

There is not a single nation on this planet that is completely demilitarised. Even nation minnows such as Malta, Luxembourg, and Iceland boast Armed Forces. Cyprus just has more reason to require an adequate defence since it is under occupation.

And even of it were not under occupation, an Armed Service is still necessary and a fundamental sovereign right. A CNG of 11,000 is certainly no Geopolitical threat to either Turkey or Israel. It is purely a Defensive Force, and defence is our right as an independent nation!

[YFred]

What they don't understand is what a waste of time it is to spend all this money on arms when they can't defend themselves.

At the very least, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time and firepower to turn Louroujina into glass!

When you finish playing with your joystick, clean the mess afterwards dear boy.

There is all sorts of stupidity in the world but yours is impossible to classify. You should be certified.

Lets face it, you have very expensive equipment just sitting there rusting till they go past their use-by date and you have to buy some more.

How stupid can you get. The stupidometer has gone off the scale as you started posting.

[Acikgoz]

I understand all the arguments presented, I just wanted to give feedback to Nikitas on a rather sensible question he posed and to relay info I wasn't aware of as to the magnitude of increase in military expenditure.
I personally don't see the reason for such a large presence in the north, though one is required at least as a deterent. I'd assume calls for a reduction rather than an outright removal would probably be received better with greater likelihood of succes.

[Paphitis]

Let's face it. A 21% increase for the RoC is still a miniscule amount in terms of value, as compared to an 18% increase for the RoT.

[BirKibrisli]

YFred has asked a very sensible question....What is the point of having an armed force which cannot possibly defend the country against their "arch-enemy"????Imagine,just imagine the impact on the UN,the EU and the world public opinion if RoC declared they would abolish the CNG sell all their military equipment,and spend the defence budget on measures to improve trust ,understanding,and respect between all Cypriots...I know,I know,pigs will fly before that happens ,but,wouldn't that give us a better chance of a peaceful and lasting solution than preparing for a war RoC cannot possibly win????

[Acikgoz]

Yes it is, Turkey has however more open fronts than Cyprus.
Cypurs military spending per capita $500, Turkey $200.

But surely the increase in spending, outside the justification a sovereign nation can do what it wants, is a head scratcher given the economic cost for zero return in these trying times.
Unfortunately when times are difficult economically the knee jerk reaction is one of protectionism and pride building rather than pragmatic (less emotive) steps that alleviate the pressures.

[Paphitis]

Cyprus has CNG numbering some 11,000 and does not want to have anymore open fronts other than the defence of Cyprus alone. Cyprus is not a threat to anyone, and our Defence Force is of vital importance whilst under occupation, and our Defence Force is a fundamental sovereign right after liberation.