Cyprus-Forum.com

[Mills Chapman]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed already, but if the UNFICYP forces were going to be increased if the Annan Plan had passed, why not just

a) bring the UNFICYP troops to the Turkish bases (as well as along the line) regardless of whether there has been a political settlement
b) open up a few UNFICYP stations in all towns and villages of the north
c) ask the Turkish troops to fully withdraw
d) and then keep the UNFICYP troops there in those places for the next ten years while waiting for the already cooled tensions to drop even further (before designing some form of TC or mixed Cypriot force)?

It's sort of like Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark in the first scene. Replace the solid-gold head on the mantle with a sack of sand that weighs an equal amount and then run like hell out of there before poision darts come at you along with a quickly moving boulder the size of a truck.

What is it that Turkish troops would do in the local neighborhoods for the TCs that UNFICYP troops wouldn't do? Do folks think that UNFICYP would be less vigilant? Wouldn't this satisfy the GCs a great deal while still making the TCs feel secure? Do Turkish troops walk a regular beat around a designated neighborhood at night?

[Agios Amvrosios]

Sounds good Mills & Boone. Do we get our homes back. If the answer is yes I'll sign.

I don't think that the Turkish Army would sign they are in Cyprus primarily for ethnic cleansing/expansionist purposes.

[Mills Chapman]

Agios,

Thanks for responding. I respect your strong feelings about getting the homes back in the North, but think of this as a preliminary confidence-building step. I'm not talking about properties at all (for the time being) but just the substitution of UNFICYP troops for wherever the Turkish troops in the North might be right now.

I know GCs would prefer this substitution, but I'm mainly concerned with how TCs would feel if, down the street from their houses, there were a couple of troops from Argentina and Bangladesh than from the Turkish mainland. Add to this scenario that the UNFICYP troops are given the same exact instructions that the Turkish troops might be given now (I'm speculating here, but "shoot to kill, if necessary, etc."). If I'm correct, UNFICYP troops stood by while a lot of nasty stuff occurred a couple of decades ago, so hence the need for the same instructions that Turkish troops have been given.

(By the way, this has no connection to my schooling idea. I'm just curious about this.) - Mills

[erolz]

I know GCs would prefer this substitution, but I'm mainly concerned with how TCs would feel if, down the street from their houses, there were a couple of troops from Argentina and Bangladesh than from the Turkish mainland. Add to this scenario that the UNFICYP troops are given the same exact instructions that the Turkish troops might be given now (I'm speculating here, but "shoot to kill, if necessary, etc."). If I'm correct, UNFICYP troops stood by while a lot of nasty stuff occurred a couple of decades ago, so hence the need for the same instructions that Turkish troops have been given.

I think we would have concerns based on our communal experience of the failure of UN forces to protect us in the past. I also serioulsy doubt that the UN would or could authorise such a mandate to UN troops.

I understand your idea and think the principles are sound (liked the raiders analogy btw). I am just not sure that it could be implemented by the UN and even if it could that there is sufficent 'trust' for UN forces in the TC community

[Mills Chapman]

This makes sense to me. I can see the UN being reluctant to give such severe commands, and thus I can also see the anxiety level go up on the TC side. Case closed. Thanks for the response, Erolz. - M

[Dhavlos]

Earlier people were talking about a Cypriot army, the pro/cons and whether there should be one,
but what if, instead of an army, there was an extension of the police force, like riot police or something, that were specifically trained in the event of an invasion etc.

sort of like a semi-army/police force/ or like the TA(territorial army) in the UK.

Does that sound unrealistic? or could it actually work?

[Mills Chapman]

While not taking away any possible responses to what Dhavlos asked, I am now wondering if the Turkish military presence on Cyprus could be replaced by a Turkish Cypriot police force for as long as need be, where to be included one had to be born in Cyprus. Though comprised of Turkish Cypriots, the force would be trained by the Turkish army and supplied with relevant eqipment for a top-notch police force (weapons, crimefighting, etc.). Every single one of the non-Cypriot Turkish military personnel would then leave the island. Then, after a designated number of years have passed, the police force could be integrated.

The Turkish military would have the right to intervene in the North before a settlement should a paramilitary GC group venture onto that side and cause too much of a headache for the TC police force (but only in this scenario.) Do folks from both sides think this could be a good step without a settlement? What does the Turkish military provide to the TCs that an omnipresent Turkish Cypriot police force could not?

[muallim]

]What does the Turkish military provide to the TCs that an omnipresent Turkish Cypriot police force could not?

We no longer fear for our lives under the safety of the Turkish flag.On the Turkshs soldiers that protect our sovereignty. The Turkish Cpriot live a democratic and normal life.) TC Police force will not strong enough to protect TC sovereignt.I believe both community has not gain enought trust to live together,but side by side will do until trust gain again.

[Piratis]

On the Turkshs soldiers that protect our sovereignty.

What sovereignty???

I believe both community has not gain enought trust to live together,but side by side will do until trust gain again.

And how will trust be gained when the illegalities and the violations of human rights continue?

[sadik]

Since the world is not an ideal place and everyone else has military, we should also consider having a TC/GC mixed Cypriot military force. The military should entirely be composed of professionals. This military force will probably have a very small deterring effect against an invasion, but it can make us feel more like a nation, where both communities will fight side by side in case of a threat. A military force will also make it possible for us to have a say in the European defense system and take part in alliances and international peace keeping operations. This will increase the political power of the united Cyprus.