Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

In 1990 a major development was an initiative by the Secretary-General to provide a more elaborate definition of the concept of bi-zonality in his 8 March 1990 report to the Council. In it he also raised the concept of political equality. (The report was subsequently endorsed by the Council in resolution 716 of 11 October 1991.) It said:

“The political equality of the two communities in and the bi-communal nature of the federation need to be acknowledged. While political equality does not mean equal numerical participation in all federal government branches and administration, it should be reflected inter alia in various ways: in the requirement that the federal constitution of the State of Cyprus be approved or amended with the concurrence of both communities; in the effective participation of both communities in all organs and decisions of the federal Government in safeguards to ensure that the federal Government will not be empowered to adopt any measures against the interests of one community; and in the equality and identical powers and functions of the two federated States.” “The bi-zonality of the federation should be clearly brought out by the fact that each federated State will be administered by one community which will be firmly guaranteed a clear majority of the population and of the land ownership in its area.” (S/21183, Annex I)

http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/site/c.glKWLeMTIsG/b.4474149/k.DEB5/Special_Research_Report_No_3brCyprus_New_hope_after_45_years_on_the_Security_Council_agendabr4_September_2008.htm


Do you agree that what described above as "political equality of 2 communities" is what you have in your minds as "political equality of 2 communities"?

If no, please explain what you have in your mind as a realistic and viable alternative to the one described above...

[Piratis]

I have no problem with the above as long as the TC state is no more than the 9% of the island. This is the only way to ensure that the TCs will be the majority and have the majority of land ownership of that state without violating the human rights of Greek Cypriots.

[Omer Seyhan]

In 1990 a major development was an initiative by the Secretary-General to provide a more elaborate definition of the concept of bi-zonality in his 8 March 1990 report to the Council. In it he also raised the concept of political equality. (The report was subsequently endorsed by the Council in resolution 716 of 11 October 1991.) It said:

“The political equality of the two communities in and the bi-communal nature of the federation need to be acknowledged. While political equality does not mean equal numerical participation in all federal government branches and administration, it should be reflected inter alia in various ways: in the requirement that the federal constitution of the State of Cyprus be approved or amended with the concurrence of both communities; in the effective participation of both communities in all organs and decisions of the federal Government in safeguards to ensure that the federal Government will not be empowered to adopt any measures against the interests of one community; and in the equality and identical powers and functions of the two federated States.” “The bi-zonality of the federation should be clearly brought out by the fact that each federated State will be administered by one community which will be firmly guaranteed a clear majority of the population and of the land ownership in its area.” (S/21183, Annex I)

http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/site/c.glKWLeMTIsG/b.4474149/k.DEB5/Special_Research_Report_No_3brCyprus_New_hope_after_45_years_on_the_Security_Council_agendabr4_September_2008.htm


Do you agree that what described above as "political equality of 2 communities" is what you have in your minds as "political equality of 2 communities"?

If no, please explain what you have in your mind as a realistic and viable alternative to the one described above...

Are you calling an early referendum?

How about having time to campaign and sell the idea?

[Omer Seyhan]

I have no problem with the above as long as the TC state is no more than the 9% of the island. This is the only way to ensure that the TCs will be the majority and have the majority of land ownership of that state without violating the human rights of Greek Cypriots.

How did you arrive at 9%?

[Piratis]

I have no problem with the above as long as the TC state is no more than the 9% of the island. This is the only way to ensure that the TCs will be the majority and have the majority of land ownership of that state without violating the human rights of Greek Cypriots.

How did you arrive at 9%?

Rough estimate of a single unified territory where TCs are the majority and own most of the land. Maybe it is even less. If TCs want more territory (up to 17.5% - which is the amount of land the own) then the solution should be multi-zonal and not bi-zonal.

How can you have bi-zonal federation with a TC state covering 29% of land and within which state the TCs will be the majority of the population and own the majority of land without violating the human rights of GCs? This is not possible.

[Get Real!]

“The political equality of the two communities in and the bi-communal nature of the federation need to be acknowledged. While political equality does not mean equal numerical participation in all federal government branches and administration, it should be reflected inter alia in various ways: in the requirement that the federal constitution of the State of Cyprus be approved or amended with the concurrence of both communities; in the effective participation of both communities in all organs and decisions of the federal Government in safeguards to ensure that the federal Government will not be empowered to adopt any measures against the interests of one community; and in the equality and identical powers and functions of the two federated States.” “The bi-zonality of the federation should be clearly brought out by the fact that each federated State will be administered by one community which will be firmly guaranteed a clear majority of the population and of the land ownership in its area.” (S/21183, Annex I)

Absolute rubbish! That is NOT what political equality means…

http://thecyprusproblem.100webspace.net ... icle20.htm

[Omer Seyhan]

I have no problem with the above as long as the TC state is no more than the 9% of the island. This is the only way to ensure that the TCs will be the majority and have the majority of land ownership of that state without violating the human rights of Greek Cypriots.

How did you arrive at 9%?

Rough estimate of a single unified territory where TCs are the majority and own most of the land. Maybe it is even less. If TCs want more territory (up to 17.5% - which is the amount of land the own) then the solution should be multi-zonal and not bi-zonal.

How can you have bi-zonal federation with a TC state covering 29% of land and within which state the TCs will be the majority of the population and own the majority of land without violating the human rights of GCs? This is not possible.

You mean federal zones?

And how many settlers do you think there are? And of that figure how many will realistically remain?

[Omer Seyhan]

“The political equality of the two communities in and the bi-communal nature of the federation need to be acknowledged. While political equality does not mean equal numerical participation in all federal government branches and administration, it should be reflected inter alia in various ways: in the requirement that the federal constitution of the State of Cyprus be approved or amended with the concurrence of both communities; in the effective participation of both communities in all organs and decisions of the federal Government in safeguards to ensure that the federal Government will not be empowered to adopt any measures against the interests of one community; and in the equality and identical powers and functions of the two federated States.” “The bi-zonality of the federation should be clearly brought out by the fact that each federated State will be administered by one community which will be firmly guaranteed a clear majority of the population and of the land ownership in its area.” (S/21183, Annex I)

Absolute rubbish! That is NOT what political equality means…

http://thecyprusproblem.100webspace.net ... icle20.htm

Thanks for the link, but I can't see anything on political equality on the page. It is a blank page.

[Get Real!]

“The political equality of the two communities in and the bi-communal nature of the federation need to be acknowledged. While political equality does not mean equal numerical participation in all federal government branches and administration, it should be reflected inter alia in various ways: in the requirement that the federal constitution of the State of Cyprus be approved or amended with the concurrence of both communities; in the effective participation of both communities in all organs and decisions of the federal Government in safeguards to ensure that the federal Government will not be empowered to adopt any measures against the interests of one community; and in the equality and identical powers and functions of the two federated States.” “The bi-zonality of the federation should be clearly brought out by the fact that each federated State will be administered by one community which will be firmly guaranteed a clear majority of the population and of the land ownership in its area.” (S/21183, Annex I)

Absolute rubbish! That is NOT what political equality means…

http://thecyprusproblem.100webspace.net ... icle20.htm

Thanks for the link, but I can't see anything on political equality on the page. It is a blank page.

Sorry, there are tech issues with my website when viewed from alternative browsers...

What is “Political Equality”?


The Harvard University report titled…“POLITICAL EQUALITY: WHAT IS IT? WHY DO WE WANT IT?” …has the following explanation for the phrase “Political Equality”:



“By political equality we refer to the extent to which citizens have an equal voice over governmental decisions. One of the bedrock principles in a democracy is the equal consideration of the preferences and interests of all citizens. This is expressed in such principles as one-person/one-vote, equality before the law, and equal rights of free speech. Equal consideration of the preferences and needs of all citizens is fostered by equal political activity among citizens; not only equal voting turnout across significant categories of citizens but equality in other forms of activity..”



http://www.russellsage.org/programs/mai ... 16.180549/



Another report by the Fordham University has this to say on “Political Equality”:



“While, a full consideration of the meaning of “political equality” is an enormously complex task, few would dispute that political equality includes the right and ability of every citizen, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or economic circumstance to freely participate in political affairs through communicating ideas, organizing, and choosing leaders.”



http://www.fordham.edu/politicalsci/pro ... 20Tien.pdf





It is clear from the reports above that “Political Equality” does NOT refer to a specific group of people within a country having special rights over the rest but quite the opposite… it refers to ALL citizens having the EXACT SAME RIGHTS via a one-person/one-vote system!



The Turkish Cypriot leadership has long been abusing the democratic phrase “Political Equality” by requesting that a specific group of Cypriot citizens, and namely the “Turkish Cypriots”, be set aside based on their ethnic background and religion to receive favorable political influence in Cyprus at the expense of the remaining Cypriot citizens, and falsely calling this notion “Political Equality”!



The truth is that such a measure would equate to Political INEQUALITY of all Cypriot citizens outside the favored group and in contravention of democracy and their human rights. If the Turkish Cypriots had any respect for ethnic minorities or even for their interpretation of “political equality”, this is what they would have proposed for the House of Representatives…

20% Turkish Cypriots

20% Greek Cypriots

20% British Cypriots

20% Armenian Cypriots

20% Maronite Cypriots



100% Total


Regards, GR.

[bill cobbett]

Leaving aside questions of land ownership ratio for a mo don't have a problem with the SG's interpretation of BBF above in the OP.... BUT in the 30 years since, this interpretation has been modified and modified on several occasions, to such an extent that today the minority population, people like the Born Again Turkish Nationalists Halil and Bir, both keen to hang on to all the spoils of war, are wet-dreaming that BBF is now a confederation where the partitionist apartheid ways of the past 36 years can continue and indeed be legitimised.