Cyprus-Forum.com

[B25]

So the port is open. The GC side would like a package deal where a third party takes over the administration of the port, and hence opens it to legalised international traffic, and at the same time the closed city is open to its inhabitants.

Regardless of the acceptability of this proposal, the opening of the city would give the economy of the WHOLE island a boost of historic proportions. The surprising thing is not that the Turkish army will not let go the city, but the silence of TCs, the potential major beneficiaries of the rebuild.

It takes a special mindset to prefer the continued decay of an unused asset rather than the riches its use would bring. And we are not mentioning the tremendous gain of goodwill that such a move would bring about.

Now I am trying to think of the last time the economy of the island received a direct 10 billion dollar boost. Economist friends say that each dollar injected directly into an economy has a tenfold diffusion effect. The calculation is intriguing at a time when both sides are holding emergency economic policy meetings.

So, in exchange for opening a port which is already open, the TCs give the GCs Varosha? Not much of a deal. How about throwing Ercan into the equation?

How about throwing yourself in front of a bus you piece of shit.

Who the hell are you to be negotiating what we do with our own country.

Typical british scum getting their oar in when it is not wanted. Cheapskates like you are going to get your cummuppance sooner or later and I can't wait to be doing the giving in this respect.

Nikitas, why are you playing into the hands of these criminals, don't you see this is exactly what they want. Give them an open port and hey presto! recognition follows. We shouldn't be giving them an inch until they remove their troops, settlers and give back the legitimate owners their properties.

You play a dangerous game here, and it will lead to more trouble.

hade re, skepsou kala!

[Nikitas]

"So, in exchange for opening a port which is already open, the TCs give the GCs Varosha? Not much of a deal. How about throwing Ercan into the equation?"

VW,

The sentence in my post reads:

"Regardless of the acceptability of this proposal...."

So if we leave aside the "deal" the TCs stand to gain more from the reconstruction of Famagusta than the GCs. If you were not into idle debate and point scoring you would see this. The TCs will reap benefits in terms of port use, since the nearest is Famagusta that they control, they would be the bulk of the work force and would provide a major part of the professional services, and would do all this because the GCs are not enough to carry out the works involved. The fact that now 12000 TCs cross over and work in the south every day is evidence for the above.

The GCs would regain the city, but they have to finance the project both on the private and public level. The TCs would do nothing but earn salaries and profits from a city they do not use and which never belonged to them (read Thomson, 1878 for corroboration).

But like I said, it takes vision to realise a DECENT profit. It seems that most people are content to "develop" unspoilt and/or stolen land to sell to foreigners and fool themselves that they are making a profit.

[Nikitas]

B25,

I am provoking deliberately a situation which will not change. The Turkish mindset is firmly fixed and monolithic when it comes to negotiating territory. Whatever the politicians may say the army rules the situation and not one square inch of land will be returned unless there is pressure.

So do not worry, I am not the one weakening ranks.

But we must think in terms of the financial benefits that rebuilding a city and compare them to the degradation of virgin land and the loss of productive agricultural land that masquerades as "development" on both sides of the Green Line.

[B25]

B25,

I am provoking deliberately a situation which will not change. The Turkish mindset is firmly fixed and monolithic when it comes to negotiating territory. Whatever the politicians may say the army rules the situation and not one square inch of land will be returned unless there is pressure.

So do not worry, I am not the one weakening ranks.

But we must think in terms of the financial benefits that rebuilding a city and compare them to the degradation of virgin land and the loss of productive agricultural land that masquerades as "development" on both sides of the Green Line.

Entaxi, n'eisai kala

[Acikgoz]

So, when we read the long article, how many original ideas did you see?

I saw only 1, "The third proposal is to convene an international conference when within range of an agreement on the internal aspects of the Cyprus problem."

All others have been put forward before by Papadopulous. Note, the EU is no longer the carrot it once was.

[Nikitas]

Original ideas are those worked out by Cypriots for themselves. Rebuilding Famagusta is an original idea which would go a long way towards making the TC community financially independent of Turkey. Instead of seeing this side of the particular case, we are talking bazaar stuff, like "what will you give me for Famagusta". If that is the way to do it, then it would be fair to say have X thing for Famagusta and no more. All civil engineering contracts and construction then go to GC and Greek companies and partition is given another major boost.

Cypriot thinking at its best.

[Acikgoz]

Nikitas, unfortunately my faith in Cypriots (on both sides) is very shaky.

A bazaar is the only way when you have the forces and history of Cyprus. Even such an inconsequential issue such as J-Lo in the north that would not have harmed the economy of the south, so why do that, it is a power play. Logic for the greater good is far from the minds of average TCs and GCs - thank media, politicians and lawyers.

I know I sound like a broken record, but the only way forward is that paradigm shift in attitude that starts to focus on the reasons we should help each other rather than why we should hurt each other.

[Nikitas]

Acikogoz,

Sure, and to that I would add minimise the humiliation and the sense each side might have of getting a raw deal. And learn to avoid what in Greece is called "wooden tongue", the oft repeated cliches of politicians who try to sweeten reality with verbal mantras.

[Acikgoz]

Here, here

[cymart]

To be honest I cannot see how it would really make any practical difference if international direct flights to Ercan were allowed,assuming of course that Varosha is also opened at the same time in reciprocation:how many airlines would want to start flying there anwyay in addition to or instead of Larnaca,especially when there is a recession and most are facing financial problems?Obviously Turkish airlines and maybe some foreign charters but that would take time-meanwhile,the goodwill generated by the move on Varosha would have a springboard effect on resolving other aspects of the Cyprus problem,as Nikitas quite rightly suggested!But maybe that is the problem for those who don't want a change in the status-quo on both sides,including not just people like Hasan Baba on the road to the checkpoint, but also perhaps a few developers in Paphos and elsewhere???