Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

the British bases, because of their geographic position, have the potential of offering a world platform from which Cypriots can demonstrate their willingness to apply military strength for the betterment of Humanity. like the non-alligned movement, a middle way can be found so that by an alliance those caught between adversaries have a voice. hunger, disease, ignorance and natural disaster are greater enemies where soldiers fulfill a duty we are greatful for.

...supramilitarising, if you will, secures us from external threat.

Sorry RP! I will have to disagree.

This has been our biggest downfall in the past and will again be our downfall in the future.!

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

There, we will also find an acceptable Guarantor for our fragile Republic whilst doing away with both Greece, and Turkey.

[repulsewarrior]

the British bases, because of their geographic position, have the potential of offering a world platform from which Cypriots can demonstrate their willingness to apply military strength for the betterment of Humanity. like the non-alligned movement, a middle way can be found so that by an alliance those caught between adversaries have a voice. hunger, disease, ignorance and natural disaster are greater enemies where soldiers fulfill a duty we are greatful for.

...supramilitarising, if you will, secures us from external threat.

Sorry RP! I will have to disagree.

This has been our biggest downfall in the past and will again be our downfall in the future.!

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

There, we will also find an acceptable Guarantor for our fragile Republic whilst doing away with both Greece, and Turkey.

sorry Paphitis, i think you are agreeing with me, if not the British who else will join us when the bases are ours and not theirs. what better way for them to remain ours if they, as you say Nato, has us as a mamber.

i don't like the idea, frankly, first chance likely there will be WMD's here.

but with a more visionary stance, the PR may be tempting, troops that are doctors and engineers suited for tasks which need armed forces.

[observer]

Paphitis wrote

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

I'd have thought that developing a very close alliance with Israel and being the mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria would make you distrusted by just about everyone.

[miltiades]

The greatest historical event of Cyprus has been its entry into the EU , an equally great historical event will be membership of NATO , an alliance with Israel , and a concerted drive to remove from Cyprus the Arab mentality , take GR for example , against the USA , against NATO , against Israel , PRO Taliban , PRO Iran , PRO Hamas , PRO ANYONE WHO HATES THE WEST .
This frame of mind is widespread in Cyprus and it is time its challenged and changed. We need to put the interests of Cyprus above all else , that means above what is perceived unjust or expansionist.
Cyprus as a NATO member with NATO forces based in Cyprus alongside the British ones would be UNTOUCHABLE by ANY invader , but we need commitment. I recall Makarios rejecting a request for USA bases in Cyprus because he said it would introduce ....prostitution and ...drugs to Cyprus !!!!

[Paphitis]

Paphitis wrote

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

I'd have thought that developing a very close alliance with Israel and being the mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria would make you distrusted by just about everyone.

Only in your very simplistic mind!

How Ironic it must be for you, in your one dimensional mind, that it is in fact Israel's biggest supporter who is also Israel's biggest critic in terms of building more and more settlements in the West Bank whilst it pushes for a 2 State solution. How ironic it must be that Israel's biggest enemy who wants to obliterate Israel's very existence holds absolutely no sway and absolutely no influence on most countries and only serves to complicate and make things far worse for the Palestinians and their very people!

At the end of the day, it is the US who is the better mouthpiece for the Palestinians. If the RoC has very close ties with Israel, then it is better placed to give its constructive criticism, and the Israeli's would be very receptive.

It is a far too complex world, and I don't blame you for your very simplistic outlook!

[All4114All]

Paphitis wrote

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

I'd have thought that developing a very close alliance with Israel and being the mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria would make you distrusted by just about everyone.

Only in your very simplistic mind!

How Ironic it must be for you, in your one dimensional mind, that it is in fact Israel's biggest supporter who is also Israel's biggest critic in terms of building more and more settlements in the West Bank whilst it pushes for a 2 State solution. How ironic it must be that Israel's biggest enemy who wants to obliterate Israel's very existence holds absolutely no sway and absolutely no influence on most countries and only serves to complicate and make things far worse for the Palestinians and their very people!

At the end of the day, it is the US who is the better mouthpiece for the Palestinians. If the RoC has very close ties with Israel, then it is better placed to give its constructive criticism, and the Israeli's would be very receptive.

It is a far too complex world, and I don't blame you for your very simplistic outlook!

There are already too many foreign powers with mouthpieces on the Cyprus issue I don't think it will be wise to bring another foreign power to the table especially Israel and it's stand in the world at the moment to complicate things even more.

Let's look at it from another angle if the RoC did have close ties with Israel as you suggest for strategic reason given the relationship between Turkey and Israel over the last few months not sure what the road ahead will come too.

Could be a dangerous proposal for all.

[Paphitis]

the British bases, because of their geographic position, have the potential of offering a world platform from which Cypriots can demonstrate their willingness to apply military strength for the betterment of Humanity. like the non-alligned movement, a middle way can be found so that by an alliance those caught between adversaries have a voice. hunger, disease, ignorance and natural disaster are greater enemies where soldiers fulfill a duty we are greatful for.

...supramilitarising, if you will, secures us from external threat.

Sorry RP! I will have to disagree.

This has been our biggest downfall in the past and will again be our downfall in the future.!

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

There, we will also find an acceptable Guarantor for our fragile Republic whilst doing away with both Greece, and Turkey.

sorry Paphitis, i think you are agreeing with me, if not the British who else will join us when the bases are ours and not theirs. what better way for them to remain ours if they, as you say Nato, has us as a mamber.

i don't like the idea, frankly, first chance likely there will be WMD's here.

but with a more visionary stance, the PR may be tempting, troops that are doctors and engineers suited for tasks which need armed forces.

We are cursed since we are located in one of the most volatile and Strategic significant positions in the world. We exist in a very bad neighborhood, and things change and escalate rapidly. Yet we are a tiny and small nation, which is no threat to anyone within the region, and our focus is on liberating, and establishing a very viable, stable, and prosperous Republic for all its citizens which are Greek or Turkish speaking, under the combined umbrella of the EU, PfP, and even NATO. As such I always advocate for a very capable Armed Service which will protect our sovereign interests. We shouldn't have to do this in a perfect world, but this world is far from perfect and we Cypriots know this more than most.

Also, I am not pleased about the presence of the British SBAs, because we have little or no benefit from their presence. However, they too can remain, with a lesser footprint once the British relinquish some of their sovereignty, and retain only vital areas. And why shouldn't the RoC have a vested interest in activities within those British SBAs? There is absolutely no reason why these SBAs should not also be there to assist with the defence and security of the RoC and there is absolutely no reason why we can't become a part of the vast spy network known as Echelon which involves many other nations. Information is power, and whilst most collected data may not interest us specifically, some may very well be of critical importance. We should be insisting that these SBAs not only serve the interests of the powerful but also serve the interests of their very tiny and gracious host! It is very sad how Britain, and the US have left us out in the cold, but I believe we can reverse things. We probably don't have much choice.

[Paphitis]

Paphitis wrote

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

I'd have thought that developing a very close alliance with Israel and being the mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria would make you distrusted by just about everyone.

Only in your very simplistic mind!

How Ironic it must be for you, in your one dimensional mind, that it is in fact Israel's biggest supporter who is also Israel's biggest critic in terms of building more and more settlements in the West Bank whilst it pushes for a 2 State solution. How ironic it must be that Israel's biggest enemy who wants to obliterate Israel's very existence holds absolutely no sway and absolutely no influence on most countries and only serves to complicate and make things far worse for the Palestinians and their very people!

At the end of the day, it is the US who is the better mouthpiece for the Palestinians. If the RoC has very close ties with Israel, then it is better placed to give its constructive criticism, and the Israeli's would be very receptive.

It is a far too complex world, and I don't blame you for your very simplistic outlook!

There are already too many foreign powers with mouthpieces on the Cyprus issue I don't think it will be wise to bring another foreign power to the table especially Israel and it's stand in the world at the moment to complicate things even more.

Let's look at it from another angle if the RoC did have close ties with Israel as you suggest for strategic reason given the relationship between Turkey and Israel over the last few months not sure what the road ahead will come too.

Could be a dangerous proposal for all.

I didn't say anything about bringing Israel to the table. They are a neighbour within this bad neighborhood and it will serve our interests if we developed EXTREMELY close political, cultural, economic and military ties. And together we can exploit and deliver Oil and Natural Gas to Europe.

They can become an ally, as opposed to Turkey, which at present is an occupying power and number one enemy of the Cypriot state!!!

[All4114All]

Paphitis wrote

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

I'd have thought that developing a very close alliance with Israel and being the mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria would make you distrusted by just about everyone.

Only in your very simplistic mind!

How Ironic it must be for you, in your one dimensional mind, that it is in fact Israel's biggest supporter who is also Israel's biggest critic in terms of building more and more settlements in the West Bank whilst it pushes for a 2 State solution. How ironic it must be that Israel's biggest enemy who wants to obliterate Israel's very existence holds absolutely no sway and absolutely no influence on most countries and only serves to complicate and make things far worse for the Palestinians and their very people!

At the end of the day, it is the US who is the better mouthpiece for the Palestinians. If the RoC has very close ties with Israel, then it is better placed to give its constructive criticism, and the Israeli's would be very receptive.

It is a far too complex world, and I don't blame you for your very simplistic outlook!

There are already too many foreign powers with mouthpieces on the Cyprus issue I don't think it will be wise to bring another foreign power to the table especially Israel and it's stand in the world at the moment to complicate things even more.

Let's look at it from another angle if the RoC did have close ties with Israel as you suggest for strategic reason given the relationship between Turkey and Israel over the last few months not sure what the road ahead will come too.

Could be a dangerous proposal for all.

I didn't say anything about bringing Israel to the table. They are a neighbour within this bad neighborhood and it will serve our interests if we developed EXTREMELY close political, cultural, economic and military ties. And together we can exploit and deliver Oil and Natural Gas to Europe.

They can become an ally, as opposed to Turkey, which at present is n occupying power and the number one enemy of the Cypriot state!!!

A bad neighborhood only in the minds of the Israel politicians. Israel is just as bad as any of it's neighbours you wish to condem.

I hope when you say OUR you dont mean Israel alone. Political ties you must be joking why doesn't Israel take a look at it's own political game before we speak about ties. If you talk about economics in regards to import and export sure but not as far as Politics and Military ties.

The last statement is quite funny dont put Turkey and Israel on the same boat. While Turkey hasn't fired a shot since 1974 (Except for the unfortunate protest events in the 90's) they have not move a step forward to gain land on the other hand Israel continues to declare war every year and continues to pile on the death count. It still occupies land south of Lebanon for no reason. It blocks human aid to the people of Gaza and has signed agreements with Eygpt for it's own purpose. It continues to build high walls along it's borders of Gaza and Palestine. Come to think of it they are worse than Turkey to be in the same boat. Israel has had more UN Resolutions than I can think of from the 90's till now. So don't condem a nation when Israel is even worse declearing war on whoever they want whenever they want.

[Paphitis]

Paphitis wrote

Cyprus needs to involve itself more and more within the EU, apply for membership in the PfP and NATO. A very close strategic alliance should be developed with neighbor Israel, and this alliance must rival that with Greece.

Only then, can the RoC be a mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria, and at the same time not be mistrusted by the world's powers, who will bury us given an opportunity if they can't trust us in such a very important and volatile Strategic position.

I'd have thought that developing a very close alliance with Israel and being the mouthpiece for Palestinians, Iran and Syria would make you distrusted by just about everyone.

Only in your very simplistic mind!

How Ironic it must be for you, in your one dimensional mind, that it is in fact Israel's biggest supporter who is also Israel's biggest critic in terms of building more and more settlements in the West Bank whilst it pushes for a 2 State solution. How ironic it must be that Israel's biggest enemy who wants to obliterate Israel's very existence holds absolutely no sway and absolutely no influence on most countries and only serves to complicate and make things far worse for the Palestinians and their very people!

At the end of the day, it is the US who is the better mouthpiece for the Palestinians. If the RoC has very close ties with Israel, then it is better placed to give its constructive criticism, and the Israeli's would be very receptive.

It is a far too complex world, and I don't blame you for your very simplistic outlook!

There are already too many foreign powers with mouthpieces on the Cyprus issue I don't think it will be wise to bring another foreign power to the table especially Israel and it's stand in the world at the moment to complicate things even more.

Let's look at it from another angle if the RoC did have close ties with Israel as you suggest for strategic reason given the relationship between Turkey and Israel over the last few months not sure what the road ahead will come too.

Could be a dangerous proposal for all.

I didn't say anything about bringing Israel to the table. They are a neighbour within this bad neighborhood and it will serve our interests if we developed EXTREMELY close political, cultural, economic and military ties. And together we can exploit and deliver Oil and Natural Gas to Europe.

They can become an ally, as opposed to Turkey, which at present is n occupying power and the number one enemy of the Cypriot state!!!

A bad neighborhood only in the minds of the Israel politicians. Israel is just as bad as any of it's neighbours you wish to condem.

I hope when you say OUR you dont mean Israel alone. Political ties you must be joking why doesn't Israel take a look at it's own political game before we speak about ties. If you talk about economics in regards to import and export sure but not as far as Politics and Military ties.

The last statement is quite funny dont put Turkey and Israel on the same boat. While Turkey hasn't fired a shot since 1974 (Except for the unfortunate protest events in the 90's) they have not move a step forward to gain land on the other hand Israel continues to declare war every year and continues to pile on the death count. It still occupies land south of Lebanon for no reason. It blocks human aid to the people of Gaza and has signed agreements with Eygpt for it's own purpose. It continues to build high walls along it's borders of Gaza and Palestine. Come to think of it they are worse than Turkey to be in the same boat. Israel has had more UN Resolutions than I can think of from the 90's till now. So don't condem a nation when Israel is even worse declearing war on whoever they want whenever they want.

It is literally none of your concern on who we choose to have alliances with.

Clearly, Turkey is not an option, for obvious reasons, but Israel and Cyprus have mutual interests and this will also allow Cyprus some influence in improving Israel's behavior which I believe is very possible, as Israeli's do not regress, but are merely hell bent on their survival. This is something else we have in common!

You don't have a say, just like I don't have a say in Turkey's new strategic partnerships with Israel and Brazil!

Just keep your nose out of it, unless you wish to behave like a proper Cypriot that has the interests of the RoC above all else under all circumstances and not Turkey's interests. If you do this, then we can talk. If not, then just butt out of my nation's affairs!!!