Paphitis wrote:supporttheunderdog wrote:Something the Greek speaking Cypriots really must consider is whether they are Greek or Cypriot, and if they want an independant republic or Enosis, but while there is any doubt on the issue then I suspect no way will Turkey ever consider any serious re-unification plans
(and btw they probably do not have any urgent need to join ther EU sand other countries with other vested interests do tnot want her in so the Cypriot is probably of little real benefit as a bargaining chip) .
That is sad as Cyprus should be reunited as an independant republic where all Cypriots should have the free right to return to their homes they may hjve been forced to leave in the troubles since 1960
Not so! There is a big distinction between
Nationality and
Ethnicity!
At the end of the day, the
language,
customs,
religious freedoms and
culture must be respected within the
Cypriot Nation, but the nation rises above all else and represents everyone equally just like it is done in places like Switzerland and Australia!
The Nation and its self serving interests are non negotiable, and is above everything.
And the question you need to ask yourself is this. Are the TCs willing to forgo their ethnicity? The answer would be a resounding NO! The GCs will become Chinese before such a thing happens. But this should not get in the way of the Cypriot Nation!
I am not confusing ethnicity with nationality - the two are however easy to confise when the same labels apply. If I look at the island of my birth there are alt least four dstinct indigeonous ethnic groups speaking at least three, technically 4 distinoct languages. though two are very similar, as well as more recent immigrants with their own laqnguages, religions and culture, but with the same nationalty.
Nationality has however become confused with ethnicity in Cyprus with the demads for Enosis and Takism, which involve nationalistic rather than ethnic issues though the national;=istic elements are linked to particular perceptions of ethnicity.
I am not asking any one to give up their language, culture, religion, etc, but to review the nationalistic elements, which I think frankly are demeaning to Cyprus and its history, bearing in mind both Takism and Enosis result in an assimilation into other nationalties and with it the subordination of the history of Cyprus to that of Greece and/or Turkey.
Rather then the claim Cyprus is millenialy Greek or Cyprus has been Greek for 3500 years (which I suspect are relatively Modern inventions) why not say Cyprus has been Cypriot for 10000 years?
How many True Cypriots, and I liked your post on that, would disagree.
Perhaps if the big O' s comments have any validity ( and I think the internment suggestion is disgraceful, as in a democratic society one has to accept the right of people to hold different views) those promoting Enosis should also be locked up along with those promoting partition.
