Cyprus-Forum.com

[mehmet]

I was reading today that a group comprising both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots wished to conduct a memorial ceremony at the site of a grave in northern Cyprus. I understand that last year nationalists from the Turkish speaking community disupted a similar service. I wish to register my concern and discomfort that the Government in TRNC has prohibited this occasion. We need to fight nationalists and nationalism wherever they are and wherever it is.

[metecyp]

Thanks for bringing this up. A similar even happenned last year. Some GCs along with TCs wanted to visit mass graves of TCs and leave some flowers in Murataga but they were stopped by the nationalists. At that time, I did not care about what the TRNC officials thought because it was UBP (nationalist) in power. But this time, it's CTP, and they're supposed to be pro-peace. I really don't understand why a so-called pro-peace government would prohibit such a peaceful event.

We always complain about how the two sides do not try to understand each other and do not share each other's pain. This time GCs are coming to a TC mass grave to leave some flowers and apologize on behalf of their community. What else could be better than this for peace? If they don't let others apologize, then how are they ever going to forgive? Or do they really want to forgive and move on?

I really don't understand how these people (CTP) can claim that they want peace and union but at the same time they don't even let peaceful GCs to apologize for the mistakes of the past. I'm also troubled by the fact that this incident was only reported in Afrika newspaper. None of the other major newspapers in the north even reported it and most of these newspapers also claim to support peace.

Is this how we're going to have peace? By not talking about the past, by not letting others apologize, and by not forgiving? We'll still let nationalists to tell the peace-loving people of Cyprus what to do?

[Piratis]

Do you really think that Talad is able to do whatever he wants? Even if we assume that Turkey does not control him directly, it is clear that they control him indirectly. In last elections in the north Turkey remained neutral. If Talad does anything that Turkey doesn't like, Turkey will support his opposition, and Talad will never be able to be elected without the support of a big part of the settlers.

Mehment, when you call the occupied areas as "TRNC" you are not less nationalist than those that you accuse. If you don't want to say "occupied areas", you could just say "north", otherwise by calling it "TRNC" it is like you support that in Cyprus exist two countries and therefore you support partition. How is this different than nationalists?

[mehmet]

TRNC is a fact, whatever anyone might think, just as RoC is a fact. In Cyprus there are two governments, I only acknowledge this. By doing so I am not saying I support partition. Did people in West Germany or East Germany have the same issue with language dering the time thye were separated?

[Bananiot]

Even good moves need to be timed properly, especially on such sensitive issues. Otherwise, the desired effect is lost. I come from a village next door to Maratha and I know only too well what the barbarians did there. No doubt the move to lay flowers for the murdered people is a good one but I have a sneaking suspicion the relatives are not ready for this. Such was the scale of the massacre that probably more time needs to pass before such correct gestures can be considered. Perhaps, mehmet Ali had this in mind.

This brings me to another point with a slight relevance. When Salih was tragically murdered by a psychopath in Limassol 3 weeks ago, Volkan and other nationalist circles in the north, took the opportunity to remind the TC's of the GC barbarity. On the other hand, when a GC elderly woman was robbed and murdered by a settler in Karpasia, a few years ago, in unison, the whole GC media, condemned this and sited it as yet another example of turkish barbarism. The same was repeated in the cases of Tasos Isaac and Solomou.

Why I'm I remembering all these? Just to show that much mistrust exists that always finds a way to explode things right out of proportion. In the case of Salih, only the well known nationalists of the TC community tried to capitalise on a tragic incident. The rest of the TC community has shown commentable maturity. We can do with such maturity in the south.

Here, we only learn that Turks are barbarians. Take a look at school text books and even worse at the litterature teachers who teach history. They are a sorry banch of nationalists who fill the heads of youngsters with hate for anything that is turkish. Any exemptions simply highlight the rule.

[michalis5354]

Mehmet Ali Talat is a Flexible Leader. Of course no one expects for him to be 100% independent from Turkey but this can be undestood!

I dont know a lot about his Policies but I noticed a big difference by the time he is been elected.-compared of course to the previous administration.

I think Talat really wants a Solution and puts the TCs Interest first and then anything else. Unlike Denktash who was the opposite extreme refering always to the Turkeys Interest.

I find him rational so far! And what he does is not something unexpected or irrational!

Some of his policies are partly due the the GC Nationalistt extreme Policies and thats the reason they cause attention and but this does not mean he acts like the previous nationalist administration .

[michalis5354]

Thats the article :

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/

Peace march barred
By Katya Diogenous

TURKISH Cypriot authorities yesterday cordoned off the village of Maratha with army and police to prevent Greek and Turkish Cypriot peace activists from laying wreaths at the graves of Turkish Cypriots killed in the village in 1974.

The bi-communal activists gathered yesterday morning at the Ledra Palace Checkpoint holding colourful bouquets of flowers ahead of the commemoration in memory of the innocent victims on both sides.

For the second year running, Greek and Turkish Cypriots have organised the event, as an alternative commemoration of the invasion anniversary, traditionally celebrated in the north with a military parade, and marked in the south with the wailing of sirens and protests. The activists visit cemeteries on both sides to mark the innocent victims from both sides. The initiative began last year after the opening of the checkpoints.

Yesterday, they met at 9.30am only to be told they would not be permitted to visit Maratha to lay down their flowers on the graves, as Turkish Cypriot authorities had closed off the area with police and military.

One Greek Cypriot man told the Sunday Mail they would cross over anyway and go as far as they could. “We will leave the flowers as near the cemetery as we can. They cannot stop us from doing so,” said the man.

“It is almost comical closing off the cemetery with police and the military.”

As the dozen or so Greek Cypriots stood hovering and talking quietly, they were joined by some 20 Turkish Cypriots, looking optimistic and determined.

One Greek Cypriot man, who did not wish to be named, said this was the second year they were attempting to visit Maratha to lay down flowers at the cemetary.

“We are going on a peaceful demonstration with Turkish Cypriots, not to cause problems. Last year we were only allowed 2km near the cemetery, this year it looks like it will be the same story,” said the disappointed man.

He added this was another chance for the two divided communities to come together.

“After we have been to the occupied areas, we will return and visit the Constantinou and Eleni cemetery in the free areas. But first we wanted to pay our respects to the Turkish Cypriots who also lost their lives,” he said.

The demonstrators said they believed the main reason why the Turkish Cypriot side was not allowing them to visit Maratha was because they feared they would cause problems.
“We will get as close as we can, and leave the flowers there. We will make our point,” the man said.

The demonstrators were handing out flyers to Greek and Turkish Cypriots crossing the checkpoint to make known their cause to honour the dead of both sides. Some passers-by read the leaflets – printed in Greek and Turkish – with curiosity, while others simply folded the piece of paper in half.

One young Turkish Cypriot demonstrator, Nared, said she felt the same way as the Greek Cypriots, and wanted to honour all those who had died in the war, no matter the race.
“We are demonstrating in peace, we want to pay respect to those who fought for Cyprus, for those who are often forgotten,” said Nared.

Three activist groups were responsible for organising the demonstration and printing the leaflets. The demonstrators said they wanted to open peoples’ eyes to the see that thousands of innocent Cypriots had been killed since the 1950s until the final division of the island in 1974.

They accused the authorities on both sides of manipulating the people and cultivating nationalism.

“Cyprus has become a country with one of the highest number of military bases, army and weapons,” said one of the demonstrators, adding the nationalists had taken advantage of the pain of people on both sides.

That, he said, was why Greek and Turkish Cypriots had gathered together yesterday to share their grief and to send out a strong message of reconciliation.



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2004

[Piratis]

Bananiot, you are very confused my friend. Maybe you need to see a psychiatrist.

You confuse the murder of Salim by some psychopath drug addict, with the murders of Isaac and Solomou??? One of them was beaten to death by several Turks (and TCs?) while many others were looking, and another was shot dead by an official.
Also there is another huge difference you seem to forget: That crazy person that killed Salim was arrested right away, and he will spent a big part of his life jailed (in jail or/and athalassa(for crazy)). Where the murderers of Isaac and Solomou arrested? Are they in jail?

Mehmet, East and West Germany were both recognized countries. The same like North and South Korea are today.
In Cyprus there is only one country and only one goverment. In the north there is occupation and nothing more.

[mehmet]

my guess about the ban on joint commemortion is that government in north (is that better?) expect Turkish nationalists to again try to disrupt bi-communal group and that Talat didn't want a confrontation to be in the news. I would prefer if the police would use the law to prevent attacks on people rather than what happened.

[PEACE]

Do you really think that Talad is able to do whatever he wants? Even if we assume that Turkey does not control him directly, it is clear that they control him indirectly.

Yes,i think so ! I have no doubt on this subject.

I dont know a lot about his Policies but I noticed a big difference by the time he is been elected.-compared of course to the previous administration.

Yes,i think so ! So we understand that there is a "hidden power" that is the real one who governs north Cyprus.
Goverments and presidents can change but policy won't change because they are only puppets that hides "real power".You know what i want to mean with "Hidden power" and "real power"

You confuse the murder of Salim by some psychopath drug addict, with the murders of Isaac and Solomou??? One of them was beaten to death by several Turks (and TCs?) while many others were looking, and another was shot dead by an official.
Also there is another huge difference you seem to forget: That crazy person that killed Salim was arrested right away, and he will spent a big part of his life jailed (in jail or/and athalassa(for crazy)). Where the murderers of Isaac and Solomou arrested? Are they in jail?

A TC never kills a people in that way so i'm sure they are barbarian grey wolves.

That crazy person that killed Salim was arrested right away, and he will spent a big part of his life jailed (in jail or/and athalassa(for crazy)). Where the murderers of Isaac and Solomou arrested? Are they in jail?

Yes,you are right .Army governs here as hidden.Police is under army and take directives from army! Can you imagine?

None of the politic crime's murderers arrested up to now.Journalist Kutlu Adali is shot in front of his house on 6 July 1996 and noone seen the event(!). How this can be? I'm sure everybody's window and door was opened in that street and many people heard and saw the crime.After the crime all evidences are destroyed.

Last month famous groccer of North Nicosia,Mehmet Reis is murdered ! Murderers did not find! There is a gossip that a person from army killed him.

And Ahmet Gürkan,Mişaulis,Dervis Kavazoglu,Fazil Onder...
None of these crimes' murderers found.

And there are many many crimes and events that guilty ones became mystery.How these can be !? There are around 35.000 soldiers in this little land and there are around 3.000 police !

I suppose everyone understood what i wanted to mean! Anyway...