Cyprus-Forum.com

[ZoC]

Oh dear, how quickly we forget our stated principles in order to pursue our so called national interests.

he who doesn't heed his national interests sleeps in a corner.

[Capt J Sparrow]

But surely you know the story of god giving feathers to ants ... ?

but surely u know the story of god giving the self-flagellation whip to the sanctimonious martyr ... ?

Why on earth would a Cypriot be upset with Cyprus making new friends?

I don't get it....

[ZoC]

But surely you know the story of god giving feathers to ants ... ?

but surely u know the story of god giving the self-flagellation whip to the sanctimonious martyr ... ?

Why on earth would a Cypriot be upset with Cyprus making new friends?

I don't get it....

if he lived in israel, bananiot would be termed a self-hating jew.

[Maximus]

I thought Turkey and Israel were the best of friends, are they not friends anymore because Israel has become good friends with Cyprus. I dont get it?

[Capt J Sparrow]

I thought Turkey and Israel were the best of friends, are they not friends anymore because Israel has become good friends with Cyprus. I dont get it?

It seems that some Cypriots were more happy when Israel and turkey were friends, and now that Cyprus and Israel are friends and rival Turkey, they are upset. I doubly don't get it!

[Piratis]

Oh dear, how quickly we forget our stated principles in order to pursue our so called national interests. Disgraceful Piratis, shame on you! You came hear and you inflamed all of us with your fake principles lectures and told us that the world is all about principles, but now you switch allegiance and the Palestinians that we rightly supported for so long can now go to hell. We saw ourselves in the Palestinians but now what is good for us is bad for them. Let Israel wipe them out ... don't ever talk to us about principles Piratis, do you hear?

Have you been dreaming Bananiot? When did I say that the world is all about principles? What I always say is that it is about interests and the balance of power and that we should do what is for our best interests, but always with respect to the rights of others (and nothing we did violated the human or other rights of anybody else).

My principles are always the same. Partnering with Israel to protect our sovereign rights from the aggression of Turkey does not mean that my position about the Palestinians has changed.

Regarding alliances, they exist when allies support each other. It is the Palestinians who went to the streets waving Turkish flags disregarding the fact that Turkey is occupying a third of Cyprus, so apparently they do not care to have an alliance with us. If they change their mind they should let us know.

And by the way, I support the creation of an independent Palestinian state and the respect of the human rights of the Palestinian people. At the same time I also support the right of the Israelis to resettle to their ancestral homeland, and this is in accordance with all my principles.

[Hermes]

Bananiot wrote:
Oh dear, how quickly we forget our stated principles in order to pursue our so called national interests.

Our national interest is protecting Cyprus from the threat of Turkish expansionism. Only a fool would think that forming a strategic and economic alliance with Israeli, EU and US interests wouldn't be of benefit to protecting Cyprus's long-term sovereignty.

Israel has many friends and allies in the West many of whom also support the case for Palestinian statehood. Why should Cyprus be any different? It is not in Cyprus's national interest to sacrifice the island to the Palestinian cause. It never has been.

[kurupetos]

Bananiot wrote:
Oh dear, how quickly we forget our stated principles in order to pursue our so called national interests.

Our national interest is protecting Cyprus from the threat of Turkish expansionism. Only a fool would think that forming a strategic and economic alliance with Israeli, EU and US interests wouldn't be of benefit to protecting Cyprus's long-term sovereignty.

Israel has many friends and allies in the West many of whom also support the case for Palestinian statehood. Why should Cyprus be any different? It is not in Cyprus's national interest to sacrifice the island to the Palestinian cause. It never has been.

He's not a fool, he's a traitor.

[bill cobbett]

Why should CY not continue to criticise israel when needed, even under this new relationship?

Friends can be very critical sometimes. At the national level here are a couple of nation's policies vis-a-vis Israel and Palestine, both very good friends of Israel...

The GB position...

(From the GB Foreign Office site)

..."We support a peace settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians which fulfills the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem, the safeguarding of its status for people of all faiths around the world, enabling it to serve as the shared capital of two states.

Although we accept de facto Israeli control of West Jerusalem, we consider East Jerusalem to be occupied territory. Attempts by Israel to alter the character or demography of East Jerusalem are therefore unacceptable and extremely provocative.
Settlements, as well as the evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem are illegal and deeply unhelpful to efforts to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East conflict.

It is crucial that the parties involved come to an agreement whereby Jerusalem can be a shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian States...."


Then there is the position of Israel's closest friend, the USA...

(From US State Dept site)

... "Commitment to Israel's security and well being has been a cornerstone of U.S. policy in the Middle East since Israel's founding in 1948, in which the United States played a key supporting role. Israel and the United States are bound closely by historic and cultural ties as well as by mutual interests. Continuing U.S. economic and security assistance to Israel acknowledges these ties and signals U.S. commitment. The broad issues of Arab-Israeli peace have been a major focus in the U.S.-Israeli relationship. U.S. efforts to reach a Middle East peace settlement are based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and have been based on the premise that as Israel takes calculated risks for peace the United States will help minimize those risks...."

(resolution 242 is the withdrawing to 1967 borders and 338 is the call for cease-fire in 1973)

A few days ago the US administration along with the EU nations were very critical of announcements of new illegal settlements in East Jerusalem.

So, friends can be critical and often they can be more effective in their criticism than can enemies.

On more personal level, many on CF would support Israel within secure and peaceful 1967 borders, without illegal settlements, as well as an Independent Palestinian State. Is this right boys and girls?