Nikiforos wrote:Viewpoint wrote:The army has in effect worked as deterrant for any further attempts at using force to try and solve matters which imo would have meant the loss of manymore innocent Cypriot lives. Is this what you would have preferred??
Why is it that
ONLY Turkish troops can act as a deterrent on Cyprus?
An international peacekeeping force would have the same effect. Most GCs know it would be suicide to attempt a military adventure.
As to direct trade,
the TRNC is an ILLEGAL entity. It is a breakaway part of the RoC. If Kurds seize a region of Turkey and demand direct trade with the outside world, would Turks be in favor of this?
International peace keeping force as you mention are unable to act swiftly in times of conflict, this has been proven many times all over the world for example the UN forces in 1974. We do not trust them to resolve any conflict. Add to this the risk GCs expertise in tying international knots that would in effect not allow any intervention from any designated peace keeping force be it UN EU etc..
Direct trade, if the kurds had our history and international agreements to a partnership in the Republic of Turkey and displayed a desire to breakaway from Turkish rule I would definately allow them direct trade.
You have to realize that for the TC economy to streangthen and come to GC levels which was another bone of contention for GCs during the referendum "why do we have to pay for them mentality" we have to find ways of stimulating trade with the outside world I personally have no problems by doing this over the greenline but again the will from both sides is not evident and due to the lack of dialogue this is appears to be a non starter.
May I ask you a question?
Do you want us to move away from Turkey and closer to GC south?
How do we do this?
We are dependent on Turkey financially.
Do you want us to be more independent of Turkey?
Do you want us to take decisions without Turkey?
Then what do we do?
TCs have to gain economic independence, any suggestions?
Now hopefully you see why we need direct trade, namely flights to boost the economy and move closer to the south. So in fact GC have to help us to help them, if they really desire a solution.