Cyprus-Forum.com

[iskismet]

Yes Chris I know you don't have any oil (otherwise there would by Americans everywhere ).

My love for Cyprus goes deeper (no pun intended) than that.

[Piratis]

My love for Cyprus goes deeper (no pun intended) than that.

a wild guess: Your girlfriend/wife is Turkish Cypriot.

How close am i?

[mehmet]

Piratis, for goodness sake why is this so important to you. Maybe next you will ask does he have a Turkish cat or if Doner Kebab is his favourite takeaway.

From my own very limited perspective (in UK) this is my understanding. TC's realise that we only get so far trying to be independent. They realise support of Turkey only take them so far forward and in some respects it take them backwards. The banking crisis, the casinos and prostitutes, the continued military presence of so many soldiers in so small a country, the restrictions on political freedom all cause despair. Many TC's see their only hope as living in some other country. These, I believe are all factors in why peace movement gain momentum.

[Piratis]

They realise support of Turkey only take them so far forward and in some respects it take them backwards.

Are you sure that most Turkish Cypriots do realize that? I believe most of them started to realize it, and one of the aims of the Annan plan was to stop this movement. The aim was to renew the hopes of Turkish Cypriots for partition (or disguised partition) though promises and some financial and political measures.

I believe their aim is achieved, because now Turkish Cypriots think that either Greek Cypriots will be forced to accept the Annan plan, or that "TRNC" will be recognized (or become another Taiwan). Of course neither will happen, but this belief and measures are enough to waste us several more years and keep Turkey calm that Turkish Cypriots will not revolt against the occupation.

[iskismet]

Unfortunately I have no knowledge of the attitude of the Turkish settlers and how they think. I would have thought the security of the army being there would have been paramount in their thoughts - but I don't know what other factors came into it, other than make some guesses.

I suppose I do agree with Piratis now that legalising the situation in trnc and the prospect of enhanced trade was probably two of the original drivers in the yes vote.

I still have the feeling the TCs will gain by keeping the status quo as long as is needed - Taiwan is a good example, that country is gradually being accepted, and Taiwanese goods are sold all round the world except in China!!

[mehmet]

Whilst I can't be certain of anything, yes I do believe many people realise the limitations of 'independence' road. For example when my uncle who retired has to teach again because his pension is worth nothing and the crooks don't get brought to justice it makes you question things. I appreciate you think Annan Plan was legitimising TRNC and incorporating it into RoC but I don't think many Turkish Cypriot's saw that. I think they saw the possibility that the isolation (which has had heavy economic costs) would be ended and that the plan contained guarantees that they can continue to form a majority in north whilst conceding some of its current territory. That's my view but why don't you get involved in some groups that would enable you to find out directly. I'm not saying to you to go north if you don't want to but why don't you find some ways of meeting and talking to Turkish Cypriots who visit RoC?

[Piratis]

Yes, probably I should have referred to Turkey and certain group of Turkish Cypriots and not generalize it. I believe that the majority of Turkish Cypriots would have easily voted "yes" if a plan like this was promoted to them by their leadership and Turkey. The problem is that such a plan is not what Turkey wants, and obviously no Turkish Cypriot leader, even if he wanted, would have the guts to go against the Turkish government and the Turkish army to support such thing because at risk would be more than just his political career. Also, with so many settlers with a right to vote, the whole TC leadership is hostage to Turkey.

I believe that the majority of TCs fall victims of this situation, and unfortunately through the constant propaganda all these decades most of them are convinced that they should live as separate as possible from GCs.

It is very sad to see how Cypriots (both GC and TC) have been manipulated over the last several decades by foreign powers.

why don't you find some ways of meeting and talking to Turkish Cypriots who visit RoC?

Well, thats why I am here
I see many Turkish Cypriots, especially when I go to hospitals in Nicosia, but i don't think thats the right environment for such talk. I believe here we can go quite deep into things, and since most people that participate are educated ones we can have more interesting conversations.

[brother]

piratis my friend we can talk about everything here.

[iskismet]

Recent changes - allocation of EU funds to trnc, the go ahead for Turkey to begin accession talks (without any reference to the Cyprus problem), recognition of Ttrnc representatives in EU meetings.

I see this as being a major step forward for the trnc but it will not help to resolve the cyprus problem from the GC point of view - more like maintenance of the status quo.

But I would like to know your thoughts?

[Piratis]

recognition of Ttrnc representatives in EU meetings

Where did you see this? Turkey some days ago was forced to cancel the OIC - EU meeting because they wanted to call Turkish Cypriots as "Turkish Cypriot State".

allocation of EU funds to trnc

The funds were not allocated to "trnc" they were allocated to Turkish Cypriots as part of the Republic of Cyprus.

the go ahead for Turkey to begin accession talks

The "go ahead" or "no go ahaed" will be given in December and Cyprus will have a veto power which we can use if we want to.