Cyprus-Forum.com

[repulsewarrior]

Sunday, June 18, 2017
A Turkish Cypriot president would be in office not in power

http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/06/18/turki ... not-power/

...three votes. When voting the elector chooses from three slates, electing a Turkish Cypriot Representative, a Greek Cypriot Representative, and for a Lower House, an Independent Representative (without Party affiliation).

If a leader could win a majority in a Legislature evenly split as seats Turkish and Greek, Parties, to win the leadership would necessarily fill all the slates toward that end. It would be in effect impossible to win such a House, without a majority of Cypriots in any case. Parties would necessarily have to present Platforms that their voters would consider as Individuals, not just as Persons. A Turkish Cypriot, as President, or a Greek Cypriot as President would be just as likely, and based on merit.

...and what of the demographics of the island? Is it believable that any 'number' chosen to represent some 'fair' split now will be as valid in the future? Why should it matter? Who is represented and how will minorities be given their recognition and respect in such as State if "Greekness" and "Turkishness" are fixed to some bloodline? Indeed it is far more complex, (or far simpler, either way) the issue is not one of "Greekness" or "Turkishness" but the Universal Principals we demonstrate, as Cypriots that we are willing to defend. (and allow me to add, there is no shame in "being" Cypriot)

Cypriot Constituencies may exist. They have the potential of being several as a sum. It is clear that a Turkish Constituency is prepared to demonstrate the value of such political representation, as Persons, specifically to nurture this Identity. Embracing this change, for Cyprus, the existence of distinct identities, within a Cyprus where Cypriots express no discrimination or distinction between themselves as Cypriots, is the BBF which offers to Individuals and Persons, their Freedom and Liberty respectively.

Cyprus has a Republic, a State. If it is to have a Turkish Constituency, i ask where are its equals? I ask, Cypriots, as Persons, would they, as Cypriot Constituencies, not have the same needs in sustaining their own diversity, that which makes them vital? Wouldn't they be more effective in sustaining their distinct identities through self-representation if in representing themselves there was a similar debate, as a 'majority' which may have different interests competing for attention, but always aware and mindful that there exists a 'minority' with its own special needs they must nurture as well? Wouldn't a Federal Government in this scheme of things be seen to be free of its present bias in securing a Cypriot their Freedom, and this Liberty, in setting a standard and goals?

...I ask, why not within this Republic, at another level of Government, as well, a Greek Constituency (and others)?

Could Mr. Akinci recognise the existence of the Republic (and work toward its reform), if the representative of a Greek Constituency was duly elected, and not the President of the Republic? Is it possible for the President to remove himself from the discussions, so that when the Constituencies are in unanimity they may discuss the State's Constitutional reform with him? Mr. Akinci must demonstrate in Switzerland in a few days something more than a "Turkish" view to claim he is a Cypriot, imho.

Some may recall the Communal Chamber and why it failed, while the intention remains. One may also recall that while "Greeks" and "Turks" were busy doing their killings, it was not other "Greeks" and "Turks", it was Cypriots for not being "Them", who were murdered and made to disappear. That while the coup succeeded, removing Makarios from office it failed because there were so few "Greeks" on the island supporting it. And, I remind the readership that Cypriots have existed for millennia as Cypriots. In any case, Cypriots cannot be denied the same basic principals any Human being has to being Cypriots. It would be a despicable thing if Cypriots cannot call themselves Cypriots to satisfy these same people who deny the existence of their Flag, the Flag of Cyprus, under which so many have died for at their hands already.

...a Cyprus divided, is a Turkey divided; it is something to think about. A "new" Cyprus, is not the answer, like a "new" Turkey i believe, they are likely to divide these populations further. The Problem is not exclusively a Cyprus Problem; witness how the same "Turkishness" has divided Turkey. Yet Cyprus is small in population; one hopes that this is an advantage in its own Constitutional reform. That while Turkish Cypriots look to Turkey for guidance, I suggest it should be the other way around; that while Turkey is in this state of reform it is all the more valid to think differently. That if, Cyprus is not "Greek", Turkey is not "Turkish" for the same reasons. That as a Constituency what can be gained being Cypriot, offers the same hope to the Kurds, and the Alevi, (not "Turks", but Turks) for example in Turkey. That this same hope, in a Cypriot way, makes it clearer, what is an Individual, what is a Person, what is a Nation, what is a State, what is Freedom, what is Liberty; and from a Unitary State exclusively, to a BBF, Cypriots, by changing themselves in this way may possibly change the political landscape throughout the region, being the "perfect" solution sought after for so long, because it is practical, it promotes respect among all Peoples, it is held in so much high esteem, (it is the solution to Turkey's Problem), and it is something which can be emulated.

It is wrong for Turkish Cypriots to think that they are weak and impotent; but as "Turks" they are.

...cheers, Mr. Alper.

[repulsewarrior]

Sunday, February 07, 2021
The Cyprob should end how it began, with the constitution
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/02/07/the- ... stitution/

...who remembers the Communal Chamber?

Why have both sides avoided discussing its value, talking Constitutional reform, for so long?

...is this where a solution lies?

What if the President did not involve himself in their affairs as Persons (Sovereignty not the issue) because he as their Leader represents them as Individuals instead?

Having the same needs in effect, could Constituencies come to an agreement, that if presented to the President, he would consider toward this Constitutional reform?

What if there was a Greek Constituency, filling their chairs in such a Chamber?

What if (accordingly,) Turkish Cypriots took their chairs in the Legislature ?

...intentions count.

I am hopeful Mr. Riza, because the People, despite the poor representation they are getting, remain.

...and i am counting on them, when things seem to be going too far, to represent themselves;

Cypriot Lives Matter.

...another one to Mr. Alper worth repeating.

[repulsewarrior]

Monday, April 18, 2022
Time for a big decision on Cyprus
https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/04/17/time ... on-cyprus/


Erdogan begs us to take back our beaches, and with everything else, what can he do to awaken the spirit of enosis in us: finally giving it a Cypriot meaning; Cypriot people, in crowds against his notion having their own.

Who says Cypriots need to be defined as though they don't exist?

...ask yourself who died, in '63 and '74, whose land was stolen, to make "this"; those not "Them" murdered or disappeared for the most part, simple people who held (read: hold) Universal Principles as a higher ideal.

...and what is the big lie "They" like to repeat over and over again, our insignificance among them as too few; let us take the time to remember that decades have passed, even as a People unnaturally divided, "Their" candidates "Greek" and "Turkish", in elections, cannot win an overwhelming majority. We are many.

Who are the cowards but us if we the People do not expose "Greekness" and "Turkishness" in Cyprus for what they are, both failed dogmas leaving Cypriots torn, indebted, and, with their identity usurped: these are the facts.

...ask yourself, who treats the Flag of Cyprus as a rag?

A change would be nice indeed, the Flag of Cyprus seen everywhere, from our windows and our cars, across the island, and under its shade making souvla; who would be against such a notion, certainly not Cypriots.

...if you cannot ''be'' Cypriot, it is from fear (read: Ignorance), and you must overcome that fear deep inside you.

[repulsewarrior]

...who has the courage to stand alone under the Flag of Cyprus; no "Greek" and no "Turk"?

...who is it that appeals to all Cypriots, because they are Cypriots; not "Greek" and not "Turkish"?

...who dares to make souvla together with those like them on the beaches?

If there was such a candidate, they would not go unnoticed; neither by the other candidates, or the People.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/04/30/our- ... in-cyprus/

[repulsewarrior]

Monday, February 21, 2022
The future of Cyprus
https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/02/20/the- ... of-cyprus/


...i will remind the author that both Canada and the USA are BBFs.

And, i suggest in Cyprus that in that regard "Greeks" and "Turks" are no different, both representing their electorate as Persons, representing Nations.

Yet, what of the Individual? What of the State?

Here is the Problem; that such representation for Cypriots does not exist effectively: affectively Cypriots Greek and Turkish have no representation as Individuals split as they are.

Let's not forget the mothers of those missing and found dead who remind us that while the "Greeks" and "Turks" were busy in their murderous sprees, they were never busy killing each other, but those not ''them''.

...so it is, that Cypriots must seek each other out; crossing the line explicitly to stand as one, to retake the word 'enosis' and to give it a Cypriot meaning, to take our swords out to fill them with meat so that in making souvla we can share it on our beaches under the Flag that ''they'' treat as a rag, and which is the only one which is in fact 'ours'.

...worth repeating.

[repulsewarrior]

Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Our View: UBP victory in north defied cronyism concerns
http://cyprus-mail.com/2018/01/09/view- ... -concerns/

...half, or more than half support a Cyprus for Cypriots. We see in the results this affect, with so many who chose not to vote.

How different the results would have been if there were candidates who had the courage to say:
...I am Turkish, I am no "Turk", I am Cypriot; to debate those, who see themselves' differently.

Mr. Akinci, and/or his Party, I hope, have learned a lesson from this. While internal issues are important, there is no shame in being Cypriot. Nor for their President to be a Statesman who speaks to and of Cypriots for Cyprus. Cypriots, his electorate expect this, from him and those who claim they represent this ideal. And I imagine their support would extend among all Cypriots, Greek or Turkish, if they were willing to stand under the Flag of Cyprus, against those not Cypriots, call them "Greeks" and "Turks".

Under these circumstances a real debate for Cyprus would challenge the minds of those who like it the way it is. A BBF not that different to what suits Cypriots may suit Turks. I will go so far to say, (that if Turkish Cypriots end the Problem in Cyprus with its reform Constitutionally as Cypriots,) Turkey in its Constitutional reform may find in one Cyprus, one Turkey. Mr. Akinci has about a year to make a real change to the course of dialog Turks have, and as Cypriot. That as Turks, representing themselves' as Cypriots, it offers hope to Turks in Turkey, what with the way both are divided today for/by "Turkishness".

...I ask, if a Republic of Cyprus exists, why not a Greek Constituency?
(what is the equal to a Turkish Constituency?)
...just saying.

[repulsewarrior]

Sunday, July 11, 2021
Open letter addressed to President Erdogan
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/07/11/open ... t-erdogan/


Cypriots exist. They are neither "Greek" or "Turkish". The reality is that they have no representation for themselves at the moment, divided as they are. Indeed, what do the "picnics" Erdogan has in mind provoke, in them, their leadership being so predictable? This is the question which i imagine will be answered soon, free of COVID, and the temptation of the beach, together as Cypriots eating souvla under their flag, the Flag of Cyprus, the one rightfully theirs, the one "they" treat as a rag, a chance to express themselves.

If Cypriots do not join against the existential threat, (and to expose the "Greeks" and "Turks" among them), Cypriots will be no more. If Cypriots do join together (taking back the word "enosis") it will change not only the politics of Cyprus, but Turkey too, being Turkey's National issue, giving Hope to them, the Turkish People, now torn apart for the same reasons by "Turkishness".

...pretty words are what Mr. Erdogan expects (from the rest of us). Yet, he would not be disappointed if in Cyprus we can define a BBF where as Individuals we are united in defending our Freedom, and as Persons our Liberty, because there is mutual respect and trust. A BBF in Turkey, under such terms, would be something to think about.

[repulsewarrior]

...rejected as a comment,

Monday, May 16, 2022
Cyprus and Israel: Lessons from the pursuit of lasting peace in the Eastern Mediterranean
https://hir.harvard.edu/cyprus-and-israel-lessons-for-lasting-peace-in-the-eastern-mediterranean/

Divided as they are, the People of Israel and the People of Cyprus, most certainly there will be no solution. As in the Ukraine, watching it in the process of being torn up, in this problem too, the Problem is exposed to be the same for all of them.

Indeed as Persons they differ and their extremes see the solution through brutal force toward each other.
(...how convenient for "Them", the other half their hapless victims mostly unarmed and civilians.)

Where is the Humanity beyond that? Where is the Peoples' representation as Individuals; without further distinctions or discrimination, equals in defending the values and Universal Principles that make it so?

...hijacked, the Agenda.

Must Cypriots be "Greek"? Must Turcophones be "Turkish"? Must Israelis be Jewish? And Russians, not "Russians", in the Ukraine (and in Russia), don't they exist?

...i ask the readers to recall that the USA is a BBF (Bizonal Bicommunal Federation); as a Modern concept, (just predating the French Revolution) it was the very first as a matter of fact. That within a State (where there exists a Rule of Law and Good Government), Individuals are Free to express their thoughts without fear, to travel and to associate accordingly. And, having constituencies (at another level of government), this Liberty, as Persons, allows for such distinct identities to thrive, to share in Goodwill and in Good Faith, as Majorities recognising and respecting the Minorities that live among them by providing in their Agenda these special needs as well.

So it is that intentions count.

In Cyprus, i am hoping it is the beaches Cypriots will take to make souvla together at their own "picnics" this summer; that would make a most hopeful change and a fine example, difficult to ignore. I suggest in Israel the same, demonstrations of Israelis, Arabs and Jews wanting change, because it will expose those against such a notion, "Jews" and "Arabs" (as they define themselves unable of such tolerance). In either case, it will become that much more difficult for "Them" to dismiss (in effect about half the voting population) as insignificant and too few to matter, with the People seen to be united; that too is a great step forward.

...yes, i am hopeful (still) having Faith in the notion of 'Us', as those not "Them".

And in the Ukraine at this moment three men of great talent will decide their own fate, as Heroes, by ending the(ir) Problem(s) that they all know too well, (with a solution, by all of us defined as "perfect"; where an Individual is most clearly defined and that as Persons they (these Citizens) are given the capacity to demonstrate this respect and trust toward each other accordingly: perfect because all countries may emulate its values, held in such esteem), or, as failures living with its infamy, possibly (one) facing War Crimes as a consequence.

(n.b. Erdogan too, now faces the divisiveness of "Turkishness", at home beyond Cyprus tearing at the very fabric of his own State; in his own Constitutional reform, (and with an end to the Problem recognising Cypriots as well) on time for Turkey's Centennial in two years: will a BBF do just fine?). (And of Putin, having sacked Russia's Democracy, (to a lesser BBF, and one far more militaristic); is this "Russianness" better, if not what will he change it to, again?)

Or, is it Zelinskiy who will cave around such men, under so much pressure to choose reaching no further than "Ukrainians" where "being" Ukrainian is far more complex? (...the answer to this question, if "They" remain unchanged i fear most of all.)

Change (as in intentions) would seem imminent, everywhere, what with the existential questions we face as a race called Human, what with real enemies like Hunger and Disease to fight; we should not be fighting each other (lest we Forget): Ignorance perhaps is the greatest enemy of all.

...the Problem is the problem (or is it the other way around?); in Cyprus, in Israel, (in Turkey), and now soon to be it seems in the Ukraine; our world missing the point as yet. As Martin Luther King said, beyond desegregation is integration, and as Rev. Tutu said, "This" must stop; two men who know the Problem well, it is something to think about all around. (dare i say and in the USA "Americans" abound).

[repulsewarrior]

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Erdogan to visit north on July 20
https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/05/17/erdo ... n-july-20/

One Hopes that Erdogan's Turkey "will defend the Turkish Cypriots’ rights to the end", as he says.

...and what of the "Cypriot Turks" who are so dependent on him for their own existence?

Turks and Greeks have only to stand as one, the People, in Cyprus, to give him Hope.

...what is the Problem? "Greekness" or, "Turkishness"? They are the same. Such as it is, today, "Greekness" has been defeated, while Turkey has never been more divided, because such dogmas exclude those who are not "them". Erdogan knows this, and he may choose again to board the train he calls "Democracy"; a BBF in Turkey is not anathema to a Caliphate existing in Istanbul. He knows this too.

...while the political elite in Cyprus continue to defend themselves (personally), it seems more a malaise affecting this class of people around the world. But i am hopeful. Such a man as Erdogan may choose, and with a small change in intentions he may find the tarnish staining Turkey's presence removed. In effect, Turkey cannot be "Turkish", just like Cyprus cannot be "Greek"; they are States, based on Universal Principals which defend our Individual Equality. Such as it is he has two years to make this kind of History, in time for Turkey's Centennial.

...indeed, at another level of government, as Constituencies, both countries would be better off having them.

The question remains, will Cypriots have "Picnics" (before his arrival), i hope so; will Erdogan (again)?

...i am hopeful that the Problem may be solved, for all of us, what with this need for Putin and Zelinskiy too.

More than ever Cypriots may play a role for the peaceful end to the Problem, by having souvla together on their beaches.

[repulsewarrior]

Dearest Ukrainians, the Problem is at your door. What are Ukrainians have been torn, with their Identity usurped, for "Russianness" divided, as "Russians"/"Ukrainians" (and indeed such an extreme element exists too). As a Cypriot, i must warn you i know only too well how these things work, after decades, the Problem, how "Greekness" and "Turkishness" have left us silenced, (the half not "Them") impotent, as a People, torn in two.

...let us remember what is a BBF. A State which is based on Universal Principles, where as Individuals all its Citizens are equals without any further distinction or discrimination as people and under the Law, and where as Persons they may demonstrate the same commitment toward each other as Majorities by demonstrating their Goodwill and Good Faith to the Minorities living among them by recognising and providing for these special needs as well. America is the best example of a BBF, (also being the first). Canada is another example of a BBF which is also successful.

...intentions count.

The Problem may end peacefully in the Ukraine, because the same problem must end in Turkey, and in Russia, (in many other countries, and in Cyprus too).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYnjHCNSJjg