Cyprus-Forum.com

[michalis5354]

We are waiting the Cy government to take decisions You are right that the "sitting back" policy will not lead anywhere unless the Cy government prepares a proposal- a plan- and submit it to the UN for review !

No one is asking the ROC to go and accept the AP5 plan we are asking to prepare a plan and submit it to the UN for review for a new round of negotiations to start that will lead to a settlement! Who is benefiting by keeping the statues guo? GCs , TCs ? No one So why arent there no decisions ?

[Alexis]

They are defunct in that what the UN requests from both sides is a comprehensive settlement, i.e. all aspects of the Cyprus problem will have to be solved as a package, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation made up of two politically equal federal states. This will come after another set of negotiations, of course, but as the UN Secretary General has repeatedly stated, he does not see any grounds for restarting negotiations. He has also repeatedly stated that he would like to be informed by the Greek Cypriot side of what changes they would like to see to the so-called Annan Plan in a clear and hierarchised manner, but he has still not received this yet.

So, I would like to ask my fellow GCs, now that it was our side who rejected the last efforts by the UN, how do you know believe that Turkish troops will leave Cyprus, especially considering a) the UN is not willing to get into new negotations for a comprehensive settlement at present, and b) the European Union has not made it a precondition for Turkey to join that it removes its troops from Cyprus?

Please attempt to answer this and not dodge the issue.

Everything you say I agree with except again the premise that previous council resolutions are defunct. The UN security council's resolutions are very clear and consistent about the solution they would like to see in Cyprus and one of the main facets of this solution is the demilitarisation of Cyprus. As you pointed out in a previous post, this means withdrawal of all non-Cypriot forces from Cyprus not just the Turkish ones. In addition the UN's stance on the TRNC has also not changed, it still deplores the creation of that state and re-affirms that Cyprus should be re-united as one country with two politically equal communities. I do not believe, however, that the UN has somehow changed it's stance on Cyprus since Annan5 was rejected. The latest resolution, despite regretting that the SG cannot continue fully his good offices mission, still encourages the two sides to negotiate for a united Cyprus. Also, it should be noted that the resolution does not berate either side exclusively for the impasse we find ourselves in (something which resolutions do normally do in situations where the council agrees one side is to blame) and as such actions are required by both sides to rectify this. as I've always said before it takes two to tango and both leaderships need to understand the other's viewpoint when going into talks. I would call on the GC leadership toi do something pro-active for once and resume talks with the TC side with the Annan Plan a 'basis' for talks but mothing more. By 'basis' I mean that the parts of the plan which both sides agree on should form the basis and the details (as we know that is where the devil is), can then be negotiated.

[despo]

What I mean by defunct is that the UN is not demanding of Turkey or whichever other country to remove its troops now. This was the case in the year or so after the 1974 invasion. But, the UN is not demanding that any troops leave Cyprus before a comprehensive settlement, as you say. In fact, the UN believes that Turkish and other troops will leave only with a comprehesive settlement, and it is always the resolutions relating to a comprehensive settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation that the UN emphasises. In fact, yesterday's Security Council resolution on UNFICYP (which the UN reminded us has been there for at least 40 years, hence as far as the UN is concerned the "Cyprus problem" long predates 1974) reiterated that the most important resolution passed is that relating to the bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Indeed, the only way forward is negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan (which is effectively all the plans put forward by the UN in the past 30 years). But, I can't see that happening in the present political climate for many years to come.

[Alexis]

What I mean by defunct is that the UN is not demanding of Turkey or whichever other country to remove its troops now. This was the case in the year or so after the 1974 invasion. But, the UN is not demanding that any troops leave Cyprus before a comprehensive settlement, as you say. In fact, the UN believes that Turkish and other troops will leave only with a comprehesive settlement, and it is always the resolutions relating to a comprehensive settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation that the UN emphasises. In fact, yesterday's Security Council resolution on UNFICYP (which the UN reminded us has been there for at least 40 years, hence as far as the UN is concerned the "Cyprus problem" long predates 1974) reiterated that the most important resolution passed is that relating to the bizonal, bicommunal federation.

Indeed, the only way forward is negotiations on the basis of the Annan Plan (which is effectively all the plans put forward by the UN in the past 30 years). But, I can't see that happening in the present political climate for many years to come.

With regards demilitarisation, very little is said in the other day's resolution. The resolution that is emphasised is the one from 1999 (#1251).

"Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution
1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999"

Here are some excerpts from it:

"Calling once more upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and requesting them, along with the parties concerned, to refrain from any action which might prejudice that sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as from any attempt at partition of the island or its unification with any other country"

Which is almost a call for Turkey to remove her troops. Although, specifically regarding demilitarisation the resolution states:

"Calls upon all concerned to commit themselves to a reduction in
defence spending, a reduction in the number of foreign troops in the Republic of Cyprus, and a staged process aimed at limiting and then substantially reducing the level of all troops and armaments in the Republic of Cyprus as a first step towards the withdrawal of non-Cypriot forces as described in the set of ideas (S/24472, annex), to help restore confidence between the sides, stresses the importance of eventual demilitarization of the Republic of Cyprus as an objective in the context of an overall comprehensive settlement, welcomes in this context any steps either side may take to reduce armaments and troops, and encourages the Secretary-General to continue to promote efforts in this
direction;"

Which backs up your argument to a certain extent although makes it clear that it regards substantial reductions of all troops in Cyprus as a first step prior to a comprehensive settlement. In other words substantial demilitarisation prior to a comprehensive settlement is what the UN wants.

[Iran Forever]

Let's face it, the U.N. has become a toy of Israel/USA...what has the U.N. done about Israel's military occupation of West Bank? Can one truly trust the U.N. to do anything about Turkey's illegal military occupation of northern Cyprus...finding the right friends is the only solution...Greece should join a Russia/Armenia/Iran axis.

[reportfromcyprus]

Back to the original post about the withdrawal of Turkish troops...with the latest Finnish initiative, the govt. is emphasising that their priority is the return of Famagusta.

It also looks like it's business as usual with the mud slinging and war of words. A clear policy hasn't emerged yet, or at least, not one that I can identify as clear.

"Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has said that Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has no role in an upcoming meeting to discuss Turkey's position on the Direct Trade Regulation in its EU negotiations.

“There were some thoughts for meetings between Turkey, which according to UN decisions is responsible for the area of Famagusta, and the Republic of Cyprus. If Mr Erdogan wants to include Mr Talat in his delegation then that is his problem," he said yesterday (October 31st)"

Full story is on the home page at www.reportfromcyprus.com

[miltiades]

Iranfor ever wrote:
""Greece should join a Russia/Armenia/Iran axis.""

Welcome back , but I was under the impression that you liked Greece !!

[free_cyprus]

we want turkish troops greek troops british troops to leave cyprus we want to break diplomatic ties with greece turkey britain and the usa the four couses of cyprus suffering, and if those who live in cyprus they concider themselves greek or turkish just becouse they speak language of greece and turley then they can go and live in turkey and greece obviously there is no education when it comes to cyprus people and their identity, we are cypriots we speak turkish and greek but we are not rukish or greek we are cypriots jeeeeeeeee how difficuilt is that to understand its soo simple and yet sooo complicated when it comes to a cypriots thinking lol

[sweetie pie]

No solution, no withdrawal! SIMPLE AS!

Tell your EOKA authorities (PAPADOPOLOS) to admit that the EOKA and national Guard between 1963-1974 committed attrocities towards the Turkish Cypriots (forcing the people on to 3% of the islands territories) and then a solution can begin.

Actually I think the Greek Cypriots have already acknowledged that atrocities were committed by them during this time. I haven't seen the Turkish administration doing the same.

[mario1601]

rallies and protest were looong time ago. i remember some till the early nineties. as a kid i also participated in some.
the cypriots are currently protesting from their coffee-shops. usually they send proetsting sms to each other, and so fullfiled their duty to the country.

some people have done a petition...

http://www.isxys.org/famagusta/index.php

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/occupied-cyprus/

sign up x