Cyprus-Forum.com

[maewing]

I am niether Greek Cypriot nor Turkish (which discounts my opinion substantially, I know); however, I will soon be moving permanently to southern Cyprus with my family and will have a stake in this. It appears to me that a civilized resolution could have been obtained between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in the past had it not been for the involvement of Greece and Turkey. Both Cypriot sides seem reasonable but with dissenting extreme factions, of course. Indeed, we are all aware that it was such involvement and perceived involvement on both sides 33 years ago that led to the occupation in the first place.

Going forward, EU membership actually makes this resolution harder, since Cyprus will now have to embrace Greece and Turkey (eventually) as "brother" states under the ridiculous constitutional laws of the French and Germans (who control the EU). This presents a huge hurdle and in now way would make the process of unification easier. However, it may help to heal old wounds if both Cypriot peoples ignore the Western mindset and thinking of their EU colleagues (I mean the French and Germans but also the westward looking Greeks and Turks too) and simply forget about these other, irrelevant ties and history and resolve things internally. Abive all, for once do not let Turkey nor Greece use you to settle their old scores.

One thing is for certain, however: the other EU members do not care at all about what happens.

[Strahd]

My Dear Friend,

You are missing the point here...this would have been very possible if Turkey did not occupy 40% of the island. This is not a dispute between Greek and Turkish cypriots. It is between Cyprus and Turkey that on the name of Turkish Cypriots acted unilaterally invaded an independent country, seized 40% of the island by force, drove away more than 200000 Cypriots away from their homes, established an illegal regime, and still holds a large army to protect what they have seized from the invasion.

So how do you suggest that Turkey does not involve in the solution? Is like solving the north Ireland problem without UK involvment. Hmmm...

[maewing]

Dear Strahd,

You are very right that I probably do not understand the full situation. However, I am aware of the history and of the terms of the current occupation. I guess what I meant by "Remove Greece and Turkey" is to suggest that there is no way to diplomatically deal with Turkey in this regard (or most others). We're not talking about a rational political entity that understands compromise. Rather, we're dealing with a viscious conquering state that has only protracted when defeated by force. However, given that EU membership could be placed in the balance, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots could get together and pressure Turkey to leave (much like Syria from Lebanon), intending to forge their own means of collaboration and coexistence. The hurdles to this include attachments that both sides have to Greece and Turkey, the fact that the EU "rulers" do not care (and are unlikely to dangle membership based upon such a resolution) and the continual rehashing of the past--that is, the occupation itself.

Regarding the loss of home and property, I am not speaking of ignorance here. My father was cheated and ousted out of our home (and our inheritance) by a ruthless person. However, much like Cypriot refugees living in the South, I have, with God's grace, forged my own inheritance for my children and moved on. This is all that we as Orthodox can do.

[Lala_Mustafa_Pasha]

Your missing the point, Turkey wouldnt have had to liberate the Turks of the island had not Greeks embarked upon RACIST Enosis, an aim to kill every Turk of the Island make it pure GREEK and annex the Island to mainland Greece.

That is what the Greek side wants to keep a secret, its Greek Junta was on the Island in non-war time Massacring INNOCENT VILLAGERS, my families home was RAZED to the ground by EOKA Terrorists and this is why I am today in Britain.

If the Turkish Millitary hadnt had intervined there wouldnt be A SINGLE TURK LEFT IN CYPRUS.

Thats the harsh facts alot of Greeks find hard to deal with.

Thats why Turkey was forced to help its people, do you expect a country to watch its people get exterminated and do nothing about it?

You think about that.

[Strahd]

Liberation? Oh thanks!

Turkish propaganda poster (1974)

[pumpernickle]

Nice poster. A few flaws however.

Unlikely you'll find a tank in the middle of the troodos mountains. Pretty poor military move that. Takes alot of petrol to drive those beasts up hills.

Also, why is there a monkey faced man running towards Egypt with his rifle upside down? wrong way mate. I think you need to stay where you are.

And take a peek at the fellow in the ground...shaun of the dead ring any bells? his only hope is to grab his nads and pray for the best. Although the fact that he's running towards Egypt...perhaps he should lay low and wait.

the lesson. People in Turkey should study harder at their Art GCSE

[VEX8]

pumpernickle...

LOL.

[Piratis]

Your missing the point, Turkey wouldnt have had to liberate the Turks of the island had not Greeks embarked upon RACIST Enosis, an aim to kill every Turk of the Island make it pure GREEK and annex the Island to mainland Greece.

Lala, what you say is lies. Cypriots (82% of which are Greek Cypriots) should have had the right to decide about the fate of their own island in a democratic way, however the colonialists didn't allow that. Greek Cypriots never asked that Turkish Cypriots should be killed and that Cyprus should be pure Greek. These are just part of your propaganda.

What did happen, which is a FACT is that Turks ethnically cleansed part of Cyprus to make it pure Turkish, and they still insist on the racist separation of Cypriots. Do you deny these facts?

[pumpernickle]

what about my controversial comments regarding Art GCSE programs in Turkey?

[Lala_Mustafa_Pasha]

What I say is not lies, I'll show you an old photo my parents have of their home and land and then I'll show you what is there today

Its pretty shocking that you guys are so in denial that you pretend that the Turks decided, hey lets invaded Cyprus for the fun of it

We live in the real world, if Greek Junta hadnt embarked upon its Racist Barbarian Terrorism the Turkish Millitary would have had NO REASON TO LIBERATE THE TURKS OF THE ISLAND.

This is somthing you all find very hard to understand.