Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

26 OCTOBER 2004 TURKISH DAILY NEWS


Can Papadopoulos veto Turkey?

Tassos Papadopoulos, the terrorist-turned Greek Cypriot leader has started a policy of blackmail. Talking with the Eleftheros Typos daily of Athens, Papadopoulos, in an ambiguous manner, stressed that "Turkey has obligations toward the EU and the Republic of Cyprus which it must fulfill. This does not mean we will exercise a veto; it does not mean we won't exercise a veto."

I sincerely hope that the Greek Cypriot leader plunges into such an adventure and exercises his veto power as a member of the European Council, when it convenes on Dec. 17 to decide on a date to start accession talks with Turkey. If he plunges into such an adventure, he may help us explain to our European friends what a problem we have been dealing with since the creation of the 1960 republic on the island which was hijacked by Papadopoulos and his friends in December 1963.

Such a move will show our friends that the spoiled child cannot always be disciplined by giving him a spectacular and prominent place in the family.

Knowing his limits and the possible repercussions of such a move, Papadopoulos will not even think of pulling out the veto card from his pocket at the Dec. 17 meeting, but I hope he does and opens the door wide for a settlement on the island.

Blocking Turkey will not be as easy as stealing the Cyprus Republic title.

[Piratis]

Those criminals want everything for themselves, but unlike 1974, today they will not be able to use force, kill and rape, to get what they want.

Such countries do not belong in the EU. They should either change to a democratic country that respects human rights and other EU countries, or forget about the EU.

[-mikkie2-]

So Brother, Turkey didn't do the same when she invaded Cyprus?

After the 1st operation Ecevit put an ultimatum to Clerides to accept Turkeys terms or face a full scale invasion.

If that isn't blackmale I don't know what is.

And your article conveniently does not mention that you have been led by a TMT terrorist for 40 years! Don't throw this stuff around because there is plenty to throw back!

[BigDutch]

I seem to recall it was Denktash who walked away from all negotiations on Annan plan ?

[-mikkie2-]

BigDutch,

You are correct. He walked out of the talks the year before, at the time Cyprus was to sign the Accession Treaty which would seal its membership.

That period, in my view, was even more crucial because had the plan gone through then, its provisions would have been sealed in the Accession Treaty and would have been fully binding.

As it happens he walked out. Clerides stayed in. Would we have had a better plan then than what we got at Burgenstock is a matter for debate.

[brother]

EXACTLEY SO HOW CAN YOU SIT THERE AND THINK YOU ARE THE RIGHTOUS WHEN YOU MOST OBVIOUSLEY ARE NOT.

YOU LIKE TO BLAME TURKEY BUT WHAT ABOUT YOURSELVES, ARE YOU NOT TO BLAME FOR THE SITUATION WE ARE IN.

TO THIS DAY I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN MY HEART THERE WAS A WAY FORWARD BUT YOUR PREJUDISM IS VERY MUCH DEEP ROOTED AND I NOW AM LOSING HOPE THAT YOU ARE GENUINE IN YOUR BELIEF IN WANTING UNIFICATION.

[-mikkie2-]

Brother,

I am sorry that you feel that way, but I think that you are letting emotions run wild. Please be objective in your thinking!

At the present time, the TC's do not control their own destiny. It is Turkey. At least the GC's are now in control of theirs.

[brother]

o.k that is true to a point as greece does still have some influence over cyprus but its still a better position than us.

[brother]

CYPRUS WEEKLY

Tassos ready to hold talks with Erdogan

SPEAKING on his departure for Rome yesterday, President Papadopoulos said he was willing to meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who will also be in Rome, to discuss their differences.

But he noted that the Turkish Premier "faces problems," even though Turkey, now waiting to start accession negotiations with the European Union, should talk with an EU member state, without fearing this would amount to "recognition."

He said Turkey should meet all its "obligations" towards the EU and Cyprus in particular, a neighbouring independent member state, before it gets a date for membership talks.

"This is what we will be pushing for between now and December 17," Papadopoulos added.

He did not refer again to a possible Cyprus veto on Turkey’s membership, but confirmed that Nicosia and Athens will coordinate their stand on this issue during Constantinos Caramanlis’s visit here on November 12.

Inadequate

The Greek Prime Minister will meet not only the President but also other Greek Cypriot political leaders.

The Cyprus government will keep its cards close to its chest "until the last moment on December 17," when the European Council will decide on Turkey’s future, hoping to get concessions from Turkey such as a timetable for a military pullout from the island, according to reliable sources.

President Papadopoulos complained again that the United Nations did not try hard enough to meet the legitimate concerns of the Greek Cypriots when drafting the Annan Plan for a Cyprus settlement.

"They did not face adequately the concerns of the Greek Cypriot people", he said, and reiterated that in the April referendum, the people did not reject the concept of bizonal federation, only the particular blueprint which unfortunately did not provide for a functional solution.

In an article published this week in the Washington Times, President Papadopoulos spelled out in greater detail what he has in mind for an acceptable settlement plan.

He stressed that a Cyprus settlement should envisage "the genuine reunification of the country, its economy and its society--in practice, not just in theory".

It should also provide for a "functioning state structure" and respect for human rights, democratic principles and fundamental liberties for all Cypriot citizens."

He was very firm in demanding the "real and final termination of the Turkish military occupation and illegal colonisation of Cyprus" by Turkish Anatolian settlers.

This meant withdrawal of "all foreign troops and the vast majority of illegal settlers" from Cyprus.

Concrete

In addition, he wanted to see "concrete safeguards" that the agreed solution would be fully implemented by all parties. There should be "effective international guarantees" for the security of the Cyprus State.

In attacking the Annan Plan, he said, it had satisfied most, if not all, the demands of Turkey and those of the Turkish Cypriot leadership, but failed to address the legitimate security and other concerns of the Greek Cypriots.

The majority of Greek Cypriot voters rejected the plan since it did not provide for a functional and therefore durable solution.

As to the future, he said "We are ready to engage in renewed efforts through the United Nations to bring about permanent peace". His government remained committed to the "goal of the reunification of Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation."

[insan]

At the present time, the TC's do not control their own destiny. It is Turkey.

In my opinion, Turkey and TCs mainly share the same views regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem.

What's your opinion mikkie? What would have happened if TCs have controlled themselves, as you assume?

Do you think the majority of TCs will ever accept political unequality on legislative and judicial bodies?


Do you think they will ever accept abolishment of Turkey's intervention right and withdrawal of all Turkish troops?


Perhaps all others, but not the ones I've mentioned above....