Cyprus-Forum.com

[Piratis]

By Tassos Papadopoulos.
http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/2 ... -7184r.htm

As I returned from my recent trip to the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, I reflected on how much has changed for Cyprus in just a year's time. Our country is changing; so are our people and our place in the world community.
This has been a year of conflicting emotions for the people of Cyprus; a year that has been both fascinating and challenging. We sadly marked the 30th commemoration of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey, but proudly celebrated the 44th anniversary of our independence. Earlier this year, the Republic of Cyprus was honored by its accession to the European Union. Regrettably, however, it entered the EU as a divided country.
Cyprus' EU accession marks a great milestone and the beginning of a new era. The people of Cyprus are proud to be full and integral members of the great European family. As an EU member, we will be strong supporters of European values and policies, the rule of law, and for a smooth and solid trans-Atlantic relationship.
Cyprus and the United States are bound together by common democratic traditions, values, ideals and interests. We have a history of working together effectively to fight threats to global security. Immediately after the September 11 attacks, Cyprus joined the United States in the international coalition to fight terrorism. This included measures, in cooperation with the American authorities and with our European partners, to track terrorist assets as well as sustained efforts in the areas of money laundering and narcotics trafficking.
Most recently, Cyprus joined the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) introduced by President Bush to help stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials.
In April, the people of Cyprus went to the polls to vote on a settlement plan proposed by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. This complex U.N. plan, which ran nearly 10,000 pages as formulated by the secretary-general, acting as an "arbitrator," contained major uncertainties and included provisions that would have meant the beginning of new dangers and new problems and would have institutionalized the division of our country.
By historical standards, April's democratic process was astonishing: More than 90 percent of the Greek Cypriot community (80 percent of the population) turned out to vote on the plan. Because of fundamental concerns, however, 76 percent of Greek Cypriot voters opposed it, while 65 percent of the Turkish-Cypriots (18 percent of the population) and thousands of illegal Turkish settlers supported it. The plan satisfied most, if not all, of Turkey's demands and those of the Turkish Cypriot leadership, but failed to address the legitimate security and other concerns of Greek-Cypriot voters. The Greek-Cypriots did not vote against the solution or the reunification of Cyprus. They rejected this particular plan, which did not provide for a functional and, therefore, durable solution, and did not provide for real reunification.
Much of the international reaction was one of frustration and disappointment at the outcome of this democratic process. Some of this is certainly understandable. Many good and honorable people worked diligently to come up with what they felt was a reasonable proposal. But the international community should understand that our disappointment is even greater. The people were not presented with a plan they could embrace and endorse. Everybody must respect and honor the will of the people.
The government of Cyprus remains fully committed to the goal of the reunification of Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. We are ready to engage in renewed efforts through the United Nations to bring about permanent peace.
Broadly speaking, we aim at a settlement that will safeguard:
•First and foremost, the interests of the people of Cyprus and not those of other countries.
•The genuine reunification of the country, its economy and its society — in practice, not just in theory.
•A functioning state structure, in which neither community will be in a position to impose its will on the other, but at the same time, neither community would be able to create deadlocks in important functions and activities of the state.
•Respect for human rights, democratic principles and fundamental liberties for all Cypriot citizens.
•Real and final termination of the Turkish military occupation and illegal colonization of Cyprus by Turkish settlers brought in from the Anatolia of Turkey in the thousands. This means withdrawal of all foreign troops and the vast majority of illegal settlers from Cyprus.
•Concrete safeguards that the agreed solution will be fully implemented by all parties and effective international guarantees as to the security of the state.
Both communities in Cyprus deserve better; they yearn for the peaceful reunification of their country so that they can enjoy, at long last, a peaceful, stable and promising life within the supportive structures of the EU.

[insan]

•First and foremost, the interests of the people of Cyprus and not those of other countries.
•The genuine reunification of the country, its economy and its society — in practice, not just in theory.
•A functioning state structure, in which neither community will be in a position to impose its will on the other, but at the same time, neither community would be able to create deadlocks in important functions and activities of the state.
•Respect for human rights, democratic principles and fundamental liberties for all Cypriot citizens.
•Real and final termination of the Turkish military occupation and illegal colonization of Cyprus by Turkish settlers brought in from the Anatolia of Turkey in the thousands. This means withdrawal of all foreign troops and the vast majority of illegal settlers from Cyprus.
•Concrete safeguards that the agreed solution will be fully implemented by all parties and effective international guarantees as to the security of the state.
Both communities in Cyprus deserve better; they yearn for the peaceful reunification of their country so that they can enjoy, at long last, a peaceful, stable and promising life within the supportive structures of the EU.

There's nothing new with what he said... He should tell the details us to discuss and understand whether he really means what he says or telling us all these to create international impressions. Where's his version of A Plan? He shouldn't hesitate to make it public. If he make it public and tell us what he really thinks with details then we can discuss and understand whether his aim is really as what he says or not. But it seems T-Pap is not capable to do this... He keep telling us the same things we have been hearing for than 25 years.

[Piratis]

Insan, if you take it point by point you will see that what he asks for is very clear.

Lets take the first point:

First and foremost, the interests of the people of Cyprus and not those of other countries.

This means no foreign troops, no country should have the right to intervene, the control of Cyprus should be only on Cypriots (+EU on some matters).

Of course Papadopoulos is willing to do some compromises on these. Do you know any good politician that will go out and before the negotiations give up the maximum that can be given up? No! This will be done in negotiations. Also, the maximum that can be given up will depend on what the result on the other points will be.

So Papadopoulos clearly states the aim. This aim is fully compatible with human rights and democracy. We are not aiming at anything illegal or anything that will hurt the human rights of anybody (like some others do).

From then on Papadopoulos knows that Cyprus is not a superpower and that we will have to compromise even more. What the others should know is that Papadopoulos will not compromise beyond what the majority of Greek Cypriots consider as acceptable.

[insan]

Ok. Why don't he make his comprehensive plan public to be discussed? His version of plan should be discussed and approved by Cypriots if he believes in democrasy and human rights. He would lose nothing if he has made his plan public to be discussed. On the contrary if he really means what he says he will get more support. Then he goes to negotiate it and changes a bit in the process; it's no matter.


What I'm trying to point out is that; I could tell the same things (everyone could- Look what Bush says about Iraq) and in disguise work for self-interests of some parties ... so unless he doesn't put his plan forward with details; naturaly I can't believe him that what he stated above is what he really wants to realize.

[mehmet]

Take a break Piratis, you are celebrating 'No' today aren't you. Must you engage in discussions with fascists on such a special occasion?

[Piratis]

Insan,
doesn't Turkey - Talat etc, constantly talk about "TRNC", "Greek Cypriot Administration", "two peoples" etc. Erdogan some days ago said that the Turkish troops will never leave from Cyprus.

So when your leaders always take the most extreme position possible, why do you expect from Papadopoulos to come out and openly make compromises?

Mehmet,
I engage in discussions with everybody. And the fascists I talked about in the other thread do not include Insan.

[insan]

Insan,
doesn't Turkey - Talat etc, constantly talk about "TRNC", "Greek Cypriot Administration", "two peoples" etc. Erdogan some days ago said that the Turkish troops will never leave from Cyprus.

In my opinion, they keep the same political stance because they don't believe that GC leadership really wants a fair, viable unification of Cyprus.

So when your leaders always take the most extreme position possible, why do you expect from Papadopoulos to come out and openly make compromises?

What compromises!? I only asked to be informed about his version of A Plan to analyze whether he is honest concerning what he says his aim is.[/quote]

[Piratis]

In my opinion, they keep the same political stance because they don't believe that GC leadership really wants a fair, viable unification of Cyprus.

And they want a fair, viable unification of Cyprus when they talk about two separate countries and two separates peoples and they keep 40.000 occupations troops? Is that a joke? Today its not April 1st.

What compromises!? I only asked to be informed about his version of A Plan to analyze whether he is honest concerning what he says his aim is

Do you think that any version of A plan, will not be full with huge compromises? Accepting a solution based on federation is a huge compromise by itself.

[brother]

the tassos speach sounds like the same old tired scratched record that goes...blah, blah, blah...etc.

WE WANT ACTION NOT PRETTY WORDS THAT ONLY SERVE TO TRICK PEOPLE LIKE PIRATIS INTO THINKING YOU JUST SAID SOMETHING NEW OR IMPORTANT.

[insan]

And they want a fair, viable unification of Cyprus when they talk about two separate countries and two separates peoples and they keep 40.000 occupations troops? Is that a joke? Today its not April 1st.

Only Denktash and his supporters talk about two seperate peoples and two seperate states. Turkey keep his troops in North because no settlemnet has been reached yet. She clearly stated that she would withdrawn her troops when a settlement has been reached.

Do you think that any version of A plan, will not be full with huge compromises? Accepting a solution based on federation is a huge compromise by itself.

Federation is mainly a consequence of Enosists terrorist actions. So don't talk me about compromises. It all started with Enosis and followed by Taksim. Enosis vs Taksim led us today. A kind of natural evolution. A consequence of war of the mankind in Cyprus. It's no compromise.