Cyprus-Forum.com

[reportfromcyprus]

"we should avoid inherent shortcomings which flawed the last negotiating effort undertaken by the UN and which diverted attention from basic principles that must be upheld."

That's a direct criticism of the UN, Alexis.

I'm sorry if I come off as too harsh, I agree with you that there's a lot of apathy towards a lot of world problems. There are also a lot of efforts to solve them and precious little gratitude or acknowledgement goes towards those people who are trying to make a difference.

[MR-from-NG]

Couple of slaps right there Kifeas, didnt the UN do these last time round. The UN just tolerates your leader no one trusts him or any undertaking he may give towards a solution, he has lost all credability, thats why the UN will not really push for a solution, they make a few noises and leave it at that.

I agree 100% with you viewpoint. To be honest I find it difficult to understand the loyalty and support given to Papadopulos by our GC friends. If the coin was reversed and he represented me forget loyalty and support, a kick up the arse is what he'd get.

[Alexis]

That's a direct criticism of the UN, Alexis.

I'm sorry if I come off as too harsh, I agree with you that there's a lot of apathy towards a lot of world problems. There are also a lot of efforts to solve them and precious little gratitude or acknowledgement goes towards those people who are trying to make a difference.

Sure, I take your point again reportfromcyprus.
All I would say is that whilst Papadopoulos' policies leave a lot to be desired, his speeches, including this one, are actually very good at outlining the concerns of the GC community to the outside world. Perhaps he should have gone further and admitted that mistakes have also been made by his government in the last few years but let's not forget that his arrogance is also reciprocated by the other side and particularly by rhetoric issued by the Turkish government. I for one would be the first to congratulate all those that have put time and effort into trying to solve the problems in Cyprus including those who helped negotiate and put together Annan Plan. What I will say though is that I think the events of the last few years only transpired due to Turkey's loosening of her grip on the Cyprus status quo due mainly to the fact that Cyprus acceded to the European Union. I am absolutely convinced that if this had not been the case no plans would have gotten anywhere near referendum by now. As it turns out it hasn't made much difference anyway, for a number of reasons including mistakes made by the RoC. What is clear though is that a solution in Cyprus in whatever form it takes must be agreed on by both communities and we still have a long way to go before we get there it would seem.

[reportfromcyprus]

That's a direct criticism of the UN, Alexis.

I'm sorry if I come off as too harsh, I agree with you that there's a lot of apathy towards a lot of world problems. There are also a lot of efforts to solve them and precious little gratitude or acknowledgement goes towards those people who are trying to make a difference.

Sure, I take your point again reportfromcyprus.
All I would say is that whilst Papadopoulos' policies leave a lot to be desired, his speeches, including this one, are actually very good at outlining the concerns of the GC community to the outside world. Perhaps he should have gone further and admitted that mistakes have also been made by his government in the last few years but let's not forget that his arrogance is also reciprocated by the other side and particularly by rhetoric issued by the Turkish government. I for one would be the first to congratulate all those that have put time and effort into trying to solve the problems in Cyprus including those who helped negotiate and put together Annan Plan. What I will say though is that I think the events of the last few years only transpired due to Turkey's loosening of her grip on the Cyprus status quo due mainly to the fact that Cyprus acceded to the European Union. I am absolutely convinced that if this had not been the case no plans would have gotten anywhere near referendum by now. As it turns out it hasn't made much difference anyway, for a number of reasons including mistakes made by the RoC. What is clear though is that a solution in Cyprus in whatever form it takes must be agreed on by both communities and we still have a long way to go before we get there it would seem.

You make a very balanced argument, I think, Alexis. We can only hope that we get there in the end.

I agree that his speeches clarify the GC position, but they should actually clarify the Republic of Cyprus' position, as the representative government of all the island's communities. There's a difference, and that's the future. If we want a unified island, we have to stop thinking in divided ways. Respect for community -YES.
Respect for those things that unite us - YES.
Respect for blinkered nationalist attitudes - NO.

And that goes for all sides in the situation.

[andri_cy]

Couple of slaps right there Kifeas, didnt the UN do these last time round. The UN just tolerates your leader no one trusts him or any undertaking he may give towards a solution, he has lost all credability, thats why the UN will not really push for a solution, they make a few noises and leave it at that.

I agree 100% with you viewpoint. To be honest I find it difficult to understand the loyalty and support given to Papadopulos by our GC friends. If the coin was reversed and he represented me forget loyalty and support, a kick up the arse is what he'd get.

I dont like him. But I think according to some GC's I dotn count as I am an American Cypriot.

[Pyrpolizer]

UN=United Nothings

[cypezokyli]

i fail to see the point of this thread. firstly because, who thinks that the rest of the representatives in the GA really care or pay attention to the speeches ? do you really think that people sit in the GA waiting to listen 192 speeches ?!!! people moove around, abandon the GA for a coffee or a nap, till every representative repeats his speech, that most propably is the same as last year. the press will report the speach of bush, ahmanedijan, and perhaps chavez and end of the story. besides, cyprus has seazed being on the agenda for years now. the world has really more serious problems.

second, dont forget that what kind of people are sitting in the GA. they are professional diplomats or politicians. its not the public that will vote, and will be amazed by the eloquence or the arguments of the speakers. they write speeches themselves, and they know exactly what crap (generalities, vagueness etc) are part of a speech. the real work in the GA, goes behind the scenes and nobody pays attentions to the speeches or waits to be convinced by them. besides, diplomats simply follow the instructions/ policies of their goverments concerning each issue, which were made before any president makes a speech.

moreover, if erdogan makes a speach, or if talat were to be allowed to participate they would also say : we are commited on solving the cyppro on a BBF basis and its their fault blabla....

i short whatever pap said on that speech is imo completely irrelevant

[rolo]

cypezokyli

Exactly.

Well said.

[Viewpoint]

I agree cypezokyli

cyprus has seazed being on the agenda for years now. the world has really more serious problems.

we feel we are the centre of the world when all we are is a small island in the med, which has enjoyed a peaceful existence for the last 32 years. Add to this the untrustworthy Papadopoulos who had the full attention then UN during the negotiations of the Annan plan only to contribute to a plan that he would ask his people to unresoundingly reject. Can you estimate the bomb shell effect this must of had on the hundreds of UN and EU experts that also took hours upon hours to support us during and after negotiations to bring about a plan that could be put to the people. His credibility in UN circles is below zero, he has his glory by slapping all those that trusted him and his people to bring about a solution, you are deluded if you feel the UN will support any efforts he may be seen to hypothetical want to make.

[andri_cy]

Viewpoint maybe that's the problem. If we would stop thinking we are the center of the world and convince Greece and Turkey to back off, put aside our "I am Turkish" or "I am Greek" mentality and try to be Cypriots first and then whatever else, maybe then we can make it work. I am fraid we cannot, as both sides seem to be stuck in the past. I am not saying we havent both suffered but something's gotta give so we can move forward. That would require both sides putting the past behind them and working together. Unfortunately, even though I am hopeful, I do not see it happening anytime soon and status quo will remain just that-status quo. Maybe we are elcting the wrong people as leaders.