Cyprus-Forum.com

[mehmet]

Hi,

It's been a while since i regularly posted on this forum, but every now and then I would log on and read the discussions. My participation on this forum has helped me understand the issues involved with Cyprus better but it has not made me more optimistic for a future where Cyprus and Cypriots are united. From the old days only Piratis remains, articulate as ever, whereas MicAtCyp, ErolZ, Bananiot seem to have disappeared.

My question is this, has participation changed your views about the 'Cyprus problem'? Are you more or less optimistic than before you participated? Is this Forum therefore making the prospect of a solution nearer or further away?

[reportfromcyprus]

The forum has improved my understanding of the main political problems Cyprus faces, also. I think it improves the chances of a settlement as much as any honest and open discussion can.

As an expression of public opinion, it's something real, not manipulated like the media

[andri_cy]

I see things a bit more from the TC perspective now, even though I was never one to think that Gc's were the only victims.

[elko]

As a member of the "Cyprus List" for many years I am aware of the feelings of both sides. I feel that "Cyprus Form" helps both sides to understand each other better. However due to unfortunate external circumstances the chances for a solution is getting thinner and thinner. Every passing day makes the division more permanent. As long as the south and Greece is within EU and Turkey remains outside, I see no possibility of a permanent solution in Cyprus. It will not be long before Turkey gives up on Europe. So we are further from a solution despite "Cyprus Form" and similar activities. Of course the losers are the Cypriots. We all think we are too clever.
ismet

[Sotos]

Positive thing is that you learn things about the other side. Negative thing is that the things you learn make you less optimistic.

[Piratis]

Unfortunately I doubt that an agreed solution will ever be found. A permanent agreed solution can come only if we all agree that this solution should be based on democracy, human rights and will finally treat all Cypriot citizens in the same way regardless of their race, language or ethnic background.

As long as we are looking into divisive "solutions" were group A tries to gain on the loss of group B then a permanent solution will never come, peace will never come, and we will have a war and a blood shed with every swing in the balance of power.

Sorry if I sound pessimistic but that is reality.

From the forum I learned some things about the past but nothing to change my idea about how the future should be. It is unfortunate that some people are trying to use tiny selectively chosen parts of the past as an excuse for yet more crimes and illegalities. It is thanks to such people that we are guaranteed that there will always have an excuse for conflict and war and never a chance for permanent peace.

Another thing I learned from the forum long time ago, is that most TCs actually support the illegal Turkish occupation and the violations of our human rights. Until then I believed that only Turkey was responsible for these crimes and that TCs were just victims, as we were though in schools.

[Issy1956]

Piratis,
I dont want to be glib or facetious but we have had peace of a kiind since 74. There have few if any intercommunal incidents and Greek and Turkish Cypriots are not killing each other and the TC's are not stuck in enclaves representing just a few % of the terrority of the island in a sea of hostile GC's-this is an improvement as far as they are concerned and it is perhaps with this in mind that the TC's support the Turkish troops-you shouldnt be surprised by this really if you look at the history of the conflict without any bias.
What we havent had ofcourse is a political settlement to try address the property issue and adequate represenation for the TC's in a united Cyprus and this is where I fear we will be stuck as the GC's have enjoyed being able to run a Greek Cypriot State for so long they are unlikely to agree to share it with the TC's. If I can quote Mr Tpap " I dont want to be the leader who inherited a State and handed back a community" and equally the TC politicans wont want to surrender the power and authority, such that it is, that they have and be incorporated into a GC state.
So here we are and here we stay- I like many of you earnestly want an equitable settlement but I just cant see how we will get there.

[andreasv]

It is rather sad really but I can not see a solution to the Cyprus problem not in my life time. I was six when Turkey invaded Cyprus.... Twelve when my family immigrated and 38 years now and my dream of seeing a united Cyprus where all its people live together in harmony in a united nation is not going to be realised..... oh well! The sad thing is that the Turkish Speaking Cypriots are bearing the brunt of the war and Turkey's occupationary tactics.

Sorry my friends ..... am a bit over it.

[andreasv]

You know what would be nice...... a Turkish Cypriot inviting the owner of the home they occupy and presenting them with a key to their home ...knowing that the Greek Speaking Cypriot government will look after them by giving them suitable accommodation ..... if they have property in the South that thay can re- occupy or providing them with government housing or refugee housing ....... that would be nice and if every Turkish Speaking Cypriot did that and Greek Speaking Cypriots did the same if they occupy homes and land of Turkish Speaking Cypriots it will leave the governments to solve the issue in a different manner that will benefit all Cypriots regardless of what they speak or believe. Why not teach children to speak both languages and learn about both religions ..... so what if some of us believe that Jesus is the son of God and why can't we accept that some of us don't accept this ..... surely what is important is our spirituality is a personal thing.

[zan]

Unfortunately I doubt that an agreed solution will ever be found. A permanent agreed solution can come only if we all agree that this solution should be based on democracy, human rights and will finally treat all Cypriot citizens in the same way regardless of their race, language or ethnic background.

As long as we are looking into divisive "solutions" were group A tries to gain on the loss of group B then a permanent solution will never come, peace will never come, and we will have a war and a blood shed with every swing in the balance of power.

Sorry if I sound pessimistic but that is reality.

From the forum I learned some things about the past but nothing to change my idea about how the future should be. It is unfortunate that some people are trying to use tiny selectively chosen parts of the past as an excuse for yet more crimes and illegalities. It is thanks to such people that we are guaranteed that there will always have an excuse for conflict and war and never a chance for permanent peace.

Another thing I learned from the forum long time ago, is that most TCs actually support the illegal Turkish occupation and the violations of our human rights. Until then I believed that only Turkey was responsible for these crimes and that TCs were just victims, as we were though in schools.

And as long as you believe that the legal wranglings are the be all and end all of this issue you will wallow in the quagmire of self pity and false defeatism. As soon as you see that the people on the other side of the boarder are human and are fed up with being kicked from pillar to post then you can look at the human misery that has been caused and wish not to inflict any more on either side. I think you also do the GCs an injustice by denying their right to settle and forget what has gone on before to make a new start.