Cyprus-Forum.com

[erolz]

Just thought I would offer my views on todays developments.

The EU wanted both the GC and TC to agree the annan plan. They didn't get what they wanted the first time round and now they are laying the groundwork for a second bite of the apple (much like they did when the Irish people voted against the previous expansion of EU members)

The Annan plan will be revised and a new deadline will be set (Oct 2005). I do not believe it will be revised radically. New referendums will be held on the new annan plan. The maximum pressure will come on all sides adminstrations to do everything they can to secure a yes vote from both communites in Cyprus. This time round it will be laid out beforhand the consequences of a no from either side. GC will be told that a no from them this time round will lead to direct recognition of the TRNC by major EU states. TC will be told a no vote from them will lead to Turkey withdrawing its recognition, troops and financial aid.

The EU will eventualy get what it wanted.

That's how it seems to me.

[brother]

Seems like a fair assesment.

[Piratis]

I do not believe it will be revised radically. New referendums will be held on the new annan plan.

If it is not revised radically no referendum will be held.

Didn't you understand yet why everybody was rushing to push the Annan plan on us before Cyprus entered the EU?

The EU parliament said it clearly. The solution should be based on the Annan plan AND on the EU aquis. This means the Annan plan needs to change significantly and take into consideration the fact that Cyprus now is an EU country.

[erolz]

The EU parliament said it clearly. The solution should be based on the Annan plan AND on the EU aquis. This means the Annan plan needs to change significantly and take into consideration the fact that Cyprus now is an EU country.

It is still my best guess at this moment in time that there will be more changes in the 'methods' used to secure a yes vote from both sides than there will be to the actual details of the plan. I may be wrong but that is how I interpret what happened today.

I would also refer to the Irish referendum that originaly voted no to the previous enlargment. The referendum was held again, with no changes to the enlargment plan what so ever and a yes vote was secured. All that changed was the 'pressure' on Irish politicians and then from them to the Irish people.

[magikthrill]

IMO I believe that as long as the plan allows for ALL refugees to return (and those that do not wish to return be compensated) and all settlers be removed, then the GC side will be deadlocked into voting yes, regardless of the other proposals.

Do you think the TCs would vote yes on such a proposal, ceteris paribus?

[Piratis]

All that changed was the 'pressure' on Irish politicians and then from them to the Irish people.

Well, then they will have to wait until Papadopoulos is not our president, and this will not happen soon since after this term he will definitely win the next one also.

Cyprus is our country. Nobody forced the Irish to accept north Ireland as part of the UK, and the EU will not force us to accept a partition plan, especially now that we, in addition to Greece, are members of EU.

[erolz]

Cyprus is our country. Nobody forced the Irish to accept north Ireland as part of the UK, and the EU will not force us to accept a partition plan, especially now that we, in addition to Greece, are members of EU.

I wonder what you mean by 'our' ? - but I'll leave that point for now.

The point about the Irish referendum on enlargement has nothing to do with Northern Ireland being part of the UK (and technicaly Northern Ireland is not part of the UK - my passport says United Kingdom of Great Britiain AND Northern Ireland). The point is a referendum was held in Ireland. The result was against the 'will' of the rest of the EU. The referendum was held again (with no changes to the thing veing 'voted' on) and a yes vote was secured. How do you think that was achieved? That is the 'european' way and we all know what comitted Europeans GC are

[cannedmoose]

...technicaly Northern Ireland is not part of the UK - my passport says United Kingdom of Great Britiain AND Northern Ireland).

Just to clarify your technical point, Northern Ireland is indeed an integral part of the UK. The singular title United Kingdom covers both Great Britain (i.e. the main British isle) AND Northern Ireland (i.e. the 6 counties in the north of Ireland). The simple fact that Northern Ireland is stated separately does not mean it is not part of the UK. Sorry to be picky, but for the sake of clarity, it's a valid correction.

[brother]

Tassos will not let there be a solution as he bears a personal grudge against turkey hence he would rather let it be seen that his hand was forced and veto turkey than unite our island.

[turkcyp]

The EU parliament said it clearly. The solution should be based on the Annan plan AND on the EU aquis. This means the Annan plan needs to change significantly and take into consideration the fact that Cyprus now is an EU country.

And the same EU also said last time that the Annan Plan 5, that GCs have voted down, is not contradiction to Acquis Communautaire.

Even without any changes to Annan Plan there is nothing in it that can not be accepted in Acquis Communautaire. There may be a lot of things which GCs don't want to accept, and they claim it is against Acquis Communautaire, but there is not.

Anyway I do not believe there will be a solution to Cyprus problem until Turkey becomes a full member or simultaneously. So we will wait another 15 years guys.

Have a great day everybody,