Cyprus-Forum.com

[T_C]

Another decent article by Alkan CHAGLAR.

Overcoming the serpiginous psyche of political exclusion or isolation drilled into the minds of our community for decades by the Denktash dynasty is both an arduous and perilous task for a Turkish Cypriot living either in Cyprus or among the diaspora in London. In our community, it is deemed honorable and worthy to fight to be excluded from the Republic of Cyprus, to extend our support for succession from a state we founded. Indocibility shaped by decades of endless indoctrination have made banal, anachronistic notions of Apartheid that falsely forewarn our unsuspecting youth that we cannot live together with the Greek Cypriots, that “the Republic of Cyprus is really South Cyprus” or that “the Greek Cypriots do not want us.”

It is remarkable that over 32 years the same Turkish Cypriot politicians, writers and activists still offer the same faint hopes of recognition for the bankrupt TRNC, justifying continued dispossession of rights of property of our fellow Cypriots and promoting our voluntary exclusion from the Cypriot Republic. Few are even permitted in 21st century multi-cultural London to deviate from this official thinking. Mislead, abused and offered false hopes after false hopes, we Turkish Cypriots are learning that we are better off without partition that perhaps our independence is a false one compared to what we can achieve as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus beside our Greek, Maronite, Latin and Armenian Cypriot compatriots.

Recently I sat as one Turkish Cypriot local politician asked why the community is not organising, against the Greek Cypriot lobby, which bothered him profoundly. By Greek Cypriot lobbyist, I wonder which politically affiliated lobby my friend was referring to. Clearly, Greek Cypriots are as divided politically as our own community. Political divisions among Greek Cypriots occur not only in village cafes as is traditional, but also among football teams.

Perhaps my elected friend was referring to certain Greek Cypriot ultra-nationalists who try tirelessly to mislead an unsuspecting public that Turkish Cypriots are mere “500 year old guests”? If he is referring to these people then we are in agreement, but I wonder if Turkish Cypriot ultra-nationalists equally bother him? I ask, of course because no mention of them was made.

Quite to the satisfaction of those who believe “Cyprus is Greek,” these same Turkish Cypriot campaigners are putting all their energy trying to get us to use to the name “North Cyprus” as if Southern Cyprus no longer holds sentimental or emotional resonance to our community. Readers, I cannot help but look on bewildered when I see Turkish Cypriots who for seven generations have resided in the wild valleys of Paphos or the deep south of Limassol but who now suddenly feel obliged to use the term ‘North Cyprus’ as if the term “Cyprus” is barred to them indefinitely. Sadly, this is a common misconception encouraged by Turkish nationalists that has seen the term Cyprus and its flag hijacked by Greek nationalists in recent years.

Having travelled to the antipodes, I have always said I am Cypriot, and if the unsuspecting person responds by trying to impress me by speaking Greek, then I will happily (and I admit I derive great pleasure in doing so) correct them: “actually Cyprus is a bilingual state and I am from the Turkish-speaking community.” I can and will continue to identify myself as Cypriot, before a solution and claiming the entire island as my home, all the way from Akamas to Apostolos Andreas. I am not accepting second-class citizenship by doing so, and would protest loudly if I were made to feel that way.

Turkish Cypriot lobbyists who try to artificially create a North Cyprus identity, even a ‘soft’ or ‘diluted one’ should instead divert their same efforts and strengths towards asserting Turkish Cypriot participation in the Republic of Cyprus, where our rights already exist for and can be easily modified and upgraded in the existing democratic system. These are not pitiful minority rights provisions as secessionists would suggest, but equal rights as a co-partner to an EU state, with the ability to improve our economic situation and build bridges with Europe.

No, it is not an easy task, in fact it is difficult, but the end goal is more obtainable and holds greater benefits than supporting a semi-state that we never voted for. For all its faults, such as institutionalised racism and the undemocratic influence of churchmen, the Republic of Cyprus is regardless a state originally designed for all Cypriots, where a mechanism exists for change. It is a Cypriot state where a new class of Greek Cypriot human rights activists like Ombudsman Iliana Nicolaou and forward-thinking individuals such as Panicos Chrysanthou, Loucas Charalambous and numerous others frequently speak out against injustice, and who work tirelessly to ensure Turkish Cypriots acquire and enjoy full citizenship.

For those that await a solution, where two states will exist, wake up! The Annan plan Turkish Cypriots voted for was not a creation of any new state, but rather an upgrade of the existing Republic of Cyprus, a ‘United Cyprus Republic’ which Turkish Cypriots co-founded. Any solution, in the future will equally be an upgrade to the existing Republic of Cyprus. For those who cite past injustices on both sides as obstacles, injustices whose perpetrators should be found and tried today, these past acts can and must be addressed within the Republic and EU, but they should not hinder progress leading our people to sustained isolation.

The isolation in which our people find themselves is particularly tragic as Turkish Cypriots are a highly educated, cultured and entrepreneurial people with so much to offer the world. Already they have over-represented themselves in Britain, which has been their home for only 32 years. Young talented Turkish Cypriots in London who represent Britain or those who are forgotten could fulfil their potential and perform wonders in Cyprus. And why not? Young London Turkish Cypriots are educated, have lived in a multi-cultural environment and can speak English, a global language.

Rejecting false hopes of improved isolation, one day, or a so called ‘Taiwan model’ that remains under Turkey’s thumb of influence, Turkish Cypriots must instead fight for inclusion in the Republic of Cyprus as full citizens. Reclaiming your position and shunning the folly of partition is not a question of surrendering, rather it is our right and duty as Cypriot citizens.

Having studied in Belgium, where I witnessed bilingualism in action and visited real bi-ethnic states like Switzerland and Canada, it has offered a sceptic like me hope that our own island can sustain the same coexistence, diversity and bilingualism. I confess, I day-dream of bilingual signs in Greek and Turkish, Nicosian children able to converse in three or four languages and where our multiple identity and language skills become our economic strength in the region. Except this dream can easily become a reality.

For those who claim we are a Turkish minority, that the only Cypriots are donkeys, they are lying. Cypriot is a state of mind and Cyprus would not be independent Cyprus without the Turkish Cypriots.

[humanist]

[Alkan CHAGLAR. ]Having studied in Belgium, where I witnessed bilingualism in action and visited real bi-ethnic states like Switzerland and Canada, it has offered a sceptic like me hope that our own island can sustain the same coexistence, diversity and bilingualism. I confess, I day-dream of bilingual signs in Greek and Turkish, Nicosian children able to converse in three or four languages and where our multiple identity and language skills become our economic strength in the region. Except this dream can easily become a reality.[/quote]

Firstly thank you Turkish Cypriot for your kind post.

Secondly Alkan I have the same vison for Cyprus and Nicosian Children and adults also. The day we achieve this it would be the day I will return to our beautiful Island.

Turkish Cypriot once again thank you because Alkan has said what I have not been able to put in words and describe how I feel.

Lastly Alkan if you are planning a trip to Australia it would be my pleasure and honour to meet with with you. says as tears run down his face. Tears of joy none the less as others share my dream.

[miltiades]

What a brilliant article by Alkan Chaglar , and how enormously encouraging to read such fundamental truths as the one below .

"""""""It is remarkable that over 32 years the same Turkish Cypriot politicians, writers and activists still offer the same faint hopes of recognition for the bankrupt TRNC, justifying continued dispossession of rights of property of our fellow Cypriots and promoting our voluntary exclusion from the Cypriot Republic. Few are even permitted in 21st century multi-cultural London to deviate from this official thinking. Mislead, abused and offered false hopes after false hopes, we Turkish Cypriots are learning that we are better off without partition that perhaps our independence is a false one compared to what we can achieve as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus beside our Greek, Maronite, Latin and Armenian Cypriot compatriots. """

When he wrote this article , the VPs were on his mind , Zan take notice , here is an educated T/C who conclusively agrees the "grumpy old sod " Miltiades as well as with the likes of Kikapu , Bir , Humansist , Sadik and many many more.

Just as the T/Cs were forced by the Turkish agenda of partition to abandon their ancestral homes and move into enclaves cutting them selves off from their own RoC , and so now the propaganda machine as operated by the VP department is telling them that there are two Cyprus's , North and South !
I particularly enjoyed the following statement by my fellow Cypriot.

"""""Having travelled to the antipodes, I have always said I am Cypriot, and if the unsuspecting person responds by trying to impress me by speaking Greek, then I will happily (and I admit I derive great pleasure in doing so) correct them: “actually Cyprus is a bilingual state and I am from the Turkish-speaking community.” I can and will continue to identify myself as Cypriot, before a solution and claiming the entire island as my home, all the way from Akamas to Apostolos Andreas. I am not accepting second-class citizenship by doing so, and would protest loudly if I were made to feel that way. """"

Congratulations my Cypriot brother!

[shahmaran]

wow he gave me goose bumps, excellent read turkish_cypriot thank you, its so beautiful yet it seems soo distant, maybe i will live to see it come true

[free_cyprus]

turkish_cypriot
Alkan Chaglar. there is truth in what you posted and what he said but his article i find offensive and it devides our island by the fact he ises the words turkish and greek. turkish speaking or greek speaking is about as close as we will ever be to being turkish or greek ................................. but even the soo called educated can be brainwashed and they have to lean towards something

[zan]

I read and I find another idealistic and incomplete article. I was not going to post on this just yet but Miltiades has forced my hand. There are similar articles written by GCs that point out the shortcomings of the RoC in the hope that this sort of dream can be achieved. Are we to completely dismiss these articles and use this one to override those? I have nothing against this article except for the reaction it has created amongst the blind. This is just the final piece of the puzzle, the finished picture that does nothing to highlight the problems faced on a day to day basis. It is a sermon for the already converted. It is a shout of "get behind me Satan". HE makes a brief mention about he road being difficult while some of us that do not necessarily think that it is impossible but a whole lot harder than he suggests.



Then along comes Miltiades:

Just as the T/Cs were forced by the Turkish agenda of partition to abandon their ancestral homes and move into enclaves cutting them selves off from their own RoC , and so now the propaganda machine as operated by the VP department is telling them that there are two Cyprus's , North and South !

What an absolute utter piece of crap.


Please do me a favour Miltiades and send that comment to this man and see what he says. If he even looks at this forum I ask him to please please please reply to this remark and many others just like it. Is he willing to take blame as a TURKISH CYPRIOT for all the wrong doings so that his dreams are fulfilled. They say that the devil is in the detail and he detail is what is bedevilled this whole affair. The devil himself in the guise of the so-called president of Cyprus that has no qualms about calling certain sections of his own peoples "Turk lovers". A part of me is Turkish and that will never change. You insult that part and you insult me as a whole. Perhaps when that hate can be wrenched from your hearts and you can accept me as a whole person then maybe we can start to iron out the other details.

We seem top have many evangelists that preach the word of the lord and we have a lot more that are willing to accept the word without reading the whole book.

[Kifeas]

... It is a sermon for the already converted. ...

That little phrase of yours is all the money, Zan. For you it all seems to boil down to been converted or not, and not an issue of choosing between right from wrong, with the use of conventional logic; as if it is part and /or a matter of some crystallized and embedded religious dogma -out of which one cannot and should not escape, to hold the views and say the things you do. The emotional obstacle of not been regarded or becoming a “converted” one. This little phrase is all the money.

[Kikapu]

wow he gave me goose bumps, excellent read turkish_cypriot thank you, its so beautiful yet it seems soo distant, maybe i will live to see it come true

Shah,

When we all do our part as individuals, by accepting the country of Cyprus of being ONE, then there will be a "flow" towards a Unified Cyprus that we can all call home, from individuals "drips".

Do not wait for others first, to lead the way, because often, others are waiting for you, to take charge.

You are young and inteligent person, who can do great things for his country of Cyprus.

You can make it happen Shah.

[Kikapu]

How can I sue this "thief" Alkan CHAGLAR, for stealing all my material from the Cyprus Forum, to write this article, without even any "acknowledgement" being made to me.

[shahmaran]

wow he gave me goose bumps, excellent read turkish_cypriot thank you, its so beautiful yet it seems soo distant, maybe i will live to see it come true

Shah,

When we all do our part as individuals, by accepting the country of Cyprus of being ONE, then there will be a "flow" towards a Unified Cyprus that we can all call home, from individuals "drips".

Do not wait for others first, to lead the way, because often, others are waiting for you, to take charge.

You are young and inteligent person, who can do great things for his country of Cyprus.

You can make it happen Shah.

Kikapu, as lovely as his words sound, they are so distant that they are hard to be taken seriously, his view of the extreme nationals who live on both sides might be just a little undermining of the reality on the ground.

This might very well be an ideal state of mind momentarily, but when you wake up in the morning and walk out of your house things are a LOT different and unfortunately they makes it very hard to sustain his idealist mentality on an everyday basis, people need more immediate results.

It is almost like asking a Palestinian to not loose hope because one day there will be peace on Earth, which in reality he is probably not going to live to see.