Cyprus-Forum.com

[james_mav]

Talat stated that Turkey is the one that could sell out the Turkish Cypriots

Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (24.06.09) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, reacted to the criticism that he is selling out the country and stated that Turkey is the one that could sell out the Turkish Cypriots. Mr Talat made these statements during an interview at the Wide Angle program of the ART television.

Replying to a question as regards the criticism that he put the country on sale, Mr Talat stated: Will anyone sell out his own country in which he lives and where his children and grandchildren will live?. Mr Talat, who said that there cannot be such a thing as selling out the country, went on and added that only Turkey could sell out the Turkish Cypriots: Turkey can sell out and it can say alright my brother, I am giving up, I am opening my doors and my ports (to the Greek Cypriots), I cannot deal with Cyprus anymore. But how can I sell out my own country, how can I sell out the country of my grandchildren? The moment I sell it out, I shall be ruined. It means that I shall risk my own life, he stated.

Mr Talat stated that the year 2010 is very important for the solution of the Cyprus problem and noted that until this date a referendum must be conducted. He stated that in case the referendum is not conducted until then, the negotiations will become a victim of the election campaigns.

Talat stated the following as regards the issue of the guarantees which, according to the paper, came into the agenda as the point in which there is an important disagreement between the two sides: They say there can be no attacks within the EU, therefore the Turkish Cypriots do not need guarantees, there is no need for guarantees. Considering that there will not be an attack within the EU, then there is no need to fear the Turkish army as well.

Mr Talat stated that the reports published in the Greek press as regards the issue of returning land are not true and added that the issue of the political equality is very important for the Turkish Cypriot side.

Finally, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that he has no problem with the new government in the occupied areas. Asked if he will be a candidate for the presidential election, Mr Talat refrained from giving a clear answer and stated: At this time it is not possible to say anything.

[paliometoxo]

of course they are they couldent care about the tcs at all..

[theunifier]

Interesting article and quite an interesting response from Mr. Talat.

I wonder if Turkey will ever just give up on Cyprus that way. If they do, how do things progress from here? Could Turkey decide to leave us alone overnight or would it be announced? I know it is costing Turkey quite a bit of money to hold Cyprus hostage like this and I really just wonder.

The new government would be a threat to the negotiations? Is Talat desperate for a solution to this endless problem?

One thing is for sure, Turkey doesn't give a rat's ass (excuse my French) for the TCs.

[bill cobbett]

Could this be another little signal of a split?

[Oracle]

It sounds like it's the TCs who have been making Turkey close its ports to the RoC, all along!

And from that earlier article, it's the TCs that view the occupied north as a separate "country" of their own.

Who are the real baddies in all this? The Turks are foreign opportunists ... but the TCs, who are supposed to be compatriots, have been scheming to look like the innocent victims, but want their own "country" within Cyprus, and sod the GCs ...

Or, is this all some propaganda from Turkey to make is seem like the TCs are too unreasonable, and hence she can justifiably say, "Here have them back, we're off!"

[YFred]

It sounds like it's the TCs who have been making Turkey close its ports to the RoC, all along!

And from that earlier article, it's the TCs that view the occupied north as a separate "country" of their own.

Who are the real baddies in all this? The Turks are foreign opportunists ... but the TCs, who are supposed to be compatriots, have been scheming to look like the innocent victims, but want their own "country" within Cyprus, and sod the GCs ...

Or, is this all some propaganda from Turkey to make is seem like the TCs are too unreasonable, and hence she can justifiably say, "Here have them back, we're off!"

What? are you now claiming that TCs can dictate policy to the Turks? tut tut tut, wash your mouth with soap dear lady.

Have you ever seen a dog chase its tail, you are making a very good impression of it. Blame the victim, why don't you?

[denizaksulu]

It sounds like it's the TCs who have been making Turkey close its ports to the RoC, all along!

And from that earlier article, it's the TCs that view the occupied north as a separate "country" of their own.

Who are the real baddies in all this? The Turks are foreign opportunists ... but the TCs, who are supposed to be compatriots, have been scheming to look like the innocent victims, but want their own "country" within Cyprus, and sod the GCs ...

Or, is this all some propaganda from Turkey to make is seem like the TCs are too unreasonable, and hence she can justifiably say, "Here have them back, we're off!"

The question is , if Turkey does pull out, does she take her imports with her or leave them behind. What some TCs will think is if they carry out the first option, the 'Turkish' element in any future settlement will be reduced even further. If they leave their 'imports' that will be an excuse for further intervention in the future.

Oracle, dont be silly in blaming the TCs for what you state above. It was all for Turkeys interest. If Turkey pulls out, it will only be for EU entry.

[askimwos]

Turkey may have at the end of the year to make some concessions on the Cyprus Problem in order to show that things do move forward at the negotiations table. However, these concessions are not likely to be that important.
Turkey has always followed the practice of hardening its position before making some limited concessions in order to present those relatively minor concessions as big steps.
Take for example Turkey's stance on the land issue. Turkey and TCs are now appearing to refuse the return of Morfou and part of Karpasia despite the fact that they have always known very well that in the event of a solution these two areas are a must. Morfou, Famagusta and part of Karpasia have been included in every single UN plan so far..for the simple reason that the return of these areas would have maximised the number of GCs that would return under GC administration and thus minimising the number of GCs under TC administration which in turn is one of the turkish side goals.
Come October Turkey and TCs will appear to be making concessions on this issue by changing their previous stance on the issue and agreeing for these areas to be returned under GC administration. Of course, this will provoke the hardliners in Turkey and the TC community to cry out sell-out and thus make these minor concessions, which were considered expected and normal only a few months before, appear as a brave step towards the solution.