Rival leaders meet in Cyprus - 1 July 2008

[Paulynyc]

Actually, the big question is whether realpolitik will allow a regional bully like Turkey to join the ranks of the EU before it actually undertakes any real democratic reforms, and before it removes its occupying troops from the sovereign territory of Republic of Cyprus.

[Paulynyc]

It would seem to be in the best interests of the advancement of Turkish society to join the EU, but how can they hope to be an EU member when 40K troops occupy their neighbor's property for over three decades? This mentality of "what's mine is mine, and what's yours is negotiable" has got to go before Turkey can seriously be considered as an EU contender.

[Paulynyc]

I have a simple, straighforward question...

--Turkey wants to join the EU

--For 35 years,Turkey has occupied one-third of the sovereign territory of Cyprus, a full EU member since 2004

--Turkey wants Cyprus to stop blocking it's way into the EU...

---How does Turkey expect to be admitted into the EU when it's been in gross violation of international law, invading occupying, ethnically-cleansing and colonising part of a sovereign state recognized by the UN--and an EU member?

[42turk42]

Ask the UK they make a mess of everything. Know what happened to whats Israel know? It was Turkish but the English took it in war and sold to the jews. Same thing happened on cyprus it wasnt Greek nor Turkish but when the majority of Greeks start killing the MINORTY of Turks the Turkish army stept in. And not only Turkey but the entire EU will benefit when Turkey joins the EU. But its better if Turkey doesnt join the EU.

[petcalledros]

the bigger question would be: How the hell did Greece join the EU? After all, it was Greece and the terrorists of EOKA that started all this mess....No enosis = no taksim. No EOKA = Peacefull independance and probably no archbishop president. RELIGION AND POLITICS SHOULD NOT MIX

[lostridinfast7734]

turkey raped and robbed this country of it's freedom. turkish immigrants go home, why hasn't the eu helped remove these liars and theives from this country.

[hoplitespao]

Peace ok but not reunification. 2 countries on one island is not a problem.

[petcalledros]

I agree. A good solution would be

1) Turkey would recognise the Republic of Cyprus

2) The world would recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

3) Put Turkey in the EU

4) Learning REAL history in both countries, not the propaganda they are learning now

[gateilli]

omfg a greek gives turk handshake with SMILE omfg if i was him i would brake the turks arm and then kill him with my toe FUCK TURKS GO THE FUCK OUT OF CYPRUS GO THE FUCK OUT OF KONSTANTINOPUL FUCKING DIE BY CANCER FUCKING GO BACK TO FUCKING MONGOLIA U FUCKING MONGOLS turk called genghez its says enough fuck turks i hate u fucking shit ure uglier then rats and more irritating then musqiuto's FUCKING i gonna kill u kounupia

[petcalledros]

poushto ratsisti!

[Alex23192]

pahaha, ratsismos file mou..mazoximsmos

[HaxorLee]

The Anan Plan wasnt a viable solution for the Greek Cypriots, and mostly favored the Turkish Side.

The invasion was justified imo, since the Turks only just came to protect their people from the fighting that was going on in Major cities so we got divided in 2 Sides.

The failed Politicians didnt do much about it so it's a problem up to today.

But with this new president we have now i'm sure we can do something, since he's a man of the people, and not an asshole like the rest.

[coffeethen]

Hey, there is peace in the TRNC, just that those turds in Southern Cyprus want to keep making trouble as per usual. The best solution is to ship all the Greek Cypriots back to Greece! There, no Cyprus problem now.

[lukiri]

Aren't you a clever guy. They should put you in charge of the negotiations. You moron. The same could be said for the other side if that was the case. Cyprus is for Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are not Greek, we are Cypriot and with to unify and live together with our fellow Cypriots in the north. It's people like you that shout the loudest that make reaching an agreement so hard. If you don't except all Cypriots on both sides of the divide then maybe it is you that should bugger off to Turkey.

[skylofts]

The Turkish action in Cyprus was not an unwarranted invasion. The Standing Committee of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe ruled, July 29 1974, the "Turkey exercised its right of intervention in accordance with Article IV of the Treaty of Guarantee."According to a statement that Makarios made to Bunte Illustrierte in 1972, "The union of Cyprus with Greece (Enosis) required the extermination of the Turkish Cypriot community."

[lukiri]

You seem to forget that yes Turkey had a right to step in but as a peace keeping force. It is meant to reinstate the peace and then leave. Not occupy, ethnically cleanse and create a separate state. This is very different and one should look at everything and not pic one bit of a UN ruling. There are dozens that Turkey is ignoring.

[skylofts]

Turkey was compelled as one of the Guarantor Powers of the Cyprus settlement under the Treaty of Guarantee to intervene on 20 July 1974 in order to stop the ethnic cleansing and genocide of our community and obligated to stay as long as the threat exists. .

[skylofts]

UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550 are NOT binding because they were NOT adopted under Chapter VII and did NOT contain a reference to Article 25 of the Charter. NOR did their terms imply that the resolutions were INTENDED to be binding. The Resolutions on Cyprus were intended to be passed as recommendations ONLY!

[lukiri]

Regarding your comment 'obligated to stay as long as the threat exists' that cannot be justified because they are obliged to stay as a peace keeping force. Sealing off a disproportionate third of the island and creating a state is not peacekeeping.

[skylofts]

Under the Treaty of Guarantee Trukiye has the right to in order to protect us. You just want the greeks to be able to kill us.

[lukiri]

What the hell are you talking about??? Are you not reading what I am write? That's offensive. I wont let you pigeon hole me. I wish Cyprus free, not for Greek Cypriots but for all Cypriots. I feel pain for Cypriots on both sides as they all lost in this situation. I am currently learning Turkish as I believe there are 3 languages in Cyprus, Greek, Turkish and English. If language is not a barrier it will be easier for the communities to unify again. I wish you and others could feel the same way.

[skylofts]

The unified Cyprus Tactic is a EOKA trick to not only disenfranchise Cypriot Turks politically but, to expose them to physical attacks by greeks without any protection!

[skylofts]

Treaty of Guarantee 1960 after British departed from Cyprus, is consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It reaffirmed the human rights of everyone. Clearly states that Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, the Greek Cypriots, and the Turkish Cypriots would all guarantee the independence of Cyprus. Cyprus was to be a republic.

[lukiri]

Unity should not be defined solely through constitution and boundaries as to me this is contradictory. Unity is a people at peace, living side by side with understanding and respect. Yes, I am Greek Cypriot, but first I am Cypriot. I speak Greek and my religion is Orthodox but this does not define me nor should it separate me from other Cypriots. Unfortunately you seem to attack me even though I desire peace and friendship with the Turkish Cypriot community. Sadly I cannot win this stale mate.

[skylofts]

That sounds so nice except for the FACT Greek Cypriot patriotic songs that are taught in Greek Cypriot schools advocate genocide of all Muslim people. Their slogans are on the recent graphite's that were written on the top of the highest building near the Ledra Street border gate in Nicosia. The graphite's stated, "Death to the Turks" and "Axe and fire to the Turkish dogs."

[lukiri]

Your hatred is so all consuming that you can't talk without spitting venum. Well, here's a reality check, the majority of Cypriots from both sides want a bi-zonal bi-communal federation creating a United Cyprus Republic with one international personality that represents all. So if you don't like this and would rather fester in you hatred of peace and unity then maybe you should pack your bags and leave! Before the day I long to see, when the people from both sides can return to there homes. Bye.

[skylofts]

The greek tactic of name calling when losing a rational debate! From inception Republic of Cyprus was NEVER a unitary state in which there is only one electorate with a majority and minority. The two communities were political equals and each existed as a political entity, just as both large and small states exist within the structure of the European Union." The Treaty of Guarantee is democratic because it respected every body's rights, like all liberal democratic systems should.

[skylofts]

Cyprus as a unitary state is a violation of the Treaty of Guarantee. Turks, Greeks, British, Turkish Cypriots, and Greek Cypriots are all on record of consenting to this treaty with their own free will. Their signatures are all on the Treaty of Guarantee, one of the founding treaties of the 1960's Republic of Cyprus. A unitary state would disenfranchise Turkish Cypriots politically and leave them without any protection from genocide; I think this is what you really want!

[skylofts]

The Turkish Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, "No measures were taken to prevent incidents such as the inhumane treatment of Turks and foreigners at the border gates, the extensive damage inflicted on the cars carrying TRNC license plates and the beating-up of the Turkish Cypriot students studying at the British School in the South, the Greek Cypriot leadership has opted for a policy of lending support to such incidents.

[lukiri]

Where does this ridiculous accusation that Greek are friends of the Nazis??? The Greeks apposed the Nazis and tried to stop them occupying. Thjousands of Jews live side by side with Greeks in Greece. But I am talking about unity in Cyprus, you talk of Turkey's 'ability' to take Athens in 24hrs.

[skylofts]

Slogans advocating mass murder of the entire Muslim people and hate crimes are an established greek Cypriot tactic. Unity under these conditions would be suicide! Why not ask the Jews to have unity with nazis (greek friends)? Stale mate, lady you people LOST the war and got the rest of the world to help you against Turkiye, without which we could take Athens in 24 hours!

[lukiri]

My God there is no limit to your hatred. Isn't it ironic that you attack me for "Death to the Turks" when I am trying to build a bridge with you. Yes there are extremists but they are very few, they are on both sides. Just because they shout the loudest doesn't mean they are the only voice.

[skylofts]

The report written by the British Parliament, "From its very inception, the Republic of Cyprus was NEVER a unitary state in which there is only one electorate with a majority and minority. The two communities were political equals and each existed as a political entity, just as both large and small states exist within the structure of the European Union."

[lukiri]

There is obviously no reasoning with you. You have your face so deep in historical text that you are unable to see or feel the future. The future is not written so for someone like you this does not give you the ability to quote. Unifying Cyprus, for me and the moderate majority is not EOKA mantra at the slightest. We want a constitution that represent both sides equally, even if this mean rotating presidency I have no qualms.

[skylofts]

Now reading the terms of the resolutions makes you NO points because it passed as a RECOMMENDATION by the greeks as a propaganda tactic because it NEVER would have passed as a binding resolution. I think you know that!

[lukiri]

The threat that the Turkish Cypriots faced predominantly came from the extremist Greek, from Greece, junta and a small amount of extremist Greek Cypriot sympathizers. Don't ignor the extremist minorities of both sides (ie the Turkish TNT which sole purpose was to create instability). Once the Greek coup had failled and Turkey had 'restored peace' they where meant to retreat.

[lukiri]

Nevertheless we can only move forward. Atrocities were commited by both sides. We are at a unique stage in the history of this troubled island. A time that gives me butterflies in my stomach. For the first time we have two leaders that understand each other and have the same objective in mind, a unified, free island that at it's core has the rights and protection of all its inhabitants. Please lets celebrate and support this new drive so all Cypriots can again live together as my family used to.

[skylofts]

It is like saying the Jews committed crimes against the nazis (friends of the greeks).According to a report from the United States Senate, 20,000 Greek Cypriots were forced to move from Northern to Southern Cyprus, while 34,000 Turkish Cypriots were forced to move from Southern Cyprus to Northern Cyprus. Although it is true that there were 194,400 Greek Cypriot refugees in Southern Cyprus, this was the result of the Greek coup d'יtat and not the Turkish intervention.

[KIBRISIM]

Give lukiri a break skylofts I don't think he/she is a bad person, she's not trying to deny us our homeland. Pick on the ones that are. ;o)

[GittigidiyorTV]

greek cypriots playing game again like always.First eu has to lift the isolations on north cyprus how they promised at 2004 . turkish cypriots voted yes and greek cypriots voted no for annanplan.and now they gone under eu umbrella with the name of RoC which they will never want solution but they want turkish cypriots remain isolated from the world.Makarios said march 22 1977 "it is in the name of enosis that cyprus has been destroyed" . if greek junta didnt attack cyprus this will not happen.

[focusoncyprus]

Hmmmm

[manwiththecalicobag]

they could all way appoint a jew ,gosh sorry i mean an American political leader

[Darwinek]

There will be no peace in Cyprus. Both sides are too hot-headed.

[dontreadmyusername0]

But they could come to agreements , just hope they unify cyprus!