Cypriots ponder possible unification - 20 Mar 08

Dimitris Christofias, the newly elected president of Cyprus, will meet the leader of the island's breakaway Turkish north.

Both men have pledged to work to end the island's division, which has lasted since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

One emotive issue, is how to restore property to all those displaced by the fighting.

Barnaby Phillips reports.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• AlJazeera
• Al
• Jazeera
• Cyprus
• Turkey
• Greece
• Unification

[chypre77]

T-C and G-C hurt each other many times in the past. Ethnicism and nationalism led them to violense. Now all of us are more mature and we understand that we deserve a united country. We should both apologise for the crimes we ALL did. As a greek-cypriot i ask for forgiveness from T-Cypriots for all the crimes my people did, and at the same time i demand an apology from them too for the same reasons. We should not be contastants, we should work together for the good of our country! IRINI - BARIS

[Cypr1otSensation]

It WAS an INVASION. There's is quote and end guote. This isnt the 18th Century. Turkey ILLEGALY invaded a country.

[Rhodesian1965]

Yes, but the Turkish- Cypriots did not invade, nor ask for it. Turkey has used them and their issues to press an imperial claim on Cyprus just like EOKA B, Samson and Ionidis did on 15th July 1974 when they overthrew Makarios for his support for Cyprus independence.

Cyprus is NOT GREECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take down the Greek Flag, change the national anthem, and use the Cypriot flag designed by Cypriot patriot Izmet Gunay.

Luke Spyropoulos

[Mozgor]

@Cypr1otSensation - No she didn't, she had every right to intervene as a guarantor, the only issue is that she is still there, but from most TCs point of view understandable.

[danlfc1983]

Okay but there is two sides to every story.

[2468Shock]

Turkey invaded Cyprus because Greece Greek regime sponsored a coup d'etat in Nicosia to kill President Makarios but he fled. So for this Greece & Sampson Breached the 1960 Guarrantor Treaty & also Eoka-B were killing G/C Communist Party Members this is also a Breach for the Stability of Cyprus so do you get it now.

[2468Shock]

It was not Makarios's men anymore. On July 15, 1974 the Greek regime sponsored a coup d'etat in Nicosia. Makarios fled and was replaced by Nikos Sampson, a Cypriot newspaper editor and politician.

[TuncerWolf]

I dont think there should be a unification due to both nations safety from each other.

[danlfc1983]

Now before you state that I'm British and I know nothing. Let me set you straight, I've read a lot on this dispute. I'm in the opinion that the 1974 Turkish invasion is ILLEGAL. I also think that the Turkish Military occupation of NC is also ILLEGAL. Don't act as if the Turkish Cypriots are the innocents in all of this, because they ain't. Both GC's and TC's are the innocent people. Cyprus should be unified.

[danlfc1983]

Again you're speaking as if me and my ancestors are Greek Cypriots, when we ain't. I'm British.

[danlfc1983]

I'm sure there is people in thw TC looking to murder again too.

Don't act like the Turkish are the innocents, because you ain't.

[danlfc1983]

That's what Turkish Military did to innocent GC's in the north. So don't act like the GC's only killed innocent people.