I think Erdogan is the best PM Turkey ever had. Imagine the Cyprus problem solved, all defense spending lowered in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. Cyprus can become the business center for East Mediterranean since it would be able to cover 360 degrees. Same way money from Greece and Russia along with business flow through Cyprus, it will happen the same for Turkey. Regional HQs of worldwide corporations can come to Cyprus and cover Turkey, Greece and all the Levant countries. Cyprus can be the link for business between the Levant, Turkey and Europe. Imagine fast ferries going between Cyprus and Turkey, Cyprus and Lebanon and Cyprus and Israel. Commerce in the region could go through Cyprus. Cyprus could become the Dubai of East Mediterranean and that would benefit everybody.
Erdogan has been sincere since day one, let's take advantage of this opportunity and move towards the future rather than believe politicians that scare the hell out of their people and takes us decades back. These politicians have millions and rather keep the status quo and keep everyone in the dark for their own sake rather than let the light in and make the dirty politicians loose power. In Turkey the dirty politicians are the army generals and with our actions we help the sly generals who want to keep their power rather than sincere politicians who want to make the world a better place.

The pseudo Prime Minister of the pretend Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) Derviş Eroğlu has said Turkish troops on the island will not be withdrawn unless a deal in Cyprus is clinched.

Derviş Eroğlu statement reeks of blackmail, something that will not be taken kindly by the European Union members including that of the legitimate government of all of Cyprus.

Eroğlu said this issue will not be on the agenda as long as there is no peace deal in Cyprus. While recalling that Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly said “no” to a UN plan to reunify Cyprus in 2004, Eroğlu said the plan had proposed a significant withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus.

Whilst the plan provided for a withdrawal, according to Eroğlu, of troops in reality there was no irrevocable guarantee that all of the troops (40,000) and the illegal settlers (180,000) would be removed from Northern Cyprus consequently nothing has changed since 2004.

Only the gullible believe that Turkey has any intention of ever removing the troops and the illegal settlers.
Eroğlu is full of hot air, he has no say on what is really going to happen.

The puppet master, Ankara will decide when and if ever the troops and the illegal settlers will be removed.

As Turkey was to blame for committing the atrocities in 1974 and everyday thereafter the responsibility for making the first move rests with Turkey.

If turkey persists the remedy is quite simple, to start with just close the greenline.

FACTS,

It is obvious that whichever school of thought you belong to,you could consider yourself RIGHT.Whether GENOCIDE was perpetrated on the Armenian people by the Ottoman rulers is irrelevant.

Some Armenians (mostly in the diaspora) are adamant that GENOCIDE was perpetrated.An overwhelming number of Armenians I've met are totally indifferent and also broadminded and realistic.Gwynne Dyer's article is spot on and as close as it can be to reality.If there was 'malice aforethought' in the minds of the Ottoman rulers and they really intended to 'get rid' of all the Armenians in Turkey, then it went wrong very badly.The Armenian people were not wiped out from the face of the earth as intended by the Ottoman rulers,they survived and prospered.Today, you will find Armenians everywhere in the in the diaspora.In a small place like Cyprus with a community of perhaps 2,500 Cypriot Armenians have one of their own kind in the House of Representatives.Marios Garoyian is not only a brilliant orator but a lot of Greek Cypriots regard him as an aspiring future President of Cyprus to succed Christofias.

Armenians everywhere, by all means do value the memory of the 1.5 million who were massacred during the first World War but also look forward to the future.Like Cyprus, Armenia has to face a major power, present day Turkey.You have two ways of dealing with Turkey.Militarily, or peacefully sitting round a table and talking to one another.As a pacifist myself I would prefer the latter.Even after a conflict or WAR the opposing combatants DO sit round a table and have to agree the terms of PEACE.

Do not be afraid to sit down and talk to Turkey.They need peace as much as Cyprus does and Armenia does.Erdogan did invite Tassos Papadopoullos previously for talks but the then Cypriot President declined his invitation.One day when we become less afraid of Turkey and try and take everything Turkey (or Turkish Prime Ministers)say at face value, a new dawn will break.
I cannot help it if I am an optimist, but being of a certain age I am in a hurry for things to move soon.I want to enjoy peace between Turkey and Armenia and Turkey and Cyprus.One mustn't forget either the size of Turkey.Cyprus and Armenia ,think of Turkey as trading partner,its a very fertile country and possesses lots of WATER which we can more easily 'import' to Cyprus rather than from Greece!

ell done USA, you came through at last. Look and learn neutrals.
NEWS ITEM
Turkey Recalls Ambassador After US House Vote On Armenian Genocide

ANKARA, Turkey (AFP)--Turkey said it recalled its ambassador from the United States for consultations Thursday after a U.S. House panel adopted a resolution branding the World War I-era killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as "genocide."

Also U.S. House panel do another resolution for genocide against Greeks of Asia Minor, - Ionia, Bergama, Bosporus towns, Sinopi, the northern and southern port cities, Trabzon, Pontus, Eastern Thrace, Imvros and Tenedos Islands and Ismir's Turkish barbarities of August 1922 raping and killing Greek women on day of burning of Izmir when 1 million civilians simply vanished in 1 day.
Before that massacre of whole Greek civilian populations of islands of Chios, Hydra and Sfakia in independence struggle. Mainland Turks hold your heads in shame!! Any Greek barbarities were provoked by your fathers and were minuscule in volume by comparison and I condemn them too. Now time to accept and heal your nation from its evil warmongering Ottoman and embryonic RoT past. Thank you though for charity food suppliers during WWII.

After this customary Turkic behaviour in war, I'm surprised that any Greek Cypriots who inhabited the occupied Cyprus territories survived the Turkish hordes of July 1974. I shall be writing to the House Speaker and to this committee to table resolutions for Asia Minor Greeks and Syriac Christians of Eastern Anatolia similarly ethnically cleansed as deliberate official policy.

Turkey is in violation of EU and International law with their Ethnic Cleansing and military occupation of north Cyprus-an EU nation. Turkey violated the 4th Geneva Accords, Article 49 by illegally bringing in settlers from Anatolia to change the demographics on Cyprus.

Until Turkey acknowledges these violations of law there can be no settlement on Cyprus. And Turkey's EU accession is permanently put on hold.

Bambouin—I still have to disagree it’s not on the curriculum that “it’s ok to shoot Turks and English”, yes Greek Cypriot history is taught at as it should be…….
Our view of history may differ from the Turkish Cypriot view as one would expect. Is the history taught in the UK taught from the British prospective? The UK has blood on its hands??? Is this taught? Did you know that the UK invented concentration camps? Is this taught in UK Schools?
“The English term "concentration camp" was first used to describe camps operated by the British in South Africa during this conflict.
The camps had originally been set up by the British Army as "refugee camps" to provide refuge for civilian families who had been forced to abandon their homes for one or other reason related to the war. However, when Kitchener succeeded Roberts as commander-in-chief in South Africa in 29 November 1900, the British Army introduced new tactics in an attempt to break the guerrilla campaign and the influx of civilians grew dramatically as a result. Kitchener initiated plans to
"flush out guerrillas in a series of systematic drives, organized like a sporting shoot, with success defined in a weekly 'bag' of killed, captured and wounded, and to sweep the country bare of everything that could give sustenance to the guerrillas, including women and children.... It was the clearance of civilians—uprooting a whole nation—that would come to dominate the last phase of the war."
Every country has blood on its hand, was Britain not a racist country in the 50/60?
A lot of the problems in Cyprus were caused by the British therefore it’s only natural for there will be some resentment towards them.
Is it not the reason Cyprus is currently divided is because Britain wanted to justify maintaining a presents on the island?
Please read the book the “The Cyprus Conspiracy: America, Espionage and the Turkish Invasion”
"The Cyprus Conspiracy delivers new and damning detail on how the big powers (including good old "ethical" Britain) taught Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots not to live together." -Boyd Tonkin, The Guardian "O'Malley and Craig show how powerful and penetrating journalism can be by producing a book of high quality and academic value. This book fills a gap in the literature about Cyprus and the Cyprus problem, and will also be of interest to those working on the eastern Mediterranean, and on US and British foreign policy in the region." -Mediterranean Politics "A marvellous new book ... It is a fascinating story of international intrigue, espionage and intelligence, brilliantly and graphically told and it will open a lot of eyes of people who, until now, had no inkling - until today - about the real and intriguing reason behind the partition of Cyprus." -Chris Moncrieff, The House "This well written and well researched account of events provides the understanding of the situation and the causes, which led to the escalation of the crisis in 1974." -Konstantinos Kotzias, Contemporary Review "With diligent research and fluency, they chart the labyrinth behind what they conclude was an international plot." -Belfast Telegraph 'The book should be of value to those interested in coming to a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding Cyprus.' -Intelligence and National Security
Yes there are racist in Cyprus as there is anywhere else, yes its wrong as any educate person can tell you.
Remember Cyprus is a young country and tried to protective of their way of life, most islands are like this Ireland being a prime example of this. I do speak Greek very well maybe I choose my friends more carefully.
I would like a united Cyprus but not at any price !!!

Bambouin from Planet L
I am sorry i have to disagree with your logic !! just because your kids may pick up some horrid views it does mean its taught in school they can pick it up from friend/class mates etc. It’s certainly not on the curriculum!!!, what you call propaganda i call their point of view. Again i have lived in Cyprus 10 plus years and i have never heard anyone say they want to shoot anyone let alone English people (although some English tourist can be quit annoying !!) yes we all have sins but i do not except the rubbish being said here. Yes it probably happens but it’s the exception not the rule.
As far as an olive branch being offered it’s a very good thing however i feel it’s unfortunately a political stunt and there will be no substance to it ( i hope i am wrong) the confederation being offered should in my opinion never be accepted !!!

Two-faced wolf in sheep's clothing who ostensibly seeks peace with neighbours - the "PR campaign" to 'sell' the 'new' Turkey intensifies, while the reality of the policies actually pursued continues to cause alarm to those who do recognise the elements of those realities amidst all the double-speak. Fingers crossed that is recognised and is reflected in the outcome of the House Committee vote on the Armenian Genocide in Congress tomorrow. The post-election EU Parliament with its vote on Turkey's accession in February seems to have begun to implement the second factor in a 'carrott and stick' approach to Turkey - even if the new EU Commission has not yet had the opportunity to manifest whether they will respect the democratic view of the parliament, or impose a different executive reality. We will see how that plays out in the EU during the coming year, but also in the US Congress and by the Obama administration! Meanwhile however, while 'they' all decide on their actions and policies, it is Cyprus' future being determined NOW - and on current showing, it should increase our Cypriot resolve in saying a big NO to the confederal and far from immaculate virginal 'partner states' to serve the interests of 'two peoples' on the island - because even if Turkish PR presents this as a 'Federal' solution the reality remains that they seek a legalisation of the partition which outside interests have imposed on the Turkish and Armenian and Greek speaking people of Cyprus. The 'reality' which the outside interests would like us to compromise with and to then legalise with our referendum would still serve their interests more than ours and would sell out the only chance we will ever have to defend the true meaning of the 'sovereignty' of our people (as in 2004). "Mind the Gap - The Song Remains the Same" !

My Dear Charlie - Unfortunately, Reality is spot on with his comments about GC education/indoctrination. Teaching hatred and intolerance of both the Turks and English certainly does go on, at least in the public GC schools. Certainly, not all teachers are guilty of it, but many are, and it starts early.
My daughter was in the public pre-school just down the road from our house in Limassol which she started at age 4. In our house, anti-Turk comments are never made, in fact such issues are not discussed at all, despite my wife being a refugee. Such racial hatred / anti-Turk discussion is not present or in our immediate family either, which was essentially the only point of contact for my daughter. Nevertheless, after several months of the school, the anti-Turk comments began, without her of course even understanding what being a Turk or a Greek even means. The "effectiveness" of the propaganda is frightening.
Meanwhile, one nephew around the same age in a school in Paralimni, despite having a mother from a civilised western european country, started talking about going into the mountains to "shoot some English" (OK, the Kokkinoxorkates are a bit underdeveloped anyway, but this was excessive from a 5 year old).
Not that I think this doesn't happen in the north as well, it probably does. But that is not an excuse. Let's not deny our own sins and blame only the other side (although that is of course unfortunately a prevalent GC behaviour).

SEE THIS IS THE MENTALITY OF TURKEY
Turkey says it will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots regardless of who will win the illegal elections in April
Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.03.10) reports the following:
Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that Turkey supported the Turkish Cypriot cause regardless of who the PSEUDO president is.

Speaking to reporters following Council of Ministers meeting, Cicek said Turkey's policy on the Cyprus issue did not depend on individuals.

Referring to the remarks of Turkish Cypriot PSEUDO President Mehmet Ali Talat who said that the Justice and Development (AK) Party's Cyprus policy would come to an end, should he fail to get reelected in the upcoming PSEUDO election, Cicek said Turkey stood at an equal distance to all candidates. THIS IS HOW TURKEY HAS COMPROMISED HER GUARANTOR STATUS, NOW YOU KNOW WHY NOBODY RECOGNISES THE PSEUDO STATE. even talat calls upon the powers to demote the ROC to equal level, is he stupid????it shows how he feels in the company of REAL GLOBAL LEADERS..a nothing

@Reality, spot on mate! I couldn't agree more! Eventually somebody has to tell them that they are not the center of the universe!!

"What happened has happened in the past, we should leave it there."

Erdogan would like that. He doesn't want Turkey held responsible for denying Greek Cypriots their property rights for 36 years. That would mean some VERY expensive settlements.

But lawbreaking has a price and Turkey will have to pay it. Way it is, Erdogan. Deal with it.

Emir Soler has no issue with Turkey violating Article 49 of the 4th Geneva conventions. He compares it with legal immigration of ROC. Let me explain to you what the article stipulates...

...an occupier may not forcibly deport protected persons, or deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into occupied territory (Art.49).....

Seems quite clear to me, Turkey violated the 4th Geneva Convetions on Cyprus. PM Erdogan needs to comply with the law, plain and simple. Withdraw all troops, all settlers. Until that's accomplished nothing else can be considered.

Mike, reply to you. Yes in reality there can only be one legitimate government for the whole of the Island of Cyprus, a Federal one, unless you treat the Turkish Cypriots as 2nd class citizens. I agree, the TRNC does not exist legally ‘De Juris’ however, there is a measure of self-government in the North granted by Ankara. Yes, evidently the only reason that the TRNC exists in Northern Cyprus is because they are there under the patronage and military protection of Ankara.
Talat was democratically elected in his community, which has been physically separated from your relatives for 36 years, a generation and a half ago... Yes substantially the dispute is between the illegal occupier, the Kemalist (he was Albanian not Turkish) Turkish long-term civil and military structures not Erdoan and the AKP party whose predecessors were jailed and hanged by the established Turkish long-term civil and military structures and AKP didn’t exist anywhere near being in power in the years 1974-2002.
I think it beneath you to name an elected leader who has worked very hard for peace under strict leash by the Ankara technocrats “cockroach Talat” and this name calling of an elected leader is disrespectful at a personal level, he deserves better and doesn’t help our national cause with the neutrals. Do you prefer talks with Rauf Denktas? President Christophias considers Mr Talat a friend from the old united Cyprus days, so although recently no doubt he has disillusioned Mr. Christophias as to what he can influence in Ankara and his own following in Northern Cyprus he is trying to do his best to reach the Federal Unity the Cyprus leadership have been compromised to accept in 1977 and accords to UN SC Resolutions. You obviously believe they compromised too much away. Can’t turn the clock back without paying a very high price and putting all of Cyprus Hellenism in fatal danger. Geopolitically, Cyprus must be resolved and can’t block Turkey’s foreign policy forever because Cyprus doesn’t have the weight of 75m young Turkish nationals 1m strong Nato Army. Sad reality is that for these stakes the RoC will be trampled on, especially when it is homogeneously the Greek speaking part only.
I agree. The whole exercise in using Talat is to try and give legitimacy to the TRNC regime and the illegal occupation or Northern Cyprus. This is a strategy which is working which the OIS, the Azeris and the other many Turkish allies and friends are sure to follow if there isn’t a compromise solution this time. I your case you are insisting to have all for RoC. This stance you may lose it all. Unfortunately that is not the way geopolitics works unless you win a military conflict.
Yes the fact that Ankara, as most of the time, will do as she wishes irrespective of the wishes of the Turkish Cypriots who have been far outnumbered by the 40,000 military personnel and 180,000 illegal settlers, brings more urgency to a solution for the GC side.
You wrote “So far the Government of the Republic of Cyprus have given far too much and it is time to take a break. Through our history it is a well-known fact that if give the Turks an inch they will demand a mile.” No surprise there. This is how most powerful countries behave. Look at how US annexed whole states of Mexico and Spain with their populations. Mr Erdoan knows that this has been tried before and has not benefitted Turkey enter the EU etc. Mr Erdoan is more aware than anyone in Turkey that they have no chance where the Greeks are concerned if they want to have a successful foreign policy globally and attain their European ambitions, which were also Mustafa Kemal’s ambitions.
You wrote “Turkey believes that she is in control of the agenda and will not back off until she gets 100% of everything that she wants. Naturally Turkey’s wants are not in the long term interest of the Republic of Cyprus.” The job of good Reek and Greek Cypriot state Diplomats is to make sure events do not materialise like this. If Mr Papadopoulos was still in power today it is likely Turkey would have achieved this as far as the North is concerned.
You wrote “Remember Mr Erdoan air force has been creating trouble for the Greek air force. If Mr Erdoan was such a good neighbour this would not be happening. Mr Erdoan record as far as his treatment of minority groups in Turkey leaves much to be desired. Just go and ask the head of the Orthodox Church in Turkey about the persecution endured by Christians in Turkey.” This persecution was not halted by Democrat Mr Menderes before 1960. It is grossly unfair to pin this on Mr Erdoan, who to date has in reality limited authority in Turkey. His Authority is increasing post Ergokon arrests of the military, and provided we do play a part in sabotaging him in his battle with the Deep State nationalist secularist Kemalist faction in Ankara, by being intransigent and uncooperative and rejecting ‘out of hand’ all of his initiatives and ideas to break the deadlock in Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots have civil rights and we must accommodate these rights correctly in a democratic framework within the Acquis.
“Then there is the Erdoan governments quarrel with the Israelis” In this I personally agree with Messrs Erdoan and Gul, on their stance on this because the country most based on racism and violence in the world after the occupation of Northern Cyprus and Darfur, is proven, Israel. You try if a Greek Orthodox civilian to get Israeli Residency Green Card and Passport by emigrating there, unless of course, you can prove Jewish descent. The Zionists desecrate holy Islamic sites and treat the real Israelites, the Palestinians as second class people in their own land.
You GCs must resist temptation to do the same to the TCs in Cyprus who are sandwiched between Turkey’s ambitions and the GCs. Wish for independence, territorial integrity and self-determination.
You wrote: “Let us not forget about the love affair between Turkey and Iran,” indeed! “The list goes on and on”. As far as Iran is concerned, she feels the need to protect herself from terrorist and secret hit teams supported by her enemies who are killing Iranian people blowing up terrorist bombs in crowded mosques and markets (in Shiraz and in Ahwaz). She is surrounded by American and American allied forces in the North (Afghanistan), the West (Iraq) and the East (Pakistan) sides. Israeli Zionist enemy to the south. I’m not surprised the comfort of at least the impression they have the “bomb” is desirable from their point of view. And the Americans who let Bin Laden slip away at Tora Bora when they knew they had him boxed in. Mullah Omar (leader of Taliban) released from US Forces capture in Jalalabad. Afghanistan, so guess what game being played there is for, and what Iran and the Iranian Gulf hold, where Iran stands, next to a Nuclear Pakistan and has been vocally threatened with Nuclear Bomb by Nuclear armed Israel. In one way I am glad Mr Erdoan is exerting efforts on this scene to calm down the Iranians and the Americans, the Israelis and the permanent UN SC members less China + Germany in an effort to achieve a diplomatic solution with the Iranians to defuse a dangerously developing crisis and buy everyone valuable time, which frankly makes the Cyprus problem an irrelevance by comparison.
OK, maybe Turkey will not be an advanced Democracy straight away, but has the potential in becoming more democratic than certain other states in Southern and Eastern Europe, and Mr Erdoan is the main driver. I don’t agree with you that it is only “just a lot of hot air”. Greece and Cyprus should be a good example
You write “As far as trade, prosperity and communications are concerned there can only be one government and that is the government of the republic of Cyprus. In Australia we do not have each of our six states doing their own thing. Imagine the mess that we would be in if each state was responsible for the docks, customs, communications etc.” Do you not have provincial state government involvement in running Port such as Perth? In reality both the Federal government and the State government run the ports. Same could happen in decentralised Northern Cyprus. The national labels, Greek and Turkish should eventually go from these states.
It is possible for the Republic of Cyprus to allow trade to go through North Cyprus ports and airport with joint control, GC and TC Ports Police as proposed a few years ago by the Greek Cypriot side to use Famagusta port. When this trade takes place, the Turkish Army would be obliged to stay in its barracks miles away, as was the case throughout the island prior to the Invasion. I don’t believe such a scenario with items being exported through North Cyprus ports and airport would be an act endorsing the Turkish Military occupation. It would endorse an embryonic Federal system.
The international protocols would be adhered to the Republic of Cyprus, not to the pretend government of the TRNC.
You said “This you should do because Better everyone to be friendly than continue to act as enemies”. This is so in a perfect word but unfortunately we are not living in a perfect world. We are living in the world of Ankara and the rest of the world. Do you really believe that in dealing with the masters of Ankara one is dealing with people who are capable of making logical decisions? With Mr Erdoan and Gul, from what I have observed, the answer to this is yes I can. If they are toppled, by a fascist coup then all bets are off. This is unlikely with most people in Turkey wishing to reach European standards of law and democracy.
About what you wrote about the Guarantees. For the first two powers the British lost their moral right in 1974 when they didn’t prevent Turkey invade. The Turks lost the right having been the invader, with the master plan of Partition of Cyprus Territory and People, etc.. Greece and the Greek people however, were themselves victims for 7 long of a Mastora CIA (ie Nixon-Kissinger-Mossad) equipped government which was set up by them involuntarily. What you write dishonours the memories of the heroes who died against the Junta and who struggled against the Junta of 21/4/1967 and were either killed or maimed by the ESA (military police) and Asfalia (Gestapo) and the young kids and construction workers at the Polytechnic University who were martyred by the Junta’s Tanks on 17/11/1973. The USA CIA inspired Junta was tricked and misled by the CIA to get their Cypriot fascist friends to topple Makarios. The Greek Military Officer Junta Fascists were village peasants. They were funded by their CIA masters to sponsor and encourage the fascists in the GC National Guard and EOKA B and get the Sampson coup in Cyprus implemented. They failed even to arrest Makarios, they were so inept. The civil war took place, the Turkish Army invaded and the CIA Junta in Greece fell on 21 July 1974, one day after the Turkish invasion, when they realised they were betrayed by their CIA masters well before the outcome of the defence of Cyprus against the invasion was known. Unfortunately by then, the Turkish fascists took advantage of their 11 years of preparation, US/British planning, air superiority and the Turkish leaders ignored Greece’s overtures for an immediate ceasefire made by the Greek democratic government of Mr Karamanlis, Sr. The Turks then went on and activated unnecessary genocidal actions on both sides, tit for tat and established Attila A line, but broke ceasefires after re-supply and extended Attila line to the present Green Line displacing and killing over 200,000 GC Civilians. Turkish army losses were 7-1 on the battlefield. That is the valour by which Greek and GC sacrificed themselves resisting the Turkish Invasion. The sniper from Serres who died delaying the Turks near Kyrenia has not been forgotten in Greece. You cannot put the blame for the national catastrophe in Cyprus solely on the shoulders on legitimate Greek governments and democratic politicians who, as George Sr and Andreas Papandreou father of the current PM resisted the Junta takeover of Greece and suffered torture from ESA as a result. Many of our boys died defending Cyprus at both the hands of the Turks and the GC National Guard (I mean the plane full of commandos flown from Greece in a Glider aircraft and shot down by GC AA friendly fire). Please don’t smear all these heroes’ good names by implying Greece did not, and is not capable of defending Cyprus against the Turkish forces today, Sampson and the anti-communists who assassinated Greek Cypriots were mainly Greek Cypriot criminals themselves.
These fascists, Sampson and company were Greek Cypriots, and Greece is happy to give up their Guarantee rights provided they are replaced by the EU rights, and Turkey also lost these rights..
The 4 leaders to meet would have to be in a position to make concessions and come away with the prize of the lifting in short time of the illegal occupation.
I agree with this, though those with Turkish citizens with family ties and those born are needed to work on Reconstruction on the island (estimated 50,000). Jobs too for GC and Greek youth. Turkey needs the confidence that a deal will be done with the consent of the TCs and then I’ confident that Gul and Eroan will make the first move to remove the 40,000 military personnel and 180,000 illegal settlers. Time discussing peace is never wasted.
There can be two constituent states, one where the Turks will be a majority and the other where the vast majority of the GCs will reside, with freedom of movement for everyone, everywhere on the island after a respectable interval. When the TC provincial state gives up territories, it will be allot easier for them to guarantee a majority in their constituent state – though the whole concept does reek of Racism, which is incompatible as a concept with
Not all evidence of Hellenism over the last 36 years in Northern Cyprus is gone. There is Salamis, the Karpassian sites and must be Greek cemeteries and churches. This applies to both sides. The record from both is appalling.
Why with dual passport control (GC for the Federal state and local TC) Scheduled direct flights cannot take place to and from the Ercan airport unless Ercan is to be (unlikely) handed back to GC province, in which case why not let it be used for the North.
You write “It has all been said before, the ROC is better off without Northern Cyprus, better off just closing the Green line rather than to accept one iota of Ankara’s proposals.” Are proposing we allow Northern Cyprus to become a Villiett. The Byzantines did that in Asia Minor and the Balkans and you saw where it took them. I say no abandonment of any more Greek territories to anyone.
You write “Northern Cyprus is a ghetto and it and its inhabitants should be treated accordingly.” Are you saying they should be treated as charity cases by the whole of the EU? I am afraid remoter parts of Greece are likely now to face hardship as well.
You write “Charis, I do not know where you got the idea that you are all brothers, Turks and Greeks, coming through Byzantine and Ottoman. With all due respect I believe that comment deserves a good laugh. Go and do your research and you will find that your ancestors didn’t experience brotherly love from the Turks. The Christian Greeks were treated like the Armenians and other minority groups, they were subjected to the various genocides over the years.
Do your homework and you will soon discover how few Greeks are left in Turkey today. “ The facts is the original Turkish people were Asiatic Mongol peoples. Most western Turks in borders of modern Turkey are Vamvakeroi of Greek, Armenian, Albanian, Serbian and Bulgarian descent. There is allot of Iranian and Syrian Arab blood in today’s western Turks too. The Kurds are the Persians Xenophon fought on his return from Greece and are descendants of the Sumerians of Mesopotamia. The Turks too the first born sons of Greek families during the Ottoman epoch and the most beautiful girls and Turkified them, Allot of Greeks converted to Islam, some in Pontus at the last minute in 1923 at the exchange of population because they could not bear to leave the lands of their fathers, I believe the Turks call them Lazoi. The Turkish flag emblem was adopted by the Arabs in the 8th AD and was symbol of the Constaninoupolis (Istanbul) from the 4th Century AS, the crescent being the symbol of Panagia and the star represents the star of Bethlehem. Most Turkish cities have names with Greek roots, Erzurum, Bergama, Sampson, Trabzon, Konya, Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, etc. The police force in Turkey even have a Bosporus dikefalos, symbol of the Byzantine Empire and symbol of the Greek State until 1453 on their insignia. A bit like France adopting the three English lions on their Police insignia. I am not saying the Ottomans are the Byzantines, far from it, but without the Greeks the Ottoman Empire would not have been as great as it was, and allot of dilution of original Turkish blood from China took place over the 10centuries as they settled westwards and took the cultures of the peoples they assimilated with, including the Balkan peoples. Now the most related people’s blood wise are you Greek Cypriots and your vamvakerou your so called rivals on the island today, the Turkish Cypriots. This is why I referred to Brothers in my previous note. Apologies for the length but it’s a big subject and time for peace and reconciliation Turkish friends as we are all really one human family culturally and genetically and any wish otherwise is inaccurate and racist. The religions might not like these truths. We are all inheritors one way or another of Ancient Greek, Roman and Macedonian glory in the region. Mike, you go ahead and study your history and this explains why the official Greeks in the Ottoman Empire at one point were reckoned to number only 250,000 in 1700’s by Ottoman definitions. No doubt about deliberate massacres and systematic against in wars against Christian civilians, but Nazi type genocide is going a bit too far. This unfortunately led the Greeks to also behave like barbarians killing Islamic civilians as well in Asia Minor in 1920-22 and Cyprus 1963-1974 and thus lost higher the higher moral ground. Time to face the western peoples with a high level of education and prosperity, make peace and friendship and look forward to a joint future together in Europe. More to unite us than divide us in customs, music and cuisine, some words and kindness. We are related historically to a certain degree now after living in the same empire states since Manzikert, or Malazgirt (1071)........…….

All stupid words.He knows that such a solution,he describes,is not possible for Greek Side and it is not coming closer.
The Best Solution is division and it is very near.
Everybody will see that.

And yet Mr. Erdogan has said on prior occasions that Anatolian settlers brought in to change island demographics-in violation of Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Accords-should be made citizens of 'TRNC'. How does this jibe with his 'no hidden agenda' statement?

Turkey's troops need to leave, the settlers need to leave. Property rights need te be reinstated, damages need to be paid. After that, everything is negotiable.

Mike from Limassol (instead of Mike from Australia)is such a welcome change from the 'super patriots'!As well as Charlie from CY.
Now, there will always be hope chaps when the likes of you still exist in Cyprus. You are the sort of GCs who know exactly why we are where we are with the CyProb.We need to be more vociferous and dampen the noise coming from the extremist nationalists.

Reading the comments posted here make me wonder what cip really want? there so much hatred here, if we want peace then we need to put blame and hatred aside. Lets lot to the future and not the past.... BTW i live in the south !!

Martin Stanage from Paphos,

If you find a GC who will answer the following two questions truthfully,consider him a friend for life!

1- Who is the root cause of the mess we are in at present?
2- Why is the Turkish army in Cyprus.

I think you,me and thousands of other sane people know the answers.

Mike from Australia,

Well I for one would be afraid if all the GCs I know were like you (are you a GC?).You do not take critisizm, you deviate from the point of discussion and you have a one track mind.As far as you , J Alexander etc are concerned, one side , the GCs are completely blameless and the GCs were fighting a 'noble cause' to unite Cyprus with mother Greece. Well what right have you got to do that in my name?Just like YOU do not want anything to do with Turkey, I don't want anything to do with the Greeks of the mainland, thank you very much.

Just to keep away from 'super patriots' like you I'd sooner have my Cyprus partitioned and only put up with you on platforms like this one.The likes of you are not even worth arguing face to face with.Do you belong to The New Dawn party which is a sort of EOKA 'C'?

As for the RoC being 'lawful'- it isn't.The RoC is supposed to be a partnership state made up of GCs and TCs.So it is as much 'lawful' as the TRNC.Why have the GCs filled all 6 chairs at the European Parliament?Remember only 4 of those belong to the GCs , the other 2 are meant to be for the TCs.

Unfortunately there can never be peace between the two communities in Cyprus as long as we have to put up with 'super patriots' like you. You think it's always the 'other side' which is to blame.

Well a big step in the right direction, we need to take this opertunaty further.
Conflict is primative !!!!

Mike from Australia comments@
Remember!!!!!!!!!!!!! If it wasn’t to a Greek desire for ENOSIS, which goes back to 1955, 1963, 1967, 1974, 2004 we wouldn’t be here arguing about Cyprus.

Emir its not fair to label those guys - if you read their posts they are genuinely concerned about Cyprus. I have seen more extremist comments from TC's here some of which border on the psychotic- who still harp on irrationally about phantom "enosis" and "eoka" organisations and the allegedly villainous "greek orthodox church" as if it were spectre in some James Bond movie instead of an organisation which advocates unity and love and respect for people.

Mike from Australia
YOU are as far away from CYPRUS, as you are close to REALISM.

KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS IN OZ, YOU ARE NOT HELPING CYPRIOTS!!!

Not every GC, only the stupid ones without any vision and self criticism.

Mike, the TCs exist and they voted in a local TC leader (President of Turkish Cypriots). Those holding the power in this dispute, i.e. the Turkish leadership in Ankara is entitled to use him as their negotiator to underline the concession made re/about Political Equality Greek Cypriots conceded in 1977-79. I doubt though Ankara would easily go against wished of the local TC Community leader in Cyprus. Next steps needed now.

It is time however, for the Greek Cypriot Government to relent and help Messrs Erdoan and Talat deliver common sense to Cyprus problem.

This will come if Mr Eroan survives the Deep State in Turkey, which he shows every sign of prevailing. Because of the impending changes in Turkey they need our help to take right course to becoming a state based on the rule of law and advanced democracy, which are championed by Mr. Erdoan. This should lead to changes to Turkish intransigence in the negotiations, which must be on their way, one hopes, and time is now to prepare to show respect to the Turkish Cypriots in connection with their trade, prosperity and communications. The RoC must to propose counter proposals to the ones Mr. Talat presented in January. Lets see Mr Erdoan's and Turkey's security counsel reaction to these. The Turkish leadership, in particular Messrs Ergoan and Gul, have said they will do vice versa and implement the customs union with Turkey when Greek Cyprus when the RoC agrees to trade for the Turkish Cypriot business persons though the Turkish Army occupied ports. This could be done on a temporary basis pending the final agreement. This you should do because Better everyone to be friendly than continue to act as enemies, provided negotiations continue on basis of 1977 and 1979 agreements and UN Resolutions . We Greeks of Greece urge both sides on the island to reconcile, and say, Mr. Bagis is right, the four states that matter here, have the right leaders to do a very fair deal, between us over Cyprus - about time too.
Varosha should be liberated peacefully immediately, and handed to its Owners, under the understanding there will be immediate lifting of the embargoes, and a partial withdrawal of Turkish and mainland Greek troops too. Ercan can then open direct flights. CY can then fly over Asia Minor, and this stupidity in Europe, the Cyprus hatreds should start to come to an end now.......Look at S, Africa, N. Ireland and other difficult disputes, and let no one try to retreive the small stone thrown in the deep well. Too much time has elapsed and things are dofferent to 1973.
The negotiations on the island will make progress, whether the natioalists on both sides like it or not, unless there is a military coup in Ankara. As everyone knows, The Republic of Cyprus will have two constituent states, one Turkish one, smaller than today's TRNC and the rest of Cyprus....Otherwise, should the nationalists win in Turkish Cyprus, current situation will continue. Hellenism will never abandon the North of Cyprus - and Turkish society and civilization should have a similar hold in the South of Cyprus
We are really all brothers, Turks and Greeks, coming through Byzantine and Ottoman experience and epochs, sharing many things, culturally. Greeks should note half our monuments & history, if not more than half, are located within Turkey's borders today - why not maybe half our genus was left behind in Asia Minor by cruel history???
It is now time for Hellenic side to show goodwill on the issues of direct trade and travel, provided there is a token and well publicized withdrawal of part of the Turkish Army which we should reciprocate, and a change in the title of the TRNC forthwith, to include the name Federal as used to be the case after 1978 to signal the Turkish seriousness in entering an equal partnership sharing Cyprus, and unlike Bagis is saying, European law to eventually apply also to the North after a respectable delay.
The Turkish Cypriots should start calling themselves Federal Republic in their state title, and, south Nicosia, in my view, should not obstruct anymore anyone to do Trade and Travel directly from Northern Cyprus Ports - and then we'll see if the Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot power brokers are serious about reconciling with Greek Cypriots and joining us, Greece, Turkey and the Greek Cypriot RoC in a giant free trade area where we can all benefit and enjoy the fruits of seabed resources, industries, tourism, etc together. Hopefully, common sense will prevail. Meddling troublemakers foreign and domestic) hopefully wont influence any more and become surplus to requirements. It would be the best result from the EU I can think of. Lets allow our grandchildren the possibility of becoming more educated and richer than the French and the Italians and stop enriching the likes of Lockheed Martin, Aerospatiale, VT industries and BAe Systems.

well
basically you want to get rid of every Greek Cypriot from this commentary to satisfy your believes...I don't recall myself insulting you so I ask you take your words back.

What else happened in 1974 before the 'invasion' as GCs call it or'intervention' as TCs call it , Mike from Australia?
Why is the Turkish army in Cyprus.The Turkish army is in Cyprus as a direct result of the Coup by Nicos Sampson and other sad case GC 'super patriots'.
Answers Mike please, and do not deviate from the two questions.

Enough heard...put words into action...we 're waiting.
I'd be naive to believe every word a politician says...so allow me to be sceptical as to whether Erdogan actually means what he says.
For instance the proposals given by Talat in January shows that the Turkish side still seeks for a co-federal solution rather than a federal one as Erdogan mentioned in his interview.

Interesting use of the capital letter in your 'speech' (see paragraph 9), Mike from Australia...

Mike from Australia, are you J Alexanders spokesman by any chance?
I suspect you are related to that arch rejectionist,T Papadopoullos.People like you DO NOT WANT ANY SORT OF AGREEMENT with the 'other side' because you will NEVER take anything they say at face value.

It is such a beautiful story written from an Ankara prospective. Fortunately anybody in his or her right mind will not believe for one moment Turkey’s sincerity.

History has a habit of repeating itself and in the case of Turkey the activities of the last 36 years are fresh on many peoples minds.

Turkey has had many an opportunity to show some sincerity, even just a little over and over again during the period and yet failed to do so.

At every opportunity Turkey took the big bullyboy approach so it only natural that she needs to do much to overcome the mistrust that she has created.

Turkey can start by removing illegal settlers and the 40,000 members of her armed forces.

Nobody on the Republic of Cyprus side or for that matter the European Union who count will take Ankara seriously until the settlers and the armed personnel start moving back to Turkey. Until Turkey starts the decolonisation of Northern Cyprus nobody will believe her, “actions speak stronger than words”.

There once was a democratically elected Turkish Prime Minister by the name of Adnan Menderes (1899 – 17 September 1961). He served as prime minister between 1950–1960. Well the story goes along like this, Adnan Menderes was hanged by the military junta after the 1960 coup d'état, along with two other cabinet members, Fatin Rüştü Zorlu and Hasan Polatkan.

If the current Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his team keep on arresting the top brass of the Turkish armed forces there will soon be another coup d'état and there is every likelihood that history will repeat itself. I would not like to be standing in the shoes of Mr. Erdogan and his colleagues.

Unfortunately if a military junta takes control of Turkey the situation in Northern Cyprus will only continue as at present, more of the same.

In summary Recep Tayyip Erdogan is full of wind and as usual is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the world. Unless the World takes a stand the activities of the last 36 years will be repeated over the next 36 years.

Maybe it is time to close the greenline and withdraw all citizenship priviliges from non genuine citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. Non citizens can tour the world on a passport provided by Turkey.

Exactly right - This is the man who will save the Greeks and the Turks (from their idiocy and the foreign power manipulators).

Erdoan must show good faith with deeds rather than words. Return of Varosha to its owner populations is no. 1 on the list. Mr Erdoan must strive to influence Turkish Navy from disrupting peaceful mineral and oil surveys in Cyprus's territorial waters, which will be shared with the Turkish Cypriots all being well for a Federal State solution. Also Turkish Air Force provocations over Greek Aegian islands and Cyprus must stop. Other than these silly dsputes made worse by idiots, we have allot more important matters that Unite Us than Divide Us. Greece and Turkey are included in this. Let's help each other to prosperity and brotherhood please!!!

Now Christofias we are waiting (perimenoume ke leme pou ine) GC counter proposals to the proposals Mr. Talat presented in January. Lets get this negotiation done and dusted ASAP please!!! My family genuinely needs peace and wants enjoyment of our lands and hotel in N. Cyprus.

ONLY ENEMIES OF THE TURKISH AND GREEK NATIONS ARE AGAINST WHAT MR ERDOAN AND PAPANDREOU SAY THEY WANT SEE HAPPEN BETWEEN MESSRS CHRISTOPHIAS AND TALAT. MR CHRISTOPHIAS AND TALAT. MR ERDOAN AND MR PAPANDREOU HAVE THROWN YOU THE GAUNTLET. 'GET YOUR SKATES ON', THE EU AND THE WORLD IS WACHING. MEET WITH THE SPANISH AT THE RIGHT POINT.

It would be nice if we could move
on and get this whole thing sorted.
But I think there are a few party poopers
who are out there waiting to put a spanner in the works..

Que : John Alexander

Ditto, F. Loizou:-)