Cyprus-Forum.com

[denizaksulu]

Talisker,

Money is a BIG inducer of behavioral changes!!!! If you had a piece of property suddenly worth millions, and the chance to live well off it, if not on it, then you would have a great incentive to to do so.

The times have changed. In the EU it is not possible to revert to the 1963 strife. And not many would want to, not if oil money is pouring in.

Look at how TCs flock to IKEA. I am not at all condescending about the store, I visit it too here in Athens because prices offset the headache it gives me. TCs need furniture bargains they cannot find in the north and they come south. Oil would be similar in process but the magnitude would be vast.

The political repercussions of oil would sweep many politicians aside, both in the north and the south. As a national asset belonging to the state, and exploited by foreigners, not locals, it would not be as easy to manipulate for the rich as land is. Everyone will want their fair share. One good thing about oil is it has no room for "developers".

If TGs cannot find furniture at bargain prices is it because of the embargo's by any chance?

[observer]

And that is the GC government's dilema, and so no plan or strategy.

They are stuck between one outcome which is unobtainable (unity government with automatic GC majority) and another (BBF) which is unacceptable.

They have to play lip service to BBF in order to retain some international credibility, while ensuring that it never happens and hope that some major upheaval may bring about conditions that allow unity government.

[Talisker]

From the point of view of ending the current Cyprus problem stalemate does it matter which of the candidates is elected in the presidential elections in early 2008? Do the canidates have different policies on this issue?

Have checked out the following site:
http://www.cypruselections.org/2007/07/ ... polls.html which indicates three of the candidates to be fairly close in the polls. I wanted to compare them for their policies to bring about a solution, but haven't found a reliable comparative source. Is there one?

[denizaksulu]

From the point of view of ending the current Cyprus problem stalemate does it matter which of the candidates is elected in the presidential elections in early 2008? Do the canidates have different policies on this issue?

Have checked out the following site:
http://www.cypruselections.org/2007/07/ ... polls.html which indicates three of the candidates to be fairly close in the polls. I wanted to compare them for their policies to bring about a solution, but haven't found a reliable comparative source. Is there one?

Talisker, for a non-Cypriot you ask very pointed questions. You put us to shame somehow. Have you ever been to Cyrus or have any intentions to do so? You sound very keen. Perhaps your questions will elicit decent replies to the benefit of all of us.

Regards

[Nikitas]

Talisker, I too live outside Cyprus and have to depend on sources to get my news. A good source for Greek speakers are the interviews on RIKSAT where each candidate faces a panel of journalists. So far the candidates come out as follows (my take not gospel!)-

Christofias- left wing naturally, head of the communist party, a frienldy man with common sense, his party has the closest ties with TCs, he is for BBF. Voting forhim would mean a change for Cypriot society towards BBF.

Kasoulidies- candidate for the Democratic Rally, center right, comes across as a practical man with liberal ideas, but not charismatic, lagas a bit in communications skill and advisers. He is for BBF. Voting for him would be like voting for the Annan plan all over again.

Papadopoulos- somber, not at all communicative, has the prestige of the old hand with proven past, he is the "devil we know"- officially pro BBF but fixed in his ideas of the type of BBF that he thinks would be good for Cyprus. Voting for him would be a show of social conservatism and avoidance of risk.

[denizaksulu]

Talisker, I too live outside Cyprus and have to depend on sources to get my news. A good source for Greek speakers are the interviews on RIKSAT where each candidate faces a panel of journalists. So far the candidates come out as follows (my take not gospel!)-

Christofias- left wing naturally, head of the communist party, a frienldy man with common sense, his party has the closest ties with TCs, he is for BBF. Voting forhim would mean a change for Cypriot society towards BBF.

Kasoulidies- candidate for the Democratic Rally, center right, comes across as a practical man with liberal ideas, but not charismatic, lagas a bit in communications skill and advisers. He is for BBF. Voting for him would be like voting for the Annan plan all over again.

Papadopoulos- somber, not at all communicative, has the prestige of the old hand with proven past, he is the "devil we know"- officially pro BBF but fixed in his ideas of the type of BBF that he thinks would be good for Cyprus. Voting for him would be a show of social conservatism and avoidance of risk.

What an analysis. Thats sez it all. Thanks Nikitas

[Talisker]

From the point of view of ending the current Cyprus problem stalemate does it matter which of the candidates is elected in the presidential elections in early 2008? Do the canidates have different policies on this issue?

Have checked out the following site:
http://www.cypruselections.org/2007/07/ ... polls.html which indicates three of the candidates to be fairly close in the polls. I wanted to compare them for their policies to bring about a solution, but haven't found a reliable comparative source. Is there one?

Talisker, for a non-Cypriot you ask very pointed questions. You put us to shame somehow. Have you ever been to Cyrus or have any intentions to do so? You sound very keen. Perhaps your questions will elicit decent replies to the benefit of all of us.

Regards

Denizaksulu, regarding my questions, these are asked through ignorance and a willingness to learn from people who are better informed than myself.

Yes, I've been to Cyprus many times and as a visitor I found it frustrating not to be able to easily see the whole island, and meet all the peoples who reside there. But as a non-Cypriot for me it is only frustrating. I know little about the political and historical situation, so perhaps can stand back and ask a few pertinent questions. For those of you on either side of the line who believe in your cause, know your side of the history, harbour grievances about past events, etc it is way beyond frustrating - so, in many of the threads I've read there is a lot of disputing the minutiae of past events, present and future policies, international influences, etc, and quite rightly everyone expresses their beliefs passionately. And in those threads it seems the initial question or point is often lost in a sea of disputed posts which lead to slanging matches with no useful outcome. In Scotland we have a saying 'Ye cannae see the wood for the trees' meaning you are so immersed in an issue you can't see the simple solution. I sometimes wonder if some of the people writing on the forum have this problem (should I duck at this point?).

So, although I am not naive enough to think a few questions from an outsider will make a major difference to anyone's attitudes, it may help get a decent debate on some of the important issues, and is an easy and fun way for me to get some useful information so I can form my own opinions. Ultimately, the 'Cyprus problem' will be solved with the help of the international community, so we (the international community) need to know the important information and understand any changes that alter prospects for a solution.

[Talisker]

Talisker, I too live outside Cyprus and have to depend on sources to get my news. A good source for Greek speakers are the interviews on RIKSAT where each candidate faces a panel of journalists. So far the candidates come out as follows (my take not gospel!)-

Christofias- left wing naturally, head of the communist party, a frienldy man with common sense, his party has the closest ties with TCs, he is for BBF. Voting forhim would mean a change for Cypriot society towards BBF.

Kasoulidies- candidate for the Democratic Rally, center right, comes across as a practical man with liberal ideas, but not charismatic, lagas a bit in communications skill and advisers. He is for BBF. Voting for him would be like voting for the Annan plan all over again.

Papadopoulos- somber, not at all communicative, has the prestige of the old hand with proven past, he is the "devil we know"- officially pro BBF but fixed in his ideas of the type of BBF that he thinks would be good for Cyprus. Voting for him would be a show of social conservatism and avoidance of risk.

Nikitas, you are definitely my main provider of useful information. Thanks again, this is a useful starting point for me, and I shall try to find out more. Is it rude to ask who you would like to win? I'm thinking you would want Christofias.

[Nikitas]

Talisker, you are right, if I were in Cyprus and voting, then Christoifias would get my vote even though I am anything but a communist. He is the one cadidate who has common sense and a natural communicative style. These are qualities valuable both in telling people what is what and also in contacts with foreign officials. To foreigners he ( I think so anyway) would present the friendly face of Cyprus even when he is saying no. And above all, he has direct contacts with Turkish Cypriots and understands their concerns, something the other two lack, they keep the TC community at arms length.

[Get Real!]

Talisker, you are right, if I were in Cyprus and voting, then Christoifias would get my vote even though I am anything but a communist. He is the one cadidate who has common sense and a natural communicative style. These are qualities valuable both in telling people what is what and also in contacts with foreign officials. To foreigners he ( I think so anyway) would present the friendly face of Cyprus even when he is saying no. And above all, he has direct contacts with Turkish Cypriots and understands their concerns, something the other two lack, they keep the TC community at arms length.

Christofias is useless in the international arena; he knows not of international law, has no foreign experience, he doesn’t have the high command of English skills fundamental for such a demanding job, and loves to ride a tractor!

Are you sure this guy can tackle the sharks in the EU Nikita?