Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

COMMON DECLARATION



In memory of all those Greek-Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who died at the hands of nationalist extremists from both communities in July 1974 but also in the troubled years of 1963-67, we the following organizations, from both sides of the divide which currently separates our two communities, wish to express our determination not to allow ever again communal hatred, chauvinism and nationalism to come between us and block our way towards a viable political solution and the reunification of our country.

Our past has been tragic and the wounds are deep. But the past we cannot change and for the wounds to heal we have to learn from it.

As concerned people of Cyprus, in our individual and collective voices, we commit ourselves to take productive and creative measures to unite our struggle for the reunification of our country towards a common homeland. We therefore commit ourselves to the creation of

1. public forums that enable active listening and learning to understand each others fears, aspirations and hopes
2. processes of action that allow us to see that what divides us is less important than what should unite us
3. dialogue that confronts and addresses the obstacles that prevent people from coming together to work for a solution
4. a sense of urgency that helps us to see that never before there has been as good an opportunity to heal the past and build a united future,

If we turn away from this opportunity, another one may never come up again. For any potential Agreement to be implemented, we need the determination and good will of people from both communities to accomplish concrete peace. The future of our island is still in our hands but there is no time to lose. Every day that passes makes reunification more difficult.
We cannot leave nationalism and racism to keep exploiting our future. It is time for all Cypriot people to unite and act collectively to start building our united future.
We additionally request those whom have turned the commemoration of our tear and bloodshed to a military display to remember peace and the necessities of peace.




Organizations in support of the Common Declaration: -
The Greek Cypriot Organisations: -
1.. Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute, 2.. Technology For Peace, 3.. Institute of World Affairs _ Eastern Mediterranean Office, 4.. HasNa Inc - Cyprus Office, 5.. Youth Promoting Peace, 6.. Ο.P.Ε.Κ. (Association for Social Reform), 7.. Theatre Group "Satirikon", 8.. Movement for the Reunification of Cyprus, 9.. Platform Solution Reunification Now, 10.. Neocypriot Association, 11.. Left Wing, 12.. Common Cultural Youth Organization GARDASH, 13.. Cultural Centre ΕΚΙΜ, 14.. Human Rights and Education Network (NGO), 15.. Cyprus Union of Writers, 16.. Amnesty International (Cyprus Branch), 17.. Leftists for "Yes", 18.. Orange Group, 19.. Artists and Artists, 20.. NGO Support Centre, 21.. Hands Across the Divide, 22.. Bi-communal Trainers Association, 23.. Magazine "Epi Skinis" ("On Stage")

The Turkish Cypriot Organizations: -

THE THIS COUNTRY IS OURS PLATFORM (excluding its political parties):-


KTÖS, KTOEÖS, DEV-İŞ, DEVRİMCİ GENEL İŞ, EMEK-İŞ, BES, TÜRK-SEN, KTAMS, KTMMOB, EL-SEN, TEL-SEN, BASIN-SEN, BEL-SEN, TIP-İŞ, YÖN-SEN, KOOP-SEN, GÜÇ-SEN, DAÜ-SEN, DAÜ-BİR-SEN, VERGİ-SEN, ÇAĞ-SEN, Mağusa Türk Genel-İş Sendikası, K.T.Esnaf ve Zanaatkarlar Odası, K.T.Hayvan Üreticileri Birliği, YKB, Kıbrıs Türk Sanatçı ve Yazarlar Birliği, Haklar ve Özgürlükler Derneği, Girne Halk Sanatları Derneği, Kıbrıs’ta Sosyalist Gerçek, EKİM Kültür-Sanat Derneği, Kıbrıs Sanat Derneği, Barış Derneği, Barış ve Demokrasi İnisiyatifi, KIB-YAY, Naci Talat Vakfı, Kutlu Adalı Vakfı, Barış ve Federal Çözüm İçin Kadın Hareketi, Kadın Araştırmaları Merkezi, Gençlik Merkezi, Akdeniz-Avrupa Sanat Derneği, GİBETSU, Kıbrıs Gençlik Platformu.

[Piratis]

4. a sense of urgency that helps us to see that never before there has been as good an opportunity to heal the past and build a united future

I generally agree with your declaration, but number 4 is not very clear.
What is this "good opportunity" that never before existed?

[Bananiot]

Its simple Piratis, for the first time, the Turkish government declares that there is a problem in Cyprus that needs to be addressed (remember the Ecevit doctrine?) and a government in Greece that looks towards reconcialiation and good neighbourly relations. We have Cyprus on the verge of joining the EU and Turkey to strive in the same direction. Who would imagine that in Cyprus we would get a chauvinist and ultra nationalist President on account of the champions of rapproachment, AKEL?

Anyway, its good that you agree with the declaration.

[Piratis]

If by "good opportunity" you mean Cyprus EU entry and the aspirations of Turkey for EU membership then we agree. I thought it referred to the Annan plan, which is already rejected and therefore can not be considered as a good opportunity.

[michalis5354]

All these initiatives are coming from private individuals and organisations! What do politicians do? Sitting , relaxing and enjoying their power? Where are the Papadopoulos initiatives?

I have always supported ,that Peace on the island will come ONLY when NEW and YOUNG people come to power with no direct or indirect Involvement on the cyprus issue at the decade of 60s and onwards.

The Old generation of Politicians , who still UNFO|RTUNATELY lack of any integrity and credibility to resign after such a long and unsuccessful involvement on the Cyprus issue have failed with their approach and policies to bring a Just and viable solution to the cyprus issue. For me they are a Big Failure and I get disturbed when i have to see them on TV or read what they said on newspaper. At least when they resign I will have more peace of mind thats what I want!

[PEACE]

I have always supported ,that Peace on the island will come ONLY when NEW and YOUNG people come to power with no direct or indirect Involvement on the cyprus issue at the decade of 60s and onwards.

Dear michalis5354! I suppose young Greek Cypriots are more fanatic.Because they are grown up with lesson books full of hatred and fanatism.Also i suppose they know only after 1974 and beleives that Cyprus Problem started on 20 July 1974! Am i rights or not? If not please state !

[michalis5354]

My point was that those that were indirectly involved in the two controversial issues Enosis-Taksim can not bring something different.

I also grew up with lessons but I reached a point where I started to question issues much more and to reject all those information which I considered as one sided.

Of course there are exceptions , I do not say that we live in a Paradise and when I say young I do not mean of course at their twenties . I think we have one of the Oldest generation of leaders Internationally.

[PEACE]

Also i heard that young generation between 18-30 said No to Annan Plan in a ratio of 86% ! This is true?

I suppose they don't feel much things to North so their link to North is so weak or they haven't got any link!So they are more tend to decline a solution.Life standarts and future in south is so good and i suppose this situation don't bother them so much.What do you think about my thoughts?

[michalis5354]

I do not know about that percentage! When the 1st version of the plan was firstly being introduced surveys results were marginal e. The NO vote can no be interpreted as a No to solution . As you know there were 4 vesrions of the UN plan that have been changed to arrive at the 5th version . This was obvioulsy a factor that influenced the voters.

Also there has been a changed in the leadership this is another factor! People have been let to believe that after EU membership propsects for a more viable solution were greater in the future and so how to rush to sigh any solution now . So the No to the plan does not mean No to solution!

And of course on the other side we had all those nationalist GCs taking every opportunity to affect the public opinion!

[michalis5354]

EDIT