Cyprus-Forum.com

[Turker]

First, think a possible peace plan to be accepted by both parties. Do you think what this soultion will bring to the communities? What happens, what kind of changes do you expect? Any conflicts again? Or dreams of outdated ideas: Enosis or Taksim again?

What will we talk about in this forum then? Will we delete this part of the forum, or just keep it as nostalgia?

Let's speculate on a possible future, maybe with an optimistic or a pessimistic view. Maybe with a truly neutral one.

[Piratis]

It depends on what kind of solution it will be. Will it be a solution made for Cypriots, to make Cyprus a normal country like all the other in EU, or will it be a solution to serve first and above all the interests of some foreigners by creating a banana republic?

From our side the "enosis" idea is indeed outdated. Greece and Cyprus are in the EU, and once the Cyprus problem is solved we will help Turkey to enter also. This way we will all be in the same family.

I hope the taksim idea is past for TCs also. Whats the point to try to divide a small island when Europe of 500 million people is getting more and more integrated? We should let our past behind the same Europe managed to leave 2 world wars behind.

[iskismet]

'We should let our past behind the same Europe managed to leave 2 world wars behind.'

At least we agree on one thing Piratis.

But how can that be done?

GC & TC children are taught to hate in the classroom.

It has to be changed by the people to allow the bitterness and hate to slowly drain away.

The reception I have received on this forum for asking questions leads me to believe there is a long way to go yet.

[Piratis]

But how can that be done?

I don't know how. As I said in another thread some people believe (wrongly) that they can gain if this hate and conflict is maintained.

The only way is if these people realize that recycling the hate of the past will not benefit them as they think, and that the sooner we agree with a decent compromise ( http://www.cyprus-forum.com/cyprus211.html ) the better for everybody.

[Chrisswirl]

The people need to be strong to break the mould. They have to go out there and have a civilised conversation with a member of the "other side". But how do we make people do that? I really have no idea, but people often follow politician's examples... unfortunately. We need a strong and understanding politician, willing to represent BOTH sides and their concerns and desires.

[Mike]

Cyprus keeps changing hands for thousands of years. We have seen many rulers and we will see many more. This time we will try to chooce our ruler ourselves (=EU). Thats the best alternative we have right now.

[MicAtCyp]

Turker,
I can make predictions only after I see the content of the agreement.The only prediction I can now make is that the first 6 months will be cruicial.If everything goes well then the next 10 years we will have too many changes.

GC & TC children are taught to hate in the classroom.

90% of the feeling of hate comes from the personal experiences of the parents, relatives and friends, not from the classroom!

[iskismet]

In that case, if you are right, it is the older people (40ish and over) passing it on to the children - how do we stop them passing on hate and ruining the future?

[Piratis]

Hate is passed for different reasons in each case.

Greek Cypriots pass it because today Turkey continues to occupy their land. You can not love the one who at the same time forbids you to have your human rights. Unfortunately the hate is many times spread against TCs that are actually against the occupation.

Many (not all) Turkish Cypriots on the other hand pass this hate because they want to maintain a hateful and conflicting environment which they use as an excuse for partition.

What can be done:

In the case of Greek Cypriots to educate them that the partition of their country is not the fault of Turkish Cypriots (i hope) but the fault of some extremists and Turkey. to convince them that they should show more understanding toward Turkish Cypriots because they have suffered a lot from the GC actions before 74 and they have also suffered from the occupation and that they are just victims like us and not the enemy.

In the case of Turkish Cypriots to convince them that what they think they can gain from maintaining a conflicting environment (partition or disguised partition like Annan plan) is not something that can happen and they have more to gain if they leave the past behind and make a new fresh start with us in the EU.

[PEACE]

In the case of Greek Cypriots to educate them that the partition of their country is not the fault of Turkish Cypriots (i hope) but the fault of some extremists and Turkey.

Mr. Piratis;you are talking about educating new generation that the partition is not the fault of TCs but on the other hand you don't beleive into this.(You are saying "I hope").It seems firstly you need some education before children.