Cyprus-Forum.com

[cannedmoose]

Did anyone see this debate on Antena? If so, what were your perspectives on this?

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‘Pseudo’ storm over former minister’s comments
By Stefanos Evripidou

Themistocleous under fire for telling journalists to tone down jargon


POLITICIANS across the spectrum lined up yesterday to blast the controversial request by former Agriculture Minister Costas Themistocleous to stop referring to the north as the ‘pseudo-state’.

‘Pseudo’ mania ensued on Thursday after the United Democrats (UD) general secretary said live on an Antenna news programme that he was against using the terms ‘pseudo-state’, ‘pseudo-government’ and everything else prefixed by the word ‘pseudo’ when referring to the north.

Outraged viewers jammed the phone lines immediately, calling for Themistocleous to leave the studio and branding him a traitor live on air. One of the callers suggested to guest speaker, former DISY deputy Christos Rotsas to get up and leave, and so he did in protest, leaving Themistocleous to remark, “populism thrives in this place”.

The initial discussion concerned the triple murders in Kosi, but the debate took an interesting turn when Themistocleous made himself heard concerning correct terminology.

While discussing the authorities in the north, the former minister told the presenter he did not accept using the term ‘pseudo-state’, and offered instead to use the word ‘illegal state’ or ‘non-recognised state’.

Since the aim was to reunite with the other side, such expressions like ‘pseudo’ only deterred communication between the two sides, he argued. He said using that term did not help rapprochement or dialogue with Turkish Cypriots.

Undeterred by his audience’s reaction, Themistocleous argued in favour of using internationally accepted terms like ‘illegal or non-recognised’. He maintained that when Greek Cypriots use the word ‘pseudo’ they become the object of caustic satire on the international scene, adding that he was only expressing the view of his party.

The unexpected comment kicked up a storm on the political scene, with outraged DIKO deputy Nicos Pittokopitis the first to comment by vowing to cut all ties with the United Democrats.

Themistocleous’ comments continued to rouse emotion yesterday as five UD members announced their resignation from the party, including former party vice president Georgios Christofides, who called on Themistocleous to resign from his position and apologise to the Cypriot public for his insensitive statements.

UD leader and former President George Vassiliou refused to rebuke Themistocleous for the storm created but was quick to point out yesterday that the party organs had never discussed the issue of what to call the occupied north, “which we have all learnt to call the ‘pseudo-state’”.

The former president stressed that from its inception the party fought and would continue to fight against partition of the island.

Government spokesman was less forthcoming, describing the comments as “unexplainable and dangerous”.

“Certain people in Cyprus and abroad think that even though the Annan plan wasn’t implemented… we should start talking about two constituent states,” he said.
He argued that the word pseudo-state correctly reflected what international law and United Nations resolutions had to say about the north.

AKEL leader Demetris Christofias joined the frenzy, condemning Themistocleous for ‘giving his blessing’ to an illegality and “this unacceptable situation.

The Green party and socialists, EDEK, also expressed their condemnation and sadness. Green leader George Perdikis said his comments were completely unnecessary, discussing them any further would only do harm.

Opposition DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades was less disturbed by the affair, playing down the contentious comments. “If he was talking about abolishing the term ‘illegal’, then his actions would be condemnable and completely out of order, but if not, then we are wrongly creating a fuss,” he said, adding, “In Cyprus we deal with adjectives and not the essence of things.”



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2004

[metecyp]

Outraged viewers jammed the phone lines immediately, calling for Themistocleous to leave the studio and branding him a traitor live on air. One of the callers suggested to guest speaker, former DISY deputy Christos Rotsas to get up and leave, and so he did in protest, leaving Themistocleous to remark, “populism thrives in this place”.

Ahh, it brings tears in my eyes to see how democratic and tolerant people are in the south...

[Piratis]

Themistowhatever is allowed to express his view. So is everybody else. This is what democracy is. Why should this guy have the right to say whatever crap he wants and others should not be allowed to reply?

My opinion about him is that he is a fucking idiot, and I have the right to express my opinion as much as he has the right to express his.

The only difference is that they invited him to TV because they though he represented somebody except from himself. But he doesn't represent anybody (except maybe Papapetrou), especially now that his party is dissolved. (more members resigned from his 1.5% party)

So now he can go to express his views in his family gatherings and in the "cafene" of his village, or call to TV stations and be given 1 minute to talk like is the case with the rest of us.

[insan]

While discussing the authorities in the north, the former minister told the presenter he did not accept using the term ‘pseudo-state’, and offered instead to use the word ‘illegal state’ or ‘non-recognised state’.

Since the aim was to reunite with the other side, such expressions like ‘pseudo’ only deterred communication between the two sides, he argued. He said using that term did not help rapprochement or dialogue with Turkish Cypriots.

In my opinion Piratis, you are fucking idiot that cannot see the constructive goodwill of Mr. Themistocleous.


I used my freedom of expression, too.

[Piratis]

constructive goodwill of Mr. Themistocleous

I would call it paid treason.

In my opinion Piratis, you are fucking idiot

You are entitled to your opinion. However opinions from people like you mean nothing to me, and they don't touch me.

This is unlike the case of Themistosomething, since without the support of others he can not be elected. The American dollars can make him rich, but they can not elect him anywhere, and this is why this was the end of his political career.

[turkcyp]

....he said, adding, “In Cyprus we deal with adjectives and not the essence of things.”

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2004

This is the most important part of the whole news....

As usual GCs are making things out of nothing. I am just loughing how people can just get hooked up on smal things and can't see the big picture...

Anyway it is not my place to talk. Let the GCs have fun....

[cannedmoose]

I am just loughing how people can just get hooked up on smal things and can't see the big picture...

We are in full agreement on that turkcyp. There is certainly a lot of navel gazing on both sides at times.

[Bananiot]

Its also called tyrrany of words. Themistocleous said the obvious but Cyprus is rife with people of Piratis mentality. Themistocleous, many GC's say, not only Piratis, is a paid agent of the enemy. Well, our biggest enemy is our thick head and the events that followed Themistocleous's comments have confirmed my deep belief that there is no future for Cyprus. Sad, very sad indeed.

[Alexandros Lordos]

my deep belief that there is no future for Cyprus. Sad, very sad indeed.

Bananiot, why have you allowed yourself to become so negative? And not just you, most of the people who were fervent "Yes" supporters last April seem to have given up in despair ...

It is a pity, because most of the activists who should have been working to get the negotiations - and the bicommunal movement - back on track, are now sitting in their homes wallowing in misery.

The Turkish Cypriots have already bounced back from their disappointment, for instance, the TC Chamber of Commerce is already trying to get a new bicommunal movement started ... and we GCs just sit and cry ourselves to sleep every night. I arrange bicommunal meetings to present my research, 30 TCs turn up and about 4 GCs ... all the activists are sitting on their asses blaming Papadopoulos, while Papadopoulos is sitting on his ass blaming the Americans.

I think it's time we all start waking up!

[Piratis]

Its also called tyrrany of words.

So what exactly do you want? To say whatever you want without getting an answer? He had the freedom to say what he thinks, and he said it. So did all the others. Where is the problem? Maybe you want to shut our mouth so you are the only one who talk?

The only problem is that people like Themistocleous who represent 0.01% of the population are given air time while others don't. Utopos has more supporters than Themistocleous. Maybe they should bring him to say some crap on TV also.