Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

Oh shit, Zan woke up and is adding his vitriolic comments to every thread!

Always here for you buddy......Don't threat!!!!

[CBBB]

It should be fret.

[zan]

It should be fret.

I know what I am talking about

[CBBB]

It would be the first time!

[zan]

It would be the first time!

Well you would say that wouldn't you.......You don't like hearing the truth as it stands......Factose intolerance I think it's called...

[CBBB]

The truth being that you don't speak English properly?

[zan]

The truth being that you don't speak English properly?

Bugsy would have come up with something much better than that lame one CBBB........Choose another avatar.....Maybe one of the goons!!!!

[halil]

Here is the most discussed news from northern Cyprus since yesterday .

let s and look what they said in NOerthern part of the Cyprus.

Greek Cypriot President addresses PACE

Christofias proposes mutual abolition of military exercises

In his address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias said that he has the political will needed to do whatever is necessary to solve the Cyprus Problem, acknowledging that the procedure which has started will be difficult.
In his address on Tuesday, he outlined his vision to transform the unitary state in Cyprus into a federation, saying the noble struggle he and his Turkish Cypriot compatriot, Mehmet Ali Talat, waged in the 80s gives him hope that they can succeed in reaching an agreed solution that will serve the interests of Cypriots and not of foreigners.
He also revealed that during his recent meeting in New York with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, he suggested that the UN chief promote an agreement to abolish the annual military exercises in and around Cyprus.
He stressed that no solution is not a solution and warned that “we do not have the luxury to fail” in this latest peace effort, as the absence of a solution will probably lead to permanent partition.
Christofias also said that Turkey must contribute to the process in a positive way, adding that he expects Ankara to rise to the occasion and fulfil its obligations arising from its efforts to join the EU. Turkey refuses to recognise the ‘Republic of Cyprus’, which joined the EU in May 2004, and has yet to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot flagged vessels and aircraft, as demanded by the EU.

In his address, Christofias said it was an honour for him to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the first time since being elected President in February. He reiterated that his country is firmly committed to the principles and values of the Council of Europe and the European Union, fully appreciates the Council of Europe and recognises the unique role it plays in accomplishing the noble mission that has been assigned to it, adding that the Parliamentary Assembly constitutes the democratic means for promoting the basic principles of the Council of Europe.
Furthermore he said, “We deeply appreciate the valuable contribution that the European Court of Human Rights has made to the protection of human rights and basic freedoms of all Cypriots”, stressing that the Court’s judgments must be fully respected and the Committee of Ministers must act so that they are effectively implemented.
He said that tomorrow [October 1], marks “the anniversary of the creation of the independent Republic of Cyprus in 1960, the joint asset of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”. Despite the many difficulties the country has been through in its history, Christofias said “its reunification is our vision. A united Cyprus, a functional state with a federal structure where the human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots without exception will be respected, should be our common legacy to our children and grandchildren.”

Common destiny with Talat
Unfortunately, he added, “foreign interventions and wrong choices made by certain circles in both communities on the island from the first years of independence prevented the development of his homeland for the benefit of all Cypriots”. Foreign interventions in Cyprus’ internal affairs, he added, reached a peak with the military coup of the Greek junta and the Turkish intervention in July – August 1974.
Christofias said that he has resisted and fought chauvinism and as fighters of the Popular Movement of Cyprus, “I fought alongside the present leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat, since the beginning of the ‘80s. This, more than anything else, gives me hope that we can succeed in finally reaching an agreed solution that will serve the interests of Cypriots and not those of any foreigners”, the President remarked.
He said that he remains “committed to the common vision that we worked out together with Mr Talat and his predecessor, the late Ozker Ozgur, during the ‘90s as leaders of AKEL and the Republican Turkish Party respectively”, explaining that this vision “was expressed in joint decisions and public statements of both communities after meetings between delegations led by the two leaders”.
The vision entails a solution and reunification based on the relevant UN resolutions and the 1977 and 1979 High Level Agreements between the leaders of the two communities under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, he added.
Christofias declared his faith in the “Cypriot identity that has evolved from centuries of living together and which we must foster and promote. I am a Greek Cypriot and proud of my roots and identity, but equally I fully respect Mr Talat’s right to be different and proud of his roots and his identity”.
Referring to the “new intense effort to solve the Cyprus Problem” which began on 3 September aimed at overcoming past deadlocks and achieving progress that will lead to the reunification of Cyprus under mutually agreed terms, and to the withdrawal of all foreign troops after 34 years of division and foreign occupation, Christofias said the talks are taking place under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General in the framework of his Good Offices Mission.
The UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices Mission entails negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, of whose outcome all Cypriots shall have ownership, he said, adding: “The role of the Secretary-General and the international community is to provide help and support. Good Offices do not mean arbitration. Nor do they mean mediation.” He also noted that recent experiences have shown that any imported plans that do not serve the interests of the Cypriot people will be rejected by them.

Federation is the only way
The framework for a solution outlined by the relevant resolutions foresees a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single identity, a single indivisible sovereignty and a single nationality, said Christofias, adding that federal institutions will embody the principle of political equality as laid out by the relevant UN resolutions.
He also pointed out that such a federation has been the only agreed basis for a solution since 1977 and was recently reaffirmed by the leaders of the two communities, remarking that “this represents a compromise, in actual fact the only possible compromise, on whose foundations a new political arrangement can be built”.
He told the PACE that he has “the political will needed to do whatever is necessary to solve this problem” and that he is supported in this statement by his actions during the Popular Movement in Cyprus and the fact that he is a refugee himself. He referred to certain specific suggestions he had made which “will improve the climate surrounding the negotiations and will increase their chances of succeeding”.

Military exercises
He said that during his “meeting with the UN Secretary-General in New York last week, I suggested that he promotes an agreement to abolish the annual military exercises that are held each autumn in and around Cyprus. I refer specifically to the Nikiforos exercise, carried out by the Cyprus National Guard, and the Toros exercise, carried out by the Turkish military forces in Cyprus”.
In addition, “I propose that measures of military de-escalation also be agreed upon and implemented, such as the disengagement of forces, particularly in the Nicosia region, including the full demilitarisation of the old town of Nicosia within the Venetian walls, the designation of a Demilitarised Zone, and other measures.”
The President said that there is also the issue of the implementation of confidence building measures already agreed with Talat but unfortunately, '' yet to be implemented''.
We are fully aware that the procedure that has started will be difficult, pledging however that on his part “we will work as hard as we possibly can and spare no effort to ensure it has a successful outcome. We do not have the luxury to fail. No solution is not a solution, as some people claim. On the contrary, the lack of a solution, with the problem still pending, will probably lead to the permanent partition of the island, which is the worst possible outcome for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”.

Criticism of Turkish forces
Christofias said, “I believe that we can and that we must succeed”, noting that “the will of the Cypriot people for a solution is essential”. However, he added, “it is not in itself, sufficient. Turkey, too, must contribute to the process in a positive way. Turkey maintains over 40,000 troops and tens of thousands of colonists in Cyprus and can undoubtedly determine the outcome of the issues being discussed. We believe that the solution should and will benefit everyone. It will allow all Cypriots - Greek and Turkish - to live and work together in an independent prosperous country within the family of the European Union, without the presence of foreign troops and illegal settlers, in conditions of safety and where everyone’s identity and rights will be respected. It will also give an impetus to Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union of which Cyprus is already a full member”.

[halil]

Turkish Cypriot President Talat speaks at the PACE

Talat: Greek Cypriot side reluctant about political equality with Turkish Cypriot side

Following are highlights from Mehmet Ali Talat’s unprecedented speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Wednesday. With this, Talat has become the first Turkish Cypriot The Turkish Cypriots are a modern people worthy of your consideration and support. At the same time, Turkish Cypriots are a people that have embraced the highest human values, and that believe and fight for human rights, the rule of law, social justice and democratic development. Although the Turkish Cypriot people have been the victim of the Cyprus problem for many years now, they have put forward a determined attitude and have taken action to solve the problem, without being enslaved by any feelings of revenge.

The isolation of Turkish Cypriots
The Cyprus problem has been ongoing since 1963. We are all saddened by the fact that the solution of the problem has been delayed. But be assured that the lack of solution affects the Turkish Cypriot people the most. Because of this problem, the Turkish Cypriot people are unable to take their honourable place among the free peoples of the world and to establish adequate and effective relations with the world. We have spent our childhood and adolescence on a volcano ready to erupt at any minute. Now, we are concerned with rendering secure the future of our children. And for this, we regard the establishment of a lasting peace in Cyprus as an urgent humanitarian issue.

The Turkish Cypriot people are able to deal with the difficulties imposed on them by the lack of a solution, leaning especially on the contributions of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey has been the main supporter of the Turkish Cypriot people and therefore, my people are rightfully grateful to the Republic of Turkey and to the Turkish people, to whom they are related through historic and cultural bonds. Thanks to Turkey’s support, the Turkish Cypriot people are able to benefit from state services, to establish telephone connections with the world, to benefit from postal services and travel. If Turkey had banned direct flights as other states have, I would have been imprisoned in Northern Cyprus, instead of being here. In fact, if it wasn’t for the support of Turkey, there would not be a Turkish Cypriot leader speaking before you, since there would not be any Turkish Cypriots left in Cyprus.

Situation after 2004 and the new process
The pro-solution stance of the Turkish Cypriot people continues despite our disappointment in April 2004. After April 2004, we tried very hard to re-initiate solution negotiations based on the UN Comprehensive Settlement Plan. We called on the whole world to support us in this regard. We gave voice to this attitude on every platform. Former Greek Cypriot Leader Papadopoulos persistently avoided this; he himself, announced to the whole world from the United Nations platform, which is the symbol of the freedom of people, that he pursues the policy of “osmosis,” which means to absorb and dissolve the Turkish Cypriot people under his administration, instead of a policy of finding a comprehensive solution through negotiations. Fortunately, Papadopoulos’ “osmosis” policy did not find support in the world. Even the Greek Cypriot people became uneasy with such a policy, and in February 2008, they replaced Papadopoulos with Demetris Christofias.



Now, we have a new process. My dear friend Demetris Christofias took over the Greek Cypriot leadership saying that he will pursue a policy of solution and negotiations. We were, of course, pleased. And we immediately settled down to work. We do have various difficulties... however, these difficulties do not emanate from Turkey, as argued by Demetris Christofias. These difficulties emanate from the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is reluctant to share the sovereignty of Cyprus with the Turkish Cypriot people.

Today, I regard the initiation of comprehensive settlement negotiations as a great improvement, but I have to say that the main obstacle in front of further progress is the reluctance of the Greek Cypriot side to exercise political equality with Turkish Cypriots.

As the Turkish Cypriot side, we want to establish a new partnership state in Cyprus, based on the political equality of the two peoples and which is composed of two constituent states of equal status. We believe that Cyprus could be unified under such a framework and that we can stand before the world with a single international identity.

Although Cyprus has been accepted into the European Union in an unfair manner and without the approval of the Turkish Cypriot people, all our political forces agree that the new partnership state will be a member of the EU. I believe that the new partnership state can be shaped by remaining true to the founding principles of the European Union; nevertheless, the Turkish Cypriot people can be protected from threats stemming from historic problems or mistrust through certain derogations.

Highlights on ‘Situation in Cyprus’ debated at PACE
First of all, I would like to thank your Parliament for allowing two of our elected representatives to participate in the works of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in line with Assembly Resolution 1376, and contributing to the easing of the political isolation of Turkish Cypriots. On the other hand, we are expecting the urgent implementation of Resolution 170 of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in 2004, which states that representatives of Turkish Cypriot local authorities should be represented in the Congress, as in the Parliamentary Assembly. Again, the Assembly, in Resolution 1376 called for putting an end to the Turkish Cypriots’ international isolation. We regretfully observe that the isolations on Turkish Cypriot people are continuing despite the existence of such a Resolution by an institution, which is the cradle of democracy.

Only a week ago, the Greek Cypriot side arrested a Syrian captain for coming to Turkish Cypriot ports and once again showed how rigid it is in its policy of isolation. The draft resolution only talks about the ban on Greek Cypriot-flagged ships against entering ports in Turkey. We see that the repeated call of the Turkish Cypriot side to simultaneously lift all restrictions on the island and the Action Plan proposed by the Republic of Turkey in this regard, have not been included in the draft resolution.

We are disappointed by the fact that the draft resolution also includes Greek Cypriot claims that they help Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot side uses this argument as a means of propaganda and political exploitation to prove its claims that Turkish Cypriots are not isolated. Since the Turkish Cypriot side launched an international initiative for the lifting of isolations and the world reacted positively, the Greek Cypriot administration has been claiming that it provides Turkish Cypriots with free electricity, although it is paid, and has been presenting the salaries of people, who work in South Cyprus, as ‘aid to Turkish Cypriots.”

Property issue
The Cyprus problem has given rise to a property issue. I would like to remind you that, as the Turkish Cypriot side, we have established the Immovable Property Commission in accordance with the recommendations and direction of the European Court of Human Rights. Accordingly, as an interim measure for those property owners who are unable to wait until a comprehensive solution, we have accepted as a domestic remedy, the options of partial restitution, exchange and compensation and have implemented them. The establishment of this Commission has unburdened the European Court of Human Rights of its extensive work load. I would like to state that any development or construction activity on the property of an individual, who applies to the Immovable Property Commission for restitution, is halted as of the date of application, within the framework of the provisions of the Law of the Immovable Property Commission. Exchange is a method that should be seriously considered in the solution of the property issue. Moreover, the demand for exchange comes from the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot officials are expected to cooperate in this regard.

I can tell you with pleasure that our Ministry of Education has reviewed the textbooks being used in schools, in accordance with the principles and recommendations of the Council of Europe. We expect the Greek Cypriot side to take action at once and to eliminate language in their own textbooks that incite enmity and hatred against Turkish Cypriots. Our expectation from the Council of Europe is to encourage and embolden the Greek Cypriot side in this regard.

As the Turkish Cypriot side, we view all the cultural monuments in Northern Cyprus, as the common heritage of humanity, regardless of their origin, and try to preserve them with the scarce resources without any international aid. I am calling on you today to support us in our efforts to preserve this cultural heritage. In this regard, I would also like to bring to your attention that there exist Turkish-Islamic cultural monuments in the Greek Cypriot side, which are in need of the Council’s special interest and preservation. I am pleased to inform you that one of the technical committees established as part of the new negotiations process, is on cultural heritage.

Education in one’s own mother tongue is a basic human rights. As the Turkish Cypriot side, we have provided the Greek Cypriot children living in Northern Cyprus with the opportunity to receive uninterrupted elementary and secondary-school education in their mother tongue, by Greek Cypriot teachers and in line with the Greek Cypriot curriculum. It is very saddening that a similar opportunity has not been offered to Turkish Cypriot students living in the town of Limassol in Southern Cyprus, who outnumber Greek Cypriot students living in the North.

The issue of Missing Persons is not an issue that emerged in 1974, and which only concerns Greek Cypriots. Hundreds of Turkish Cypriot civilians were kidnapped between the years 1963-1974 and have remained missing. It is a disappointment to see that this humanitarian issue has been portrayed as a problem that only concerns Greek Cypriots and that justice is demanded only on their part.

[RichardB]

The Parlimentary Assembly for the Council of Europe (PACE) view after the talks is

Provisional edition

Situation in Cyprus

Resolution 1628 (2008)1


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1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its resolutions and recommendations adopted since the outbreak of the conflict in Cyprus in 1960s, and regrets that Cyprus remains one of the last divided countries in Europe, and the only one in the European Union, with its northern part occupied by Turkey since 1974.

2. It reaffirms its strong commitment to reaching a fair, lasting and comprehensive solution for a peaceful and united Cyprus which would guarantee the legitimate rights of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, in full compliance with the values and principles of the Council of Europe.

3. In this context, the Assembly welcomes the renewed political process between the two Cypriot parties which started in March 2008 and has already produced encouraging results for the benefit of all Cypriots, including the opening of the Ledra street crossing in Nicosia and agreements on practical co-operation between the two communities in a number of areas. It commends the political will and determination shown by the leaders of the two Cypriot communities, President Christofias and Mr Talat, and fully endorses their efforts. The Assembly encourages all parties and countries that are directly or indirectly linked to the Cypriot question to develop and to maintain a climate of reconciliation, confidence and mutual respect, as well as to avoid all action or declarations that could harm the ongoing constructive dialogue and accentuate tensions.

4. The Assembly further welcomes the resumption of fully-fledged negotiations between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It hopes that the appointment of Mr Downer, former Foreign Minister of Australia, as Special Adviser on Cyprus, will contribute to maintain positive dynamics in the talks and make progress towards a comprehensive settlement.

5. The Assembly encourages the United Nations to fully use in the negotiation process the Council of Europe’s expertise in the areas of its core competence. Furthermore, it believes that any future settlement agreement must comply with Council of Europe standards in the fields of human rights (including the case law of the European Court of Human Rights), democracy and the rule of law.

6. The Assembly is aware that, even with a new and more positive climate between the two communities, mistrust between them is still deep. New efforts are needed to reactivate intercommunal contacts, encourage dialogue, promote reconciliation and restore confidence. On-going Council of Europe activities aimed at confidence-building in Cyprus, namely the European Forum Cyprus and the co-operation in history teaching, must be given full political support.

7. Furthermore, the Assembly believes that the Council of Europe expertise could be of practical value for the two Cypriot communities in the areas where they have already agreed to set up co-operation, such as the environment, cultural heritage, health and criminal matters, as well as in other areas (e.g. protection of human rights, combating intolerance, protection of minorities, the fight against trafficking in human beings, education, gender equality, contacts between young people).

8. The Assembly stresses once again the importance of settling the humanitarian aspects of the Cyprus problem. Against this background, it commends the recent progress in the work of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), and calls all the parties concerned to grant full support to its activities. In this context, the Assembly welcomes financial contributions to the CMP made by several Council of Europe member states, as well as by the European Union and the United States, and calls for new donations for an increased efficiency of its work.

9. The Assembly takes note of, and welcomes, the efforts made by the European Union and by the Republic of Cyprus aimed at improving the situation of Turkish Cypriots. However, more needs to be done in order to facilitate Turkish Cypriots’ integration into Cyprus and Europe. The Assembly therefore calls for new goodwill steps to be taken to allow increased international trade, educational, cultural and sporting contacts of the Turkish Cypriot community, it being understood that these activities are consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984) on Cyprus and cannot be misused to attain political purposes incompatible with the aim of reunifying the island.

10. The Assembly is hopeful that, despite deep-rooted differences between the parties on a number of key issues to be negotiated, the need to find difficult compromises and to secure their public support, the current situation offers the best opportunity in many years to reach a settlement. President Christofias and Mr Talat are conscious that they can not afford to fail. All the internal and external actors involved must do their utmost to maximize the chances of success.

11. The Assembly therefore

11.1. calls upon political forces, civil society and non-governmental organisations in both Cypriot communities to:

11.1.1. provide full support to the ongoing settlement process, and refrain from any action which could undermine it;

11.1.2. multiply and facilitate bicommunal activities as a means of re-establishing mutual trust and developing a sense of partnership and shared responsibility for the future of a reunified Cyprus;

11.1.3. fully use for that purpose the opportunities offered by Council of Europe activities in various fields;

11.2. calls upon the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to:11.2.1. lift objections to the adoption of the Council Of The European Union's Direct Trade Regulation put forward by the European Commission allowing free direct trade between Turkish Cypriots and the EU through their own ports;

11.2.2. not to oppose increased international contacts of Turkish Cypriots in the areas of culture, education, sport and youth exchanges, insofar as these contacts are not misused for political purposes or incompatible with the reunification of the island;

11.2.3. make full use of Council of Europe experience and assistance as regards history teaching for reconciliation, and to review history textbooks in such a way as to avoid hate speech and inflammatory language with regard to painful events of the past;

11.2.4. actively seek the establishment of good-neighbourly relations with Turkey;

11.3. calls upon the authorities of the Turkish Cypriot community to:
11.3.1. confirm their commitment to reunifying Cyprus, and to refrain from insisting on the existence of a “separate state” in the north of the island;

11.3.2. put an end to the sales of, and construction on, Greek Cypriot properties in the northern part of Cyprus;

11.3.3. consider specific aid to help the Turkish settlers to leave;

11.3.4. respect point 5 of United Nations Resolution 550 by placing the city of Famagusta under UN administration;

11.4. calls upon the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and of the Turkish Cypriot Community to protect all religious monuments and allow restoration work to take place whenever necessary.

12. The Assembly urges Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as the three guarantor states of 1960 Constitution of Cyprus, to fully and actively use their influence to support the ongoing political process in Cyprus.

13. In particular, the Assembly calls upon Greece to use, on the one hand, its traditional ties with the Greek Cypriots, and on the other hand, its experience of building normalised relations with Turkey, in order to facilitate dialogue between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey.

14. Furthermore, the Assembly calls upon Turkey to:14.1. respect United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Cyprus and contribute to creating a more constructive climate in the negotiations by reducing, as a confidence-building measure, its military presence in the occupied part of Cyprus;

14.2. actively seek the establishment of good-neighbourly relations with the Republic of Cyprus, including lifting the ban against entering ports in Turkey imposed on vessels registered in the Republic of Cyprus and on vessels sailing under other flags which enter the ports of the Republic of Cyprus, and to sign a trade agreement with the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the commitment made by Turkey to the World Trade Organization and its obligations under its Customs Union Agreement with the European Union;

14.3. co-operate effectively in the efforts to ascertain the fate of the missing persons in Cyprus and to fully implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Cyprus v. Turkey (2001) pertaining to the tragic problem of the missing persons and their families and abide by and fulfil, without any further delay, its obligations and duties stemming from the aforementioned judgment, as well as from the Court’s other judgments concerning citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, namely the Loizidou and Xenedis-Arestis judgments.

15. The Assembly calls upon the United Kingdom to confirm its previous offer to transfer part of the territory of its military bases in Cyprus to Greek Cypriots in order to facilitate territorial adjustments to be negotiated between the two parties in the framework of a comprehensive settlement.

16. The Assembly asks its committees, when holding meetings in Cyprus, to associate as much as possible representatives of the Turkish Cypriot political forces, as well as representatives of civil society and NGOs from both communities.


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1 Assembly debate on 1st October 2008 (32nd Sitting) (see Doc.11699, report of the Political Affairs Committee, rapporteur : Mr Hörster, and Doc. 11727, opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Mr Cilevičs). Text adopted by the Assembly on 1st October 2008 (32nd Sitting).

eBay-rak