Cyprus-Forum.com

[miltiades]

Am I the only who bothered to reply to the specific thread topic ...

Yes stick to the subject please , this is serious !!
Will the new President of the greatest nation on earth be an influential factor in encouraging the resolution of the Cyprus problem , bearing in mind that apart from olive oil we now have what America needs most GAS !

I will put in a good word , after all I have supported and still do support the greatest nation on earth , Bush or no Bush !
Talking about Bush , I have it from the horses mouth that he had a soft touch for Cyprus , only he thought it was a tree !!

[Oracle]

Am I the only who bothered to reply to the specific thread topic ...

Yes stick to the subject please , this is serious !!
Will the new President of the greatest nation on earth be an influential factor in encouraging the resolution of the Cyprus problem , bearing in mind that apart from olive oil we now have what America needs most GAS !

I will put in a good word , after all I have supported and still do support the greatest nation on earth , Bush or no Bush !
Talking about Bush , I have it from the horses mouth that he had a soft touch for Cyprus , only he thought it was a tree !!

Bush! ... Tree! - What's the difference?

[Get Real!]

No problem with the locals GR, they feel more hatred for the Taliban than we do.The locals were grateful for medical treatment, food and protection, I saw no hatred. You need to get out there GR you read far to many comics. As for Rambo you know fuck all about what I or my collegues do, and yes I do consider the men and women I work with as brave.

But you haven't told us the secret to your bravery!

Is it the humongous pair of balls dangling between your legs inherited from a past relative who suffered from Elephantiasis, or are you just a natural “tough guy” like in the American movies?

Or could it be that you’re sitting behind a monster that fires something like 2,000 rounds p/minute, can penetrate tungsten, have tons of ground and Apache air support, and satellite pin-pointing guidance, while a couple of hillbillies in turbans hiding behind a rock have run out of gunpowder to load their musket?

I gotta hand it to you… I love the odds!

[purdey]

So sorry, just following the general rule on forum and deviating from the question asked. By the way GR met some of your private army friends last year, pussies the lot of them.

[miltiades]

So sorry, just following the general rule on forum and deviating from the question asked. By the way GR met some of your private army friends last year, pussies the lot of them.

Not suprised mate , all mouth and no beards !!!

[Oracle]

OK .... well I'll leave you all to deviate to your hearts' content about beards and bullets!

Give me a call when Cyprus is back on the agenda ....

[miltiades]

Am I the only who bothered to reply to the specific thread topic ...

Yes stick to the subject please , this is serious !!
Will the new President of the greatest nation on earth be an influential factor in encouraging the resolution of the Cyprus problem , bearing in mind that apart from olive oil we now have what America needs most GAS !

I will put in a good word , after all I have supported and still do support the greatest nation on earth , Bush or no Bush !
Talking about Bush , I have it from the horses mouth that he had a soft touch for Cyprus , only he thought it was a tree !!

Bush! ... Tree! - What's the difference?

A bush can mean different things to different people but a tree ?

[purdey]

I have never professed to be brave, I am just well trained and have been doing it full and part time for a long time.I am not tough and am not aquainted with war films, but I have served in most conflicts in the past 20 years.As for the weapon I do not use a weapon that fires more than 50 rounds, I travel light and genrally have no air support or back up. As for the hillbillies they are highly trained , well armed and not afraid to die..
I also have no tattoos, piercings or bad habits, and I like jelly babies, good night and sleep well.

[Get Real!]

As for the hillbillies they are highly trained , well armed and not afraid to die..

Oh my God! We're all doomed! I just knew there was something professional about them judging by their uniforms... don't you just love those grey tattered dresses? Which Afghani corps would they belong to anyway? Must be something really sinister!

[insan]

Am I the only who bothered to reply to the specific thread topic ...

Hmmm.. lemme check what Gene Rossides think abt this issue... brb

Having the political will to act involves at least two initial positions the Obama/Biden administration must take to demonstrate the seriousness of its purpose, namely, the removal of all Turkish armed forces, estimated at over 40,000 troops, and the return to Turkey of the estimated at 180,000 illegal settlers/colonists under the Geneva Convention of 1949.

Diplomatic pressure on Turkey would include no invitations for Turkish officials to visit their counterparts in the U.S. until Turkey commits to remove its illegal troops and settlers now.

Political pressure on Turkey would include getting other nations, particularly Britain, a guarantor power, and the European Union of nations to advise Turkey to get its illegal troops and settlers out of Cyprus and let the Greek and Turkish Cypriots negotiate a settlement by Cypriots free from outside pressure.

Economic pressure on Turkey would include the halt in any economic assistance including loans; a halt in any military assistance and acquisitions; and informing Turkey that it will withdraw all existing economic benefits, such as textile quotas, if Turkey does not cooperate. It would also include no assistance from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank until Turkey¢s illegal troops and settlers are removed from Cyprus.

Vice President Elect Joe Biden has, during his Senate career, often called for the removal of Turkish troops from Cyprus as a necessary precondition to proper negotiations. On July 26, 2007, Senator Biden, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated: “Turkey should begin the withdrawal of troops from Cyprus. The presence of those forces is neither justified nor necessary and complicates efforts to return the island to a state of lasting peace…Since 2003 there have been millions of peaceful crossings at the Green Line that separates the island¢s two communities. Cypriots of all ethnicities have clearly demonstrated their ability to co-exist.”

Turkey¢s U.S. Foreign Agent Lobbyists

During the presidential campaign both Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain make statements showing concern about lobbyists. Obama told the Democratic National Convention Committee to stop taking money from currently registered federal lobbyists. He stated on June 5, 2008: “I have sent a strong signal in this campaign by refusing the contributions of registered federal lobbyists and [political action committees]…They do not fund our campaign and they will not fund our party.”

Now all lobbyists are not bad. Many, if not most, serve a useful purpose in presenting the views of constituents or employers to our elected officials.

There is however a form of lobbying that is in my judgment harmful to the interests of the United States, namely, the hiring by foreign governments of former U.S. representatives and senators as foreign agents of that government to lobby the Congress and Executive Branch officials.

Presently, Turkey has on its payroll Dick Gephardt, former Democratic majority leader of the House of Representatives and Dick Armey, former Republican majority leader of the House. Both are registered with the Department of Justice as foreign agents for Turkey. Turkey pays Gephardt $1.8 million for himself and others and Armey several hundred thousand dollars annually.

My suggestion to President Elect Obama is that he refuse to meet with Gephardt or Armey and not allow his cabinet officers and his staff to meet with them. Such a position would strike a real blow at the odious practice of hiring former U.S. officials to represent foreign governments seeking money and favors from the U.S.



Gene Rossides, President of
American Hellenic Institute and former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury