Cyprus-Forum.com

[Leon]

Does Pyla (the only place in Cyprus that is home to both Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots living and getting on together happily) prove that both sides could unite and live together in peace? What do you think?

[devil]

I voted yes, but this is really a very simplistic view. I have lived in this country when people went to the mosque for Friday prayers and their next door neighbour went to the church on Sundays and there was no problem, because, as likely as not, they played backgammon together on the Saturday in the village café.

The problem today lies with inept politicians who a) do not want their glory diluted by power-sharing and b) want to make sure they are re-elected next time round. If, by some miracle, it were decreed that the Green Line disappeared totally and people were free to move around and re-establish themselves wherever they wanted, without any of the usual bickering, it would take a few years, but I guarantee that there would be many more mixed communities like Pyla, say within 20 or 30 years.

The right-minded GCs and TCs have nothing against each other.

However, I suggest this thread should not be here but in the Cyprus Problem Forum.

[cannedmoose]

I voted yes, but this is really a very simplistic view. I have lived in this country when people went to the mosque for Friday prayers and their next door neighbour went to the church on Sundays and there was no problem, because, as likely as not, they played backgammon together on the Saturday in the village café.

The problem today lies with inept politicians who a) do not want their glory diluted by power-sharing and b) want to make sure they are re-elected next time round. If, by some miracle, it were decreed that the Green Line disappeared totally and people were free to move around and re-establish themselves wherever they wanted, without any of the usual bickering, it would take a few years, but I guarantee that there would be many more mixed communities like Pyla, say within 20 or 30 years.

The right-minded GCs and TCs have nothing against each other.

However, I suggest this thread should not be here but in the Cyprus Problem Forum.

Agree with everything Devil said, including the last bit, it should be in the Cyprob section

[Michael Coumas]

Perfectly pointed out devil, you obviously remember the days when Cypriots of Greek & Turkish background were just that - Cypriot and human. Why is it that it appears to be the younger generations (with obvious exceptions) that appear to have this belligerant attitude. It is an awful thing to say but perhaps another world war would show them how horrific & futile it all is in the long term. Lets pray we never see it happen again and that common sense will prevail.

[Turkey (( *]

Excuse me people but I really think this is going too far!! Just because you see some exceptions don't mean this generation is like that! Yes, war is a horrible thing but at times you need to have it to express your point of view since nobody listens. An example for you -> do you think US would give a sh*t about China if it wasn't becoming a superpower with its army and economy?? (sorry about the bad language, just trying to make it come out more!)

[cannedmoose]

Turkey, I believe Michael was referring to the radicalisation that has been seen amongst the younger generation of GCs and (in my opinion to a slightly lesser extent) the TCs. I was in Cyprus in the days running up to the referendum last year and I have to say some of the attitudes being expressed by young people in particular were plain scary. I almost fell out with one of my cousins, who I dearly like normally, when he came out with the immortal line 'the only good Turk is a dead Turk'.

Watching the campaign from within made me realise that under the benign surface there are an awful lot of tensions within GC society, tensions that were released upon supporters of the 'Yes' campaign. In the days leading up to the referendum, it seemed that to be a supporter of 'yes' became tantamount to an admission of treachery, it was shocking to appreciate that in a country about to join the EU within a week that debate was stifled in such a harsh way. It will stick with me forever.

[Michael Coumas]

Turkey (( *
I am only saying that I perceive a belligerent attitude in the younger generations, I have not excluded the possibility that I may be getting older and mellower but I can only speak as I find. I am aware of the millions of younger people, probably and hopefully like yourself who realise the horrors involved and thank our gods that you exist.
I am not altogether certain that I can agree that war may sometimes be necessary to get a point across when nobody listens; I would wish that perhaps those attempting to put the point across should be replaced by those who can do so. In such a hypothetical case attempting is not good enough.
Mr cannedmoose sums it up perfectly. For my part I do not care what religion, colour, race or even sexual orientation anyone is as long as I perceive them as a friend then a friend they will be. I would rather co exist in harmony with my fellow man and settle our differences over the negotiating table because I have done enough to know the alternative does not bear thinking about. And before anybody butts in with a tirade of accusations & non patriotic abuse please don’t as my background and expertise in my field is logged.
Anyway I hope I have put my view across in an acceptable manner to you.
Best wishes

[magikthrill]

absolutely not. the residents of pyla have not been poisoned by their politicians.

questino is pyla part of the RoC and how did it come to be mixed?

[Turkey (( *]

Mr.Cannedmoose, I think I quite understand what you are trying to say, and I try not to think about your cousin.

Mr.Coumas, I have no idea how you manage to calm things down. But I hope it is a thing that comes with years of life experience. Thanks for putting it into a very polite and understandable manner

[Michael Coumas]

My pleasure entirely, thanks for the opportunity to explain.
I have spent a large portion of my adult life in command of a fine body of professional men drawn from all branches of the military and civilian life. I guess that I learned very early on that in order to achieve respect one must be respectful. We all either stood or fell by each others actions so in effect my rank meant nothing, to that end I treated everyone as I would wish my son to be treated and for me it worked. I retired some years ago, at least from that life and now just try to do my best.
My father taught me that a man is not finally judged by what he has done but by what he has done for others and I try to live to that philosophy. In any event I wish you and yours well.