Cypriot view about the other and the Cyprus Problem

aweverard

Hi All,

I saw a link on another forum for a very interesting document produced by the Centre for European Policy Studies "Building Confidence in Peace"

http://shop.ceps.be/downfree.php?item_id=1748

the results are mentioned in Cyprus Mail and I am sure elsewhere.

What do member think?

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

dear a,

thanks for the link, and just the other day i was wondering where you had gone to...

...a very valuable bit of research which will take me a long time to digest.

at first glance i find it very hopeful because it is clear that the extreme views of both communities are in a minority. i found the choice of a BBF as a compromise very interesting, and the 1960 Constitution as the starting point for negociations, revealing as results. it is clear to me that the desire of island dwellers is for a single sovereignty. furthermore the issue of Enosis by Greek Cypriots is put to rest, as a very small percentage of this community considers this aim important. in terms of ethnicity, both communities have demonstrated their attachment to the island first rather than their respective 'mother' countries. all in all the confidence building measures which have been introduced reflect the desires of the cypriot people, according to this poll, and a 'made in Cyprus' solution is important to the vast majority of the island's population.

as for multiculturalism we can see that the isolation of turkish-cypriots is reflected in their desire to turn away from the mono-clonal policies which to date has left them without the social-exchange that is necessary for them to integrate with others globally, while the experience of open relations in the south have led the public to desire more caution, with the considerations that as a result there is some cultural threat. in other words from these extremes a balnace must evolve where the pace of change must be carefully examined.

nihao dude, and don't be a stranger.

aweverard · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:44 am Post subject:

Sorry RW,

My wife and I have been out of town looking for suppliers for our jewellery company and now doing the follow up.

Xiajian

repulsewarrior · Deputy Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 1771 Location: Canada

what do you think of the analyais and its conclusions awe?

stavrizatz · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks Aweverard,

Alexandros, Erol and the other lady/girl have done a good job, very interesting research.

Though it shows very different results from a research that I have done... I found that Enosis was the most desirable solution for Greek Cypriots then followed by independence and BBF was only tolerable. In contrast Turkish Cypriots prefered BBF over independence and partition. It seems that they left both Enosis and partition out perhaps they focused on the more realistic and tolerable settlements.

Overall it shows to me that the Cypriot public matured significantly and especially after the opening of the buffer zone the perception of the other became much more moderate.

What I take from the research is that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are very similar in terms of values and attitudes but the differences of prespective are affected by the mainstream historical narratives. That is also the reason that I consider historical truth essential and I propose that history experts of both sides seat together to write an agreed version of history. For the same reason I encourage dialogue between the two communities so as to understand the stories of the other side. For the same reason I find this forum very educational.

stavrizatz · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject:

I just realised Alexandros is a member in this forum, I wish he was able to answer a few of my questions in regards to the survey

city · Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject:

two articles from the Cyprus Mail.

One about the survey and the book (1) and the corresponding answer from the authors (2) of the study:

(1) The silver lining behind the mistrust

(2) Small steps will make a big difference
By Erol Kaymak, Alexandros Lordos and Nathalie Tocci

Gardash · Senior Villager Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 281