BRITISH CYPRUS MEMORIAL

stavrizatz · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:59 am Post subject:

Thanks David for your posts, for me at least the debate has been educational. I consider you as an expert on Cyprus and it is very interesting to hear the other side of the story and that of the Britons in Cyprus.

I do not want to play a blame game, I want to understand the past so as to put it where it belongs - in the history books. However I believe it is important to write those history books with accuracy, and with facts something that Greek and Turkish official narratives fail to do and they start writing history books with the conclusion.

I agree with you, what happened in the past belongs to the past, it is now and the future that matters so we need to address the issues of the present. T

To find a solution though first we need to understand the problem so I guess the three main problems that Cypriots face today is the violation of some basic human rights, 1. the right of return (something very simple to resolve...property law is the same everywhere so Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots return to their homes if they wish to do so), 2. The restoration of Greek cultural heritage in the North also something very simple, 3. Restoration of democracy either federal or as a single democratic state or even as two separate democratic states

David, thanks for sharing the story of your father with us, very sad. No, no reason to hate the authorities, they only acted logically to keep their authority, but I find equally logical was the actions of those who 'rebelled' against the authority to win their freedom. And I totally I agree with you that when empires go, people often go to civil war to win authority for themselves.

In the case of our Cyprus, I see a number of possibilities but I think your dream for permanent partition will be ruined by Christofias and Talat who are very likely to come to a settlement with BBF.
if the talks fail again then partition will be permanent. In that case I wish the South will unite with Greece. The other possiblity is that with time Cypriots will destroy their enemies by making them a friend and will stop seeing the other as the other but as a friend then we will understand the other's needs and we will want them to have what we want to have for ourselves. Last is if Greek Cypriots decide to go to war against Turkey as the last resort of hope with very small possibility to succeed.

David Carter · Villager Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 23

Good one, my friend. I think all your points are fair and expressed with thought and reason, but I doubt they are realizable in the present.

There is a need first to build a lot of bridges before either side can cross the divides of mistrust that have existed for so long. I go back to what I said earlier: first solve the common problems that affect all Cypriots. By working together and achieving positive results, the rest could follow - naturally.

For example, encourage the building of the water-pipeline between North Cyprus and Turkey to supply the whole Island; recommend joint-exploration of the waters off Cyprus for oil.

If I recall, the Greek and Turkish Mayors of Nicosia worked well together on improving the sewerage system of the city, without drawing in any of the other issues that often bog down other negotiations.

I have had the opportunity of visiting Greek Cypriots in the Karpas, the Maronites in the Morphou area and the two communities of Pyla village, near Larnaca.

While each group told me its problems, I also heard some very positive stories. Several Turkish mainland settlers (not the most popular group) and original Greek residents in the Panhandle had become good friends. I did, however, find that some local Turkish Cypriot low-level officials behaved in very silly ways - and these I reported back to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus presidency's offices. I'm pleased to say the offending officials were taken to task.

As for Pyla village, I once spent a New Year's Day there. There are two coffee-shop that face each other, one Greek, one Turkish. I first took a drink in the Turkish establishment and told by hosts that I would now cross the road to join the Greeks. I asked that if I invited some of the Greeks to return with me, would they be made welcome. Yes, said the Turks.

I crossed the road, joined the Greeks, who insisted they buy my drink. We chatted and, eventually, I suggested I host them and the Turks to lunch in one or other establishment. I'm sorry to say the Greeks declined to break bread with the Cypriots opposite.

Did I meet any Turks who had chosen to stay in the South after 1974? I'm afraid not. The Republic authorities refused me permission.

Although I had traveled with UNFICYP on several Northwind Patrols - resupply missions to Greek and Maronite villages - I was not allowed by the Greeks to accompany UNFICYP on its Southwind operations that checked on Turkish Cypriots' welfare in the Republic.

In all my trips north, no travel restrictions were ever placed on me. Nor was I prevented from talking to anyone I chose - in private.

I also mention that - contrary to reports that have appeared in some Greek newspapers - I own no property or business in the north and I have never been offered or accepted payment from anyone in the north to promote a particular viewpoint.

By contrast, I was offered inducements in the south in return for never visiting the north or writing about life there.

But back in London, my family and I were given Special Branch protection for an extended period after threats were made against us by extremist elements of the Greek Cypriot community.

In all my media work I have tried to be frank and honest, without showing personal prejudices. Bribes and threats, however, have never changed my outlook. Equally, having been "arrested" twice by the security services in the north, I bear no hostility towards the ordinary Turkish Cypriot people. I've gotten used to being arrested in far more dangerous places. It's a hazard of the job.

However, in my private contacts, in many parts of the world, I have never met a more hospitable people than those who are Cypriots. Which is why I still follow the Island's affairs closely and wish the Island well.

Till the next time
David

Kifeas · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:49 am Post subject:

stavrizatz · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Hi David,

Thanks for your comment about my post.

I guess your job is a journalist? Your certainly not an anthropologist!

I had the opportunity to meet a few international journalists who came to Cyprus for their story. They tried to write their story and show both sides and be neutral... by saying the Greeks did this and the Turks did that therefore they are both responsible for today's situation. Nevertheless they miss the essence, the human side of why people behave the way they do or have the opinion they have.

The perfect example of this style of journalism is the scene of the coffee shop and why the Greeks refused to break bread with the Cypriots opposite, while you leave it there ... there might be a million reasons why they declined, it could be racism, it could be suspicion or that they simply didn't want for not any specific reason!

I don't know if I have the right, given my age and being uneducated both in the field of journalism and politics, to comment on the work of a senior expert, but please let me say this: some of your post here and especially the publications in BSW i think they touch the surface of the Cyprus problem then and now but they fail to look deeper in the socio-phychological aspect of the conflict.

About your accussations that Republic of Cyprus offered you inducement and that extremists threatened you in London, it sounds a bit unrealistic in the year 2008, but if it really happenned it is horrible. Here you have been very moderate but the truth in BSW your posts have been quite provocative towards Greek Cypriots.

Untill next time, enjoy the Autumn of England.

ps the topic went off truck but it often happens...keep us posted on the memorial