Greek Cyprus rejects Turkey’s proposal for five-way talks

Enturk: I support and speak for the Cypriots for Cyprus every time. Personally I think it’s a shame Greek and Turkish Cypriots didn’t get on. As a nation they would have been more prosperous and have more influence than both Turkey and Greece combined. Maybe that was the problem. Cyprus as an independent country didn’t stand a chance. Turkey started assembling the invasion force in Alexandretta just a few months after the declaration of "independence". This Turkish plan was put to action on several occasion, only to have it put on hold when conditions were not good for its success. It was completed in 1974 as "Operation Attila" and it was executed 100%. Invasion, occupation, ethnic cleansing of northern Cyprus. Makarios DID NOT force the Turks out of the government, but he kept governing without them, after the Turks pulled out on the instructions of Ankara. The role of Ankara and Denktash in intimidating those Turkish Cypriots who were opposed to that is well documented by now. As for this ongoing Turkish Cypriot bravado and defiance (most of the time reaching comical proportions). Even as your compatriots cross the Green Line to the south, seeking employment, medical and social services, and apply for Republic passports by the thousands! There is an entertaining value to all this. As for reunification I am against it. You could give back some land for recognition, and then follow your path to wherever your prosperity may lead you: may that be an application for EU membership on your own, or even better for you, the proven status quo of Turkish province. Being displaced by Turkish settlers if you are a Turkish Cypriot, or replacing Turkish Cypriots if you are a settler, apparently doesn't bother any of you

@Dave - sorry to wake you up from your slumber, but we are TURKISH CYPRIOTS, yes we do exist! LOUD & PROUD, FOREVER...accept it & remove your ignorance from your one-sided mind, it really doesnt help us here. As for any issues regarding the TWO-STATE solution, it will be fine as it has been for the last 35 years...We did the right thing for our people, saved them from annihilation & continue to support them against all the odds & detractors & so we shall headstrong into the future. Some realities for you all to consider...

@Greek cypriot guest - we are (majority of turkish cypriots) asking & actually demanding, a TWO-STATE SOLUTION. Yes, we are tired of your nonsenes, propaganda & greed! So to be clear, what this means is we will move forward the same as we have been, PEACEFULLY for 35 years. So to break it down further we have - the recognition of TURKISH CYPRUS, entry into EU, removal or reduction of turkish forces & all sides to peacefully & harmoniously, live together, respecting Human Rights conventions, EU principles & laws & the sovereignties of each other. With regards to your concern on other issues such as oil, etc etc., when the lines are clear, we will all have to abide by them, greek cyptiots, turkish cypriots, greece & turkey & all. No exceptions. When it is all clear & accepted, the only transgressors will be those greedy, disrespectful, agressor states, which would naturally need to be reprimanded. Now lets all make the neccesary steps to grab the chance at peace eternally, orelse continue in this most wasteful, childish & hostile manner of dealings.

The basic mistake the Greek Cypriots make in their approach to reunification talks, is that they still have the illusion that a. the Turkish Cypriots are empowered to deal independent of Turkey and outside strictly mainland Turkey interests and guidelines, and b. that the Turks will accept anything less that it was there for them in the rejected Annan plan. Don't fool yourselves. The Turkish approach is and always was: what we grabbed is ours, what is left to you we share. They reject the concept of the Republic, although they use it opportunistically when it fits their designs. They want "parthenogenesis" and by that they mean replacing the current unrecognized puppet state with an even larger recognised puppet state. But let me ask you, Greek Cypriots, because I understand perfectly well where the Turks (and please stop talking about Turkish Cypriots) stand: what do you expect out of a "unified" Cyprus? how do you envision unification? what is there for you? how much of your current independence are you willing to surrender to Turkey and in return for what? Anyone cares to provide answer to these hardly ever posted questions? If you don't have answers to these questions, then you are fishing in muddy waters and there are more disasters waiting for you down the road.

In reply to Guest - Kaya stating that the notion of a unified Turkish-Greek Cyprus is dead, on what evidence is it as dead as Taksim or Enosis. From my recollection, the two commuity leaders are in talks at the moment . Also the talks are not deadlocked, which is progress in itself. I do agree with you that common ground may be needed to help brideg any gaps without interference. Do you advocate a 2 state solution as a temporary measure to build trust or as a permanent solution. If its a permanent solution in affect it is as good as the Taksim policy of division. If a two state solution was employed, there is no guarantee it will bring peace, espeically if there are Turkish troops are still based on the Island. What happens if both states are prospecting for Oil/Natural gas as sepearte entities, as proven the Turkish Military weigh in by threatening the Greek cypriots with military action, because they are prosepcting of the so called Turkish continental shelf. Even though the Greek Cypriots may be prospecting within their waters. A deal to unite the island may be a difficult prosect but it is a more acceptable one not just amonsgt both communities, but in the wider world itself.When you talk of the economic Isolation of the North- It has come about due to the to the TRNC bieng an illegal entity in the eyes of international law. I not going get involved in a blame game ya da ya da, who started what and who did what and when! because no one is blameless in this mess. but if you look around for inspiration from the civilized world and how they try to resolve their problems we could all learn to look for solutions,as you can never say never to solving the problems that beset both communities!!!

@Yannis - re: your comment..."The final reality is that the two communities have been living separately and peacefully for 35 years.So,if unification means problems,and the two communities cannot share the island,then it is better not to unify!!!"...fantastic, at last somebody from the greek cypriots who have woken to the obvious facts which we have been stating for years & years. Good work, lets get this 2-state solution on the road & enjoy the benefits of EU membership together, fairly, whilst also living side by side with eternal peace & co-mingling as we desire. Makes sense to me!

nugre, oh you poor thing, the turks have done all these bad things, and you lot have never done any bad. Which planet are you from? First the turks were never really involved in WW2, we actually housed plenty of jews and armeninans, and not killed them as you state. The greeks were occupying/invading izmir and we rightfully kicked them out. You lot were the ones commiting ethnic cleansing and not the turks, we liberated the turkish cypriots. The turkish cypriots are the majority in TRNC and not the minority. You talk about freedom and democracy, well you should be pleased that the media in turkey will let you publish your propoganda, even if i try to write the truth in a more humane way, your countries media will not publish it. WHY? Turkey my freind is more free and liberal than you lot have ever been.

@Kaya The problem is not religion as many are arguing.The problem is the size of your country and the attitude that you have shown.It is your right to act as a regional superpower and it is you right to not accept anything of what you are asked.But as long as you are perceived as a country that always want something in return in order to proceed with necessary reforms,and I am not talking about Cyprus, Europe will not accept you as an EU member.Poland, for example, is a country of similar size but in general is a follower.Europe is not looking for countries that will want to act independently or act as a regional hegemon.Coming into the EU means that you will have to consult the other members about everything.Turkey does not want that,and Europe does not want such a Turkey.It is simple,and it is not an attack to your country.You make your choices, and the EU is making its own choices.Time will show who is following the right strategy.

@Emre Keep writing the same comment on every article that has to do with Cyprus,and lets hope that at some point people read it!!!You are absolutely right,we have to be objective and honest.Stop blaming only the other side for what has happened.If you cannot live together,then live separately.The Turkish Cypriots were suffering in the 1960s,and whoever says they didnt is a liar or an ignorant person.Turkey invaded in 1974 and killed and displaced thousands of Greek Cypriots,that is also a reality.The final reality is that the two communities have been living separately and peacefully for 35 years.So,if unification means problems,and the two communities cannot share the island,then it is better not to unify!!!

@George - Nice try buddy. But those settlers from the mainland have applied and recieved Turkish Cypriot citizenship, so no, Turkish Cypriots are not in the minority, infact they are larger than before. And Albania and Macedonia are on their way for membership in a year or so's time....they are predominantly Muslim nations, so your argument is void.

Dear Tarik, you're a Turk leaving in Australia and you say that Turkey "should stay out of EU and Europe etc etc etc"... and how better would be for Turkey to stay like it is now etc etc. Lovely views from someone who lives in that "bad Western cultured Christian country" of Australia. I'm sure you're ready to moove back in Turkey too. .right?

@George - keep talking I beg of you...LONG LIVE KKTC, TRNC FOREVER!!!

Why should the embargo and isolation be lifted? Most of the people in the North are Turkish settlers.The real Turkish Cypriots are a minority.Turkey will never get into the EU they are not Christian. Do you see any Christian country in the OIC Organisation of Islamic Conference?Russia and France have large Moslem communities but they are not allowed to join the prestigeous islamic club. Turkey is better of forming a Middle eastern economic union with Jordan,Syria,Iran and Iraq etc.

The fact is that Greek Cypriots do not recognize Turkish Cypriots as equals. They still believe that Greek language is the native language of Cyprus. The only thing that the Turkish government has failed to do is that they didn't make the Turkish Cypriot Army and the Turkish Cypriot police independent from the Turkish Army. The whole reason why Turkey went in the first place was to protect the Turkish Cypriot so why make the Turkish Army in charge of the police and Army of Turkish Cyprus? The Turkish Cypriots have been ruled by the British and have been killed by the Greek Cypriots and now the Turkish Army is charge of their army and police force. As a Turk I can say this is terrible yes the Turkish government’s intentions were right in the beginning but we need to let these oppressed peoples be free to rule themselves. Turkish Cypriots do not want anyone to rule them they want to govern themselves and Greek Cypriots will never accept that but I believe the Turkish people can. The Greek Cypriots want a government in which they are a majority and Turkish Cypriot feels if that were to happen their rights would be oppressed. Turkey is not wrong to not recognize Greek Cyprus until the Cyprus issue is fixed. Suppose Turkey did recognize Greek Cyprus tomorrow and open the ports what would be the incentive to fixing the Cyprus problem nothing of course. Look I never judge a country before going there. I am a Turkish American and I have been to Turkish Cyprus and Greek Cyprus. I used my American passport to go the Greek side and my Turkish Identification card to go to Turkish side. On Greek side I went with my Turkish Cypriot friend and I never told people on the Greek side that I am Turkish fearing the consequences. But can say that Greek Cypriot still look down at Turkish Cypriots. When my Turkish Cypriot friend and I went to a Greek Cypriot café our waiter was a Bulgarian student studying in Greek Cyprus. When the waiter told me that she liked both sides of the island and that both Greek and Turkish Cypriots are nice people everyone in café looked at us. In fact one old man kept staring at us as soon as we sat down at the café. The fact that this prejudice still occurs sickens me. On both sides of island you can listen to Greek and Turkish Cypriot radio that’s how small Cyprus is. Greek Cypriots need to understand their actions in 1960s against Turkish Cypriots have caused the Turkish Cypriots to ask for a federal system like in Belgium or Switzerland. And If Greek Cyprus refuses this what is wrong with Turkish Cypriots asking for an independent state? Nothing at all and that’s the truth.

I am an Australian born Turk and closely follow Turkish politics. As Turkey & Cyprus Turkey stand their living standards and life styles are much better then most countries in the EU.. Almost all nations that became a member of the EU now struggle, simple things like fruit and vegetables are so expensive that people under the EU “rule” are starving. I am honestly against Turkey becoming an EU member, look at all the wrong sacrifices Turkey had to do for example: Kurdish TV.. Terrorist now have their own TV channel, terrorist prisoners are being released and so on.. I think Turkey should stand independent as it has since The Great MKA who brought independence to dying nation. Turkey’s soils, culture & beliefs are rich in many ways and to sell it off for the EU will be a horrible mistake.. Cheers, Tarik.

@Ergun 1)You seem to be a little bit confussed about the Orthodox Church.The Orthodox Church of Cyprus is different than the Orthodox Church of Greece,so I guess your problem is with the Orthodox Church of Cyprus which is not accepting the realities on the island,and I agree with that. 2)The Greek Orthodox Church of North America is an American institution with a long tradition and every American President has had and will always have great respect for it.Therefore,as an American institution of course it will congratulate the American President,even before Greece does. 3)The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul is not a Greek insitution but the most important spiritual centre of the Christian Orthodox faith and it has important problems itself,so I do not think that the Patriarch is really worried with Cyprus at the moment. So,the conclusion is that the problem is not any external lobby or other Orthodox churches but the influence of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus on the Greek-Cypriot public opinion,and that is a truth. As for the Greek-American lobby in the US,I really do not think that it is to blame for the embargo,but that's me,maybe you know better.

As a Cypriot, I can say that, the Cyprus problem can be solved, if the occupation and colonisation, imposed on the Greek Cypriots by the Kemalist and fascist military is removed from Cyprus. Conversley, it will be impossible to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, as long as there is an occupation in place. In case my point isn't emphasized, let me state it in another way: A permanent solution can be found to the Cyprus problem within 18 months, if and only if the occupation and ethnic cleansing is reversed. The reason for this, is that as long as the occupation is in effect, the driving foce for peace in the island will be driven by Turkish ideology of partition (taksim), and the Kemalist/islamic fascists, who have a lot of influence on the Turkish populace & public opinion. Therefore there can never be peace in the island, unless the Turkish islamists/fascists military leaders decide to use the tac-tics they used in Asia Minor & Constantinople (1955 pogroms & ethnic cleansing etc), and they would do it again, without any hesitation. Remember the Armenian & Syriac genocides, the burning and cleansing of the Greeks of Smyrna and surrounding regions, the killings of the kurds in 1938, the annexation of Alexandretta (Hatay), the creation of concentration camps in the second world war where Greeks, Armenians and Jews perished, the pogroms of the Greeks in 1955 in Consantinople and the Pontus, the ethnic cleansing of one half of Cyprus, the burning of thousands of Kurdish villages. What next, there is always an excuse though.. Anyway, the occupation will continue in place because some selfish islamic/kemalist fascists military leaders would like to keep their hopes alive!!!

To Greek Cypriot: It was an island once, called Cyprus, population of Greeks and Turks. Since I was a little child, all through 60’s never taste freedom in my own country called Cyprus. Oppressed and threaten by Greeks all my childhood, till I become a refugee in UK. Now first time since 1974, I can travel all round the North Cyprus without been harassed by Greek soldiers and Police. Do you understand what that means to Turkish people? Can you put price tag to it? Now I can sleep in my bed without any worries. Does Greek Cypriots understand that? Turkish people got to many bad memories of Greek Cypriots. Please don’t blame Turkish Cypriots, if they don’t trust Greeks anymore. Because they are experiencing something they never had before, which is FREEDOM. They will like to keep it,

@Greek Cypriot Guess - I think the notion of a unified Turkish-Greek Cyprus is just as dead as ENOSIS or TASKIM. We dont need a bizonal, bicommunal Cyprus (two seperate states under one governmental body). We need a permanent two state solution on this island with seperate flags, military, currency and leadership. We can only build the blocks of peace between each other through the reliance of trade. No peace will be achieved through the continued isolation of North Cyprus or the property requests by the Greek South. The ECHR needs to be cut off and the peace talks conducted on one table, without external sources intefering, between mainland Turkey, Greece, and both Cypriot sides.

The only way to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem is for the people of Cyprus to do it themselves, without outside interference. It's very easy to shout abuse at your neigbour but it takes real courage to come to an agreement. Let's see if the Cypriots are brave enough.

Why wouldnt they want more people to help - the answer is simple THEY DONT WANT A SOLUTION or for other people to see how greedy and racist they are. No in 2004 and again No to help from others. The 2 communities cannot live together or get along, why would you want 1 country (i cant see the Cyprus national football team being made up of a mix of players or any sporting team for that matter) - because permanent partition does not allow the Greeks to have/control the whole island. Congratulations Christofias your true colours and those of the majority of your people say the same thing - HATRED.

The simple approach of having the Cypriots decide what is good for them is continuously obstructed by Turkey who insists to keep its foot on the island at the expense of the Cypriots. Cyprus does not belong to anyone other than the people who live in it. These people should be free to live anywhere in Cyprus, maintain their properties and noone has any right to take things away from them or dictate to them where to live. Turkey should get out of Cyprus and so should the British. Without outside interference the Cypriots, Greek and Turkish Cypriots will find a solution overnight. Till that happens there is no possibility that a solution will come by and the game of blaming and propaganda will continue to overshadow the substance of the problem which is that of occupation and foreign interference. The Cypriots will continue to pay the price and so is the invader by risking membership with EU.

@Dinos - You questioned my answer, with my answer...your not making sense??? The offer is 2-state solution, with peace, take it or leave it...the rest is continued antagonism & wasted opportunities & resources...you decide

As a Cypriot, I can say that, the Cyprus problem can be solved, if the embargo and isolation, imposed on the Turkish cypriots by the Greek lobby in the USA, is lifted. Conversley, it will be impossible to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, as long as there is an embargo in place. In case my point isn't emphasized, let me state it in another way: A permanent solution can be found to the Cyporus problem within 18 months, if and only if the embargo is lifted. The reason for this, is that as long as the embargo is in effect, the driving foce for peace in the island will be driven by Greek ideology of megalo idea, and the Greek Orthodox church, who has a lot of influence on Greek politicians. Thereforethere can never be peace in the island, unless the Greek orthodox church decides to use thetac-tics they used in Crete, and they would do it too , without any hesitation. Remember Makarios....It is interesting that when Obama was elected president, it was not the Geeek politicians that visited or congtatulated him first, it was the Greek Orthodox church, in the USA, followed by the Patriarchiate in Istanbul. The problem here is that, instead of trying to gain the respect of the Greek Orthodox community by showing spiritual and religios guidance, the Greek Orthodox church is trying to earn the respect of its subjects, by trying re-surrect the Byzantine empire. The embargo will stay in place because some selfish clergy people, would like to keep their hopes alive!!!

@Emir Soler, Your comment is really funny.Are you still living in 1974?Even if Greece wants Cyprus, Cyprus does not want Greece anymore...hahaha..the economy of the Republic of Cyprus is so good that they would never even consider a possible union with Greece.They do not need Greece at all.Can you people understand that?Greece can do nothing for Greek-Cypriots,they are far ahead and better off than we are. The second funny thing in your comment is the vast amounts of money that you spend for EU membership?!?!?Can you write more about that??hahaha?Really funny!!The only serious part in your comment is that about the Turkish Cypriots and I partially agree with it.Greek Cypriots should be ready to share the island with their COMPATRIOTS,because they are all CYPRIOTS first.Mr Plassaras video is very interesting!!!

Turkey has reached a point where they are not going to get the same special treatment they are accustom to. The EU is not going to rewrite the rules for them and Turkey will have to face the facts and reality for once, instead of Turkish reality which is ignoring UN resolutions, international law, European court decisions, Geneva convention and so on. The blind eye that the US and NATO gives to Turkey does not apply to the EU.

In Reference to Emir Soler comment that Greek Cypriots would never accept Turkish Cypriots as part of cyprus. Never heard such nonsense!! I being one of them, we need Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to be able to create a country of their own design and vision. Not of one mapped out by Greece, Turkey and Great Britain for their benefit. Give me a break about Enosis, Cyprus is a progressive country who is showing to the world it can stand on its own feet, this is a unique opportunity to create an even better country with a bright future for all Cypriots. The pipe dream of Enosis died along time ago, so yes there is a minority who would like that, as there are Turksih Cypriots who want permanent Partition. The majority dont want it, we want a peace deal that can fair for all parties as one nation " A United Cyprus"!!!!!

Greek Cyprus will never recognise Turkish Cypriots as part of Cyprus. All Greeks wants a hope of peaceful ENOSIS, in future. About time Turkey should stop wasting huge sums of money for EU accession. Should start a huge investment on reusable energy. Turkey with 80 Million young and dynamic populations, economy 17th largest in the world, and huge growth prospects doesn’t need EU. Cyprus should be annexed, that will the end of the case.

My friend Enturk when are you going to stop being a "never"? There is more than a good chance to solve Cyprus on a "win-win" basis in front of us. Please do the best that you can and watch the video below (I learned a lot by watching the presentation). Cheers.

@European - the only reasons against Turkey's EU membership is based on ignorance and racism. I see your part of the group. It seems this Christofia's will do anything to obstruct peace, along with the rest of the Orthodox pact. I say flop the peace talks and establish a permanent two state solution with or without those extremists.

South Cyprus president Dimitris Christofias wants to continue hostile blackmail policy of EU. A real shame....they will not recognize the rights of Turkish Cypriots.

To: Guest - European: 1) Do you realise your comment has nothing to do with the article? 2) Dont you think it is in the EU interest to solve a (very serious) territorial dispute within their own border? If your answer to 2) is "no", then there is nothing to talk about. If your answer is "yes", then: 3) What efforts has the EU made to solve this issue? (to help you answer this question: When is the last time a French or German foreign minister came to Cyprus?)

Greek cypriots & NO...thats all we ever hear from them...OHI OHI OHI...

Belgium's Herman van Rompuy is widely tipped to be the first EU President, to be announced Thursday evening. He is a staunch opponent to Turkey's EU entry & said that he would never accept such a move. Looks like Turkey's arrogance is about to push them towards Iran & Iraq, much more in their league.

Excellent video; a must see: http://www.archive.org/details/CostaCarrasCyprusAnApproachingHourofDecision