The Friends of Cyprus have recently published their annual report. Many thanks to Mary Southcott for all her work in putting this together. I feature in the report of the Friends visit in January. I particularly recall my meeting with the United Nations Missing Persons Committee and their work to try and help trace what happened to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Although very sad, it was inspiring to see the work of the laboratory. A real living version of “waking the dead” after tragic events for the island of Cyprus.
I would particularly recommend reading the 8 page special report testing public opinion on the options for a settlement. For example it shows that similar majorities of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots want a majority (about 60%). Yet too often we hear loudly the views of the 25% of each community who oppose settlement. It is important that their voices are drowned out by the majority. There’s far finer detail for those who wish to understand the obstacles to a settlement within both communities.
The Friends of Cyprus have members from all mainstream parties. As the pictured backpage of the report shows my fellow London MEP, Conservative Charles Tannock was with me when I visited the Ledra Street/Lokmaci crossing in Nicosia in November 2008. The report costs £5 and they are available from the Friends of Cyprus. I have a few copies available for free and will be happy to post them to the first London constitutents contacting me through the get in touch box here.
cyprus so beautyful country
Mary,
So many people are showing an interest in Cyprus and we all share hope and aspirations that one day the island’s problems will be resolved. However, I am deeply concerned that people such as yourself continue to show a truly unreflective picture of the situation. A recently leaked UN- report fiercely criticised the Greek Cypriot leadership as being the main barrier to a solution to the island – not Turkey or the Turkish Cypriots.
We have recently seen the petulant display by Demetrious Christofias at the UN gathering in New York where his comments towards Mehmet Alit Talat and Erdogan can only be described as deeply offensive and hardly conducive to wanting two sides to come together. I am not sure where you are getting your statistics from, but in an article posted in the Cyprus Mail yesterday, it highlighted a draft ICG [International Crisis Group] report where only 23% of Greek Cypriots and 41% of Turkish Cypriots are leaning towards a ‘YES’ vote in any referendum.
Incidentally I thought it spoke volumes when at the historic Champions League match last night between Apoel Nicosia and Chelsea the stadium was littered with flags from Greece as opposed to the Republic of Cyprus – and to cap it off there was a massive flag stating “CYPRUS IS GREEK”. What an awful judgement call by the Greek authorities to allow this flag to be displayed so prominently on what was effectively a world stage. Can you imagine massive banners being allowed in at Old Trafford saying UK/England is English – this stinks of xenophobia, intolerance, racism and shows just how much willingness there is to treat Turkish Cypriots as an equal on the island. You have always said you are opposed to racism and I hope you will publicly condemn this racist behaviour – maybe you can write to FIFA and lend your support to our actions on this complaint?
I would be interested to know your thoughts on the above
Fevzi Hussein
Chairperson, Embargoed!
Fevzi
I am disappointed you say
“I am not sure where you are getting your figures from”
when my post clearly states:
“I would particularly recommend reading the 8 page special report testing public opinion on the options for a settlement.”
I am very surprised that such an informed person as yourself on Cyprus does not have a copy of the Friends report available to you. I will be happy to send you a copy. Do use the contact form and I will ensure one is on it’s way to you so you can consider the evidence within it.
I did not see the game you mention I was speaking at a meeting in Brighton featured elsewhere on this blog. I know that you will see Irish flags at Celtic FC and have seen other national flags at other football grounds. I confess I have not seen any football in the north of Cyprus, but would be unsurprised if at some stage a Turkish flag has not been seen. Indeed I know from my many visits to the north that I have frequently seen Turkish flags displayed in public life.
However, if you wish to pursue this line on opposing the use of Greek flags in the south will Embargoed call for the removal of all uses of the Turkish flag in the North of Cyprus?
I think where we differ is I seek to work towards unifying issues you often seek to highlight divisive issues. I do not think this is productive and I regret it.
It is amazing to me that the difference between having signs all over the stadium saying” Cyprus is Greek” can be confused with merely holding a national flag, unless you agree that “Cyprus is Greek”.
As an Anglo TURKISH Cypriot to hear all my life the ignorance,intentional or otherwise with the kind of excuses that people likeself dish out is deeply offensive.
It seems you also ignore the recent leaked UN report blaming the Greek Cypriots for dragging their feet. Had it been the other way round you would not have hesitated to condemn the Turkish side.
Perhaps you should read the Cyprus mail- a GC paper- more often. You may please explain to us why only 23% of GC are leaning towards saying yes in the next referendum. As for the Turkish Cypriots it is still 41%. If you compare the figures to the Annan referendum, you will see that the 76% no by the GC -that politicians like yourself have been excusing for over 5 years- has widened dramaticly.
I have no hesitation in stating that, had there been a bit more pressure on the GC for a change, then perhaps the unity of Cyprus would have been closer. As it stands the division of the island is further then ever. And unfortunatly you will no doubt persist in the same old manner to continue Turk bashing as a hobby.
The issue of flags is merely a reflection of the facts on the ground in Cyprus. I have seen Greek and Turkish flags in Cyprus all my life and I am in my late fifties. The simple fact is that Greek Cypriots feel they are more Greek than Cypriot and likewise Turkish Cypriots feel they are more Turkish than Cypriot and the dispaly of flags is just an expression of that feeling. The tragedy and the hypocrisy is the Greek Cypriots’ insistance on presenting itself as representing all CYPRIOTS while displaying the GREEK national flag on its public buildings and at every opportunity.
The two communities have now lived apart since December 1963. The one real chance to “re-unite” the island was squandererd by the Greek Cypriots in April 2004. There is little or no chance that the current discussions will produce anything meaningful in the near or distant future that can be taken to a referendum.
I have no doubt that majority of all Cypriots want a “settlement”. What you fail to report is the very wide divergence of opinion on what that “settlement” should be and this is the 45 year old dilemna.
There are two communities in Cyprus, both happy in their own areas with their flags of choice. Lets just accept that and move on.
Mary,
Let me state for the record, which I am sure I have done previously on a Cyprus-related post, that I am Embargoed! am completely pro-settlement. We are completely apolitical and have members who are pro-unification and members who are pro-partition. This is reflective of Cypriots across the world.
I think it is very sad that you have chosen not to comment on the issue of racism – we highlighted the ‘CYPRUS IS GREEK’ comment because it is damn right RACIST!!!
For the record if I see a flag stating ‘CYPRUS IS TURKISH’ we would equally condemn that too. The bottom line is that FIFA and UEFA regulations have been broken by the undoubtedly co-ordinated action which saw ‘CYPRUS IS GREEK’ beamed all over the world in a Champions League match.
Let me also make it clear I do not criticise you for being pro-unification. That is very honourable – but you do need to be more cognisant and sensitive to the horrible propaganda that incessantly attacking Turkish Cypriots. A measured article was produced in the Guardian the other week on the Annan Plan and also suggesting a story which was not so complimentary towards the GC leadership – 2 days later there was a letter in the letters page from the GC High Commission condemning that letter [I guess that it is their right but shows you true colours of the GC leadership].
In closing, I would say that when it comes to Annan, Papadopolous duped the world into initially suggesting he was completely supportive of the unification referendum and then did a massive U-turn when it was clear Turkish Cypriots were going to vote for it – now we see Christofias doing exactly the same. After 43 or so meetings between the two Cypriot leaders it has become clear that the rhetoric to resolve the islands problems is completely shallow – his comments at the UN meeting in New York shows the world who yet again is the barrier reunification becoming anywhere a reality.
When the talks breakdown for good, which unfortunately is what is going to happen I hope Embargoed! will be able to rely on your support to restore the FULL human rights of Turkish Cypriots in the North i.e. ending of all the embargoes.
PS. You always condemn Nick Griffin, and rightly so, but when it comes to racism against TC’s you show inconsistent views.
Fevzi
I am unclear why if Embargoed is pro-settlement, it and its supporters seem to always contact me on divisive rather than uniting issues?
I note in this comment and your previous one you cite the United Nations. Can I ask do you support all the United Nations resolutions on Cyprus?
There are people on both sides of Cyprus who do not want a settlement. Our role is to work with those who are committed and to marginalise those who seek to divide rather than unite. I am unlikely to continue this dialogue when we hold differing opinions which are well established. I respect your views are different to mine, but wish you would unconditionally support the United Nations role on Cyprus as I do.
1. The signs at the football match were not racist, or intended to be so. For 4000 years Cyprus has had a majority Greek population, and the signs broadcasted this to the world. The facts today are that native Cyprus minorities amount to c.20%. The exogenous settlers from the depths of Asia Minor and Kurdish areas may be adding another anomalous element.
2. Apologies if the impression conveyed was of racism. A little overxuberrance and overenthusiasm. The word majority should have featured out of respect.
3. For racism better look to genocides in Asia Minor from 1070 to 1989.
4. The majority are willing to allow 20-25% of the best land in Cyprus to be handed over to the Turkish Cypriots, provided they work together with the Greek Cypriots to get rid of all foreign military in Cyprus.
5. In New York President Christofias was showing his frustration with Ankaras hand in the negotiations and Talat’s following of the lines dictated by the deep state in Ankara. By his communist political views, he doesn’t consider religion or race as important, and is therefore the bast chance for Greek Cypriot concessions to the Turkish side and, therefore, for a successful outcome in the talks, the Turks, Turk Cypriots ought not frustrate him too much, or make decisions which will ultimatley lead to him losing General Election. Better him than a nationalist Greek leader like the House Speaker.
6. In these talks the nationalists from both sides should be asked to leave the room and not participate.
7. If the T/C want seperation they must hand over land analogous to the size of their minority and then both sides can coexist in the EU, similar to Chechzs and Slovenes. No doubt in time some Greek Cypriots may see the merits of converting to Islam, like Cat Stevens and some Turkish Cypriots to Christian sects such as Orthodoxy. The point is we are all human beings and must live in ‘peace’. and try to act and truly become brothers and sisters, following our chosen democratic paths within the EU and within the EU Acquis Communauterre spirit.
Mary you have a point when you ask why most Embargoed supporters write to you on so called divisive issues. Anonymous answers the point very clearly. Turkish Cypriots when trying to explain the injustice of mass graves inflicted on them between 1963-74, are asked to leave the past, and look to the future. A good point. Then we are told by the vast majority of Greeks about events dating to the 11th century.
Mr ANONYMOUS after stating that the majority are expected to hand over 20-25% of the best land in Cyprus then goes on to lecture us about the “democratic path within the EU”
May i submit that on the principles stated by Anonymous Mr Gordon Brown would never be allowed to be the prime minister of this country as being Scottish only comprise 8-9% of the UK population. Not to mention that Niel Kinnock would never have led the labour party as the Welsh only comprise about 2% of the UK population.
We as Turkish Cypriots are only asking the same rights as everyone else has in the EU. That is the dignity to live as equals in our homeland without being subjected to the constant xonophobia and hypocrasy that people like Anonymous sees fit for us.
As for Foreign miltary troops, perhaps the Greeks can lead by example and expell the Greek troops who began the invasion in 1964. And lets not forget the British bases, a relic of an imperial past.
As Anonymous points out to the 4000 years of Greek heritage, perhaps he should tell us what happened to the original inhabitants by going back 4001 years, while we are at it, why not go back to the caves and start from scratch. It seems the stone age is more suitable for such ideals to flourish. Hench the ANONYMITY
Mary,
I refer to your comment to Fevzi in your response of 1 October 09 where you state –
“I am very surprised that such an informed person as yourself on Cyprus does not have a copy of the Friends report available to you”
You are correct to be surprised but your statement should be directed at the Coordinator of Friends of Cyprus. Why has the coordinator stopped sending copies of the report to Turkish Cypriots in London?
The report is sponsored and printed by the Greek Cypriot administration and the last one I was grudgingly given at a meeting read like the two Andy’s Annual (Dismore and Love). There was also an article by Mary Southcott stating what a great thing it had been to accept Cyprus into the EU even after the Greek Cypriot rejection of reunification and how in her opinion this had helped move towads a settlement!
The coordinator is aware of the work of Embargoed and is happy to regularly mis-quote them. She has also met Fevzi and other members of Embargoed going back some 4 years now.
On a number of occasions Embargoed have offered to organise and host joint events with Friends of Cyprus to foster dialogue between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot groups in the UK. These offers have never been responded to and efforts to communicate with individual members of Friends of Cyprus has been met with wall of silence. My own offer to work with Friends of Cyprus did not even merit a response!
The reason Fevzi does not have a copy of the report is that Friends of Cyprus do not want people who are truly informed on Cyprus to have access to it.