Gallipoli centenary marks another snub for Turkish minorities

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/03/turkey-gallipoli-war-other-m.html

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Erdogan is a "Turk", he is no Turk.

...Istanbul is no longer the cosmopolitan city it was before his ilk. Let's remember what it is compared to what it was, and what it will become if this man has his way, becoming a Caliphate and him its "Protector"; even Turks will not be welcome if they are not "Turkish" enough.

The Flag of Turkey represents a People United toward defending the Universal Principals all Men hold in high esteem. Men like this one see it to their benefit to divide us. Ataturk would not be proud, the rest of us also struggle with this shame. Without the recognition that Turkey's strength is founded on its diversity, this movement toward "Turkishness" tarnishes the reputation of a great People who will still struggle for Freedom despite this Leadership.

If "Turks" want to celebrate their Heroes, perhaps in Turkey, like in Cyprus where they demand the existence of a Greek Constituency, a Turkic Constituency could exist. If in Turkey, a set of Turkish Constituencies existed, this need for People as Persons to express themselves can be secured. Turkey is not "Turkish", exactly in the same way Cyprus is not "Greek". Turkey in affect has the same Problem. Its "Turks" must recognise something bigger, as Turks.

Cyprus: a time for fresh thinking?

http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/richardmoore/2015/03/09/cyprus-a-time-for-fresh-thinking/#comment-1191

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Cyprus exists, so too Cypriots, not for hundreds, but for thousands of years. Everyone knows this, as Mr. Biden said, “but one”. Cypriots are neither “Greek”, or “Turkish”, they are Individuals who want the Freedom, the respect and dignity that any other People enjoy while defending Universal Principals. They are the other half of this debate who do not want the island torn in two. They are ignored so long as the Problem remains an issue of “Turkishness”, and the rest, not Turkish.

Because the issue is about Liberty (it should not be about Freedom), and given that the great compromise is a BBF, i suggest that it is the Constituencies that need to find their common ground, with themselves, that the Republic is better served if in unanimity, they present to it, their consideration toward Reform; but there is no Greek Constituency. To be more accurate, there are no Cypriot Constituencies, Maronites, Armenians, and Latins, deserve the same capacity, having the same and equal need.

If dialog is to be promoted, between the Turkish Constituency and the Greek Constituency, it is possible, if Bicommunal (and Bizonal) is defined to mean, a level of government for Cypriots, as Cypriots, Individuals for Cyprus, and a level of government which has a set of Constituencies, where by their choice of residence, Cypriots sustain distinct identities as Persons, then there is Freedom, and Liberty.

…i would like the readership to recall that the Flag of Turkey, and the Flag of Cyprus are equal because of the Universal Principals that they stand for. I ask, if the Flag of Turkey represents something more than a Turkic Constituency, what of the refusal to recognise the Flag of Cyprus as something no more than “Greek”? With Turkey’s need for Constitutional reform, without wanting Turkey divided into its parts, they should be more careful what they ask for from Cypriots.

Cyprus reunification: the Arab Spring and natural gas game changers

http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/klaus-jurgens/cyprus-reunification-the-arab-spring-and-natural-gas-game-changers_374045.html

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Koray Basdogrultmaci and Cinel Senem Husseyin come to mind when i think of "People power". I will be watching for them, for the fourth (or is it fifth) time, on April 13, if they will be denied Justice, again. They fly the Cyprus Flag, because, they are Cypriots. Yet this is denied them by no Law, but by a Court which will not Rule. And a media which denies what is clear to these two Citizens, that Cyprus exists, so too Cypriots. That whatever solution to the Problem is found, it is for them, the other half if you will, who are not "Greek", or "Turkish", who deserve this respect and recognition.

Like the Flag of Turkey, the Flag of Cyprus, stands for Universal Principals, they are equals. I ask, isn't Turkey made up of something more than a Turkic Constituency? I ask, if there was a Turkic Constituency within a set of Turkish Constituencies, in Turkey, could they define what are their equal needs toward sustaining, as Persons, their distinct identities?

Given this need in Cyprus, and in Turkey, for Constitutional reform, Canada comes to mind as a successful Bicommunal society, because the People secure their Freedom by defending each other, as Individuals, while their Liberty allows for this Freedom, as Persons. Canada is a Bizonal Federation too, because it is the Flag of Canada which flies highest, everywhere, despite their diversity and there being many flags, a Canada exists, its Citizens as Canadians are Sovereign, and it is they who represent themselves as such, in their Federal Government; yet, there are many Provinces, which prosper from their own self-representation as National Assemblies, too.

Unless one imagines Turkey is better off torn in pieces, I suggest, for the same reasons it is hard to imagine Cyprus torn in two.

It would be nice if Mr. Eroglu (or, with elections so soon, the next Leader of the Turkish Constituency) stood in front of the Flag of Cyprus when he speaks, that would be quite a challenge, for Cypriots as a whole, a change of intention if he asked, not for the President of the Republic of Cyprus to sit with him and negotiate, but his equals, the Leadership of the other Cypriot Constituencies, (because no Greek Constituency exists,) because their needs as Communities are equal, and as equals, i imagine, at this point, they could speak in unanimity about their position toward these needs, so that upon their presentation to the President, with his charge, toward the State, this Government may take their consideration toward its own reform.

...i remind you, Cyprus is a template, because it is a good representation of Free Will, and the population is small. Tsipras is a strange phenomena in Politics, where as a Greek, the first to congratulate his win were a Kurdish Turk, and a Turkish Cypriot, both called him their "brother". "Turks" in Turkey, should be careful how they wish to define what is not "Turkish" (enough), (at home, and) in Cyprus. A good thing for Turkey, is Cyprus (an equal, and) an ally

Cyprus – Russian Link and IS Extremism

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/03/01/cyprus-russian-link-and-is-extremism/

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...thank-you Greek Reporter, a well thought out, comprehensive piece.

It may be that President Anastasiades is a person who expresses his feelings more openly than most, much to the discomfort of the more discreet at this level of politics. Yet, if he is seeking to be the facilitator of dialog, it may be that Cyprus gains from this universal appeal, as an ally. We see in Cyprus' efforts to promote good relations within her sphere of influence progressing, with the Cairo accord, that links Egypt, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus to efforts that secure the rational development of the sea's underwater resources. Cyprus demonstrates its skill at facilitating exchange, what with its Maritime Registry, its Rule of Law, Education and Banking sectors. Its relations with Syria, and Lebanon, no doubt can play a role for progress.

In any case, these same agreements, for safe Harbour, exist between Cyprus and other countries, like China, USA, France, etc. I will add, in terms of regional safety, few sites represent a better place from which help can come quickly. This too, is an issue of International importance in which progress is achieved through social-exchange. If it is necessary to have so many warships in the Eastern Mediterranean, then let us hope they practice saving lives, together, what with the Human traffic over this sea. Having them share the benefit of water, and shelter, is a good first step, i say, Cypriots are good hosts this way.

Europe, one hopes will feel strong enough to confront the Problem sooner, than late.

One also hopes that as a Union they will defend the existence of the Republic, without apology, whether within it there exists at another level of government, Constituencies or not. The idea that Cypriots are only, "Turkish" or not "Turkish", must stop. At least it should not be denied that in effect, Cypriots exist, and it does not depend on the colour of their skin or their ethnic origin. Europe must make it clear, the difference between defining People as Individuals, and as Persons. Europe must provide the guidance the rest of the world needs by demonstrating an ability to integrate Citizens, without their assimilation. And in the case of Cyprus, to deny those who think it is a good idea to divide it in two, because like Solomon's baby Cyprus lives, is also a good idea.

Turkey has the same Problem, if you ask me. It too would benefit from Constitutional Reform where there existed a Turkic Constituency, at another level of government, not unlike any other Constituency, an equal, within a set of Turkish Constituencies, where people choose to live freely, with the liberty to sustain each's distinct identity.

...like in Cyprus, one Flag flies over Turkey, neither represents a Nation per se, but a State which defends Universal Principals. Canada comes to mind when one thinks of a successful BBF, Turkey is the Problem in Cyprus, Europe has a very important role to play.