Re: elections in the illegally occupied territories

 https://www.cyprus-forum.com/cyprus47211-170.html#p921686

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There is only one thing that will drive Turkey from our shores; that is unity.

...if as Cypriots, Cypriots stand for what they want, Turkey will have everything it needs to withdraw from our political affairs.

Max, ask yourself, why the coup could not sustain itself; Greek Cypriots are not "Greek".

...lucky for us that the Junta did not "win". (I do not want to be "Greek"; i am Greek)

Indeed, Turkish Cypriots are hostages to Turkey, (like we could have been). Just like the "Greeks" whose intention was no different, ignoring the Cypriots on whose island they're fighting this proxy war, our "community" would have had the same loss. It was and is Cypriots who are paying the price for this mythic reality, torn unnaturally apart to this day.

...for a Cypriot, Enosis has a strange meaning, given the result. Enosis needs a Cypriot meaning, relevant to Cypriots. And that is done by our demonstration of unity, joining under the one flag that is rightfully ours, and on our beaches.

"your community", is not your country Max; "Greekness" has nothing to be proud of really, just remember the financial meltdown. Like "Turkishness" it is the bane to a Cypriot's existence, whether Turkish or Greek.

As a "Greek" who cannot see passed the Nationalism in that, Erdogan wins. The question is, do you want to be defined by such an (or any other) interlocutor?

...i heartily suggest you take a good look at what you are saying, lest you get what you've been asking for as well.

Cyprus elections: corruption displaces Cyprob

 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/05/29/cyprus-elections-corruption-displaces-cyprob/

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...i hope that both AKEL and Disy can represent themselves as Cypriot Parties; "Left" and "Right" their divide when speaking to the People, (despite the "Greeks" and "Turks" living among them), who are Cypriot above all.

...rather than "power", which in the case of the Presidency of Cyprus is (now) won by winning what is in affect the Greek Constituency, a Leader seeking change cannot lose sight of who they represent, through government, but as a State. Such a Leadership accordingly, having moved the People, Turkish and Greek Cypriot alike as a Cypriot in their campaign, would it seems to me have a better chance at fulfilling the promises they made toward Cypriots successfully, winning more than an election but more importantly their support.

Cypriots need change. Cypriots are not "Greeks" or "Turks" as it can be clearly seen over decades, even unnaturally divided, because these candidates have never won overwhelmingly in an election.

Of the statesman Cypriots have to choose from in this election, there are a few. Of the Parties, if they wish to distinguish themselves as Parties, they will have to rethink their purpose, and who they serve, to remain relevant to Cypriots, now that Cypriots need representation, as Cypriots, more than ever.

Occupied Cyprus: How Turkey has destroyed Christian cultural heritage

 https://www.christianpost.com/voices/occupied-cyprus-how-turkey-has-destroyed-christian-culture.html

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...enjoyed reading this article. It lays out a story of suffering and injustice anyone must suffer faced with the Intolerance of those who place their own dogmas above the notion that we are all as Humans no different in our needs. "Turkishness" like "Greekness" have left the other half, Cypriots, with their Identity usurped, their country torn in two and silenced. This is the Problem. Treated only as Persons, as Individuals they cannot be Free. ...today, Ukrainians are quickly burying their dead where they lie so that the dogs which roam the streets will not take them. Civilians (and soldiers) wear ribbons on their backs to reduce the risk of being shot at by some; this the result of Ukrainians suffering the same fate now defined by the "Ukrainian" and "Russian" extremes. Men like Mr. Erdogan, and Mr. Putin must know this, and in the Ukraine, they may end the Problem peacefully too. One hopes a man like Mr. Zelenskiy can see further than them, for his own State, and for the People of so many countries divided the same way.

Turkish Cypriots angered by new Turkish protocol

 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/05/24/turkish-cypriots-angered-by-new-turkish-protocol/

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I never forget the other half as i like to call them, the Cypriots Greek and Turkish who have remained silent for the most part (except at the polls as voters) confronted by the "Greekness" or the "Turkishness" of those who place their dogmas above the Universal Principles, and values, which Cypriots will not betray.

If, we cannot sit on our beaches together in peace and sharing souvla, what are we, but lesser Human beings.

...do not despair, i say to the Turkish Cypriot, my brethren as a Greek and Cypriot too, you are the vanguard, against the "Cypriot Turk" and the biggest threat, their "Turkishness" that is no better than the "Greekness" that fell before them, in Cyprus. Turkey may be changed by Cyprus, (if you think about it,) and not the other way around.

If, you dare to fly the Flag, the flag that is rightfully yours as Cypriots, the Flag of Cyprus, do not doubt that we are few, those of us Cypriot will follow; only if 'we' remain unnaturally torn apart are we not many, against "Them".

Despite the fact that it is illegal to insult Mr. Tatar i have no doubt that this summer will be most difficult for him.

I suspect elections will occur, sooner than expected.

Russia says no change to its stance on Cyprus

 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/05/18/russia-says-no-change-to-its-stance-on-cyprus/

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...well, i am hopeful, as a Cypriot i can't wait to see Cypriots having representation from a State which describes them as Individuals, not "Greeks" or "Turks".

Isn't that the Problem as it's evolving in the Ukraine? Isn't that the way Turkey is dividing itself with "Turkishness", in Turkey today? How does Putin save his own Legacy; "Russianness" (what with his isolation) showing itself to produce no different results.

Everyone knows the Problem, (what its done for/to them) especially these three men. If it were not for the fight over power (read: Power), Cyprus like Russia, Turkey, and the Ukraine as BBFs would exist peacefully today because the People come first in such a State, that there are Universal Principles that go beyond any "National" cause, and that as Persons given this capacity at self-representation they may also demonstrate there commitment to such notions in Good Faith and Goodwill, having in their Agenda as a Majority provision for the Minorities living among them.

...without a solution to the Problem, their problems' will fester; their failure will leave them in infamy.

Cyprus and Israel: Lessons from the pursuit of lasting peace in the Eastern Mediterranean

 https://hir.harvard.edu/cyprus-and-israel-lessons-for-lasting-peace-in-the-eastern-mediterranean/

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Divided as they are, the People of Israel and the People of Cyprus, most certainly there will be no solution. As in the Ukraine, watching it in the process of being torn up, in this problem too, the Problem is exposed to be the same for all of them.

Indeed as Persons they differ and their extremes see the solution through brutal force toward each other.
(...how convenient for "Them", the other half their hapless victims mostly unarmed and civilians.)

Where is the Humanity beyond that? Where is the Peoples' representation as Individuals; without further distinctions or discrimination, equals in defending the values and Universal Principles that make it so?

...hijacked, the Agenda.

Must Cypriots be "Greek"? Must Turcophones be "Turkish"? Must Israelis be Jewish? And Russians, not "Russians", in the Ukraine (and in Russia), don't they exist?

...i ask the readers to recall that the USA is a BBF (Bizonal Bicommunal Federation); as a Modern concept, (just predating the French Revolution) it was the very first as a matter of fact. That within a State (where there exists a Rule of Law and Good Government), Individuals are Free to express their thoughts without fear, to travel and to associate accordingly. And, having constituencies (at another level of government), this Liberty, as Persons, allows for such distinct identities to thrive, to share in Goodwill and in Good Faith, as Majorities recognising and respecting the Minorities that live among them by providing in their Agenda these special needs as well.

So it is that intentions count.

In Cyprus, i am hoping it is the beaches Cypriots will take to make souvla together at their own "picnics" this summer; that would make a most hopeful change and a fine example, difficult to ignore. I suggest in Israel the same, demonstrations of Israelis, Arabs and Jews wanting change, because it will expose those against such a notion, "Jews" and "Arabs" (as they define themselves unable of such tolerance). In either case, it will become that much more difficult for "Them" to dismiss (in effect about half the voting population) as insignificant and too few to matter, with the People seen to be united; that too is a great step forward.

...yes, i am hopeful (still) having Faith in the notion of 'Us', as those not "Them".

And in the Ukraine at this moment three men of great talent will decide their own fate, as Heroes, by ending the(ir) Problem(s) that they all know too well, (with a solution, by all of us defined as "perfect"; where an Individual is most clearly defined and that as Persons they (these Citizens) are given the capacity to demonstrate this respect and trust toward each other accordingly: perfect because all countries may emulate its values, held in such esteem), or, as failures living with its infamy, possibly (one) facing War Crimes as a consequence.

(n.b. Erdogan too, now faces the divisiveness of "Turkishness", at home beyond Cyprus tearing at the very fabric of his own State; in his own Constitutional reform, (and with an end to the Problem recognising Cypriots as well) on time for Turkey's Centennial in two years: will a BBF do just fine?). (And of Putin, having sacked Russia's Democracy, (to a lesser BBF, and one far more militaristic); is this "Russianness" better, if not what will he change it to, again?)

Or, is it Zelinskiy who will cave around such men, under so much pressure to choose reaching no further than "Ukrainians" where "being" Ukrainian is far more complex? (...the answer to this question, if "They" remain unchanged i fear most of all.)

Change (as in intentions) would seem imminent, everywhere, what with the existential questions we face as a race called Human, what with real enemies like Hunger and Disease to fight; we should not be fighting each other (lest we Forget): Ignorance perhaps is the greatest enemy of all.

...the Problem is the problem (or is it the other way around?); in Cyprus, in Israel, (in Turkey), and now soon to be it seems in the Ukraine; our world missing the point as yet. As Martin Luther King said, beyond desegregation is integration, and as Rev. Tutu said, "This" must stop; two men who know the Problem well, it is something to think about all around. (dare i say and in the USA "Americans" abound).

Re: The RoC's election for President begins

 https://www.cyprus-forum.com/cyprus47934.html#p921117

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...yet, now he can act; knowing what he does, and who he knows, the inner workings of power, he may end his silence: seeing things quite differently.

I am hopeful though much too exhausted of Human hypocrisy and fear to get excited; but i'll be watching.

...never mind the nay-sayers, Lordo. Their's is the easy and self-fulfilling prediction that is in affect the Problem.

With AKEL, (with their History) it is possible, wounded as they are from the world's harsh reality, (Russia the bad guy on so many levels, to them directly,) they may see their mission far more clearly; to serve working people, to defend the Universal Principles that define us all as one race called Human, to provide Good Government transparent and free of corruption: as Cypriots united in this cause. What was the purpose of electing a Turkish MEP, if it is not to present a candidate for President that speaks to and for all Cypriots? Let's not forget that AKEL has cultured a relationship with other left leaning Parties in the occupied territories; Mr Tufan comes to mind.

A candidate finding support north and south of the Green Line wins.

(no "Greek" candidate and no "Turkish" candidate can compete against that number/tactic, apart as they are; Cypriots have voted as Cypriots since 1960 despite their Leaderships' intentions, what has changed is strategy)

...think about it, in the middle of the Ukrainian War, a Communist Party may win in Cyprus, uniting Cypriots by exposing the "Greeks" and "Turks" for what they are; is that so hard to imagine?

A giant leap of faith for Cyprus

https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/05/08/a-giant-leap-of-faith-for-cyprus/

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...my Uncle had a hole in his hand where the bullet passed through, his son, his Uncle, his Uncle's son, my cousin were all made to disappear. What does it matter if they are Greek, or Turkish, they were murdered for "being" Cypriot.

Let's not forget Ayz, thinking about who died and who did the killing, that the "Greeks" and the "Turks" are no different in that regard (rarely killing each other, so to speak).

Re: Ukrainian Issue

 https://www.cyprus-forum.com/cyprus47975-4460.html#p920579

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...hard for me to imagine after decades that we are witnessing nothing new. The manipulation of our fear that is a favorite for Leaders left and right, against "us", it seems; to divide us.

As a child i had the good fortune to live in a village where there were values we all respected and a routine which made sense; a "mixed" village, "they" said: ("our" way ignored).

I knew of the divisions of "Greeks" and Greeks, i knew of the division of "Greeks" and "Turks", and i knew of the unity (and harmony) between us, Turkish and Greek as Cypriots.

...in Cyprus (and in the Ukraine,) few of us can say that we are untouched by ''Them''. And yet, will we blame ourselves if we remain silent, if instead we choose ''their'' narrative as the Truth we live by (today, knowing what we know)?

The Problem is our problem if we continue to resist the changes we need to make within ourselves, having better intentions (than "Them").

...it is still more possible here than anywhere else; a definition for enosis that is not "Greek" (or "Russian"), not "Turkish" (or "Ukrainian") either, but something bigger as a whole, something worth far more, like Cyprus "being" for Cypriots (and the Ukraine "being" for Ukrainians).

We, those of us Cypriot, are, what Ukrainians will be when this war is over and they too have been torn apart. What then, when a "Ukrainian" or/and a "Russian" wins?

Cypriots must step up now to have an effect on the eventual result, here and in the Ukraine: an end to the Problem, or not.

Mr. Erdogan has begged for it; why else "picnics" on our beaches? Who, where, are the People to say differently? Mr. Erdogan needs us now if he is to make History successfully negotiating a settlement which can be emulated, no less.

...such a demonstration, Cypriots making souvla for each other, in times like these would be hopeful don't you think?