Monday, September 26, 2022

‘The crossings may be open but Cyprus is still a divided island’

 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/09/25/the-crossings-may-be-open-but-cyprus-is-still-a-divided-island/?fbclid=IwAR1JEwSP6HbQ5Wg-bTir96z9UvuZIM0OgBrvQC4OGgXiMcOyIJZ_3Olx-_4

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...indeed, Koray Basogrultmacı and Cinel Senem Husseyin, have demonstrated that the Flag of Cyprus does not represent a "Greekness", or a "Turkishness", but that in "belonging" it is Cypriot. Thanks to them, flying this flag, the Flag of Cyprus, is no longer "illegal" in the occupied territories; although it still remains a dangerous thing to do.

They bent what seems an impossibly intransigent regime with one truth, that Cyprus and Cypriots exist.

All of us can demonstrate the same courage, through action, for Cyprus and for the possibility that Cypriots can take control of the Agenda, simply by seeking each other out, crossing the Green Line with the very intention to buy in stores, to eat in restaurants, or to rest in hotels that are Cypriot owned, to choose wisely as social and political acts.

Yet, this simple gesture, flying 'our' Flag, may lead to someone being shot, it's been suggested to me, it must be done, by 'us'. And on our beaches no less, making picnics ourselves despite the "Greeks" and the "Turks" against it.

...more of 'it', "being" Cypriot is necessary, to build the trust that Turcophones need, and, the respect that the overwhelming Grecophone majority also needs as well: to overcome their fear; to be willing to defend each other.

Monday, September 12, 2022

Cyprus: A very troubled flag

 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/09/11/cyprus-a-very-troubled-flag/

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...and yet so many did (die for this Flag): unsung Heroes who remained in their homes thinking of values higher than what "Greekness" and "Turkishness" represented and which are embodied in this Flag of Cyprus; indeed, unarmed, civil, and more reasoned, they were disappeared and murdered, Turkish and Greek perhaps, not "Them" clearly but Cypriot. Let's not Forget, them.

Erdogan begs us to show ourselves on the single field of honour that should mean something to us as Cypriots.

...our beaches, and our streets, deserve our attention: the People, who under this Flag may send a powerful message to him and to a leadership who have taken to thinking that they are not Cypriots, but "Greek Cypriots" and "Turkish Cypriots", comfortable as Persons because it is the electorate over which they hold power: leaving 'us' usurped as Individuals (and as Cypriots) of our Basic Human Rights.

Who treats (and who treated) this Flag as a rag?

...ask yourselves, where is a Leader who represents Cypriots? (i remind you that over decades 'we' represent never less than half the vote either side of the "Green Line"); it is what Cypriots need. Who dares to stand under this Flag and speak to 'us'; for Cypriots, to "be", the President of Cyprus: 'their' President not "theirs".

I cannot think that changing the Flag is a good idea because it would be a betrayal to those who stood for higher convictions in Cyprus and died miserably; the Universal Principles which make us all equals and Free. Indeed, dismissing 'us' has been what "they" have always wanted; in my mind that is just plain wrong.


Monday, September 05, 2022

Our goals are identical on Cyprus solution

https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/09/04/our-goals-are-identical-on-cyprus-solution/

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...i have read your proposal twice so far. It pleases me in that there is nothing overtly wrong in its intentions.

However, there are issues (i have), having made several attempts to express them to your Forum and having had no reply, having had my posts here deleted, that i can only hope you may have seen them, or are aware of them.

Half my life (and more) has been involved as an activist toward Cyprus' liberation, years now writing everyday, (it is easy to find me: google repulsewarrior), not just from the Turkish Army's illegal occupation, but from the "Greekness" and the "Turkishness" that brought ruin to my family and to thousands more who value higher Principles and our dignity as Human beings, equal in such basic Rights.
((And i feel i have been ignored.) (But, i will try again.))

...define a Cypriot: as an Individual; first.

Let Cypriots define themselves as Persons; who by residing in such a Constituency's Jurisdiction may be identified as a minority have special needs compared to this majority accordingly. Cypriots in this way will assure each's capacity, as Constituencies to serve all Cypriots; in one language or another, first, perhaps, but one hopes in an even greater capacity accordingly. Such as it is, and as it should be: Cypriots are not "Greeks", nor are they "Turks", Cypriots may be Greek and/or Turkish, and also neither; but, they are Individuals and as such none of "that" matters in fact. Cypriots, as Individuals, want a State. Cypriots as Persons want representation too.

...and what about enclaves; just a dirty word: is it?

The green line no longer a militarised "border", only a frontier among many is something to think about if across the whole island they (enclaves) were scattered. Justice seen, at least for some from '63 an '74 who may return as Communities, along with their (natural) Rights as Individuals. Free Movement, Association and Expression are secured by such change to our Political Geography, for all Cypriots it makes for a new beginning. Service by either Constituency will be close at hand anywhere on the island, in any case; the Citizen in effect having more choice(s), and the National Assemblies' electorates would span island-wide.

...i don't see 'your' ballot clearly in my mind.

Democracy is based on the Ballot, isn't it. Mine, if you've read my manifesto is clear. Each and every Citizen's ballot is respected in exactly the same way. In my Cyprus, Policy will drive politicians; for their Parties to have power (at the Federal level), they will have to appeal to all Cypriots, in effect gaining a majority by appealing to both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots accordingly in a Legislature where the seats are evenly divided and each and every voter votes in the same way for one of each. Frankly, i don't like "weighting"; demographics change. There is no point it seems to me to set such proportions in stone, and it seems absurd, as a Cypriot if you are Russian, Sri Lankan, or Lebanese, e.g. The Constituencies may see things differently for example, on how to get things done, having minorities with their own Agendas in mind; but Cypriots, through their Republic, will have set a standard that they expect such self-representation to hold to account, the National Assemblies to complete.

Ethnographically speaking, if Cypriots want to defend their distinct identities they will come to understand that it depends on their welcoming nature (in more languages than Turkish and Greek), as facilitators of exchange to those from three Continents close by who will want to live here, and from afar (feeling the same threat from an English everyone (must) speaks, meeting many Cypriots who speak their language they may be willing to learn another language too.) Imagine Cyprus in two hundred years, that is really not a long time from now; what does "Greek" and "Turkish" matter, in such a world, if as a Cypriot in Cyprus your vote is based on where you reside?

...enosis: i say; it is time to take back the word.

What is wrong with the Flag of Cyprus? Who treats it and who treated it as a rag? Why should they the murderous around us have such satisfaction, that it will change? And further more, on a personal note, i would like to hear Cyprus' National Anthem, the one hidden in a drawer somewhere, before deciding on a new one. The Flag is our flag, the People's. It sends a powerful message. Indeed, the people must stand together under this flag, if they are ever to free themselves from "Them". I see more reasons for the Flag to stay the same, than to change it.

On our beaches we should be having picnics together. And under 'our' flag, that's enosis; who would refuse?

...who knows, maybe we will.

Who as a Cypriot doesn't want to say, enough, to such notions as "Greekness" and "Turkishness" because 'we' are not few and insignificant as such dogmatists will have us believe. As voters over decades now, voters unnaturally divided have not voted overwhelmingly for "Them", never less than half voting as Cypriots; i remind us all again and again.

...wishing you well, Mr. Christos.

Thursday, September 01, 2022

North seeks to reduce queues at checkpoints

 https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/08/31/north-seeks-to-reduce-queues-at-checkpoints/

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...indeed, the question becomes, who is crossing and for what reason.

Cypriots who spend money with each other, who seek each other out, in effect are Patriotic under the circumstances.

Those who go for the Casinos or cheap gas in affect are traitors, no better than the "Turks", but "Greeks".

...this war against "Turkishness" must be won, more Cypriots should come together. "Greekness" too must end.

As Greeks and as Turks we have the responsibility as Cypriots to represent a higher order of values, to defend the Universal Principles which as Individuals ('we') assure our Basic Human Rights. (This is the Problem.)

More Cypriots must act, and act together, given the existential question Cypriots face: are they Greek, or are they "Greek", are they Turkish, or are they "Turkish"; are they Cypriots, (no more)?