Clearance of Turkish minefields begins - cyp mail article

[erolz]

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=21348&cat_id=1

To me these seems like positive action. What do others think ?

[Crash Test Dummy]

how come it has takent hem so long? troops walk up and down there 24/7. surprised they were not removed when NATO moved in. truly shocking

[Dhavlos]

firstly, Welcome Giorgio


well, at least it seems both sides are willing to make some kind of bilateral move...even if it does seem pressured upon them by the UN/EU etc.

Lets hope this good-will measure spreads to the political spectrum.

[Crash Test Dummy]

[Bananiot]

It is a very good move indeed as are CBM's but I have a nagging suspision that these measures merely ease the tension and in the long term they will simply be important for the relationship between two neighbours. Most important is to find a solution, as soon as possible, because this is what Cyprus needs primarily.

[brother]

We all talk about these goodwill moves but do they amount to anything, imo they are just moves designed to throw sand in our eyes to cover up the real motives of the politicians.

[erolz]

[brother]

I will try and answer that, i believe that the politicians and the big world powers have already decided on partitioning cyprus but must make it look like circumstance pushed it there, hence we will see all these glimmers of hope but never any positive actions.

[erolz]

[brother]

The only thing they fear is people power, whatever you may think the Greek Cypriot 'oxi' in the referandum was a big kick in the hurting regions for the greater powers as they thought it was sewn up hence it proves that people power is all that is required to make it human friendly and not greater powers friendly imo.

[Bananiot]

I am not a fun of consiracy theories and I have no doubt that the USA (the only great power left) sincerely wishes to see the problem solved because this region of the world needs to be stable, not only because of Greece and Turkey belonging to the same pack but because it borders the most sensitive region, perhaps of the whole world, the Middle East and everything that goes with it.

In order to be solved, the US know that the solution must satisfy both parts, so that it can last. They worked very hard, together with the UN, to find a working plan, based on the declarations of the two parts over the decades. Little did they know that the Greek Cypriot side, under the leadership of the greatest rejectionist in the community, would overturn the plan and consequently ask for changes that make the plan unrecognisable.

The question now is, does the world have the stomach to try again for a mutually agreed solution? My answer: As long as Papadopoulos and his extremist lot are representing the Greek Cypriot community, they will not waste another minute on him. Probably, they will wait for the next President. If there is a change then, and only then, they might just give it another go. If not, welcome partition. Life simply has to go on ...

[cannedmoose]

I agree Bananiot. I think the big issue of the next Presidential election in 2008 is going to be the terms of a rapprochement. If Tassos stands again, he'll fight for the perspective that while unification is desirable, it should be on terms acceptable to the Greek Cypriot side and should involve the return of all refugees, the repatriation of settlers and the removal of Turkish troops, i.e. the old red lines. If Anastasiades stands on behalf of DHSY, he may take a more moderate stance, which may see more of his party defect, but would be the 'alternative' position, calling for a pragmatic relationship with the Turkish Cypriots, understanding that compromises are required.

What will be interesting and crucial is where Christofias stands between these two as I think that would swing the election either way.

Regardless, I can't see much progression taking place until the next Presidential elections or unless something miraculous takes place between TPap and Talat.

[brother]

As lousey as this may sound i heard that tassos is suffering from cancer and is getting treatment in the US, if his condition gets worse won't he be required to step down hence forcing a new election.

[Bananiot]

Miracles do not happen moose. You are right about Christofias. He is the key. If he withdraws his support then a solution may be forthcoming. It appears that Christofias and Papadopoulos made a deal 4 years ago for Christofias to be the next President. There is no chance Papadopoulos will stick to this deal. In fact, he has been trying very hard with much success, may I add, to broaden the basis of his party (up to 23% say some forecasts) and along with the help of the small parties of the far right, to reach a percentage that will see him through to the second round of the Presidential elections. If he manages this he will not need AKEL any more and Christofias can go to hell. Papadopoulos has been a master at manipulating the 76% of the "no" vote and banking heavily on this he might just do it. Unless Christofias wakes up from the litharge and faces the realities before it is too late. As far as Anastasiades is concerned, I am afraid he does not stand a chance. He does not command the necessary respect (unfortunately) and many voters will be put off. Perhaps another person from his party may be more suitable.

[Bananiot]

Brother, his mother died only last year ...