They Don't Call it 'Civil War' for Nothing

In case you missed it, the divided nation of Cyprus just held a referendum on joining the EU, an act that was supposed to help bring the Turkish and Greek sides of the island together. So much for that.

Comments

[OL]

If the southern ("Greek") part of the island joins the EU, I imagine the chances of international recognition for the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) are pretty much fucked.

[Dave]

Actually, the chances of their international recognition is sky rocketing. This plan was backed by the EU and the UN and the Turkish side agreed to the plan, which won them a ton of approval and support by the UN, EU, and USA, all key players in this(USA is Turkey's good ally, for obvious strategical reasons, huge Muslim country with an army of 2 million, sitting next to the mid-East). Some have even argued that setting the Green Line (North-South Border) as the new EU border recognizes the TRNC. Also, a quick amble over to reuters and a key word search of Cyprus turned up the fact that everyone is saying that the Turkish Cypriots need to be rewarded for their good will and all that and it looks like the sanctions and bans will be lifted, a major step forward for them, considering that these bans have turned them into a virtual Cuba.

I'm an English Teacher (Canadian) living in Turkey and everyone is rather happy here with all of this for obvious reasons. They seem even more happy that it means that they'll keep the Northern half of island, with troops in place, recieve praise and an invitation to start talks to join the EU in December, and all this while Greece is taking flak. Seems like a good deal to me too ; )

[Dave]

Actually, the chances of their international recognition is sky rocketing. This plan was backed by the EU and the UN and the Turkish side agreed to the plan, which won them a ton of approval and support by the UN, EU, and USA, all key players in this(USA is Turkey's good ally, for obvious strategical reasons, huge Muslim country with an army of 2 million, sitting next to the mid-East). Some have even argued that setting the Green Line (North-South Border) as the new EU border recognizes the TRNC. Also, a quick amble over to reuters and a key word search of Cyprus turned up the fact that everyone is saying that the Turkish Cypriots need to be rewarded for their good will and all that and it looks like the sanctions and bans will be lifted, a major step forward for them, considering that these bans have turned them into a virtual Cuba.

I'm an English Teacher (Canadian) living in Turkey and everyone is rather happy here with all of this for obvious reasons. They seem even more happy that it means that they'll keep the Northern half of island, with troops in place, recieve praise and an invitation to start talks to join the EU in December, and all this while Greece is taking flak. Seems like a good deal to me too ; )

[Jean Bart]

Yes, the Greek-Cypriots truly "fucked themselves" on their vote. What's particularly bad is that the Greek-Cypriots were the recalcitrant party, yet they are the one's allowed to join the EU as they are the recognized government of Cyprus.

[Walter Wallis]

I guess no one here remembers "Enosis" which was the initial reason for the problem on this island.
At any rate, the solution is the same as for any other divorce - sell the property and split the proceeds between the parties.
I would even encourage the United States to buy Cyprus and move out troops there and off all the foreign properties.

[Wild Pegasus]

As a side note, A Fistful of Euros has to be the best name for a website ever.

- Josh

[Sephiroth]

Europeans are always the first to discuss so-called "American Ignorance" but it's pretty clear Jean Bart has no idea on what he is talking about. Sadly the Americans are just as dumb.

The Greek Cypriots were the ones who were invaded and occupied by Turkey - they are not at fault at all for what happened, so to cast them as the "aggressor" is ludicrous. This deal was drawn up by the US and the UK, two governments who aided Turkey during the invasion, and had little to do with "helping the Cypriots" and everything to do with "wider geopolitical aims" of the relevant parties. It also violates international law by allowing the Turkish settlers to stay.

Would you blame the Palestinians if they rejected a peace deal that was drawn up by Israel and Wolfowitz - a deal that allowed ALL of the Jewish settlements to remain in the West Bank? A deal that left the Isreali army in the West Bank indefinitely? Would you say "Well, this is it for you Palis, sorry fuckers, you really screwed yourself this time?" If not then why do you say that to the Greeks on Cyprus?