Guest Book
Alexandra Waugh in Scotland at 10:56:21 Thursday July 29 99
It strikes me as ridiculous that, after even the seemingly eternal Berlin Wall has fallen, Cyprus still has a divided capital. Two things occur to me: first that the major powers have no real motivation to aid in finding a solution.If they did they would be using Turkey's desire to become part of Europe as a lever and they would be entering into negotiations which made reuniting the island politically and financially attractive to both sides. A reunited Cyprus could be welcomed into the EU and Greece and Turkey 'rewarded' for their part in achieving this. The second thing is the position of those people deemed 'Turkish' in 1974. I have been told in Cyprus about old friends and neighbours, with whom 'Greeks' lived and worked in harmony, who were suddenly no longer there. We must remember that ALL the people of Cyprus suffered an injustice. How realistic is it to expect the Turkish government to return land and property to those , ironically enough, deemed Turkish? The solution will be slow in coming. It's taken hundreds of years for my own country to regain its own parliament. In Scotland we also have a history of clearances, deportation and occupation. I hope with all my heart that the people of Cyprus don't have to wait that long. Meanwhile, write to your MEP. Badger them to keep bringing Cyprus up in the European Parliament. Whenever a story about the occupation appears in the UK media, respond to it - write to the papers; phone the TV stations.If the rest of us are silent, we offer justification for doing nothing.
Bill Tucker in Atlanta, GA at 20:27:54 Wednesday May 26 99
I am pleased to see that someone is trying to bring the problem of Cyprus to the fore and attempt addressing the issues which divides this island and inteferes with the relations of two great nations. I will read the solution and add any comments at a later date. I will say up front that no one nation will resolve this problem. NATO, which is quickly becoming the UN's police force, may offer the best possibility of a negotiated settlement. The cost woould beconsiderable to NATO but concessions could make Cyprus andother regional problems far more manageable.
CONSTANTINE GEORGE MOURTOS in HOUSTON, TEXAS at 3:49:53 Wednesday March 24 99
THE QUESTION OF CYPRUS REPRESENTS A TREMENDOUS VOID IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY. THE CURRENT SITUATION WAS CREATED WHILE SERVING THE VITAL INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE AEGEAN NEARLY 25 YEARS AGO; YET, THE LACK OF RESOLUTION IS NOW A DISSERVICE TO THE CURRENT INTERESTS OF THE US IN THE REGION. CLEARLY THE US NEEDS TO DISPLAY THE MATURITY AND INTESTINAL FORTITUDE EXPECTED OF THE CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY IN THE FREE WORLD. CLEARLY THE TOLERANCE OF THE MILITARY OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS BY AN INVADING FORCE IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ANY FUTURE SOLUTIONS ON THE ISLAND. THE RESTORATION OF CYPRIOT SOVEREIGNTY AND THE WITHDRAWL OF ALL TURKISH FORCES FROM THE ISLAND IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE FIRST STEP. THE RESTORATION OF DISPLACED CYPRIOTS TO THEIR PROPERTIES IS A NECESSARY SECOND STEP. REPRESENTATION IN A SINGULAR UNIFIED AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ENTITY IS THE THIRD STEP. IF THE UN GUARANTEES THE AUTONOMY OF THE ISLAND, GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE THEIR INTERNAL GOVERNMENT AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
Ian Philliskirk in United Arab Emirates at 16:29:0 Thursday March 4 99
I am interested in the Cyprus question but I am able to see it from both sides. Your solution offers some way towards that and you should be commended for this. However, there will never be a solution to the Cyprus issue as long as each side is unable to see the view of the other. Moreover, the comment from Mike in South Carolina at 1:21:25 Monday August 31 98, does not help. It is a personalised verbal attack on the Turkish people, and the language he uses is aggressive, ill-informed and pointless if one is to have a sensible debate about the serious issues that affect Cyprus. What possible sensible solution does he offer by stating "I hope that Cyprus one day will be free from the Turkish parasite. It is evident that the Turkish government has no regards for human rights, and as a very antagonistic": this is no solution just rhetoric and is completely unhelpful. If you wish the site to become a base for verbal abuse against everything Turkish then the site becomes meaningless, however I do not believe that is the objective for the site. I am an objective observer with only an interest in the debate on Cyprus, and reading these types of comment do not help the obviously Greek point of view. Continually verbally abusing and criticising the other side ensures the real issues get lost in the personalised attack and the real issue are that the conflict does need to be solved. This means that both sides need to see the argument form each others point of view. I must admit that I have many Greek and Greek Cypriot friends and Turkish friends too, and the view of Mike has unfortunately often been the view of many of my Greek friends, and yet not once has one of my Turkish friends ever stated such things about the Greeks or the Greek Cypriots. I would suggest that in order to reach a solution you have got to calm down stop personalising the comment and think laterally towards a solution.
Richard Antaramian in Kenosha, Wisconsin USA at 3:53:41 Sunday February 14 99
This is one of the better sites out there on the net. Mr. Argyrou should be commendated for this masterpiece. He simply cannot be applauded enough for his work in exposing the truth about to turkey to those communities outside the Armenian and Greek.
BARRY in UK at 9:9:45 Monday December 28 98
i'ii simply write here what I put in the book at the dyrenia viewing point. Cyprus could have solved all its problems by finding huge oil reserves. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see why Kuwait was defended to the hilt. The Turkish seem a little hypocritical to me, demanding Italy hand over a 'terrorist', whilst they illegally occupy Cyprus with 30,000 terrorists !!!You wonder just how much pressure the US dominated UN puts on Turkey. US planes in Turkish airbases close to Iraq means at present the UN only pays lip service to your plight. I wish you well. Cyprus is a beautiful place, such a shame it has more to offer we cannot see.
Mike in South Carolina at 1:21:25 Monday August 31 98
You have made some interesting points, and you seem optimistic that the Cyprus issue will be resolved! I hope that Cyprus one day will be free from the Turkish parasite.It is evident that the Turkish government has no regardsfor human rights, and as a very antagonistic, and self serving nation, Turkey will never see eye to eye with the Greeks, not only because it doesn't interest them, but because they have a deep rooted resentment towards all Greeks, and all that they have! Communicating with the Turkish government does not work! The Turks want conflict, they want blood! The Turks have economic, and political interests in the area of Northern Cyprus, and because of that they will never let go! But there is still hope! Greece needs international support, and to some extent they have it, but it's not enough!!! Give your support!!!
mike brian in hampshire at 22:21:51 Friday March 6 98
very uesful as i am doing a project on this subject
Megan Hershey in Plano, TX at 0:35:45 Tuesday December 2 97
Your solution is obviously well thought out, and I found it to be fairly plausible, but I have several questions: who or what force is going to carry out this plan? Why should Turkey want to remove its troops from the island? What will keep conflicts from arising once more? It sounds great in theory, but is it practical? I think it's great that people are searching for a solution to this problem, though. Good work.
Panagiotis Venetis in Allentown, PA. United States at 5:8:19 Monday November 10 97
It is obvious that a solution is necessary to the Cyprus stalemate. I do find your contribution to be plausible, however it raises certain questions: 1.) Why is it necessary for Cypriots to swear their allegience to the Cypriot flag? While it does give the air of patriotism, it also seems petty, a minor issue. 2.) By what means shall this plan be implemented? In other words, how do you propose that both Greece and Turkey will willingly end their meddling ways in the island because of this proposal? There are no assurances that there will be no future clashes, nor is there any incentive for Turkey to withdraw its 30,000 troops from the island. I apologize if my comments sound pessimistic. I too seek a solution to this stalemate, but at the same time one cannot foresake realism for sheer patriotism.
Iakovos Roussos in Sheffield, UK at 18:56:9 Sunday November 2 97
Nice action plan but do you honestly believe that Turks and and the US will ever agree to that? They have vital interets in Cyprus. A free Cyprus will be a disaster for both of them, that's why this thing goes on years and years. Recently the US freed Kuwait in 7 days they could have done this in 1974 but instead they accepted the situation. I hope i'm wrong but i think that the Cyprus matter will never be resolved.
Panagiotis(Peter) M. Venetis in Allentown, Pa., USA at 22:38:57 Sunday September 14 97
I am a Greek-American who has chosen to write about the tension between Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. While I am obvi-ously pro-Greece and pro-Cyprus, I must remain as impartial as possible in this matter, I would appreciate it if you couldplease aid me in this matter by offering avenues with which toobtain this desired material. Euharisto kai Eleftheri i Kypro! Sincerely, Peter M. Venetis
Marios K. Damaskinos in CYPRUS REPUBLIC at 10:20:57 Thursday September 11 97
Very good job I would like to help, so if you find my offer helpful please contact me.REMEMBER CYPRUS IS STILL UNDER TURKISH OCCUPATION ARMY.They kill everybody with the blessings of the International Community
Yola G. Pakhchanian in Maryland, USA at 19:48:42 Thursday August 7 97
Visit our website at the American Hellenic Institute, Washington, DC, USA at http://ahiworld.com for updates and research on the Cyprus and Hellenic issues.
Paul & Annmarie Donald in England at 22:39:17 Thursday July 17 97
You have a wonderful country which we have been fortunate enough to visit on 3 occasions and are hoping to return this year. I hope you are able to find peace and happiness in the very near future. We would never dream of going to Turkey for a holiday! I hope you can find a solution to gain back the whole island.Best wishesPaul and Annmarie Donald
Christo Spetsiotis in South Africa at 17:38:56 Monday June 16 97
WELL DONE!Your efforts to bring the Greeks and Cypriots together is reasurringThank You
Christo Spetsiotis in South Africa at 17:38:27 Monday June 16 97
WELL DONE!Your efforts to bring the Greeks and Cypriots is reasurringThank You
Paul Toumazos in Australia at 14:43:10 Tuesday February 25 97
My friend, well done!I share most of your thoughts on your"Proposed Solution". As you realise, it goes contrary to the BiCommunal & BiZonal concept and rightly comes back to the sensible one of Unitary State. The BiCommunal & BiZonal concept, is by definition divisive, it is not a federation but a very loose Confederation, in reality a legalised Partition, Expensive to run (3 Governments), it will be source of Polarity, thus friction, thus conflict, thus back to the begining.When will our politicians wake up to themselves and to their National/Personal integrity to acknowledge the futility in implementing this experimental model which has no precedence of success, let alone existance. Keep up the good work/thinking. It is encouraging/comforting to hear some more people announcing that "the emperor wears no clothes".
Paul Toumazos in Australia at 14:34:54 Tuesday February 25 97
My friend, well done!I share most of your thoughts on your"Proposed Solution". As you realise, it goes contrary to the BiCommunal & BiZonal concept and rightly comes back to the sensible one of Unitary State. The BiCommunal & BiZonal concept, is by definition divisive, it is not a federation but a very loose Confederation, in reality a legalised Partition, Expensive to run (3 Governments), it will sourse of Polarity, thus friction, thus conflict, thus back to the begining.When will our politicians wake up to themselves and to their National/Personal integrity to acknowledge the futility in implementing this experimental model which has no precedence of success, let alone existance.
Sophie Goldhill in london, the U.K at 12:7:28 Wednesday February 12 97
I think the page is relly good and has helped me with my research for M.U.N. If anyone has any other information that would help me with my resolution about cyprus it would be much a pprciated.
PETER KYRIAKIDES in NORTH LONDON at 17:1:17 Tuesday February 11 97
VERY INTERESTING SITE. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP?
Argyros George Argyrou in Northampton UK at 1:55:47 Tuesday December 31 96
Enter your views on the Cyprus Problem here.