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Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 9:58 am Post subject: Cyprus, the long road to unity ?

Don't know how many of you have been following this story of late ,seems it just hangs in the balance following a referendum by the Greek Cypriots. If they say yes the whole Island goes into the E.U but ,if its a No then the same nonsense that has gone on for too long will continue, leaving Turkey waiting in the sidelines again . Some people think that this country has no place in Europe and should never be allowed in especially if you listen to the French and the Germans ,don't you just love those Christian Democrats . I have mixed feeling about it but I do think Turkey deserves a chance at least, too many people are creating a lot of undeserved bad press about the Turks . Comments ?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I agree that most of europe want the EU to be a Christian Club. There are fears of the Islam radicalism. However, this is due to ignorance. Turkey's own unique interpretation is very different from that of the Wahibi sect here in Qatar and Saudi. I must admit that before I had ever been to Turkey I thought that there was no difference. I was expecting every female to be covererd in a black Al baya(sp). (It was a very nice surprise to see bikini clad girls on the beach of Akcay.)
Turkey is very different from the middle East. With the current attitude/ignorance of Europe/ US and the belief that Islam=terrorism I can't see turkey or Northeren Cyprus joining anytime in the future. This is a loss to the EU and also to Turkey and Cyprus

ghost · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 1693 Location: Saudi Arabia

Most teachers of ESL are based in Western Turkey, which does resemble the West culturally, but if you go to places like Mardin, Batman, Diyabarkir, Erzurum, Sirt, etc....in the East....those places are radically different from the Western Turkish cities, and one may argue that the people in the East, are not ready for the Euro Club....but that is obviously debatable.

In the East, for example, many Turks will tell you about the decadent lifestyles of Turks living in cities like Izmir and Istanbul, and that indicates, to some extent, their positions on the matter.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I agree Ghost that the East of turkey, Mardin, etc is not like the decedant west of Turkey like Istanbul(2 days to go) But it is not like the ME either

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

There are two referenda - one for north, one for south Cyprus. It looks likely the north will vote "yes" and the south "no".
Turkish military also propose a "no" vote, seems they never have enough.

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:00 am Post subject: The referendum approches

Hi
I wanted to keep this one boiling because just before the end of this week we should know the result of this vote . I really believe that the Greeks are going to vote a big NO to this one basically because that will suit them down to the ground,they have nothing to lose except any international esteem they may have npicked up in the last few decades ,as yet I have never met one that I liked or met anyone who had anything goood to say about them no doubt someone will put me ın my place on that one as well .
In answer to your last post fgt I work at a private K12 school on the outskirts of the city and without naming names I have to get out of there the bs is just getting to me ,maybe a Uni is better or even a place like yours I'm fishing at the moment like a lot of others and it makes me cranky sometimes .

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 9:35 am Post subject: Shown their true colours !!!

Hi

Yep came as no surprise what those jolly Greek Cypriots did ,just what I expected , Just learnt to day that maybe the last laugh may be on the Greeks because the sanctions may be lifted and a much needed boost for tourism could follow . Thats what I would call poetic justice . Perhaps we should invade the hardly used Greek forum and vent our disapproval at their behaviour or do I detect a nod of asent over there or just complete indifference .

vre · Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 371

No, they are staunchly against anything that has the T word connected to it! They will be very happy about it. It shows how the Turks have changed their view and are trying to find a solution. Far from what the Greeks are attempting to do. Also, their forum is the most boring forum on this site!

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Notwithstanding the boredom to be had from reading the Greek site, and the responsibility of the (then) Greek government for the coup which then led to the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus in 1974; recently the mainland Greek government cannot be held responsible for the failure of a 'yes' vote in Southern Cyprus. I hear they are appalled by the reactions of their brethren and now see no reason to prevent Turkey joining the EU. This was caused primarily by a Russian rejection of a UN plan and is entirely the responsibility of the government of Southern Cyprus.
Greece will not stand in the way of Turkey joining the EU and pigs might fly! Domuzlar ucabilir!