Double standard for treating Greek and Turkish Cypriots

[Swamp Fox]

The Eu has invited Cyprus to join in by 2004, but only if the Greek and Turkish portions unite. That's laudable, but, if it doesn't happen by Feb 28, 2002, only the Greek portion will get in.

I hate to harp on the theme of European racism, but isn't that a bit unfair? Especially since Turkey seems to be discriminated against.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/front/RTGAM/20021226/wturkish1226/Front/homeBN/breakingnews

[ethics]

Greeks are Catholics, Turks are Muslims. EU is not racist though, they have good reasons for keeping out the Muslims. [sarcoff]

[Leopoldo Niilus]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1016541.stm

[Leopoldo Niilus]

Turkish Cypriots call for reunification. Full story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2607099.stm

[Coot]

"Peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented," chanted the crowd, which gathered at a main square in the Turkish quarter of Nicosia.

The demonstrators demanded the resignation of Rauf Denktash, the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot Republic, who they accuse of blocking an agreement with Greek Cypriots.


Cyprus has been split into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a short-lived coup by supporters of union with Greece. The self-declared breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration is only recognized by Turkey, which maintains some 35,000 troops there.
I don't think this is the issue you're trying to make it. The North is only recognized as a state by Turkey and has the status of a breakaway state by the rest of the world.

The EU is saying reunite the island (which most of the people north and south want) or only the part that is not in rebellion and occupied by another country will be admitted.

[Sir Joseph]

In an unrelated article about UN resolutions regarding terror attacks, I read the following:
Ironically, the deletion was due not only to the 130 developing nations that removed "anti-Semitism" from this year's draft to begin with, but also to the EU. Behind closed doors, Arab states indicated they might accept the word's retention as a matter of specific study of the UN special rapporteur, so long as "anti-Arab" discrimination was also included. The United States and Israel had no objection, but the EU refused -- the same EU that claims to be protecting Arab interests against U.S. hegemony.
It was from yesterday's Globe and Mail.

[John]

Greece is actually Orthodox Christian, and It's not about religion, more about capitalism.

Here is a link to a site which contains the latest proposal for a new Cyprus, (one that can enter the EU) in pdf format. http://www.kypros.org

[ethics]

Thanks Kennedy, and welcome to the forum. :)

[John]

Thanks!

[Robert Harris]

Welcome Kennedy, and welcome to Europe.