Io non so se son vallacchi o se turchi son costor

L'amore per la verità, e la passione per Cipro, mi hanno fatto scoprire questo Rino Cammilleri che scrive anche per il Giornale. Il Camilleri è uno che appartiene alla banda di quelli tipo Socci, Magdi Allam e Quagliariello che quotidianamente, e giustamente, ricordano ai cristiani, anche se forse si dovrebbe dire cattolici, che i loro "correligionari" soffrono persecuzioni terribili e infinite in molte zone del mondo, denunciando l'inerzia che caratterizza la politica di molti "occidentali" che si preoccupano più di non offendere l'Islam piuttosto che far qualcosa per i propri "simili".

Le persecuzioni e discriminazioni contro i cristiani esistono tanto in Medio oriente e buona parte del Mediterraneo quanto in buona parte dell'Asia e informarne per chiamare la politica alle proprie responsabilità è opera utile. Quando però, come nel caso di Allam, queste denunce servono per gettare benzina sul fuoco, o nel caso di Cammilleri per mistificare storia e presente, occorre iniziare a preoccuparsi perché da questo tipo di attenzioni è del tutto assente la "carità cristiana" nei confronti della verità e quindi presente un'agenda che con le persecuzioni ha poco a che fare.

Qui sotto un pezzo a quattro mani scritto con Maurizio Turco che risponde ad alcune "inesattezze" del Cammilleri apparse sul Giornale il 22 agosto circa i turchi di Cipro, miei novelli compatrioti, che dovrebbe essere pubblicato dal Giornale uno di questi giorni.

Il Muro di Cipro visto dalla parte turca

Di Maurizio Turco e Marco Perduca*

Rino Cammilleri ha ragione a ricordare, nel suo intervento sul Giornale del 22 agosto, che all’interno dell’Unione europea esiste ancora un muro e si trova sull’isola di Cipro; il problema è che la cosiddetta “linea verde” che taglia l’isola da nord a sud non separa tanto l’Europa dalla Turchia, bensì esclude 260mila turco-ciprioti dal pieno godimento dei diritti civili, politici, economici, sociali e culturali che invece sono riconosciuti senza problemi agli abitanti greci dell’isola mediterranea.

Sicuramente quasi mezzo secolo di storia di qualsiasi paese è difficilmente riassumibile in poche righe, specie se si tratta di una storia come quella di Cipro che è caratterizzata da un complesso processo di decolonizzazione e convivenza di comunità prontamente diverse. Le cose si complicano se, nel ricostruire il contesto storico-politico dell’isola si fa economia del fatto che la Grecia dei colonnelli ha giocato un ruolo centrale per minare il fragile compromesso federalista della Costituzione cipriota del 1960 e imporre governanti filo-Atene a forte caratterizzazione fondamentalista religiosa e ultra-nazionalista nel tentativo di hellenizzare l’intera isola tanto da provocare un intervento militare turco del 1974.

Da qualche giorno, dopo mesi se non anni di silenzio, si riparla finalmente di Cipro. Infatti, grazie prima al Riformista e poi il Giornale, si rincorrono notizie relative a presunti maltrattamenti subiti dall’arcivescovo di Cipro Chrysostomos per aver tentato di ufficiare una messa nel monastero di San Barnaba presso la città di Famagosta, o Gazimaguza che dir si voglia, sulla costa meridionale della parte nord di Cipro trasformato in museo di icone cristiane a seguito dell’intervento turco del ‘74. Sicuramente, se vero, si tratta di un episodio condannabile – e ampiamente condannato - ma come avrebbero reagito i guardiani di un museo italiano di fronte a una situazione simile? Non avrebbero forse chiamato la polizia come del resto hanno fatto i turco-ciprioti? Certo, per le agenzie che hanno ripreso le rimostranze del greco la polizia turco-cipriota viene denominata milizia armata, ma questo perché la Repubblica turca di Cipro nord non è riconosciuta da nessun paese al mondo, tranne la Turchia – quindi, indipendentemente dalla qualità del loro operato vanno considerate illegittime, se non illegali, e quindi paragonabili a bande armate qualsiasi.

Cammilleri si meraviglia inoltre del fatto che per entrare in un museo istallato all’interno di una chiesa cristiana i cristiani stessi debbano pagare per entrare, perché, forse una simile situazione non si presenta a tanti cattolici italiani che vogliono visitare chiese come quella di San Polo a Venezia, già potenza coloniale a Cipro, non devo forse fare lo stesso?

Tenuta presente la complessità della situazione politica generale dell’isola, nonché il fatto che comunque si tratta di zone che, seppur accessibili a chiunque, non si trovano sotto il diretto controllo del Governo greco-cipriota riconosciuto, forse sarebbe stato meno provocatorio (e più cristiano?) tenere la funzione religiosa nel Monastero dell’Apostolos Andrea, sito nella punta estrema dell’isola nella parte turca, e luogo tra i più sacri per i greci ortodossi perché costruito sopra una sorgente d’acqua ritenuta benedetta come quella di Lourdes. Forse non si voleva far sapere alla diaspora greco-cipriota che dal 21 al 23 agosto si è ritrovata a Nicosia le pessime condizioni in cui si trova il luogo sacro per dissidi interni tra gli architetti greco-ciprioti e la parrocchia che hanno fatto volatilizzare i finanziamenti promessi dalle Nazioni unite per un restauro strutturale…

Ma perché questo improvviso interesse per l’isola? Forse perché è previsto per i primi di settembre un incontro tra i presidenti delle due repubbliche cipriote per riprendere il cammino negoziale, rifiutato dalla parte greca con un voto negativo al cosiddetto Piano Annan nel 2004? O forse perché nei prossimi mesi si dovrà riaffrontare la questione della Turchia nell’Unione europea?

A giudicare dalle conclusioni di Cammilleri sembrerebbe quasi che tutto questo rumore cipriota abbia come destinatario finale la Turchia, definita forse affrettatamente, come un paese governato da un partito islamico intenzionato (membro osservatore del Partito Popolare Europeo!), infondo, a esportare la sharia. Sicuramente anche grazie a quell’esercizio democratico che si chiama elezione presidenziale, le richieste turche di piena membership europea torneranno a suscitare l’attenzione dei commentatori, occorrerebbe far lo sforzo di considerare la questione nel suo perimetro politico tenendo presente la prospettiva di democratizzazione e pacificazione del Mediterraneo orientale che l’inclusione della Turchia potrebbe facilitare.

Conoscere a fondo può sempre aiutare a deliberare, ed è per questo che il 20 luglio scorso ci siamo recati a Lefkoşa per vedere di persona i frutti della “occupazione militare turca” di Cipro nord. In una settimana di incontri con le autorità locali abbiamo scoperto che, grazie ad Ankara, i turco-ciprioti sono riusciti a sviluppare istituzioni pienamente democratiche, laiche e tutt’altro che al guinzaglio dell’esercito turco. Prima di lasciare l’isola abbiamo chiesto la cittadinanza della Repubblica turca di Cipro nord, perché riteniamo che i cittadini di un paese che esiste e funziona democraticamente e laicamente, pur nell’isolamento a cui lo condanna l’embargo internazionale e le promesse non mantenute dell’Unione europa, il cui territorio fa parte dell’Ue abbiano il diritto di poter vivere con quella pienezza di diritti che si ritiene essi violino.

*) Maurizio Turco, deputato della Rosa nel Pugno e Marco Perduca, Vicepresidente del Senato del Partito Radicale Nonviolento Transnazionale e Transpartito, cittadini della Repubblica Turca di Cipro Nord

Arrestato per furto di banda larga

Mi segnalano in un posto quel che succede in Gran Bretagna e che io son uso fare dove posso "un uomo sfrutta una connessione wireless altrui e la polizia lo porta in carcere". Se in effette le cose fossero andare in questo modo ci sarebbe da iniziare a rileggere questi 10 anni di blairismo con lenti meno appannate dall'entusiamo per il New Labour "liberista"...

More Drugs

On 20 August last, Professor Arnold Trebach, again a dear friend and member of the General Council of the Transnational Radical Party, published an Op-Ed in the Washington Times, a daily that does not necessarily embraces anti-prohibitionism as a possibility, entitled "Fatal Alliance".

Arnold ends his piece quoting from his latest book "Fatal Distraction," where he went over all the evidence that "proved the war on drugs was indeed a fatal distraction". By that he means that "the drug war has never worked and now diverts limited resources from combating more deadly menaces — bombs, not bongs. Today, in the Drug Enforcement Administration alone, a total of 10,891 federal officials are employed to save us all from drugs — usually marijuana — at an annual cost of $2.5 billion. It is high time in this perilous era that we say to these dedicated officials in the DEA and in hundreds of other police agencies that we as free citizens accept the personal responsibility to save ourselves and our families from drugs (and red meat, alcohol and tobacco). You focus attention on dealing with the new threats emanating from the jihadists who want to destroy us".

can be bought here

The Global War on Drugs Can(not) Be Won

My friend Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of the U.S.-based Drug Policy Alliance, makes the cover of Foreign Policy arguing (yet again) for the legalization of drugs. "It’s always dangerous when rhetoric drives policy" he says "and especially so when 'war on drugs' rhetoric leads the public to accept collateral casualties that would never be permissible in civilian law enforcement, much less public health. Politicians still talk of eliminating drugs from the Earth as though their use is a plague".

Worst of all, those politicians, sell their "war" to the public as an urgent enterprise to fight evil if their are conservative, or as a necessary campaign for the welfare of mankind if they are progressive.

In Europe that "war" is fought in a different way and there are timid moves towards a different kind of scenario, but we are still in continent that does not consider legalization a possibility. At the beginning of September the European Parliament will discuss a proposal, tabled by MEP Marco Cappato on the medical use of Afghan opium. Here soon more news on the matter.

The Afghan tunnel

In openDemocracy.

Are the Neoconservatives Liberals?

The New Republic, once a supporter of the Iraq War, asks itself the question. The answer could be summed up with the last line of the piece that symbolizes what the NeoCons could use as their motto: "Complexity is weakness, dissent is treason, willpower determines all".

Chypre, La diplomatie des pieds?

Fifa et UEFA vont discuter des statuts des clubs chypriotes turcs

21.08.2007 14:16
La question du statuts des clubs chypriotes turcs, non reconnus par les instances du football internationales, vont faire l'objet de discussion en septembre à Zurich, a annoncé mardi la Fédération chypriote grecque de football (CFA).La réunion, prévue le 20 septembre, rassemblera l'Union européenne de football (UEFA) et la Fédération internationale de football (Fifa), la CFA et les représentants du football chypriote turc.Cette réunion est destinée à "examiner le statut des chypriotes turcs et comment la CFA peut les aider pour qu'ils aient plus d'occasions de jouer au football", a expliqué le président honoraire de la CFA, Marios Lefkaritis.M. Lefkaritis, également l'un des vice-présidents de l'UEFA, a souligné à l'agence chypriote CNA que "la seule fédération reconnue à Chypre est la CFA et aucune autre fédération ne le sera".Aucune décision ne sera prise "si la CFA n'est pas d'accord", a-t-il ajouté.M. Lefkaritis a rappelé que si les joueurs chypriotes turcs "veulent jouer au niveau international, ils doivent rejoindre la CFA", affirmant que la Fédération "accepte par principe l'intégration de clubs chypriotes turcs tant que leur demande satisfait les procédures légales".Chypre est divisée entre la "République turque de Chypre du Nord" (RTCN, reconnue seulement par Ankara) qui couvre 37% du territoire, et la République de Chypre (reconnue par la communauté internationale). L'île est divisée depuis l'intervention militaire turque de 1974 dans la partie nord, à la suite d'un coup d'Etat soutenu par la junte au pouvoir à Athènes et visant à rattacher l'île à la Grèce.Le football chypriote turc n'est pas reconnu par l'UEFA, et n'a guère l'occasion de briller en match international. La RTCN a remporté en juin 2006 un tournoi rassemblant des pays non reconnus par la Fifa, surnommé "l'autre Coupe du monde" en référence au Mondial-2006 organisé en Allemagne. (AFP)

More news from Cyprus

CYPRUS MAIL
Abramovich spokesman rubbishes north reports
Representatives of Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich categorically denied any links with the north of Cyprus yesterday, saying they would be looking at possible legal action over a report Abramovich was behind a property development near Kyrenia. “This is totally false,” said James Mann, a representative of Millhouse LCC, the public relations company managing assets on behalf of Abramovich and his partners. “We don’t know how it got started and we want it stopped,” he told the Cyprus Mail. “Not only do we not have projects in northern Cyprus, we don’t have any projects in Turkey either,” Mann told the Cyprus Mail. “We have no idea how these rumours got started but we will explore our legal options to stop whoever it is from doing it.”

Wednesday, August 22
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
“President” Papadopoulos says no preconditions for meeting with Talat
Papadopoulos said on Wednesday that the condition for his meeting on September 5 with Talat was that both sides would meet without preconditions. Speaking on the sidelines of a reception in honour of the delegates to the 15th congress of overseas Cypriots and commenting on Talat's remarks that he would attend the meeting without preconditions, Papadopoulos said ''this was the precondition of the meeting, that we are both going without terms and preconditions.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Millhouse dismisses reports of Abramovich investments in occupied areas
Head of Millhouse Public Relations John Mann has dismissed as ''entirely false'' reports in Turkish media that Roman Abramovich has invested in real estate project ''Chelsey Village'' in north Cyprus. ''On August 21, 2007, Turkish media reported that Mr. Roman Abramovich had invested in a real estate project entitled 'Chelsey Village' in northern Cyprus, as well as in the construction or acquisition of several tourist and residential properties in Turkey. These reports are entirely false,'' he says in a press release. Mann adds that ''neither Mr. Abramovich, Chelsea Football Club, nor any other affiliated company is in any way associated with Chelsey Village'' and that ''they are also not involved in any of the other projects named in these media reports, nor in any other properties in northern Cyprus or Turkey.'' ''We frequently battle with inaccurate stories in the press regarding Mr. Abramovich's supposed interest in various assets, from small properties to major corporations, all over the world. In the vast majority of cases, these stories are fabricated and serve no other purpose than to provide free publicity for projects, companies or properties associated with the sources of this information,'' Mann points out. In conclusion, he says that ''we will consider all of our legal options with regards to the sources of these reports.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
CEH welcomes proposed legislation calling for end of Turkish ‘occupation’
Leaders of the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) have described plans to introduce in the US Senate legislation calling for an end to the ‘Turkish occupation’ as ''another major American step to end Turkey’s occupation of Cyprus.'' The announcement of the plans was made on Tuesday by US Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). The bill says, Turkey’s pretext for ‘occupation’ ''has been refuted by over 13 million crossings by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots into each other’s communities without incident.'' “This Senate action by such a highly-regarded member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and member of the Senate Republican Leadership, respectively, will add considerable weight to a rapidly-growing American discontent with 42,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus, a member of the European Union,'' CEH says. The leaders of CEH noted that ''for some years, legislation addressing the Cyprus crisis in the Senate and House has had few advocates'' and that, given the greatly increased advocacy for Cyprus in America of late, it is anticipated that this Senate bill, as well as a recent House bill, ''will enjoy significant cosponsorship.''

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
(Greek) Cypriot FM hopes Turkish statements will be implemented
Marcoullis hopes that the Turkish Cypriot side will prove to be true to its words with regard to next month’s meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat. Speaking to the press, on the sidelines of a meeting of overseas Cypriots, Marcoullis expressed hope that statements by the Turkish Cypriot side will be implemented, so that the September 5th meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat will have substance and be effective. Answering questions on the issue, the Foreign Minister called for caution until the outcome of the Papadopoulos-Talat meeting is known. “We are monitoring the statements by the Turkish Cypriot side and truly hope that these will be implemented so that the 5th September meeting will have substance and be effective,” she added. “We want to see the working groups and the technical committees, as provided by the July 8 agreement and the Gambari procedure, begin operating,” she said. In other statements, Marcoullis said she is expecting the results of demarches by the Cyprus Permanent Representation in New York to the UN over Turkish moves in the village of Pyla, with regard to the supply of electricity in the area. She repeated that the issue is “very serious”, adding that all demarches were made to the highest possible level both here in Nicosia and in New York.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Portuguese FM to pay official visit to Cyprus
Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Filipe Marques Amado arrives in Cyprus on Thursday, on a two-day official visit. After his arrival, Amado, whose country holds the six-monthly rotating EU presidency, will attend a private dinner hosted in his honour by Papadopoulos. On Friday, he will have a meeting with Christofias and later on see Marcoullis.

US State Department
Daily Press Briefing: 22 August 2007
QUESTION: Could I ask you to comment on the political angle of the situation of the Cypriot Government's effort, initiative, which is a contentious issue with Turkey?
MR. GALLEGOS: Yeah. Yesterday, you did speak to me about an economic matter. Today, I want to clarify though that our policy on Cyprus has not changed. Moreover, the controversy -- this economic controversy that you talked about -- points to the need for all parties to focus on restarting the UN's Good Office's Mission to forge a comprehensive Cyprus settlement that reunifies the island in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. The next step should be to implement the agreement brokered by Under Secretary General Gambari July 8th, 2006. Final settlement will enable all Cypriots to benefit from the island's resources.

Canaio radicale

I radicali si scalmanano sui cani rumeni...

Temperature heating up in Cyprus

PRESS SUMS FROM ENGLISH-LANGUAGE AGENCIES AND PAPERS

NEWS
Tuesday, August 21
CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Overseas Cypriots reaffirm commitment to continue struggle for justice
Cypriots of the Diaspora reaffirmed once again their commitment to continue their struggle for justice for Cyprus and for the restoration of human rights and basic freedoms for all Cypriots. Addressing in Nicosia the opening ceremony of the four-day world conference of the Central Boards of PSEKA (International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus) and POMAK (World Federation of Overseas Cypriots), as well as the World Conference of NEPOMAK (World Federation of Young Overseas Cypriots), the leaderships of overseas Cypriots called upon all Cypriots to continue their struggle for vindication. POMAK President Haris Sofoklides noted that POMAK and PSEKA have been working for the success of the Cypriot government’s efforts to change the pro-Turkish positions of the governments of Britain and the US. “We confronted efforts to upgrade the pseudostate in Turkish occupied Cyprus and we continue the struggle against the advertisements of the pseudostate for holidays in our hotels, which the Turkish troops have taken away from the Greek Cypriots, as well as against the selling of Greek Cypriot properties, which are occupied by Turkish troops. We also continue to unveil the Turkish propaganda and lies for the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots”, he said. President of PSEKA Phillip Christofer expressed the view that “no solution and no plan can ever be acceptable, unless we are able to go back to the places we were born, unless the solution ensures the restoration of human rights for all Cypriots”. Addressing the conference, Archbishop Chrysostomos II called upon all Cypriots to unite in order to achieve a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Government: Cypriots to choose their leader
Palmas has stressed that the people of Cyprus have the first and the last say as to who will be elected President, in February’s elections. His comments come in response to a report by a Brussels-based think tank, the International Crisis Group (ICG), which maintains that Papadopoulos is ''an obstacle'' to a solution of the Cyprus problem and he must therefore be ousted. ''The people of Cyprus have the first and the last word with regard to the election of the President of the Republic,'' Palmas stressed. “I wish and hope that the position this think tank has adopted is not interpreted as a government conspiracy plot,” Palmas said, pointing out that what the report suggests is the ICG stance towards Papadopoulos. The government is not making up conspiracy plots, he added, and recalled that earlier media reports had talked about conspiracies, orchestrated by foreign circles with local help, to remove Papadopoulos from power. “I hope this latest example is not regarded as a set up,” he said. Palmas said that much has been said at times on such matters and more is certain to follow, on conspiracies against Papadopoulos. “When this specific think tank is saying that Tassos Papadopoulos is an obstacle to a solution in Cyprus, this is not a scenario but a concrete position,” he added.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
(Greek) Cypriot Foreign Ministry to grant all possible help to overseas Cypriots
The aim of the Foreign Ministry is to support POMAK and PSEKA by granting every possible assistance in implementing their pursuits, assured Erato Kozakou Markoullis, speaking before a gathering of overseas Cypriots in Nicosia. Addressing the delegates of the Central Councils of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) and the International Coordinating Committee-Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) who are meeting in Nicosia between 21-24 August, together with NEPOMAK (World Organisation for Young Cypriots) and the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Markoullis stressed the role that overseas Cypriots play in the struggle for a just solution to the Cyprus issue, a solution which will “reunify our island, our people, society, economy and the state’s institutions”. She said the role of overseas Cypriots in this struggle “has been valuable and has led to creating access and promoting our positions both at the European and US arenas”. Markoullis pointed out that due to the contribution of overseas Cypriots, “Cyprus remains firm in its strategic pursuit, serving its national interest and responding to the wishes of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, for peaceful co-habiting in our common homeland, without foreign intervention and interference”. She repeated that the Government remains committed to a Cypriot solution, which all the lawful residents of the island will embrace and which will comply with the principles of international law, the UN Security Council resolutions, the High Level Agreements and the fundamental principles of the EU”. The Foreign Ministry, said Markoullis, “is fully aware of the struggles undertaken by our overseas Cypriots to maintain and promote in their second homelands, our spiritual tradition and civilization. We are grateful to them because they pass on to the next generations the principles and values which derive from our long history, but also the language and the religion which are the cornerstone of the Hellenic diaspora”. Appreciating the role and contribution of overseas Cypriots, she said the Foreign Ministry has announced measures to promote the role of their organizations and “our intention is to continue on this direction”.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Papadopoulos:good will and sincere desire at meeting with Talat
Papadopoulos said here today he would go to his September meeting with Talat with good will and a sincere desire to find ways to implement what had been agreed a year ago between the two, under UN auspices. He also said that he remains committed to a bizonal bicommunal federal solution which will be viable and functional, as this term is defined by the UN and the European Union, warning that any diversion from such a solution would lead to adventures and deadlock. In his address to Cypriots living overseas, who gathered here for their meeting, Papadopoulos called for concerted action and collective effort in their moves to promote a just and lasting settlement that would reunite Cyprus. “The process envisaged by the July agreement of last year is still alive and offers optimistic prospects. I look forward to my upcoming meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat on the afternoon of 5 September, to discuss practical ways to promote the implementation of the July 8th agreement, a year after it was signed,” he said. He noted that he could not prejudge the outcome of the meeting on the basis of the policy and the stance of the Turkish side so far but added: “The only thing I would like to say is that I will go to this meeting with all the good will and a sincere desire to find ways to implement what was agreed, in order to pave the way soon for substantive talks, on a new basis for a mutually acceptable solution in Cyprus.” He said that there was no other road towards a solution in Cyprus than peace talks and this has no room for experimentation, naive approaches, oversimplified positions or moves beyond the acceptable limits. The road to a solution, he continued, calls for “wisdom and responsibility, perseverance and boldness, faith and vision, in addition to courage to say no where you must and yes when necessary.” “The process of the July agreement was on course through our own initiative. This is not a minor process, it is one with substance, supported by the UN Secretariat, the five permanent members of the Security Council and the European Union. Promoting its full implementation will be a way out of the current disappointing stalemate, which would offer some hope,” he pointed out. Papadopoulos described the year ahead as “critical and decisive for Cyprus”, saying at times like this one has to handle the situation in a responsible and courageous manner, take wise and bold decision and have the ability to judge properly. “One wrong move or a wrong option would be fatal for Cyprus and Cypriot Hellenism,” he warned and welcomed the firm support by Greece in the efforts Cyprus is making to reunite the country. On the prospect for a solution, Papadopoulos said he is talking about a “compromise solution but not one that will divide the country.” “We are talking about a bizonal bicommunal federal solution, which will safeguard the human rights of all the legitimate inhabitants of our island, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots; a settlement that will reunite the country,” he said, noting that “our objective has not been, nor is it to close the question of Cyprus, in any kind of settlement, for the sake of the time that elapses.” A solution can be found tomorrow, he said, if what the Turkish side demands is accepted and warned that in such a case, the time factor would be met but the people of Cyprus would be condemned. A federal solution, he stressed, was the only possible solution under the circumstances. “The non solution of the question of Cyprus is certainly not a solution. However, a bad arrangement is not a solution either. A good solution is difficult because of the Turkish intransigence but not impossible,” he said. Addressing overseas Cypriots, he thanked them for all they do for their country, saying this is recognized by everybody and noting that their strength lies in unity and collective action. “The weight you carry and the political clout you exert can influence foreign governments and policies on Cyprus. Collectively and in an organized manner, you can play a more significant and effective role,” he told them, reminding them also that they must put Cyprus over and above any party affiliations or personal views. Concluding, he said that the government has kept all its promises to them and that it had never asked them to function as a mouthpiece for Nicosia nor had it demanded applaud and agreement with everything the government did or said. “I would like to believe that we have had a production dialogue and excellent cooperation, united by common goals, a common vision to see justice in Cyprus,” he added.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
House President: overseas Cypriots to focus on ending ‘occupation’
Christofias has called on Cypriots living abroad to focus their efforts on moves aimed at lifting what the Turkish Cypriots call isolation, attempts which have diverted attention from the continuing ‘occupation’ of part of Cyprus. In his address to the 15 World Congress of Cypriots overseas, he described them as “Cyprus’ best ambassadors”, saying that they are always ready to help out in the joint effort made by the government of the Republic and the Parliament. “As things stand at present in the question of Cyprus, we must focus our effort on tackling moves by foreign centres, which aim at changing the substance of the issue, from being a problem of invasion and occupation to one that has to do with ending the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots,” Christofias said. He wished Papadopoulos success in his forthcoming meeting with Talat. “The lapse of time since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the absence of a solution must not lead us to compromise with the de facto division of the country, nor must we be led to a solution whose content and quality are in doubt,” he stressed. He said a bicommunal bizonal federation is, under the circumstances, the only way out to overcome the continuing ‘occupation,’ reunite Cyprus and restore and respect human rights and the fundamental freedoms. Christofias assured delegates to the four-day meeting that the House will continue to support them, through its competencies, in dealing with problems they may be facing. The House, he added, through “parliamentary diplomacy” was trying very hard to promote the question of Cyprus and in that it has always found support and solidarity from overseas Cypriots. “We have to multiply our efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and through joint moves, we have to examine what further steps need to be taken in the countries of your abode, especially Britain where most Cypriots live but we must not neglect the US or the EU,” he concluded.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Bicommunal political party meetings positive, says Slovak Ambassador
Meetings of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties may not have produced concrete results so far, but the fact that party leaders are able to come together is already a positive step, said Slovak Ambassador to Cyprus Anna Turenicova. In statements after meeting General Secretary of the Ecologists- Environmentalists Movement and member of the House of Representatives George Perdikis, Turenicova said the Slovak embassy here will continue to organise such meetings, as it has done for the past several years. “I was encouraged to do so by many of the leaders of the political parties I had the opportunity to meet so far,” the new Slovak Ambassador said. She added that Slovakia is an honest broker and does not “have any special interests, we don't have any side intentions, we are just offering our good services, we offer our time, our experience and just want to create a space, a platform for the leaders of the political parties to come together and to discuss the issues they agree on.” “One might say that so far they (the leaders) have not seen any concrete result of these meetings. Well, it's up to the leaders of the political parties but according to my opinion even the fact that they are able to come together, that they are able to sit at one table is already a positive step,” she pointed out. The Ambassador also said that “there are many good ideas, many good suggestions and proposals and maybe one of them will be agreed by all the leaders and they will come one little step forward.” In his remarks to the press, Perdikis said that the two examined ways to revive the meetings, adding that he handed to Turenicova the proposals which his movement had submitted during previous meetings of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties, such as the demilitirisation of Nicosia. Perdikis stressed the need that these meetings produce results, adding that they have degenerated to social meetings. The next meeting of the leaders or representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties is scheduled for 19 September.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
(South) Cyprus to file a protest at UN
(South) Cyprus is to make strong demarches to the UN over Turkish moves in the village of Pyla, with regard to the supply of electricity in the area. (Greek Cypriot) Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis said she had given instructions to Cyprus Permanent Representation in New York to make strong representations to the UN about the situation in the village of Pyla. A press report by Greek-Cypriot daily “Phileleftheros” said today that the Turkish Cypriot regime is trying to create a new status quo in Pyla by intercepting electricity by the Cyprus Electricity Authority and by threatening Greek Cypriots who live in the community. A UN officer, to whom Greek Cypriot Pyla residents had complained, is said to have asked them not to approach as specific location because the Turkish army had warned it would fire against anybody, the report said. “We have made repeated representations here, both through the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic and the Foreign Ministry,” Marcoullis said. She added that she had given instructions to Cyprus’ Permanent Representation to the UN to make strong representations at the highest possible level to the UN. “This is a very serious issue, which we follow very closely. The Turkish threats not only against the people of Pyla but also against members of UNFICYP, serving here. These are serious problems which we must tackle with the necessary gravity,” she added.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
FM dismisses Turkish claims
Marcoullis has called on Turkey to withdraw its ‘occupation’ troops from the island and stop chasing ghosts. The Minister’s remarks come in the wake of Turkish claims that Greece had supplied the National Guard, the Republic’s armed forces, with US-made weapons and military hardware. “This is a myth and has no spec of truth nor is it serious,” Marcoullis said. Turkey, she pointed out, “and in particular the Turkish army, instead of trying to find ways to withdraw its occupation troops from Cyprus immediately, as UN resolutions stipulate, it is dealing with ghosts,” she added. Turkish media had reported that Cyprus has acquired US weaponry through Greece, which is a NATO member.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
Papadopoulos-Talat meeting to help implement July agreement, says Palmas
The aim of the Greek Cypriot side is to create preconditions that would help implement a UN-brokered agreement in July last year, with a view to make positive steps towards progress for a settlement, Palmas said. On a meeting in early September between Papadopoulos and Talat, Palmas had this to say: “we must not raise expectations; these should be limited and the tone of the meeting low.” “What we are aiming at is to create preconditions and the right climate to implement the July agreement, which was brokered between the UN and the leaders of the two communities,” Palmas added. The government, he went on to add, believes that positive steps can be taken within the context of this agreement which, he pointed out, is the only agreement before the two communities at present, following the rejection of a UN-proposed solution plan in April 2004. Responding to questions about strict deadlines and arbitration, relating to negotiations for a settlement in Cyprus, he said if the Turkish Cypriot side adopts a positive approach, this should be proven in practice. Palmas said the Greek Cypriot side was the first to raise the issue of talks without arbitration and tight timetables, noting that if Talat appreciates and understands that “these should not return, then this is positive”. He Spokesman said that the basis of the negotiations has been set and efforts towards a solution should be made within this framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution. The July agreement, he noted, contains many elements which could help make headway towards an overall settlement of the Cyprus issue. “Our position is crystal clear. We begin on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation,” he stressed. As far as the Annan plan is concerned, Palmas said that it belonged to the past, adding “the Annan Plan, as it is, was rejected by the Cypriot people and the verdict of the people of Cyprus should be respected and being the political leadership, the government has a duty to align ourselves with this position”. On the prospects for a successful meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat, he recommended that “we should maintain a down to earth approach, taking always into consideration the past as far as various meetings are concerned.” He also noted that Papadopoulos had never refused a meeting with Talat or said that meetings with him are not useful. “What the President had said is that these meetings should have a specific agenda and specific purpose if there is a chance to achieve something at a practical level through such meetings. The purpose of the exercise should not be to merely have a meeting for the sake of having one or for public relations purposes,” he explained.

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
(South) Cyprus FM and Russian official discuss Cyprus question
The Cyprus question, relations between Russia and Cyprus and between Russia and the European Union as well as other international issues were discussed during a meeting Tuesday between Marcoullis and Russia’s Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizov. Commenting on developments in the Cyprus question, Chizov expressed his interest in Cyprus but refrained from any comment, noting his current post does not entitle him to make any remarks on such matters. “Any developments in the Cyprus question will have a particular significance for the fate of this country, but also for the general situation in this part of the world,” he added. Asked about oil exploration in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, Chizov said that although he has no competency on this issue he is aware of the latest developments. He said that this issue has a political, economic and technological aspect, noting that it is not easy to carry out search at sea area around Cyprus and particularly to exploit undersea deposits as the sea is quite deep. “But there are companies, including Russian ones, with the potential to do just that,” he added. Chizov said he discussed with Marcoullis a broad spectrum of issues relating Russia-Cyprus relations, not only the bilateral ties but also Russia’s links with Cyprus as an EU member. He said Marcoullis briefed him on developments in the question of Cyprus. “We always see the Republic of Cyprus as a friend of Russia, within the EU and outside the Union. That is why it was a very interesting discussion and we shall continue these contacts,” he added. Marcoullis said that they had a very warm and interesting meeting and described Chizov as a friend of Cyprus. “We had a very interesting discussion, a very friendly talk on many issues of mutual interest,” she noted and added that they discussed about the latest developments in the Cyprus question, issues concerning relations between Russia and the EU and also other international matters in a very friendly and constructive climate “which confirms once again the excellent relations between out two countries and out two peoples.”

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
FIFA, UEFA and CFA to discuss status of Turkish Cypriot football clubs
The status of Turkish Cypriot football clubs will be discussed during a meeting on September 20 in Zurich, between the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA), the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and the Turkish Cypriots. UEFA Vice President and honourary CFA President Marios Lefkaritis told CNA that the aim of the meeting ''is to examine the status of the Turkish Cypriots and how we at CFA can help the Turkish Cypriots have more opportunities to play football.'' He pointed out that ''the only football federation in Cyprus is CFA and no other federation will be recognised.'' Replying to questions, Lefkaritis said the meeting's agenda was open, noting however that no decision can be taken ''if CFA does not agree.'' Lefkaritis said CFA has never prevented the Turkish Cypriots playing football but reminded them that ''if you want to play football on an international basis, then you must join CFA.'' ''CFA's principle is to accept the membership of Turkish Cypriot clubs, as long as they apply and pass through all legal procedures. CFA has never refused to register a Turkish Cypriot club,'' he concluded.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
Question Taken at Daily Press Briefing of August 20, 2007
Question: The Republic of Cyprus has recently announced a partnership to obtain oil and gas exploration licenses in the Mediterranean Sea. What is the United States’ position on Cyprus’ request for bids? Is a US-based company among the bidders? Does the US company need to consult with the U.S. government before submitting its bid?
Answer: The Republic of Cyprus (ROC) has announced the results of bids to obtain oil and gas exploration licenses in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. An American firm is among the bidders. The ROC is a sovereign nation with the right to request bids for oil exploration within its own economic zone. The involvement of U.S. firms in such investment is a business decision.

MOIGE Moighe!

Moighe: imperativo presente del veneziano "ti ghe ea moi", smettila
MOIGE: MOvimento Italiano GEnitori.

insomma questi timorati di Dio non vogliono che Mediaset faccia vedere "Eyes Wide Shut" in prima serata. "Non si capisce proprio - si legge nella nota del Moige - perché voler a tutti i costi abusare dell'emotività dei minori. Si sperava forse di poter contare sulla distrazione estiva di quanti si battono per la tutela dei minori per propinare l'ennesima replica?". La questione, sottolinea il movimento dei genitori, non riguarda "il merito artistico" dell'opera: ma un film come questo "pieno di immagini inquietanti, orgiastiche, nudi e abuso di sostanze stupefacenti non è certo adatto ad un pubblico di minori".

Come se i telegiornali di questa estate fossero simili a quei film horroro degli anni Settanta!

Da che pulpito mi viene questa predica

ortodossa.

From the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Mr. Hasan Ercakica

The Greek Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Erato Kozakou – Marcoullis is maintaining her statements provoking Turkey and creating tension in the region. Refusing to change her attitude in spite of the warnings of Turkey, Mrs. Marcoullis continued to poison the environment by issuing new statements yesterday.

It is evident that one of her targets is the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side has, for a long time now, been striving to communicate to the world that as soon as the Turkish Armed Forces leave the island a settlement will automatically be reached.

It should be underlined that, unless lasting peace is reached on the island, Turkish Cypriots’ need for security and therefore, for the Turkish Armed Forces will continue. The fact that Turkish Armed Forces keeps a deterrent force in Cyprus which has the duty of maintaining peace and security of the Turkish Cypriots along with peace on the island is a necessity arising due to the policies employed by the Greek Cypriot side. The attacks against the Turkish Cypriots and the conditions they were made to live in during the times when there was no such force in Cyprus are well known by everyone.

Today, there is no guarantee that the Greek Cypriots, who still claim to be the sole government of the island, might not spend efforts to spread their so called sovereignty to the north by force when Turkish Armed Forces are not present. Considering that every state who claims to be sovereign might make use of force, we can easily say that, provided that Turkish Armed Forces leave the island, the Greek Cypriot side will immediately attempt to occupy the north.

Taking these facts into consideration, it can easily be understood that if the Turkish Armed Forces leave the island, it will not contribute to the peace efforts but on the contrary, to a new chaos or even a new war. Therefore, it can be stated that the fact that Greek Cypriot side is attacking the Turkish Armed Forces does not serve to the efforts of peace. On the contrary, it conceals the real reasons of the problem and supports the stalemate.

Hereby, it should be reminded once again that by accepting the comprehensive settlement plan in 2004, Turkey has promised and approved to remove its army from the island. If, according to the statements of Marcoullis, the only authority to decide on the Cyprus problem is the Turkish Army and it has no intention of leaving the island, how can this stance employed by Turkey during the referendum period be explained? Although this is a clear indication of the fact that Turkish Army is in favor of peace and settlement, it has no obligation to prove itself. On the contrary, it is the Greek Cypriot side, who poses a continuous source of tension and tries to usurp the rights of Turkish Cypriots on all occasions, that has to prove that it is in favor of peace and settlement.

Another fact that Marcoullis and other Greek Cypriot leaders have been trying to conceal is the presence of Greek army on the island. It is estimated that there are 7000 Greek soldiers on the island today. The Greek soldiers who secretly arrived in the island in 1964 and some of them had o leave the island after the 1967 dated attacks in Gecitkale and Bogazici, also took part, under the command of the Greek junta, in the coup organized to annex the island to Greece in 1974. However, the Turkish soldiers have intervened to the island in line with Turkey’s rights arising from 1960 Agreements to end the attacks against the Turkish Cypriots and to avert ENOSIS. The difference between the two military forces should be taken into consideration.

Tanti cognomi

vorran pur dir qualcosa, no?

More "News" from the Mediterranean Front

NEWS

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

POMAK President believes 2007 congress most important yet

President of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK) Charis Sophoclides believes that this year's POMAK congress is perhaps the most important of recent years, as it coincides with a transitional period for the Cyprus problem. In an interview with CNA London correspondent Kyriacos Trioupras, Sophoclides points out that this period is transitional in that the meeting of Papadopoulos with Talat may pave the way for the creation of preconditions for a Cyprus settlement. Sophoclides also makes an assessment of POMAK's role in the enlightenment effort regarding the Cyprus problem, saying it is satisfactory, adding that more could be done to solve the problems of overseas Cypriots. ''I consider the role of the overseas Cypriots' movement satisfactory regarding the first and utmost sector of its activities, that of the enlightenment effort on the Cyprus problem,'' he said. He pointed out that the rejection by the Greek Cypriot community of the Annan plan was followed by a period of iciness between the federations of Cypriots abroad and the governments of the countries they live in. ''However, this phase was gradually overcome and we are now on solid ground,'' he added.

REUTERS

Turkish plane hijacker trained by al Qaeda: reports

One of two men who hijacked a plane heading for Istanbul from northern Cyprus was trained in camps run by al Qaeda militants and planned to flee to Afghanistan, Turkish media reports said on Monday. The two hijackers surrendered and released their hostages after forcing the Atlas Jet plane to land in southern Turkey on Saturday with the threat of a "bomb" which turned out to be modeling clay with wires attached. Officials said the pair had demanded to be taken to Tehran. Broadcaster CNN Turk said on its Web site the two had met in northern Cyprus a year ago and their ultimate goal was to reach Afghanistan and join al Qaeda. It quoted police officials in the southern city of Antalya as saying one of the hijackers was Turkish and the other an Egyptian born in Cairo in 1974, who had received training in al Qaeda camps. It did not specify where the camps were. Newspapers carried similar reports. Previous reports have said one of the hijackers was a Syrian passport-holder, thought to be Palestinian. The plane was hijacked as it brought 136 passengers from northern Cyprus -- a destination popular with Turkish and foreign tourists -- to Istanbul. One of the hijackers had tried to force the cockpit door open 15 minutes after take-off and told passengers he was a member of al Qaeda. Most passengers were quickly released or escaped through emergency exits but six crew and passengers were held hostage until the hijackers surrendered about five hours after forcing the plane to land.

Sunday, August 19

CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

(Greek Cypriot) Foreign Ministry condemns hijack of Turkish aircraft

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus condemned the hijacking which took place on August 18th, 2007 on an aircraft of the Turkish private airline Atlas – Jet and pointed out that Tymbou (Ercan) airport does not conform to the international safety regulations. In an official announcement issued on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry points out that “the flight of the Turkish private airline Atlas - Jet heading to Istanbul, departed from an illegal airport located in the area which is occupied by the Turkish troops and which is not under the control of the legal Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus”. The Foreign Ministry also stress that “the fact that the operation of the illegal Tymbou airport does not conform to the international safety regulations or to the Civil Aviation Regulations, since it operates in an illegal secessionist entity, has repeatedly been pointed out by the Republic of Cyprus to all international organizations as well as to the international community”. Furthermore, the Ministry says that ‘all legal entrance and exit points of the Republic of Cyprus operate under complete safety’ and in accordance with the international air navigation regulations on the basis of International Conventions which have been signed by the Republic of Cyprus.

SUNDAY MAIL

Plot thickens over missing Christakis

The man located in Turkey that could yet turn out to be missing Cypriot Christakis Georgiou agreed to a DNA test after being visited by a journalist from Politis, the paper said yesterday. Georgiou was taken to Turkey in 1974 at the age of five to be treated for a bullet wound to the leg and was never seen again. In its continuing series of articles on the mystery of whether Hakan Kutevu is Georgiou, Politis travelled to Adana last March.There, journalist Andreas Paraschos met Kutevu, his wife Fatos and two children, Mert 16 and Iliada 9 and discussed why they thought he might be Georgiou. Kutevu recounted how Mert, his son had seen a picture of Georgiou in the Turkish mainland newspaper Sabah and wondered why a photo of his father as a child had been published. Comparing the two photos, one of five-year old Georgiou and the 39-year old Kutevu, there is a strong similarity. At home, the family compared the Sabah photo with others of Kutevu as a child and then read other details about Georgiou, particularly the knee injury, and they concluded there might be something to the story. That was when they first made contact with Politis. Kutevu told Paraschos no one in his family had even been able to explain to him how he had gotten the scars on his leg. He also said he had memories of lots of doctors and nurses, and of being taken in a helicopter. Kutevu showed his scars to Paraschos who was able to establish from the details Georgiou’s family had of his injury, that they matched. Asked if he had discussed anything with his mother, Kutevu said he had asked her several times in the past what had happened to his leg, and about the memories or the doctors and nurses and the helicopter, but had never received an adequate answer. He also does not remember his father, who he was told died when he was two years old. Paraschos discussed with Kutevu the possibility of a DNA test. He agreed on the condition he was given some time to discuss it with friends and family and to work out what sort of affect it would have on his life and his family if it turned out positive. They agreed to meet again. However in the meantime Paraschos while still in Turkey was due to meet a Turkish doctor, whose name was given to him by Georgiou’s mother before he left Cyprus. The paper said it would continue the story tomorrow. Since early this year, Politis has been pursuing leads in Turkey after a retired Turkish corporal who said Georgiou had been brought to Turkey alive and not seriously injured with a bullet to the leg. He believes Georgiou is still alive. Georgiou’s mother was told a number of times in 1974 and 1975 that he would be coming home but he was never brought back. Denktash said recently Georgiou had later died from his injuries, despite saying in 1975 that the boy was alive and in hospital in Turkey.

COMMENTARY

SUNDAY MAIL

The Asia Minor disaster by Loucas Charalambous

“One of the most inane arguments used against Yiannis Kasoulides is that, back in 2004, he had expressed the view that a rejection of a settlement by Greek Cypriots would be tantamount to an Asia Minor disaster. Though unable to find the actual transcript, I am prepared to accept that Kasoulides did make a statement to the effect that, in the event of a rejection of the Annan plan, the situation arising would be analogous to that of the Asia Minor disaster of 1922. I must say that I too have many times used in this column the example of the Asia Minor catastrophe in comparing it to the consequences of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus. And I agree with Kasoulides that these two events are comparable. In fact, proportionately speaking, the aftermath of the destruction in Cyprus was far more serious than that in Asia Minor, as I am about to argue below. But before moving on, I think it important to note Kasoulides’ unfathomable omission to respond to the silly accusations hurled by these clueless slogan peddlers. Unless I’m mistaken, the first person to have used this catchphrase was President Papadopoulos, who incidentally is well known for his ignorance of historical affairs but also for his obsession with twisting historical truth in relation to events in which he was personally involved, such as the bloody intercommunal clashes of 1963 (“How many Turkish Cypriots were murdered from 1964 to 1974? The answer is none.” – Papadopoulos, interview with the Khaleej Times, September 4, 2004. Correct answer: about 620.) But let’s get to the point. What was the result of the 1922 disaster? Some 1.4 million Greeks lost their property and were moved to mainland Greece, which at the time had a population of 3.5 million. In other words, the refugees amounted to 40 per cent of the host population. What were the corresponding figures in Cyprus? According to official data, there were 200,000 refugees out of the 500,000-strong Greek Cypriot population in 1974. That is, the refugees amounted to 40 per cent of the population that took them in, which is exactly the same percentage as in the case of 1922. Now, what were the results of the ‘No’ in the 2004 referendum? These people definitively lost their properties and remained in the south, just as the refugees of 1922 stayed in Greece. So where did Kasoulides go wrong, and where did he exaggerate? Proportionately speaking, was the outcome not the same? I also said, however, that by comparison the case of Cyprus is worse. This is because in 1922 the tragedy ended with the resettlement of the refugees, who from there on could live in their new homes in safety. But what about Cyprus? Do our refugees, or even non-refugees, live in safety? Certainly not. The ‘No’ of the referendum has left here two divisions of the Turkish army, and no one knows whether these troops shall one day reach Paphos, in which case 100 per cent of the population would become refugees. Moreover, because of the ‘No’, half of the refugees missed the chance to have their properties returned in Famagusta, Morphou and other areas. Even refugees hailing from other places lost the opportunity to reclaim part of their property or exchange these with Turkish Cypriot properties in the south or receive compensation, even if under a timetable. But the refugees of 1922 never missed these opportunities, as they were never asked to vote in a referendum. Also, one should bear in mind that the Greeks in Asia Minor comprised just 19.2 per cent of the population, whereas in Cyprus they made up 82 per cent. So who can deny that the case of Cyprus is comparatively far worse than that of Asia Minor, as far as its aftermath goes? Is it Kasoulides who is wrong, or rather Papadopoulos and the clueless demagogues who sarcastically tell him to apologise? Instead, it is they who should apologise for voting for partition, allowing the Turkish military to remain in Cyprus and for giving away Famagusta and Morphou to Turkey.”