Hi, im new to the forum, and i basically signed up to ask Turkish brothers a question about Cyprus.

The Greeks will probably call me ignorant, but as far as i am concerned the Turks won the War for Cyprus because they successfully occupied nearly half the Island

Now aside from international law and issues of legality, we all know deep down that Might is Right when it comes to War.

So my question is, why would Turks willingly give up North Cyprus by agreeing to a unification? or even contemplate the idea?

How does Reunification with Greek cyprus have any benefit for the Turks? (other then some minor trade benefits and nods of approval from Europe?)

I can see how it would benefit the Greeks, after all they get back what they lost in 1974, but by giving the land back you are effectively left with the same problems you have prior to '74 which led to the invasion!

Israel traded land for peace with Egypt, but here Greece and Turkey are effectively at peace anyway, so dont you think the Turks stand to lose more than gain by a reunification?

well one factor is is that many Turkish Cypriots (over 50%) originate from the south, and some want to regain their former properties.

also keep in mind that in 1974 Cyprus was in a very different stae than it is now.

the majority of GC's now no longer want union with Greece

No turkish cypriot under any plan will get any land back from the south so thats not really a reason to want unification. The only reason the TC are contemplating a solution is because its hoped with unification the economy of the north will get better and they will get richer. In terms of land the TC will only loose as they will have to give up what they got in 74 and those living in areas that will be returned to the greeks will have to have flats built for them elsewhere. Still the thought of entering the EU and becoming rich is the main driving force behind any TC acceptance of a peace plan.

As far as turkey is concerned, it will help the AKP with its attempts to join the EU and make it popular at home and turkey wont have to spend so much money in cyprus every year. Thats more or less about it.

I think it's a good question. I'd be curious to read what others would say to this as well.

First of all, Turkish Cypriots will definitely gain from unification. They've been living under a serious blockade for more than three decades now, with an economy dependent on aids from Turkey. Not to mention they'll become EU citizens immediately. For the older generation who have personal memories of past antagonisms, the cost of separation may look like a just price to pay, but definitely not for the youngsters [less than 40 years old or so, I guess].

But the question is "what's in it for Turkey"? I can't see other than two things. (1) EU pressure is important, 'cause when the speed of EU accession in contingent on the Cypriot issue (among other things), this is more of an incentive than just getting "nods from the EU". (2) Probably on a more important note, I'd say: Even if Turkey gains from the status-quo, it cannot go against the will of the Turkish Cypriot population in the long run, as this would totally alienate them from the "mainland". I have come to understand that Turkish Cypriots have very mixed feelings for Turkey; they strongly identify with her, but when they see an ultra-nationalist guy paint a Turkish flag on TRNC, or depict it as a district of Turkey, they'll get extremely offended [I am making generalizations here, correct me if I'm wrong].

What I mean here is that we can't understand this issue by putting Turks from Turkey & Cyprus in the same basket, & this means that Turkey will have to bow to the Turkish Cypriot interest over time.

If you lose the population & you've already lost the land, no matter what.

Anyway, this is what I think.

We are EU citizens already since the GC allow any TC to obtain a ROC passport. In exchange we didnt have to compromise on anything so its not really a gain. The only thing we could possibly gain from a unification is economically, theres absolutely nothing else -not that its a small thing but it really is what the whole situation is about concerning the TC's.

there is actually no laws stopping TC's from going back to their lands in the south right now i dont think. there was a case of a TC going back to his home in Limmasol a few years ago.

if there was reunification many TC's will probably just go to the south and sell the land they have there.

i doubt most young TC's would have a urge to settle there though.

It is possible for a TC right now to move back to the south, live there for six months i beleive and then ask the ROC for his/her land back even if their is a displace greek person living on it. That person in limassol who got his land back threatened to go to the EU human rights court which is why finally the attorney general gave in and let him go back to his land so chances are it wont be easy and will take a while. Having said that, in the event of a solution the TC's if they insist on a canton state will give up any rights they had before 74 to land in the south so they wont be able to sell anything or use that land.

Thankyou for your responses,

Although a word of caution to my Turkish Brothers.

If i was a Greek leader i know that i cannot defeat the Turks Militarily, so to get back Cyprus the best bet is to convince them to reunify with GC.

Once that stage is complete, a number of years down the line, convince the Cypriots that it is economically better for them to unify with Mainland Greece.

Now many of you may pro-*test*-('") at me saying this, but thats the way i see it.

If something like that did happen Turks would be a very bad situation, what option would they have? Pro-*test*-('") at UN? Pro-*test*-('") at EU? Invade Cyprus Again? That would be more difficult with it being considered part of EU, and further the whole episode could jeopardize Turkey's chances of securing EU membership for itself.

So think very carefully before considering Reunification, consider everything not just short term economic benefits.

Also Turks should look East also, TRNC can benefit from trade overseas, it does not have to depend on Europe. Tourism from Islamic world and Central Asia can be just as profitable if marketed correctly, and agriculture and manufacturing can penetrate easier in the East where it is easier to get established.

Anyway just some points to consider.

God Bless Turkey and TRNC, whatever future you choose for your people.

If you can explain why this is likely to happen & why it will be in the interest of Greece to pursue this strategy, your opinion would hold up. I don't think this step in your post can be justified, though.

This wouldn't be a scenario that would marginalize Turkey only. It would just mean we're back to square one (in fact, further back than square one). You start uttering the words "Enos.." & it'll be enough to give the chills to every Turkish Cypriot. This is likely to continue for many generations to come, unless identities are re-shaped or something in the next few hundred years, & who can really plan that far ahead, plus we have the global heating thingie to wipe us all out before then .

I agree with this part But let's change the soldier with a fiddler, it suits me better

Where are you from?

Hopefully, a country that is already in the EU and another country aspiring to join the EU will not go to war with each other again.

Lastly, Cyprus has already united with Greece by joining the EU.

1) As far as I or anyone else knows there is no Greek plan to 'defeat the Turks Militarily' just as there is no Turkish plan to defeat the Greeks militarily, an impossibility for Turkey btw.

2) Correct me if I'm wrong but at the moment there isn't a Greek Junta that's champing at the bit to assassinate the Greek Cypriot President and install a right-wing bastard son of a bitch Psychopath (step forward Nikephoros). We'll leave the right wing violence to the Turkish state.

1) Cyprus is in a better state economically than Greece or Turkey, why should it be in Cyprus' interest to 'unify' with either country.

2) It seems you like to spread the misconception that the Greek Cypriots obey the word of Greece, that may be the way the so-called 'government' of the puppet state does its business, but not the legitimate government of Cyprus.

3) Greece and Cyprus are already unified via the EU, along with France, Germany etc.

Really? Why didn't anyone think of that before?

Most serious attempts at overseas trade by the puppet state has been thwarted by Cyprus, and will continue as long as the puppets and their masters in Ankara don't play ball.

You and a small percentage of people might believe that Might is Right, however in the real world the catchphrase is 'Money talks'. In that respect Greece and Cyprus are well ahead of Turkey and its puppet.

But hey, you have a big army and one day you will be building your own tanks, so that's okay.

who is "you"?

its pretty obvious he isnt Turkish

I didn't think he was Turkish either (I guess he could be though).

Matters little to me where he's from. Who cares, unless he introduces himself & decides to hang out longer? Then it's part of the meeting ceremony.

wiset?rd, were u born a jackazz or did u become 1 when u fell of ur WC bowl?

if u wanna flame call DUKE_NUKEM-69 babeaa