Disgusted

[rocking]

I really do despair of behaviour on this island. Ric Todd with the fancy name of British High Commissioner, who I class as a well paid "pen pusher" who is afraid to make a decision did not appear at the unveiling of the Police Memorial for British, Greek and Turkish officers who lost their lives here in Cyprus. At the same time no relatives of the Greek Cypriot families came over - their decision or someone else!!!!!!! To finish it off there was no representative of the Turkish Cypriot police, I find that disgraceful, why not? The Turkish Army were consulted when this memorial was envisaged so do not think they stopped police but if someone knows different would be pleased to hear the reasons. It was a great service and John Hughes-Wilson did a great job in commentating. There was by the way an Immam who entered into the service.

[Owl Lady]

Rocking. Why do you do you despair? The British High Commission has always been a spineless useless organisation on this island. Please don't do anything to upset the Bubbles!!Don't start me off!

[PapaBravo]

But in fairness, the High Commissioner is only carrying out the orders of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. That is where the real problem lies.

[rocking]

I know Owl Lady but would have been great if he just turned up as a member of the public more or less saying "up yours" these were men who gave their lives so that he could sit on his fat arse doing sod all and being paid very handsomely for it.

[sophie]

Rocking, we can see that you are aggrieved as are we all, but it should come as no surprise. The H.C has always been and always will be a load of holidays makers out on a jolly who have to suck up on a regular basis to the G.C. No-one with any backbone or respect would ever accept the job in the first place, its a political back water where has beens take up a position in order to spend their days until they retire. Anyone here who swans off to the endless cocktail parties held at the H.C. can see that for themselves, all paid for the by British tax payer I might add.

[puppylover]

Rocking....I agree!

All the names of the Greek police officers who died were named individually, their names were on the memorial wall, wreaths were laid in respect of them, chairs were reserved and a Greek translator on hand to translate the service and not one person turned up. How sad that politics obviously came into play without any consideration for those that died.

On a brighter note....what a fitting service for the 18 British, 25 Turkish Cypriot, 17 Greek Cypriot, I Maltese and 1 Maronite police officers who lost their lives between 1955-1959.

Lovely to see the 2 Chelsea Pensioners in their uniforms and medals.

[Panchocat]

Google the police memorial trust, key in Kyrenia police memorial and fill in the comments form. That way the complaints are being officially registered. I just did as I am totally disgusted with the FCO and the wimp of a high Commissoner. He could have, if he had so wished, attended the ceremony as a private individual.
Also saddened to read that the TRNC chief of police was absent!

[sophie]

Church service this am which was lovely (if that's the word) then the service at the memorial. In the region of 56 wreaths laid I think. Each year the number increases, and with every increase its a thumbed nose to down south and hopefully the useless H.C. will report back to London. The UK police were in attendance again, but sadly their wimpish bosses in the UK wouldn't allow uniforms. AS for the TRNC police chief not attending yesterday - words fail. Total lack of respect for the dead of all the countries involved, particularly their own. What is the matter with these people?

[Kanonier]

This may help to explain why Mr Todd stayed away:-


http://cyprusscene.com/2014/10/31/the-q ... -memorial/

[rocking]

Thank you Kanonier, please could everyone who feels disgusted forward this page to Downing Street vis e mail. I am also looking up UK papers, every little help. Just forward this page. You can all see I am still seething.

[jimm127]

Hope you read John Hughes-Wilson's article in Cyprus Today. It was a very scathing but as ever a balanced and responsible response to the situation. I feel it is this article that should be sent to Downing Street rather than a well meaning but painfully late response in the form of a petition which is already far to late to be acted upon, even if there was anybody there who would take any notice.

[Owl Lady]

Sophie it was a nice service especially at the British cemetery, good to see your old man looking so proud with all the other wreath bearers!

[fatsam]

Overseas High Commissioners have the responsibility to attend memorial services (round the World) as per strict protocol set by the home office / Ministry of Foreign Affairs & to a strict timetable / advance schedule.
Such event always liaised properly, Personally I don't believe the high commission neglect or ignored such important duties / important venue.
Reading the post carefully it seems to me that other valuable and important representatives were missing. where they invited? was the venue organised poorly?, perhaps there were few political mishaps leading to the venue to go ahead without the HC and others??

say no more
fatsam

[sophie]

fatsam, I suspect that if Brian Thomas and the rest of the RBL committee read your posting, after having worked tirelessly for months and months and now people are querying as to whether the venue was organised poorly, will be spitting blood. Everyone under the sun was invited (am talking the police service here) and places were allocated. For them not to attend is an insult to their own people who died. It appears to me that this was a war that the GC's are choosing to rewrite in history or are in total denial that it happened. Either way it won't work and we will certainly continue to remember.

[Owl Lady]

Fatsam I think you could be heading to WWW3 on this topic, be careful! I nearly started one over a recent AGM!!!

[tomsteel]

fatsam, I assume you are being helpful with your supposition of ...."was the venue organised poorly"..., rather than just being vindictive. However, did you attend any of the RBL organised events this year or any year here? Do you know any of the RBL organising committee? Have you posed your questions to that organisation rather than just give a public airing on the subject of the BHC, or any member of that Governmental cocktail-loving useless bunch, failing to show respect to injured/fallen British Service/Police personnel here?

On the subject of a certain expat organisation AGM - Owl Lady, how right you were to raise it. Disgusting affair with bully tactics winning control of a generally worthwhile organisation.

[PapaBravo]

On the subject of a certain expat organisation AGM - Owl Lady, how right you were to raise it. Disgusting affair with bully tactics winning control of a generally worthwhile organisation.

But they won! They played the long game and wait for everyone to forget what went on, and keep their positions on the Committee.

[fatsam]

RBL & Other organisations and the public worked hard to honour and remember the heroes and the victims are all the Ambassadors themselves "Ambassadors for Peace and Humanity". Publishing their efforts and support in all forms of media venues and publications also considered valuable.

Personally, I don't need a government official to honour "in memory of my dead brother WW2". I found the small group attending the service alongside me is equally satisfying. It would be a + bonus to have an official, personally I don't see it a must, and wont ruin my day.

I appreciate the anger and the disapproval showed by some "for the officials not attending such valuable venue", however, look at the event from a different angle. I salute each individual worked from behind the scenes to keep the memory of my brother and all the ones fought any war". Also saluting the public for attending., You are the HM representatives and the ambassadors wherever you go.

fatsam

p.s.
OWL Lady. trust me I am not a fool....
My good lady WW3 wont start by a normal person, only by a couple of fools. Thank you for the advice " point taken a board"