Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

While still defining the removal of Turkish troops as a 'must' before there can be any settlement, the South has just announced the recruitment of 3,000 extra soldiers for their defence force.

That's likely to encourage the North isn't it?

Idiots!

Ah, but from personal experience, there are soldiers and then there are 'SOLDIERS.' However, agree the wrong message is being sent across.

More wages to pay from money they dont have.

Would it not be better to investigate what is proposed, rather than just fly off the handle? Read this first, then comment: http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/05/13/cabin ... l-soldier/ They are only doing what the UK has done before them! Trying to produce an overall reduction and save money whilst not reducing defense capability!

I have read the article and not only don't see your point I'm afraid but it left me even more concerned. The "armament programme for all 3 services"? And what about the 42 Russian main battle tanks they bought a few years ago - do you think they will share those with the North after the Turkish army has departed? And the new anti-aircraft missile systems they bought from Israel recently. After all they are in the EU now - why do they need all this stuff?

As to my original point, ask any of the soldiers who write here about the difference between national service conscripts and selected and trained professional soldiers. The UK stopped conscription years ago and there isn't one officer in the Britsh army who wants it back - they know that only professional soldiers can fight modern wars. However this is described, it is undoubtedly a significant strengthening of their capability.

Ok , point taken JBA, but look at the bigger picture, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypriot_National_Guard

The Greek Cypriots have already stated that there should be a removal of all "Foreign" troops from Cyprus.
That obviously doesn't apply to Greek Cypriots, but it most definitely does to Turkish troops.

JBA, let me take your points one at a time then, to try to help you understand. You appear to be concerned that the RoC are modernizing their existing defense forces, all the worlds military do this from time to time so why not the RoC. You are also concerned about the amount of defense equipment and manpower that the RoC has - If I was a Greek Cypriot and had lived through the initial intervention and subsequent invasion of my land by an opposing force, I would remain very concerned that the same opposing force (which can field 3 million troops on the ground) is a mere 150 mtrs away at all times. I would want an effective defense force of my own, without going overboard of course as that would simply lead to tension on both sides. Of course as you probably live under the safe umbrella of the Turkish Army (as do I) you can afford to question why the RoC needs a defense force at all!

There is a world of difference between conscripted forces and regular (professional) forces, you can not put them both in the same position. The UK did stop conscription and I do not believe that anyone in the UK armed forces would want it back again. Firstly there is nowhere to put them, secondly there are insufficient staff to train them, thirdly the defense budget could not afford to either pay, equip or feed them and lastly, based upon a three year conscription period, they are only of any use for a maximum of 12 months out of 36 as the first 12 months is training, the second is working and the last would be preparation to return to civvy street. A waste of time.

So now you/we can wait and see if the RoC will actually do what they have said: "The plan is based on a new force structure, redeployment and modernisation, armament programmes for all three branches – army, navy, air force – and recruitment of professional soldiers that would enable the government to cut the service by 2017." Overall it would be a reduction of manpower and a saving of defense budget without lowering their ability to defend themselves if required, a good plan, pity that the MOD never thought of it!

I am not in the slightest bit concerned if they are modernising their forces or not. I am concerned about the effect of such announcements on the re-unification talks coupled with the ongoing demand for the removal of all Turkish forces. And it seems I was right to worry - the TRNC Foreign Ministry have now issued the following statement:-

"The Greek Cypriot decision to recruit 3000 new military personnel when issues such as not having a military for the new partnership Republic to be established based on political and sovereign equality of the two peoples on the island, while maintaining the effective guarantee of Turkey are being negotiated, makes us question the Greek Cypriot side’s conviction for a solution and only serves the purpose of questioning the sincerity of the Greek Cypriot side towards a settlement. Furthermore, it is apparent that the said decision contradicts the statements made by the two Leaders regarding the possibility of reaching a settlement in the year 2016."

Every little thing that either side comes out with is a threat to re-unification, it is not re-unification that the RoC wants anyway and they appear to only pay lip service to the idea - imo. However, in the event that the RoC will sit and discuss a plan that both sides will agree to then both sides will require a defense force (apparently as then all the Greek soldiers and the Turkish soldiers will pack up and return to their homelands), what the RoC is doing is getting ahead of the game by establishing a professional and semi-permanent body of armed forces. The TRNC - as far as I am aware - already have a permanent defense force that is not Turkish Mainland Army. Both sides defense forces are supported by other people under conscription as well.

I have no doubt that the TRNC has concerns over what the RoC are doing but only because it puts the "Talks" under more pressure. We can only wait and see what happens next but for sure if the RoC has a turn around and keeps its defense force the same as it is now, then somewhere near their border a sparrow will fart and then they will have something else to complain about.