Do you agree with the BRS and the Turkish Ambassador?

[WotNoDeeds]

In "Cyprus Today", the BRS has said the prospective formation of a new commission to assess property claims on both sides of the border “has the potential to create absolute chaos should thousands of people start disputes over INDIVIDUAL properties”. The Turkish Ambassador, Derya Kanbay has said that the issue “cannot be dealt with like going to a vegetable market”. Going down the “individual” route doesn’t seem to be the way Turkey would approach the matter.
Do you agree with the BRS and the Turkish Ambassador? If not, what is the alternative?

[erol]

As I understand it from the scant information we have currently the proposed 'property commission' and the appeals of the 'property court' and ultimately the ECHR will be about deciding on which party between a current user and pre 74 owner gets priority if the desires of both are mutually incompatible. That has to be done on an 'individual case' basis. That is simply the fairest way. Whatever the outcome of that decision, the party who does not get their preferred choice will get compensation for their loss in the form of an alternate property or monetary compensation. Such compensation will be handled 'centrally' and not be down to individuals paying or swapping property with other individuals directly.

[Art]

I suspect in many cases this is not about the reclaiming of land or property its purley about compensation and unfortunately unless the government or the EU cough up the money there's going to be a lot of angry people.

[waddo]

I think the key word here is "Prospective". Both the BRS and the Turkish Ambassador like to be in the news. This is one way to get there - another way would be to say that we can not make any decisions until the full settlement has been published for all to see and understand. Even then it will be in the hands of the Cypriots, regardless of who else wants to moan and groan and complain about it. Everyone who bought property here knew exactly what "Could" happen if there was ever a settlement, there should be no cause for moaning when their fears are proved to come true.

Hard but that is life.

[WotNoDeeds]

Turkey seems to be approaching this from an overall territory aspect rather than individual claims - see http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2015 ... -on-cyprus.

To solve the property issue on an individual basis after a settlement would seem to be a recipe for disaster and the whole process might well drag on for another forty years. If Cyprus is to remain bi-zonal then most Greek Cypriots would need to accept compensation rather than have properties returned. Maybe in the present economic climate that's what most Greek Cypriots would prefer?

Kocans for exchange land were issued by the TURKISH Republic of Northern Cyprus. Is TURKEY going to pay any compensation?

[waddo]

Why should Turkey pay any compensation? The TRNC is not a part of Turkey anyway. That is like asking for Greece to pay compensation on behalf of the RoC. What would be fair is that all three Guarantor countries paid for the compensation to both halves of the Island. After all, two of those countrys sat back and did nothing so effectively, by not taking any action, they have brought about the current situation.

That will fall on stony ground for sure!

[DenizIsmail]

I have just come back from NC as had to go out there to see whether the villa I purchased in Alagadi from a TC who had been given land in exchange for land they lost in SC to see whether the work required had been completed. Obviously I am now very concerned with the Cyprus Solution situation. When I purchased the villa last year there was no mention of a settlement? I am praying that things do not change. My parents are like Soner's they imigrated to UK in 1956 for a better life however my parents never forgot their roots and where they came from. My late father was totally against living with GC again as he always said they just like ruling us and there was too much blood shed in 1974 for us to go back to what was in 1960.

[Groucho]

I have just come back from NC as had to go out there to see whether the villa I purchased in Alagadi from a TC who had been given land in exchange for land they lost in SC to see whether the work required had been completed. Obviously I am now very concerned with the Cyprus Solution situation. When I purchased the villa last year there was no mention of a settlement? I am praying that things do not change. My parents are like Soner's they imigrated to UK in 1956 for a better life however my parents never forgot their roots and where they came from. My late father was totally against living with GC again as he always said they just like ruling us and there was too much blood shed in 1974 for us to go back to what was in 1960.

I think you should not hope for things to stay as they are.... but I can see that it has thrown a measure of doubt into your mix. In the end it will either happen or not happen but I think things have moved on from the position where those with properties either side need fear change. It now seems that both sides are looking at compromise rather restoration of old rights which would be to the detriment of both communities - a sense of realism has overtaken the old narratives based on self-declared victim-hood.

The offices and organs of the European Union and the ECHR will ensure that whatever happens it won't be based on some cloud-cuckoo vision of Cyprus being a Greek island... which it isn't and never has been - and those who think otherwise need to revisit their history...

[jacob]

Groucho, you may be right, I fear you will be wrong, the GC's will take over again, it's in their blood, they still think of the whole of Cyprus as theirs and the TC's as an inconvenience that will be tolerated for a while. If anyone looks on Government web page on TRNC, it has always advised against buying. The GC's hold all the ace cards. I feel very sorry for anyone other than a Cypriot that owns anything there.

[cathywallen]

Won't there be a referendum? And would the Turks and Turkish Cypriots really at this point make a yes
vote?
Is it possible for the political parties to push through the unification without a referendum or if there is a no vote?
It all sounds so certain in the news.

[Groucho]

Groucho, you may be right, I fear you will be wrong, the GC's will take over again, it's in their blood, they still think of the whole of Cyprus as theirs and the TC's as an inconvenience that will be tolerated for a while. If anyone looks on Government web page on TRNC, it has always advised against buying. The GC's hold all the ace cards. I feel very sorry for anyone other than a Cypriot that owns anything there.

The reason I don't share your fears is that with EU citizenship comes certain rights and values that they will find difficult to deny... in the past I grant that they would have felt it easy to achieve the goals you allude to... but now they are in a completely different ball game... if they wanted to do the deed you imply they - then they should have voted for union in the past that is BEFORE they took on the membership of the EU and all that it entails. Now they will find their hands are tied.... they can no longer have their cake and eat it... they might want it but the reality will be somewhat less easily digested.

[WotNoDeeds]

As the BRS state in their letter to President Akinci, successive TRNC presidents have consistently given direct guarantees that all types of TRNC issued title deeds would be honoured and the rights of those that hold them protected. Successive TRNC governments were also happy to take the not inconsiderable revenue generated from property sales. Why should ex-pats be treated any differently?

Regarding the three Guarantor countries paying the compensation, Greece would need another bailout to pay their share in such an eventuality. However, as the EU scuppered all chance of a solution in 2004 by agreeing to take in a divided island, perhaps it would poetic justice if they paid.

[dippersgirl]

WND, I don't believe the Daily Sabbah have all their facts and figures correct!!!!

Generally I am sure what ever happens it will take a long time for all to be sorted. I'm just sad that the atmosphere and mood on the island, both sides, whatever the outcome, will change!!!
Maybe if most GC's want compensation it will not affect the Karpaz quite so much......................I and my friends hope

[doctor59]

Jacob wrote I feel very sorry for anyone other than a Cypriot that owns anything there.
Why ???? If we are led to believe around 80% of the land in the North is pre 74 Greek owned.
I could be wrong but would that mean that the huge majority of Turkish Cypriots have been given land or houses on a points system regarding their losses.
So as you must be aware if a reunification takes place then the currently suspended E U legislation becomes operational, so on current law all EU passport holders will have fair and just treatment.
Am sure the thousands of Greek/Turkish Cypriots currently living in the Uk will testify to their equal rights beside their EU counterparts.

Is it me or do other people think their seems to be a lot of scaremongering in many newspaper reports and forum postings. Everyone seems to be absolutely certain that a reunion will occur..Hmmm

Property is just one issue !!
South bankrupt more or less, North same boat only surviving on regular Turkish handouts. Government ministers both sides post 74, gifting themselves land and any other pockets full of treasure. Makes the House of Lords seem tame. Both sides severely overworked and understaffed (or is that the other way round )in Government departments.
Lawyers, of many who would be open to huge litigation for their past rendered(huge bank deposits) whoops I mean services. Would imagine the Top Dogs on both sides sweating buckets worrying about a reunion.

1974, Do seem to remember around that time the famous group at their height..STATUS QUO, Now where do i keep hearing that word ??

[DenizIsmail]

If any of you can purchase the book and see the DVD by Tony Angastiniotis Trapped in the Green Line which is a story behind the documentary VOICE OF BLOOD just like Soner's book THE GREEN LINE it brings back so many bitter memories of what GC did to TC and the blood shed loss so I pray that just like before God willing there is no settlement agreed. We cannot live together there will always be complications.

I remember as a 5 year old when my parents took me to NC for a holiday in 1967. I remember my first cousin was beaten up by the GC for no reason just for the fun of. There was too many of them and we could not defend ourselves. I do not wish for those times to come back

[Groucho]

If any of you can purchase the book and see the DVD by Tony Angastiniotis Trapped in the Green Line which is a story behind the documentary VOICE OF BLOOD just like Soner's book THE GREEN LINE it brings back so many bitter memories of what GC did to TC and the blood shed loss so I pray that just like before God willing there is no settlement agreed. We cannot live together there will always be complications.

I remember as a 5 year old when my parents took me to NC for a holiday in 1967. I remember my first cousin was beaten up by the GC for no reason just for the fun of. There was too many of them and we could not defend ourselves. I do not wish for those times to come back

I don't think anyone seriously is suggesting that there will be large-scale remixing of the two communities- so the sort of problems of the past ought not to reoccur. A gradual movement of people might happen but I don't see why either side would want to live cheek-by-jowl for some time to come....