Kidds comments relating to TRNC

[DenizIsmail]

“Recognising the TRNC would be dangerous in creating an unviable small country which would be vulnerable because of its size in a volatile region”, British High Commissioner to Cyprus Matthew Kidd said.

Kidd who met with British expats in Lapta on Wednesday, was replying to the suggestion made at the meeting that the simplest solution, after the failure of the Cyprus talks would be if the UK recognised the TRNC, Cyprus Today reported.

“If it was as easy as that for us or for anybody else to recognise the TRNC, perhaps we would have done it. But it would not be for a number of reasons and I would like to focus you on one, which does not get very much attention”, he said

“A state of 250,000 people in this part of the world would be very vulnerable. If it were an EU state it would be the smallest EU member state. Its economy currently is very heavily dependent on a third country, which is not an EU member state. Its ability to provide its own security in a part of the world which we can all see is not very stable or secure will be very, very limited. Both for the population of this hypothetical state and for everyone else around it that would be a dangerous thing to have. We, the world, do not need more fragile states in parts of the world which are dangerous”, he added.

Following shouts from some participants that the TRNC does exist, Kidd shot back, “You say it exists, I do not recognise it!”

After the meeting, Kidd denied that any promises had been made regarding direct flights after the failure of the Annan Plan 2004. It was suggested that Tony Blair had made this promise. “He had no authority to say this. The obstacle to direct flights is the Chicago Convention and the International Aviation Authority”, Kidd retorted.

According to the report, expats were reassured that ‘first say’ on former Greek Cypriot property in the Turkish Cypriot constituent state under any federal settlement would go to ‘current occupants’, regardless of their nationality. In other areas subject to territorial adjustments such as Maras/Varosha for example, priority would be given to previous owners”.

Cyprus Today


By LGC News

What does everyone think of Kidds comments?

[Hedge-fund]

I think he's probably spot on as far as the UK position is concerned. I think we are near the end game and will see an agreement next year.

[Groucho]

Well as the UK are poised to leave the EU I would have told him I don't think anyone holds out hopes of the TRNC being recognised as a separate EU state anymore than Greenland. Everyone must realise that its future is as an autonomous region of Turkey... and blow the EU.

[waddo]

“Recognising the TRNC would be dangerous in creating an unviable small country which would be vulnerable because of its size in a volatile region” - and this because it is a country of only 250,000 citizens!!! Of course if it were a country of 850,000 citizens then it would not be vulnerable??? More smoke and mirrors from a Government representative who has no interest in the conditions under which people live provided that it is not him actually being under those conditions. If the statement made above were true then why did the UK, as a member of the EU, vote to allow such a small country into the EU in the first place in 2004? I find it interesting that he say's "He" doesn't recognize it, perhaps then he should give back his land and house that the British taxpayers provided and continue to fund the support of, which of course in located in the TRNC, then he could stay in his other accommodation in the RoC and not bother with the North at all.

"We, the world, do not need more fragile states in parts of the world which are dangerous" - Now there is a grandiose statement from a minor player in the world's affairs, in particular as he has supported the idea that there is no danger or problem with a United Cyprus as there has been no trouble between the two sides for the past 40 to 50 years - where now comes the idea that we are a fragile state and as the UK is running away from the EU in the same way as they have run from every other major decision for the past 100 years, why should they worry how it affects this part of the world?

It would be true that if the TRNC became an independent EU state that it "May" be the smallest by population figures, it would also be state number 29, with Malta being number 28 having a population of around 430,000, closely followed by Number 27 Luxemburg and then "Surprise" 26 Cyprus with 850,000 citizens. Is it also not true to say that the figures for the TRNC quoted are only those Turkish Cypriots counted and yet in the RoC all nationalities have been counted into the final figure of citizens - even if they bought their way into citizenship?

Mr Kidd - go home, you do nothing for me and I no longer want you to be a drain on my Income Tax.

[frontalman]

He's just an apologist for the GC administration. He was retired once before, he should be put out to pasture forthwith. I won't be sending him any pirated DVDs for Christmas

[sophie]

I've always felt that HC's appointed here are totally useless has beens put out to pasture by what ever UK Government happens to be in office at the time. This one is a total waste of space and as bad if not worse that the last one who wouldn't attend the laying of wreaths at the new war memorial in Girne, what a load of tasteless and disgusting reasons he gave for that. This one should pack his bags and leg it. He's had a nice long holiday in Cyprus with all the perks, but he should go.

[Groucho]

I've always felt that HC's appointed here are totally useless has beens put out to pasture by what ever UK Government happens to be in office at the time. This one is a total waste of space and as bad if not worse that the last one who wouldn't attend the laying of wreaths at the new war memorial in Girne, what a load of tasteless and disgusting reasons he gave for that. This one should pack his bags and leg it. He's had a nice long holiday in Cyprus with all the perks, but he should go.

You are right.... just like the UN Peace keeping forces - pretty much see this posting as a holiday. TWOS. The Turkish army on the other hand have actually ensured peace for all Cypriots... Yet somehow they are demonized as the occupying villains of the piece.

Well done the rest of the world... not.

[Ragged Robin]

Don't be silly, dont you realise that the qualification for a posting to the BHC or UN in Cyprus is a low golf handicap!

Someone should send Mr. Kidd back to school to learn history - that

(1) Britain is largely responsible for the fact that the Middle East is a "volitile" and "violent" area , due to the parcelling out by GB and France post WW2

and

(2) Mishandling of the Cypriots by Britain is responsible for the situation which led to the creation of the TRNC and it reliance on Turkey . If it has to rely on Turkey because it is "vulnerable " and "fragile" it is because GB failed it is obligations and commitments under the Geneva Convention ,

and he should be kept in detention until he has written it out a hundred times and learnt it by heart!

It it way past time that Britain rectified its past perfidy and allowed us to be proud of being British again.

[waddo]

RR, I can be proud that I used to be proud of being British. However, the politicians and the help me society that has turned the UK into a handout and totally PC island have removed any chance I have ever being proud of being British again. The country has gone too far down the road of pleading that it is everyone else that is at fault instead of standing tall and taking the blame where it lies that I fear there is no way back. It did not happen overnight and I can lay no blame at anyone persons doorstep, but it is far easier to do nothing and gain sympathy than to do something and try, even if you end up with less than you could get by begging! I feel that Mr Kidd is the ultimate proof that it is never "their" fault but always somebody else! I do hope he enjoys his pension when he retires, we have all paid for him to have it so it is only fair that he gets it - SOON!!!!

[Ragged Robin]

waddo: The problem with Britain is that if a Politician, "Captain of Industry" and particularly a Financier makes a silly mistake or skirts the law and cuts corners, causing loss to taxpayers, he or she is given a Golden Handshake and obscenely large pension. If an ordinary person does the same , they risk losing job and pension. How and by whom this started like you I don't know but I think Sir Humphrey set an example and gave them ideas!. The other problem is materialism, for which I myself blame America!

[jofra]

Compare McMillan and Thatcher - and then don't blame America; the answer is at home.......

[Ragged Robin]

I am sorry Jofra but I don't understand what you are saying - could you expand your argument please. By the way do not forget that Harold McMillan probably added to the problems with his "You have never had it so good", and that he was pm in 1963