Greek Cypriots

It is sometimes difficult to understand why people living in the same time frame and going through the same events remember them so differently. Cyprus is one of those cases.

There are many aspects of the Cyprus problem. It is neither just a property or refugee is-sue, nor a territory matter. It definitely includes all such headings, as well as the partnership of the two peoples in the land and the sovereignty of the island. But, even if there is an ac-cord answering the expectations of the two peoples on all those headings, will the problem be resolved?

The latest international performed “snagged” into the Cyprus question is Belgian singer Lara Fabian, who has attracted heaps of criticism for announcing a concert in Turkish-occupied Famagusta.

Even if there is still a huge discrepancy in the description of terms between the two Cypriot sides, it was hard to believe but even Archbishop Hrisostomos was talking optimistically that perhaps this time a Cyprus resolution might be within reach.

The rival leaders of Cyprus attended a theatrical play on Monday that implores the divided island's Greek- and Turkish-speaking communities to confront the wrongs of a tortured history to drive home their shared commitment for a reunification deal.

Two hot developments happened simultaneously concerning the eastern Mediterranean. One is from Cyprus, the other from Iraq. 

Don?t consider that what happens in Iraq is far away from the eastern Mediterranean? Syrian ports, the Persian Gulf and indeed Turkey?s Mediterranean shores are on the same ?strategic fault line.? 

By Menelaos Hadjicostis

Cyprus's rival leaders met Friday at a United Nations compound to restart talks aimed at ending the small Mediterranean island nation's four decades of division.

Foreign Minister Özdil Nami is to represent Turkish Cypriots in negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side, the newly-elected President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mustafa Ak?nc?, has said in a statement.
      
"An important window of opportunity to resolve the Cyprus issue" is available, according to the May 1 statement of Ak?nc?.

It is difficult to grow up on an island. It is even more difficult if that island is a bi-communal one and you belong to the numerically smaller community. Well, I would not say "minority," as we Turkish Cypriots hate that word. Nowhere else in the world, perhaps, does a father or mother celebrate when, for the first time, their kid "rebels" and serves a "nice kick" to either of them.

Greek Cypriots welcomed the election of a moderate Turkish Cypriot leader in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April 27, saying they anticipated a swift resumption of stalled peace talks.