"A strange and troubling piece of commentary by Mr. Charalambous. Does he not understand the sincere emotional attachment of many Cypriots to their ancestral lands? I have spoken to many children and grandchildren of refugees who regard their ancestors' land as their birthright and who will not give it up on principle. Why should they? Their parents and grandparents land and property is still rightfully theirs under international law and since much of the land and property in occupied Cyprus was seized as part of a systematic policy of ethnic cleansing it is absurd to suggest that the theft of their land should be ‘legalised' as part of any 'solution'. This would create bitterness and resentment and contain the potential for violent instability. The only possible peaceful solution is for maximum restitution of stolen land and the right of return for all refugees. Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot." - James Shawcross.
I fully agree. Perhaps I would say 'most Cypriots' as opposed to 'many Cypriots'. Allow me to add that the 1960 charter failed because it contained the sort of gross injustice that any western, rational nation would object to. We must not make the same tragic mistake twice. We must not attempt to bridge western rationality with Anatolian thinking or genuine Cypriot interests with western geostrategic ones. Justice must be the cornerstone of the new charter. Justice for both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Even accomodating western geostrategic interests if we must.
