NationStates Jolt Archive


Cyprus elects Communist president

Ariddia
25-02-2008, 14:15
Worth noting, methinks.


THE European Union has its first Communist head of state, after Demetris Christofias defeated his right-wing rival in Greek Cypriot elections, that have renewed hopes of a deal to reunify the island.

Final results gave the Moscow-educated politician 53.36 per cent of the vote, against 46.64 per cent for Ioannis Kasoulides.

Mr Christofias replaces a septuagenarian hardliner, Tassos Papadopoulos, who led Greek Cypriots to reject a United Nations reunification plan four years ago.

Mr Christofias, 61, has better contacts with the Kremlin than with the White House or Downing Street, but his victory will cause few jitters in Brussels or London. His party – Akel, the Progressive Party of the Working People – puts pragmatism before its Marxist-Leninist ideology and is social democrat in practice.

More important to the EU is his commitment to reach out to the estranged Turkish Cypriot community and explore new ways of reuniting the island. Cyprus's 34-year-old division is an irritant to the EU and a major obstacle to Turkey's hopes of joining.


(link (http://news.scotsman.com/world/Unity-hope-as-Cypriots-vote.3810442.jp))


Hours after the polls in Cyprus closed, president-elect President Dimitris Christofias promised to begin reunification talks with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart. Yet the process is likely to be slow and difficult.

In an acceptance speech before a stadium of cheering supporters after polls closed Sunday, Feb. 24, Christofias said he'd already spoken with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat about arranging a meeting.

"I offer a hand of friendship and cooperation to the Turkish Cypriots and their leadership. I urge them to work together with us for the common good of the people in a climate of peace," Christofias said Sunday.

Talat, who heads the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, called Christofias to congratulate him shortly after his win, and the two have agreed to meet, an aide to Talat told AFP.

Reunification became a major election theme as Cypriots signaled their frustration with the former government's unwillingness to negotiate. Christofias' election victory has revived hopes that a peace process can be resumed.


(link (http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3147462,00.html))

And here's the article from Hürriyet (http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/8306387.asp?gid=74&sz=5870).
Corneliu 2
25-02-2008, 14:22
This will be interesting to watch but as the article says, pragmatism ahead of Marxist-Leninism. Hopefully this does not backfire on the Cypriots. I wish them luck and hopefully, we'll have a reunified island.
Kilobugya
25-02-2008, 14:30
Well, congrats to him and Cyprus people :)

But I don't know much about Cyprus politics and about Demetris Christofias. People with very different political opinions sometimes claim to be "communists"... So I'm a bit unsure of what to think exactly. I would like to celebrate and rejoice, but I'm unsure yet.

Does anyone know more about him and the policies and he wants to implement ?
Ariddia
25-02-2008, 14:34
Does anyone know more about him and the policies and he wants to implement ?

Well, the IHT has this (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/24/europe/EU-POL-Cyprus-Christofias-Glance.php) about him, but it's not much.

The Wiki has this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitris_Christofias) in English (and a much shorter article (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimitris_Christofias) in French).

More in French:
http://www.liberation.fr/actualite/monde/312038.FR.php
http://europe.courrierinternational.com/eurotopics/article.asp?langue=fr&publication=22/02/2008&cat=POLITIQUE&pi=0
http://www.humanite.fr/2008-02-22_International_La-presidentielle-qui-sort-Chypre-de-l-impasse
http://www.france24.com/fr/20080224-christofias-remporte-lelection-presidentielle-chypre&navi=MONDE

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3522/tbdzu0.jpg
Call to power
25-02-2008, 14:44
I remain skeptical about how far these talks will go, what needs to happen before anything is the withdrawal of Turkish troops so the Northern government accepts its predicament
Kose and The Turkomans
25-02-2008, 14:49
North Cyprus should be independent. End of.
Call to power
25-02-2008, 14:58
North Cyprus should be independent. End of.

so it can continue living in a 1950's time warp?
Rambhutan
25-02-2008, 15:00
North Cyprus should be independent. End of.

And does the same logic go for the Kurds?
Corneliu 2
25-02-2008, 15:03
North Cyprus should be independent. End of.

Why should they be independent? From what I am reading, they do not want to be independent but unified with the rest of Cyprus.
Kyronea
25-02-2008, 15:34
I think he means "Indepedent so that Turkey can control it as a puppet."

Also, though I mean no offense to President Christofias, am I the only one to notice a hilarious irony to his name?
Andaluciae
25-02-2008, 15:41
Well, congrats to him and Cyprus people :)

But I don't know much about Cyprus politics and about Demetris Christofias. People with very different political opinions sometimes claim to be "communists"... So I'm a bit unsure of what to think exactly. I would like to celebrate and rejoice, but I'm unsure yet.

Does anyone know more about him and the policies and he wants to implement ?

Especially in southern Europe, where communist resistance groups garnered, and maintained, a significant degree of support for their roles in fighting fascism and occupation during the Second World War.
United Beleriand
25-02-2008, 15:49
... am I the only one to notice a hilarious irony to his name?yes.
Wilmur
25-02-2008, 15:55
Now the Cypriot proletariat has risen to oust their Turkish/European/Jewish bourgeoisie oppressors. Nothing can now stop the liberation of the world.
Laerod
25-02-2008, 16:07
Now the Cypriot proletariat has risen to oust their Turkish/European/Jewish bourgeoisie oppressors. Nothing can now stop the liberation of the world.My sarcasm detectors are broken...
Corneliu 2
25-02-2008, 16:12
Now the Cypriot proletariat has risen to oust their Turkish/European/Jewish bourgeoisie oppressors. Nothing can now stop the liberation of the world.

Um ok...I doubt it.
Call to power
25-02-2008, 16:15
I think he means "Indepedent so that Turkey can control it as a puppet."

puppet my hairy arse the boom in wealthy Anatolian immigration to the country has made the place little more a colony
Risottia
25-02-2008, 17:57
And does the same logic go for the Kurds?

of course not... they aren't turks! (see my sig to avoid unnecessary flames)

Anyway, about the kurds:
Back in the '80s, Saddam Hussein and Tareq Aziz are in Geneva at the UN. They walk into the cafeteria and Saddam says:
"Tareq, when we're back home, remember me to order the killing of 10000 kurds and two swedes."
A nearby diplomat hears and asks: "Excuse me, Mr.President, but... why do you want to kill two swedes?"
Saddam: "See, Tareq, what I meant? Nobody gives a fuck about the kurds!"
Kose and The Turkomans
25-02-2008, 18:22
And does the same logic go for the Kurds?

Thats a different matter for the Kurds and I (As a Turk) am of the opinion that hey should be given semi-Autonomy like Northern Iraq but most of the people where I live are indiferent. Also TRNC wouldn't be a puppet just guided by the Turkish Republic.
Eofaerwic
25-02-2008, 18:23
My sarcasm detectors are broken...

You need the new Sarcasm Detector 3000, shown to detect up to 9 out of 10 cases of sarcasm*


*Exact results may vary dependant on forum, nationality of poster, time of the month and phase of the moon
Andaras
25-02-2008, 23:39
I offer my congratulations to our Cypriot comrades in their struggle. Long live Marxism-Leninism!
New Manvir
25-02-2008, 23:57
Yes! Bring on the global Communist Revolution my comrades! Today Cyprus, Tomorrow the World! Down with the Capitalist Pig-Dog Oppressors of the Proletariat

*Waves Red Flag*


Note: This post 99.9% satirical
Zilam
26-02-2008, 00:01
I think its time we show Cyprus cold, hard American democracy!:p
Andaras
26-02-2008, 00:07
I actually support AKEL second in Cyprus to the Socialist Party of Cyprus, which I consider more progressive. Time will tell of course if they start socializing the methods of production, exchange and value.
Justice and Shalom
26-02-2008, 00:26
Now the Cypriot proletariat has risen to oust their Turkish/European/Jewish bourgeoisie oppressors. Nothing can now stop the liberation of the world.

Long Live The Revolution!!!
:mp5::sniper:
Privatised Gaols
26-02-2008, 00:38
Yes! Bring on the global Communist Revolution my comrades! Today Cyprus, Tomorrow the World! Down with the Capitalist Pig-Dog Oppressors of the Proletariat

*Waves Red Flag*


Note: This post 99.9% satirical

So which part was 0.1% serious? :p
Tmutarakhan
26-02-2008, 20:58
So which part was 0.1% serious? :p *Waves* I think he was genuinely waving at us.
Privatised Gaols
26-02-2008, 21:07
I offer my congratulations to our Cypriot comrades in their struggle. Long live Marxism-Leninism!

Somehow I doubt they plan on setting up gulags. Might want to rein in your enthusiasm, Andaras. ;)
The blessed Chris
26-02-2008, 21:11
I don't know the first thing about the Cypriot bisection, or the myriad issues surrounding reunification, however I would imagine it would be beneficial in the long term?

Incidentally, what is the position of the EU?