From: terziogl@ee.rochester.edu (Esin Terzioglu)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish
Subject: Re: Some questions to you...
Date: 7 Jan 93 15:19:49 GMT
Organization: Univ of Rochester, College of Engineering and Applied Science

In article <C0GpAx.CKG@acsu.buffalo.edu> v999saum@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu (Varnavas A. Lambrou) writes:
>1. Do you approve any massive settling in any part of the world, which has
>the purpose to change the region's demographic character?

No, I do not. For example, I do not approve of the thousands of Soviet Jews
moving to the Palestinian soil.

>2. Do you enjoy living in a place of only 500 square miles, or less, crowded
>with army, military buildings and restricted military zones?

Are you implying North Cyprus? I have lived there for 17years and I never felt
restricted by the presence of the Turkish army there, on the contrary their
presence made me feel safer.

>3. These settlers, that they come from Anatolia, how many common things do they
>have with you (except from religion and language) ?

 It is rather hard to answer this question. Some of these settlers have a lot
in common and some don't. I guess it depends on the education, personality
etc. There are many Turkish Cypriots with whom I don't have much in common..

>4. Do you consider yourself living in a democratic environment, having in mind
>that Denktas is supported by the 30000, or more, turkish troops stationed at
>the island since 1974 and the thousands of settlers he is bringing to the 
>island?

I feel that the system we have right now is democratic. However, it is    
especially difficult for the government to make everyone happy because of
the political and economic embargos brought about by the Greek/Greek Cypriot 
propaganda. As for the settlers, How many Greeks have moved to South Cyprus
since '74 and before that? Quite a few.. So this settlers issue is not a  one- 
sided problem. Or should we have an national "cleansing" of the island,
like the one they are trying to do in Germany?

>5. Do the opposition parties participate in any "elections" held in the north?

Of course. I said that the system is "Democratic".

>6. Do you know that the leaders of the opposition meet the greekcypriots 
>politicians every now and then? (Of course when Denktas allows them to do so)

Yes. They meet in the neutral region in Nicosia. I think that is a positive
move toward starting a dialogue between the peoples of both sides.

>7. If you are a permanent resident of Cyprus, and now living abroad, are you
>planning to return to the island or not? If not, please, give reasons.

I am not planning to ga back because of career objectives. Thanks to the 
Greek/Greek Cypriot propaganda (as mentioned above), our country cannot 
provide good jobs for people with a higher education.

>8. Is it not true that a high proportion of turkishcypriots has been emigrating
>since 1974?

Yes. Especially the ones with a higher education. (see above).

>9. Do you believe that there is still any hope for unification of the island?

Yes. Maybe 50-60 years from now.. The generation should change and also the
way the children are educated should change. Instead of filling the children
with hatred toward each other, we should start doing something positive..
Maybe then..

>		Varnavas A. Lambrou.

I am also a "forced" immigrant. I was lucky that I had to do it only once. 
My parents went through three immigrations. I do not think it is easy for 
them to forget. That is why we have to wait...

Regards,
E.T.