Posted on 08/12/2002 7:13:30 PM PDT by pkpjamestown
The Foreign Office has warned Britons of the perils of purchasing property in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, following revelations in The Observer of the scramble to buy holiday homes at bargain prices before a possible political settlement on the partitioned island.
British diplomats said it was decided that the advice should be added to the Foreign Office's website after an investigation prompted by the exposé last May.
'The Government has decided to take a more pro-active, rather than reactive, approach to the matter, so that people go in with their eyes wide open,' the British High Commission spokesman Stewart Summers said.
'It is clear that there is an upsurge in property buying in the north. Legally we can't tell people "Don't do it", but we are trying to make them fully aware of the potential hazards.'
Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly removed from their homes in the north when the Turkish army, prompted by an Athens-inspired coup, invaded the island in 1974.
The Observer had learnt that the vast majority of holiday and retirement homes being sold to Britons by the sudden glut of real estate agents belonged to refugees who still owned the title deeds to them.
In some cases Britons, sensing spectacular financial gains, have snapped up properties still filled with the personal possessions of Greek Cypriots forced to leave their homes as Turkish paratroops landed on the coast.
If Cyprus is reunited under UN-sponsored negotiations currently under way, rights to the properties would almost certainly be contested by their legal owners. Many are hoping for a political settlement before the island joins the European Union at the end of the year.
'These people would be entering a terrible adventure because the title deeds would not be worth the paper they are printed on,' Michalis Papapetrou, the Cyprus government spokesman, said.
The advice follows recommendations on visiting the outlawed mini-state, which is acknowledged only by Turkey since it proclaimed independence in 1983.
'The non-recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and the possibility of a future political settlement in Cyprus could have implications for those considering buying property in the north. Before purchasing a property you are advised to appraise yourself fully of the situation and to seek legal advice,' the Foreign Office website warns.
There are over 1,000 Britons who live permanently in the north, although no more than 25 are believed to have had homes there before the 1974 invasion split the island between Greek and Turkish sectors.
Numerous British MPs also own homes in the breakaway republic, where the likes of Asil Nadir and other fugitives on the run from British justice also live.
Most are unabashed supporters of the veteran Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and his regime.
Recently, it emerged that the Conservative MEP John Corrie had been given a holiday home by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, for a rent of 70p a year, for the next 49 years.
The property is also believed to have belonged to a Greek Cypriot.
On July 15, 1974, the Greek military junta staged a coup, to overthrow the recognized government of Cyprus. Within a five 5 day period, Turkey amassed an invasion force, (very impressive speedy reaction, 5 days without previous notice!) to occupy 37% of the Island, to "protect the lives of the Turkish Cypriots, and to exercise their "guarantor right". The third Guarantor, Britain, stood back and watched, and helped in the clearing of the populations that happened to be on the "wrong" side of the dividing line - it was call "humanitarian help",- thanks mate!
Now, in 2002, the Britons are helping in the Turks, once again, by dividing out the remains of the spoils from the 1974 invasion-conspiracy.
Twenty-eight years later, and nothing has changed, no rule of law in the occupied part of Cyprus. It is very ironic to see the Brits and the Turks trying to bring rule of law in Afghanistan, when their own backyard stinks!
Sickening smell!
The only consolation is the saying: What goes around, comes around! I long to see the day, when Turkey is in the EU, and Britain has anatolian Turks, Kurds, Iraqis,etc, -as members of the house of Commons, even as Lords, (war-lords)!
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