Cypriots draw the line

Microsoft! Beware of Greeks (reading maps)

Having right royally flamed Reg Editor Drew Cullen for his Cypriot insinuations, the Greeks also felt the need to establish the facts. 'A Greek' writes:

Nicosia is the last divided Capital in Europe. Following Turkey's invasion in 1974 the Greeks were kicked out of their homes, which is why there are 250,000 of them are living in the UK. This is an undisputed fact.

Only one country officially recognises Northern Cyprus as an independent nation - Turkey.

The majority of people now living in the Northern part, are not Turkish Cypriot. They come from mainland Turkey and other parts of the Muslim (again this is a fact) world. The economy and living standards of Southern Cyprus are equal or better than those of most Western nations but the Northern part's economy is in line with Turkey's (i.e. 60-80% inflation) and huge unemployment. This is why most people want to leave the island. There is only a small number of Greeks there because all those who lost their homes are not allowed to go back.

Now we have something from the 'front line', so to speak. Nicholas Eleftheriou has first-hand experience:

Unfortunately it is not a matter of how many Greeks and how many Turks there are in the world. It is more a matter of correctly reporting the situation as it currently stands. And the correct interpretation is probably the one that the UN has.

With checkpoints on all major roads, roads that end to concrete walls in divided cities and a buffer zone controlled by UN troops, then clearly movement between the two parts is restricted. But surely you understand that it is impossible to control the entire borderline at all times.

As someone who has served for 2 years of his life guarding the border (as do all other Cypriot males) I do not take the matter lightly. And it is one thing saying "2 year service" and another living it.

Lastly I do not find the Cyprus government's argument irrational, since all that was asked for was a notification stating that the Northern part is not controlled by the Cyprus government.

Serious stuff indeed. However, not everyone found the piece so controversial, Huseyin Sevay included:

I've just read your column titled "Microsoft! Beware of Greeks (reading maps)". As a Turkish Cypriot, I had a big relaxing laugh over the story :) It was very funny. Thanks for bringing the story out. I wish more of what happens in Cyprus was as entertaining. And I sincerely hope my Greek friends have a similar reaction.

And finally, we have George J. Papanicolaou, who makes a interesting point:

While there may be more Turks than Greeks, would Microsoft really want to upset the creators of the first Trojan Horse?

Quite so.