Luton Town are an Obstacle to Peace on Cyprus

By: Bob | July 12th, 2007

The Turks and the Greeks have been quibbling over Cyprus for more than 30 years, approximately the same amount of time as the Beckham coming to America saga. The two sides were just about ready to sit down once again and talk things out face-to-face and once and for all make the divided island an undivided place until that pesky English League One side Luton Town got in the way.

Peace talks in Cyprus have been cancelled, in part, because of a meaningless friendly turned out to have meaning.

Turkish Cypriot soccer team Cetinkaya had been scheduled Wednesday to play Britain’s Luton Town, but the game was canceled after Greek Cypriot officials complained to international soccer authorities that the match would violate a sporting embargo against the Turkish side.

“The Greek Cypriot side is not even able to tolerate a friendly match,” said Rasit Pertev, aide to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

“It is not possible to make plans for a meeting between the two leaders under these circumstances,” Pertev said.

It’s too bad Luton Town could not hire Didier Drogba for the match.

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Category: England, World Football

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Stelios Georgiades

We have a couple of facts on the issue.

1. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and is still occupying the island with a very big army presence.

2. The United Nations DO NOT regognise the so called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". Nor do other international institutions such as FIFA and UEFA.

If Mr Pertev is really looking for a solution to the problem then he would be mostly welcomed to demand the withdrawal of the 40000 soldiers strong Turkish army and come talk on how 200000 refugees should return to there homes.

Lets not focus on a tree but see the forest as a whole.