Frank and Joan's news for 23 December 2008 in Northern Cyprus

Frank and Joan's Adventures in Northern Cyprus

Our adventures in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continue....

In my last entry I mentioned that there was much fuss in the newspaper about property issues. This related to the Orams case, a member of the House of Lords making comments without clearly being aware of the whole issue, more about the Aga saga and many other issues. This clearly has come at just the right time for the Greek Cypriots as the two presidents are about to commence talks about the whole property issue. God forbid that I should ever think that their propaganda machine has been working again. Propaganda like this plays right in to their hands and helps them towards their goal of economically throttling the TRNC.

The point I was actually trying to make was that the issue of the Orams case was important to us all, but that the timing was convenient and the whole thing is really a political issue not a land piece by land piece issue. Secondly asking why is there never any mention of all the land and property owned by Tur

kish Cypriots in the South, but then as this country remains unrecognised by anybody outside of Turkey, who is going to recognise court decisions made here, in the same way.

Linda Orams kindly pointed out that as many read this site some of you would like to know the full detail so sent me the attached mail.

Dear Frank

I have just read your diary note concerning the EU and our case and would like to correct the details:

The "renowned legal figure" is in fact the Advocate General and it is her Opinion on our case that has just been announced. When our case was heard before the European Court of Justice (not the Court of Human Rights, that is a completely different court) on 18 September, there were 13 judges, the Advocate General and a Registrar. It is the job of the Advocate General to publish her opinion as a guideline to the other 13 judges who will then make their own decision. About 80% of the time the judges follow the opinion of the Advocate General. This is why her opinion is important.
However there is still a long way to go and we remain cautiously optimistic.

If anyone wishes to read a summary of the Advocate General's opinion for themselves please go to

http:// www.curia.europa.eu/en/actu/communiques/cp08/aff/cp080098en.pdf

There has been so much misinformation passed around concerning our case that is is important that where possible it is accurate. As many people seem to read your news diary I would be grateful if you could add this information to your next entry.

Thank you and Happy Christmas

Regards

Linda Orams

Thank you for that Linda, but lets hope that common sense prevails and the issue is seen as political.