Rather than take too cautious or pessimistic a view of the current situation, Lobby sees outstanding openings for the realisation of the right of the refugees to return. We are under no illusion that Denktash and his regime desperately want to legitimise the theft of our lands. They will hold out for nothing short of denying the refugees the three freedoms (of movement, settlement and ownership) and stealing the land from its rightful owners.

This is where the illegal Denktash regime and for that matter, the main power brokers are under an illusion. Any settlement must be legally valid: theft is not. Whether there will be ‘compensation’ packages or the promise of some obscure land exchanges, Lobby has all along argued that no settlement is possible unless it addresses the legitimate rights of the refugees. That is, the right to Return and to Reclaim their properties. There is no use in trying to underestimate or devalue the determination of large swathes of refugees to fulfil their rights to title.

We will return!

© Lobby for Cyprus 2002