[SOUTH CYPRUS] Britain will close air base

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 09:31

(...) Nicosia. Britain will close its air base and will reduce the personnel in its other base in Cyprus in an attempt to slash defense expenditure, announces iKypros news website, citing Kanal 4 television. (...)

Source: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n203301

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 10:27

With the commitments that the UK and NATO have in Afghanistan, not to mention ongoing electronic intelligence gathering that goes on at Akrotiri and its outstations, I would be very surprised if the UK were to downgrade, let alone close it. I'm also sure the US would have something to say about it, perhaps in the form of taking it over and/or subsidizing it.

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 10:57

Vaughan



Dead right. Whilst HMG could conceivably give up a significant slice of the SBA pie without too much detriment to ongoing operations, Akrotiri is a completely different ball-game. Until things change in Afghanistan, Akrotiri will remain a very important part of the defence effort.



Paul

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 11:13

Another foreigner interfering with British matters perhaps if Holland contributed a little more to the war against terrorism then it would reduce the burden on British taxpayers one of which is me.

henrik



Joined: 01/10/2009
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 11:21

sorry what??? you pay your tax, not more not less.. with war and wthout war.. I dont think that it is hollands fault that UK is a lapdog of the US..

again a foreigner interfering.. ..

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 11:45

Careful Henrik,

Hippo might have a problem with a German commenting about war and taxes.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 11:47

RE msg 5, Henrik: I appreciate your post, but don't bother, Henrik. In the past five years Hoppi has shown a pathetic hatred of Holland, the Dutch and in particular me. In his poor state of mind he's still fighting the Battle of Arnhem (1944 - my fault of course). And a short while ago it was a terrible blow for him to lose "his avatar" on Cyprus44 - moaning and whinging about it on another board (where he and others will find a way to blame me). Ignore him, Hoppi is hopeless.

dozza67


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 607

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 11:52

That was a bit Infantile Hippo. Grow up.

rigsby


Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 912

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 11:53

Post 7.About the same as your thoughts and views about the english,Just who do you sell your maps and walks to?

henrik



Joined: 01/10/2009
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 12:06

I dont get it in message 7. "thoughts and views about the english"?? was original message 7 deleted? message 7 is from Hans about Hippo. Am I right?

whats going on here? what does this have to do with maps and walks?

Are we to dump to read and answer ??

To keep this thread on topic:

I would welcome a withdrawl of military bases from cyprus! - I would welcome any withdraw of military from cyprus... Please go home all.. Turkish to tukey, greek to greece, all others where ever they want to.. Just leave. Cyprus is to small for so much weapons and army. Bye bye ..

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 12:11

RE msg 9, rigsby: (...) thoughts and views about the english (...)

=> I appreciate the British people in general, but obviously not all British here. Anyway. The English language (style, grammar and punctuation) isn't your forte. And mathematics isn't either. How can I sell FREE walks?! Tips welcome.

P.S. What do you think about the news - if it is true - in message 1?

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 12:21

Mess 4. Well said Hippo, They want the benefits of a free democratic society but want British lives to pay for it, suppose nowts changed since the 1940s.



D.N

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 12:35

RE msg 12, Dixie Normus: (...) British lives to pay for it (...)

=> Tsk, Dixie! If you had taken the time for a short Google session you could have known that your statement is utter rubbish and made with British blinders on. More details here: http://icasualties.org/oef/

You might want to apologise to the parents of the fallen soldiers from outside the UK.

henrik



Joined: 01/10/2009
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 12:49

sorry to read this.. what a stup*d, brainless "not-thought-about" post (mess 12) this is.. I thought that we should expect some kind of education and basic human knowledge here, but unfortunatelly this is not the case.. How sad. Yes, you are right. For some nothing changed since the 1940s and it never will until they die. Unfortunatelly.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 12:58

Steady DC,



Dixies statement wasn't "utter rubbish". After the US the UK has suffered the most casualties. In fact, the Americans have "only" lost 4 times as many troops as we have - 934 v. 237. Considering that they have tens of thousands of more troops out there, in proportion we have suffered far more than they have.

As for you Dutch and the Germans, I don't know how your lads manage to get themselves killed as the closest most of them get to the Taliban is watching them on CNN.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 13:15

RE msg 15, TRNCVaughan: (...) As for you Dutch and the Germans, I don't know how your lads manage to get themselves killed as the closest most of them get to the Taliban is watching them on CNN. (...)

=> 21 young men (from a contingent from a small country with a small army) died in Afghanistan and many more were wounded. Among the casualties is the son of the Army Commander in Holland. He also was blown to pieces by a hidden Taliban bomb on the road, while he was trying to help Afghans. I find your remark shocking.

henrik



Joined: 01/10/2009
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 13:18

vaughan, how can a person like you get down to hippos and DN s level? And yes, it is rubbish to say "nothing has changed since 1940s" you are pulling this thread down to an very sad level. No matter how much soldiers got killed and how they got killed, every single loss is a loss to much!!!!! Every single mom crying after her baby is a mum crying to much!

Does it matter how soldiers get killed? In the end they are DEAD!

BTW: Did the germans and dutch found the "mass destruction weapons" in iraq? Did the germans and dutch supplied terrorists with weapons to fight russia (and also iran) just to be enemies with them later on? were your answers "No" to both questions? so who did this? Got an answer to this? if not, research some facts. google it.. maybe this makes you understand why we dont like to be involved in these "artificial" self provokated conflicts..

Chew on this..

Peace on earth.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 13:32

DC,



After the UK, Canada has lost the most troops (133). With a poulation of only double that of Holland they have lost 6 times as many troops. As for Germany, they have lost 34 troops with a population of more than double that of Canada.

Whilst every death is regrettable and must cause great sorrow to those left behind, please don't try to tell me who is pulling their weight and who is pulling their pudding.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 14:05

RE msg 19, TRNCVaughan: (...) please don't try to tell me who is pulling their weight and who is pulling their pudding. (...)

=> As I read it: again an offensive suggestion. I don't want to be part of your game "who has the most dead soldiers?". I quit this thread, which I only started because (imo) I found a newsworthy item about Cyprus. Too bad it was not possible to discuss or comment on the content of message 1 after message 3.

henrik



Joined: 01/10/2009
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 14:15

How sad...

Is this thread getting back on topic now or will we be still arguing about which country gets how many killed and who is paying for this and that nothing has changed since the 1940s??



I think your local Bar with plenty "think alikes" is the favorite place for that. Cheers.

dozza67


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 607

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 14:54

TRNC Vaughan - The second world war ended in 1944. Did nobody tell you. I am so ashamed of British people constantly slagging off other Nationalities like Dutch and Germans because of a war that ended 65 years ago. I have spent many years living in Germany and visiting the Netherlands while there and have always received the utmost courtesy. Something that some British people could do with learning. The people who are alive now are not the people who caused the war and are not responsible for their fathers actions. Wake up and smell the coffee, then move on. You are being racist.

caulkhead


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 149

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 15:00

Children



This started as a perfectly reasonable post about the UK Government's plans to reduce the SBAs on the Island. This was reported by the BBC a few days ago. I see no reason for it to degenerate into a zenophobic rant!

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 15:39

dozza67,



You really can't have read and/or taken in what I have posted. Please read my posts again. I have made no reference to WW2 or the 1940s.



DC,



This isn't about who has the most dead soldiers, but about who has the b*llocks to send their troops to places like Afghanistan and do something about the Taliban. When and if Al Qaeda thinks it worth carrying out a bomb outrage in your country, you might start to think differently. I referred to Canada as this must be one of the least "offensive" countries in the world, who I don't think has had a first hand taste of terrorism, yet they have clearly done their bit and paid the price.



Caulkhead,

This isn't about zenophobia, its about our European "partners" who are quite happy to let us do most of the work. If they don't agree with the situation in Afghanistan, they should be brave and say "I don't agree" and don't go, but don't send a couple of hundred blokes and think you've done your bit.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 15:42

Dozza 67 I have not read most of this thread but did just pick up a little of your Msg 21



A huge number of people are still alive and well (with all their mental facilities & maybe even sane) who lived through WW2 and have often been involved in rebuilding the world since the war.



They all make mistakes but please do not put them down or imply they are not there. (All countries have problems with understanding and the ways of other nationals Dutch, German, French, Czech, Indian even Welsh, Scotts etc. and that should not come into any discussion.)



I for one would not be alive were it not for their sacrifices and you would probably not be able to post anything openly had the Allies not won. I am not advocating war but just appreciation of those who helped stop it with and without the loss of limbs or life.

bridie


Joined: 18/09/2008
Posts: 308

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 15:50

Now stop fighting boys and get back to the topic.

I think you'll find that it could be Dhekelia that will be considered as a handback, as it serves very little purpose now and is costing the MOD more than they can afford in this present climate. Akrotiri is a very strategic base which UK cannot afford to lose.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 16:31

bridie

I agree.

Unfortunately it all went base over apex from message 4 onwards with the usual protagonist doing his snipe and run job.

Never mind perhaps one day he will be able to enter into a discussion for longer than one posting.

AJ

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
14/12/2009 18:06

Well put TRNC Vaughan, a responsabily should be taken by all NATO members in Afganistan controled by NATO and not dictated to by goverments that their troops wont fight incertain areas or wont fight at night or in the Italians case bribe local warlords so they wont shoot at their troops. Enuf said.

Regarding Akrotiri theres more Americans up there than Brits at the momment so I doubt if it would be totaly handed over. But on the other hand, gormless Gords already sold the family jewles so nothing would suprise me.



D.N

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 01:57

Hip/TRNCV/D'norm - you make me proud to be British !!!

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 02:04

Dozza67 "TRNC Vaughan - The second world war ended in 1944".

I think you will find it ended in 1945.

Tx

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 05:05

First of all lets answer the AJ's one liner, ' snipe and run' some of us have a life other than on this board and do not have the time or the opportunity to continually monitor and either close a thread, ban the Pearson or adjudicate if the statements or rhetoric doesn't agree with theirs, perhaps you should get further than the coffee shop or the Effes can AJ.



Now lets get back to the Sad Crusader's rantings, maybe I have read more into his statement about Dehkalia than he meant, but somehow I don't think so. he continually finds opportunities to try and belittle the British, either in his misinformation about our use of the language ,our politicians and of course our Royal family.



Personally i abhor our politicians couldn't care less about the Royals not a great exponent of the literary verse but i am proud about being British.

I am not anti Holland or the Dutch and certainly not the Germans I have many German and Dutch friends ask Peter Rolf and Jan (late of the corner bar)

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 05:19

I am not either anti European i am afraid i was one of the ones who voted for it back as a mere stripling of 29.

The fact that i didn't know what we were getting ourselves into apart.

I signed up to being part of a trading partnership not a federation ruled by faceless bureaucrats. we have joined a choir that it seams only us are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Neither I am I going to get into a debate about the rights and wrongs of Britain's participation in Iraq or Afghanistan but I will say I 100% back our troops.

At least britain has a foreign policy, perhaps the SC would like to comment on his country's.

We are all aware of Germany's, thier continued opposition to Turkey being part of the EC, after of course welcoming them as guest workers until they didn't need them any more.

That I suppose the SC will construe to being racist, well here is another one for you i don't agree with Israels policy towards the palestinians i suppose now I am anti semitic.

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 05:29

The SC continually repeats himself in his continued use of a very sad characterture, new material please SC.

He continues to be manipulative in his wish to put board member against each other.

He fuels and increases arguments this it seams what turns him on.

All as i can say SC is you know where Vaughn and I am most nights come along and join us. You are very welcome we might even buy you a gin.

Rogerdoger


Joined: 04/09/2008
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 09:03

All,



Just for infomation, and from a very good sourse, the uk airbase in the south is not closing, it is going to be Dekalia garrison.



Regards



RD

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 09:16

Makes sense.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 13:20

Hipps

Messages 30,31 & 32.

You have excelled yourself, 3 postings in a row and finally you have got it off of your chest. I am sure you feel better for it. But it was all done in a rush so I guess the 'Corner Bar' was calling.

AJ

Hippo


Joined: 02/02/2007
Posts: 2070

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 14:35

What at 4 .30 am

I was up before playing sport, I take it you were ust comming home AJ

TheSaints



Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 1369

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 15:03

A simple post containing a reference and a link to a news item degenerates into yet another slanging match, some people have too much time on thier hands and obviously nothing to stimulate the mind.

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 16:45

No wonder the World is always at war !

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 17:03

I don't see what difference Nationality makes. A dead UN soldier is a dead UN soldier, fighting a war most of us don't understand. Throughout history, Britain has always been fighting with someone. It was different when we had an Empire to defend. Don't blame other Nations politicians for having the brains that ours seem to lack.

If they told the truth as readily as they sent our soldiers to fight unwinnable wars we'd be much better off.

By the way Hans in msg. 11 you ridiculed a member's intelligence re. his knowledge of the English language, take it from me, there is no s in defence.



M

henrik



Joined: 01/10/2009
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 17:12

minetor, this was a good answer. respect. made me write again

rdsteve


Joined: 01/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 18:14

just been announced that RAF Cottesmore in Rutland is to close. Personel will be transferred to RAF Wittering.

In the last 2 years thay have spent millions of £ revamping the staff houses and built 100 new ones suppose these will now be left to stand empty.



Steve

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 18:19

Steve



More likely to be sold to help plug the black hole in the government's finances



Harold

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 18:22

rdsteve



After 28 years in the services believe me, if a barracks/airbase is revamped it is odds on that it is going to be closed and sold to a developer.



Or am I just being cynical ???



Paul

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
15/12/2009 18:41

Paul, Not at all - the first sign was always that the married quarters got new paint jobs or the windows fixed - after that it was all down hill and they became council houses, after everything had been ripped out, renewed and made perfect for the new dwellers. Can't have civilians living like the military families after all, their human rights would have been violated!



RAF Cottesmore has been on the cards for some long time and it is no great surprise. Dhekalia will be "minimised" (shrunk) but I can not see it being completely closed just yet. Just another pawn in the UK governments game of trying to look good to the world whilst paddling like mad under the water. Glad I am out of it all I must say.

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
16/12/2009 02:11

Message 38 - yes - and have you noticed how clever they all are !!

minertor



Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 1238

Message Posted:
16/12/2009 09:02

They had to spend millions revamping Cottesmore. It was OK for our soldiers, but you wouldn't expect asylum seekers to put up with it. Cos that's who'll be heading there, and the best of British luck to them.



Tony

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
17/12/2009 02:45

And we are led to believe that the older you get the wiser........Obviously not the case here !!