The terrifying notion that one day, you will be summoned to serve up to 18 months in the barrack life of the military in Cyprus is an inevitability that has become almost banal among diaspora Cypriots who wish to maintain a connection to Cyprus. For some it is the heavy price for preserving their Cypriot identity, but worth the pain of vigorous physical exercises. Young Cypriots particularly those of Greek and Turkish origin who often live as neighbours in Britain and attend the same schools are being expected by an unbending and arrogant establishment in Cyprus to face each other in opposing military forces on the divided island.

Greek Cypriot boys, I refer to them as boys deliberately,  as so many of those I have encountered and whom I know from my own childhood are in their twnties-the peak of their adult, thrill-seeking and testosterone-driven existence but still boys. They are still heavily dependent on their immediate familes, not quite independent and the apple of the eye of both mummy and yiayia / nene, yet they are being forced to part from their family and friends and their normal routine to serve in the military in Cyprus.

Often these young men like their Turkish Cypriot friends have few political leanings and no known political affiliations, yet they are under pressure from the Cypriot government and male members of their family to accept their 'manly' duties like true men. The issue of completing military service has become much like circumcision, linked to the beginning of adulthood of a Cypriot male- in other words, if you don't do it then you are only half a man, and inevitably this will affect one's standing in the community and one's prospects of finding a 'respectable' Cypriot wife. Getting  military service out of the way is equally regarded as a permenant 'visa waiver' that would make annual trips to Cyprus hassle-free. For British Turkish Cypriot males the same dilemma exists, except unlike their Greek Cypriot compatriots, they are forced to enlist in an occupation army under orders from their occupier Turkey, who seldom  acts in their interests. Despite the fact that diaspora Cypriots have for years expressed disatisfaction with the terrifying and unpleasant necessity for military service, their voices have been continually ignored by an establishment not too hot on accommodating the diaspora in the hope that they may wish to one day settle in Cyprus, but much more keen on fleecing them for every penny they are worth. Holding them randsom to such extortionate fees of £4000 for exemption is evidence of this.

For those who claim that military service is a transformatory experience and even a bit of fun, we all know from the tales recounted by our relatives and friends that the military in Cyprus is fertile breeding ground for nationalist indoctrination. Of course we all know that by 'nationalist' we mean foreign Greek or Turkish nationalism.

The question is not so much how enjoyable military service is, or how best to ignore lessons on nationalism, but how the system is geared towards conscientious objection. If for the sake of equality in a democratic system, we overlook and ignore those suffering from psychological problems as a result of

the necessity of military duty or those whose moral and ethical beliefs are against violence then that is contrary to the rights of individuals and democracy. If individuals are forced into active service against their will then that demonstrates that the rights of each man is subject to and can be trampled on by the military command under whose control you will fall. In other words, you are nothing but bait and they can do as they please with you.

Despite the fact that alternative to military service is an idea that is being discussed in the Republic of Cyprus to reduce the length of time required

per enlisted person, and accept as valid arguments by those objecting to

military service on moral and religious grounds, the government must ensure that alternatives must be real options for people and not an even lengthier period, in a punitive way, of community service. Equally in the north, Turkish Cypriot politicians must do their bit to promote an individuals right to choose. Whatever happened to the saying, ''bu memleket bizim'' (this country is ours)? This single issue is of paramount importance to London Turkish Cypriots, the bulk of visitors and investors in Northern Cyprus.

To be frank, why would a young Turkish Cypriot man want to

accompany his parents after the age of 18 to Cyprus if he is going to be

confronted each time at the airport by uniformed soldiers, summoning him in front everybody and demanding to know when he is going

to do his military service? The experience can harrowing for a man whose

command of Turkish is deficient and whose home is not Cyprus but the UK.

Would you return to any country if you are put through such an ordeal?

This is the angle from which Northern Cyprus legislators must review the military

service question. Cypriot legislators in general need to understand that even the institution of the military has changed over the decades. Today countries like Germany, the United States and the UK as well as France where military service is no longer mandatory, only a small force of highly professional troops are used, and these men enlist voluntarily. Today, even if you believe a small Greek and Turkish Cypriot army is going to make much difference to the balance of regional power, then only a tiny number of troops are needed. Nowadays there is a greater dependence on technology and soldiers do not need fire a single shot before a war is over.

But there is equally a cultural dimension to the notion of military service of diaspora Cypriots. Young Cypriots in Britain are taught to live in a highly culturally diverse society and educated to think critically and beyond the lie ''dolce e decorum es pro patria mori'' (it is sweet and respectable to die for one's country), faced with this cultural difference why would many bother joining a nationalist teaching camp? what

would possibly tempt a diaspora Cypriot to leave his country of residence,

his home and friends to join a violent institution like the military, with

the risk of war and possible death on his mind?

The hard truth is of course, the cultures and attitudes of the diaspora

community and the old country are so wide apart that most British Cypriot

young men like myself would simply not bother even visiting Cyprus when confronted with military service; nor would they pay the four thousand pound penalty. If that means we cannot visit Northern Cyprus, then the world is a mighty big place.

To believe that young working members of the diaspora who are struggling to get on the London property ladder would dispense such a great amount of money is both extremely naïve and ignorant of diaspora people in general. No diaspora Cypriots are not all rich!

Even if you love Cyprus and wish maintain ties with the island and family and friends, you should not have to go to boot camp, give up your civil rights for 18 months to prove that. Compulsory military service violates the very principles of individual liberty that diaspora  Cypriots hold dear and that Cypriots in the old country can still only dream of.

We all know the basic premise underlying conscription is that the individual belongs to the state, individual rights are granted by the state, and therefore politicians can abridge individual rights at will. I for one will not surrender my rights as an individual to the will of a few appointed Turkish Cypriot whom I have never even met, will you?