Supreme President Nicholas A. Karacostas issued the following statement on the 36th anniversary of the illegal invasion and subsequent occupation of the Republic of Cyprus that occurred July 20, 1974: "Today marks a somber day as we observe the 36th anniversary of the illegal invasion and occupation of the Republic of Cyprus by the Republic of Turkey. This was, and remains to this very day, an intolerable act; one that is a gross violation of the rule of law, human rights, and democratic ideals. We pause to remember the innocent civilians who lost their lives and thousands who went missing, including four American citizens whose investigations remain incomplete. The illegal invasion and occupation caused the displacement of nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees, including my family, who to this day are unable to return to their homes which is also a violation of human rights as determined by the European Commission on Human Rights. "Today, the ongoing direct talks between Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and new hard-line Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, under the scope of the high-level UN Agreement of July 8, 2006, has provided minimal tangible progress toward a settlement to reunify Cyprus despite the former's submission of realistic proposals as recent as last week and because of the latter's continued insistence to present proposals outside UN parameters and European Union principles. We restate our call for the reunification of Cyprus, and its people, in a bicommunal and bizonal federation with a single sovereignty, single international personality and single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. We contend that such a solution is in the best interest of all Cypriots, and must emanate from Cypriots themselves. "However, ultimately the key to a successful settlement rests in Ankara. We call on the U.S. government to convey a strong message to Turkey that it must provide the Turkish Cypriot community with the necessary freedom to negotiate a solution within the July 8 framework, and equally as important, facilitate the removal of 43,000 of its troops from the island. "Therefore, on this 'black anniversary' we call on Turkey to begin the removal of its 43,000 troops from Cyprus. These are troops that we contend, as American citizens, would serve a better purpose, especially to NATO, in another theatre such as Afghanistan as opposed to Cyprus where there have been 15 million incident-free crossings by Greek and Turkish Cypriots. "We call for these actions in the best interests of the United States. A reunified Cyprus into a bizonal, bicommunal federation will strengthen the eastern Mediterranean and bring peace and security to the region. Furthermore, it will aid Turkey's candidacy to become a member of the European Union. "Our hope is that we will no longer need to observe this 'black anniversary,' but instead, celebrate the anniversary of a settlement. AHEPA remains committed to doing all within its power to keep the Cyprus issue in the public eye until a just and viable solution is realized."
II. GREEKREPORTER - Cyprus: we will heal the wounds and we will truly guarantee a peaceful and hopeful future for our children
Cyprus expects the United Nations and the international community to turn their attention to Turkey ”in order to pave the way for a solution” of the Cyprus problem, ”Turkey must leave behind words and slogans, and show in practice that it is ready for an honorable, viable and functional compromise,” President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias said on Sunday. Addressing an event for the persons missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, President Christofias said ”we are indeed dealing with a very difficult interlocutor,” who ”is declaring everywhere that it is seeking a solution within 2010.” He also pointed out that ”we are expecting the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Ankara to show in practice, at the negotiating table, that they are committed by the agreed framework and to submit reasonable and constructive proposals, which will create the preconditions for a realistic compromise.” He assured that the Greek Cypriot side would continue to sincerely pursue a settlement, providing for a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as defined in UN resolutions, safeguarding the unity of the state. ”This is the historical compromise of the Greek Cypriot side,” he said, adding that ”a bizonal bicommunal federation solution will guard against division and division means destruction.” President Christofias welcomed a Greek delegation that attended the event and expressed appreciation for the work of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, noting that the government supports its efforts. Referring to the Committee’s work, President Christofias said six teams were carrying out exhumations in the Turkish occupied areas and two in the government controlled areas, adding that after intensive efforts and representations in various directions, a commitment was obtained that investigations would be allowed in military zones in the Turkish occupied areas. He noted that the Committee has carried out 274 exhumations and found remains believed to belong to 600 persons missing from both sides on the island, and that so far the remains of 179 Greek Cypriots and 52 Turkish Cypriots have been identified by DNA. ”The Committee’s exhumation programme undoubtedly creates a climate of optimism,” he said but pointed out that efforts were being made so that Turkey fulfills its commitments and provides access to military records and other services, which will help determine the fate of missing persons. ”For us, the issue of missing persons, the most tragic aspect of the Cyprus problem, must not be seen through a political lens but everyone must show the necessary sensitivity in this humanitarian matter,” he added. President Christofias referred to the 1974 coup d’ etat and the Turkish invasion of the island a few days later, noting that ”the lessons of history must act as a calling for all of us to take our responsibilities in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem, bringing the true reunification of our homeland, the people, the economy and the institutions, which will terminate occupation and settling, and will restore the human rights of the whole of the people of Cyprus.” ”Thus we will heal the wounds, those who fought and gave their lives will be justified, and we will truly guarantee a peaceful and hopeful future for our children,” he said.
Prime minister George Papandreou will meet on Tuesday with visiting Cyprus foreign minister Marios Kyprianou, while on Wednesday he will have a brief discussion with Cyprus President Demetris Christofias at Larnaca Airport, where he will be in transit for a few hours en route to Israel and Palestine. Papandreou said the situation in Cyprus must end and the wound of the unacceptable occupation must close, and called on Turkey to manifest the necessary political will for a just settlement of the Cyprus problem. In a message on Monday marking the 36th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the northern part of Cyprus, the premier reiterated Greece's active support for the efforts by President Christofias to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus problem at the negotiations table, adding that for Greece the Cyprus problem is a top national priority. He also called on Turkey to manifest the necessary political will for a just settlement of the Cyprus issue, without which there can be no full normalisation in Greek-Turkish relations. "It's (Turkey's) role is crucial and decisive for a speedy solution to the problem," Papandreou added, in a message. "The current situation in Cyprus is unacceptable and must be terminated," Papandreou said, and stressed the need for a just, viable and functional settlement based on the UN Security Council resolutions and EU decisions...a solution of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with a single sovereignty, a single international entity and a single citizenship.
“Too much time has passed since the Turkish invasion and today’s unacceptable situation must finally come to an end; all the occupation troops must leave the island, so that the Cypriot people can at last live in peace, safety and prosperity”, the Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Mr Demetris Droutsas stated yesterday after his meeting in Athens with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Markos Kyprianou. For his part, Mr Kyprianou said that the Republic of Cyprus remains committed to an agreed solution that will provide for the transformation of the island into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, based on the UN resolutions and of course the principles of international and European law. “But what is of particular importance is the need to preserve the nature of the process, which has been an integral part of the decision for the resumption of the direct negotiations, without timeframes or arbitration,” Mr Kyprianou said and added: “No one can change the rules of the game, since this has been the main prerequisite when the game started. We expect the Turkish side to contribute to the efforts with deeds and not simply to put the blame on others, as it seems to have been doing lately, but to concentrate on the substance and come to the talks with constructive proposals, rather than communication games and tactics.” Referring to the proposals of President Christofias and in particular to the proposal on the return of Famagusta to the United Nations, Mr Kyprianou noted that the opening of the Famagusta port under European Union auspices will give an impetus to the talks and help create a good climate between the two sides. “Of course, Mr Kyprianou added, “I will stress in particular the proposal on Famagusta, the return of the fenced-off town to the United Nations, as well as the opening of the Famagusta port to trade under the auspices and the management of the European Union”. Mr Kyprianou also underlined that Turkey must respect the international law and the Law of the Sea and reminded that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has been ratified by all 27 member states of the European Union and by the European Community itself. “So if Turkey indeed wants to move towards the European Union – and really means it – then it must recognize the rights arising from this Convention that have been recognized by this Convention, and then proceed with signing and ratifying it”, he noted.
V. UNITEDCYPRUS - Transplanted Populations and the Problems Caused: Cyprus
In the pages that follow, we will begin, in Part I, by taking a journey through Cyprus’ history leading up to Turkey’s military invasions in July and August 1974. We will prove that due to the treaties that were signed and the Constitution that was drafted for Cyprus, after she gained independence from Britain in 1960, set her on a collision course with outside control, occupation and division. In Part II, we will note that Turkey’s invasions that occurred in 1974 led to her constant violations and blatant disregard for international law. Subsequently, we will question why Turkey and her authorities have not been held accountable for their actions. Later, in Part III, Turkey’s “puppet regime”, the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”), declared itself an independent state. We will conclude that the “TRNC” did not satisfy the Montevideo requirements for acquisition of statehood. Therefore, the creation of such an entity is a violation of international law and subsequently, any recognition of the “TRNC” is also a violation of international law. In Part IV, we will cover the European Court of Human Rights and the decisions of Loizidou v. Cyprus and Cyprus v. Turkey. These two cases are important for the future of Cyprus and her people, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike. Then we will, in Part V, review the “Joint Legal Opinion” of legal experts in regards to several issues affecting Cyprus today. We will address various issues relating to human rights violations committed in Cyprus, by Turkey. For instance, we will cover forcible transfers as breaches of particular human rights standards, forcible transfers as racial, religious or other discrimination: “ethnic cleansing”, large scale forcible transfers as a crime against humanity, and forcible expulsion by a belligerent or unlawful occupant. Part VI will assess the European Stance on the Cyprus Problem and European Union Membership. We will also include a section devoted to the winners and losers of Cyprus’ accession into the European Union. Subsequently, we will conclude that Turkey has the most to lose and gain by solving the Cyprus Problem prior to Cyprus’ accession. In Part VII, we will review the issues relating to the Turkish “settlers” and the Turkish policy of “Turkification” in the “occupied areas” of Cyprus. This will include the creation of citizenship laws in the “occupied areas”, contrary to the Republic of Cyprus’ laws, in order to give “settlers” Turkish-Cypriot citizenship. Part VIII will be devoted exclusively to the Turkish-Cypriot press. In this section, we will include several articles written by Turkish-Cypriot journalists regarding the crisis that exists in “occupied” Cyprus. This will help the reader understand that a solution will help the Turkish-Cypriots and Greek-Cypriots alike. Then, in Part IX, we will look into various means of finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus Problem. We will begin by looking into Turkey’s military action and occupation as illegal and “an act of aggression” that cannot be sanctioned. Therefore, we will conclude that since Turkey’s initial action was illegal, anything that flows from that initial illegal act is, therefore, also illegal. Then, we will look into the mandatory steps that need to be taken in order for there to be a solution that is fair for all the people of Cyprus. For instance, we will conclude that the Turkish military withdrawal from Cyprus, the return of refugees and displaced persons to their country, property and homes, and that the repatriation of Turkish “settlers” is the only means at finding a realistic solution. Additionally, we understand that every individual has rights, hence, we will question whether any of the “settlers” in the “occupied areas” have any legal right to remain in Cyprus. Finally, in Part X, we will present our conclusion based on the facts and law established in the proceedings pages. We will argue that the continuing illegal acts committed by Turkey, in Cyprus, shall no longer be unnoticed or ignored by the international community. The solution should not legalize the atrocities that have been committed by Turkey. Most importantly, the solution should not waive or ignore any rights that any displaced person or refugee is or has been entitled to since Turkey’s act of aggressions in 1974. To read this report in full, please visit A United Cyprus.
VI. CYPRUSEMBASSY - Human Rights Violations by Turkey in Cyprus
This brief booklet contains substantive information on the documented and continuing violations of internationally protected human rights committed by Turkey in Cyprus. These violations are the direct outcome of Turkey’s unlawful 1974 invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, of the continuing occupation of nearly 37% of its sovereign territory, and the systematic ethnic cleansing that occurred in the area of Cyprus under Turkish occupation. To read this book in its entirety, please click here.
VII. WASHINGTONTIMES - Turkey in Cyprus vs. Israel in Gaza
In light of Ankara's recent criticism of what it calls Israel's "open-air jail" in Gaza, today's date, which marks the anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, has special relevance. Turkish policy toward Israel, historically warm and only a decade ago approaching full alliance, has cooled since Islamists took power in Ankara in 2002. Their hostility became explicit in January 2009, during the Israeli-Hamas war... Their verbal assaults augured a further hostility that included insulting the Israeli president, helping sponsor the "Freedom Flotilla" and recalling the Turkish ambassador. This Turkish rage prompts a question: Is Israel in Gaza really worse than Turkey in Cyprus? A comparison finds this hardly to be so. Consider some contrasts: *Turkey's invasion of July-August 1974 involved the use of napalm and "spread terror" among Cypriot Greek villagers, according to Minority Rights Group International. In contrast, Israel's "fierce battle" to take Gaza relied on only conventional weapons and entailed virtually no civilian casualties. *The subsequent occupation of 37 percent of the island amounted to a "forced ethnic cleansing," William Mallinson said in a just-published monograph from the University of Minnesota. In contrast, if one wishes to accuse the Israeli authorities of ethnic cleansing in Gaza, it was against their own people, the Jews, in 2005. *The Turkish government has sponsored what Mr. Mallinson calls "a systematic policy of colonization" on formerly Greek lands in Northern Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots in 1973 totaled about 120,000 people; since then, more than 160,000 citizens of the Republic of Turkey have been settled in their lands. Not a single Israeli community remains in Gaza. *Ankara runs its occupied zone so tightly that, in the words of Bulent Akarcali, a senior Turkish politician, "Northern Cyprus is governed like a province of Turkey." An enemy of Israel, Hamas, rules in Gaza. *The Turks set up a pretend-autonomous structure called the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." Gazans enjoy real autonomy. *A wall through the island keeps peaceable Greeks out of Northern Cyprus. Israel's wall excludes Palestinian terrorists. And then there is the ghost town of Famagusta, where Turkish actions parallel those of Syria under the thuggish Assads. After the Turkish air force bombed the Cypriot port city, Turkish forces moved in to seize it, thereby prompting the entire Greek population (fearing a massacre) to flee. Turkish troops immediately fenced off the central part of the town, called Varosha, and prohibited anyone from living there. As this crumbling Greek town is reclaimed by nature, it has become a bizarre time capsule from 1974. Mr. Erdogan claims that Turkish troops are not occupying Northern Cyprus but are there in "Turkey's capacity as a guarantor power," whatever that means. The outside world, however, is not fooled. While Elvis Costello recently pulled out of a concert in Tel Aviv to protest the "suffering of the innocent [Palestinians]," Jennifer Lopez canceled a concert in Northern Cyprus to protest "human rights abuse" there. In brief, Northern Cyprus shares features with Syria and resembles an "open-air jail" more than Gaza does. How rich that a hypocritical Ankara preens its moral plumage about Gaza even as it runs a zone significantly more offensive. Instead of meddling in Gaza, Turkish leaders should close the illegal and disruptive occupation that for decades has tragically divided Cyprus.