Showing posts with label Cyprus's Turkey Problem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cyprus's Turkey Problem. Show all posts

Thursday, April 14, 2022

There Is No Difference Between Donetsk And northern Cyprus - 1945

14.APRIL.2022
Michael Rubin

Cyprus Gaffe Highlights Deeper Policy Flaw: Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland did not distinguish herself when, at a press conference in Cyprus during a tour through Europe, she spoke about a forthcoming meeting with Ersin Tatar, the leader of the Turkish-occupied northern portion of the country. “I’m going to go up to the north and spend a little time with President Tatar,” she said before someone in the audience queried her legitimization of the occupation by calling Tatar “president.” “I guess it was a mistake,” she said after confirming with her aides off-podium.

Put aside the projection to Cypriots that she visited without knowing the situation; those aware of the issues arising from an almost 50-year occupation need not clumsily page through notes.

Friday, February 28, 2020

Reconciliation with Turkey should only come with a price

February 19, 2020 12:35 PM
Michael Rubin

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is threatening to fight the Syrian army directly if Syrian President Bashar Assad does not stop his assault on Idlib, the last major zone controlled by the Syrian opposition. While Erdogan imagined himself a master tactician, he is now learning that it was Russian President Vladimir Putin who played him. Erdogan discarded decades of alliance with the United States for a brief fling, only to discover Putin’s professions of love were for more limited aims.
This is not the first time Erdogan has found himself outplayed. But, after deliberately trashing Turkey’s relationship with the U.S., it is time Washington plays hardball. Those who say that Erdogan notwithstanding, Turkey is too important for the U.S. to turn its back against are likely underestimating the corrosive impact of 17 years of Erdoganism, the incitement and indoctrination broadcast over the airwaves or taught in Turkey’s schools, and demographic change.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

1974-2019: 45 years of unchecked Turkish aggression in Cyprus - LOBBY FOR CYPRUS

20 July 2019

The date 20 July represents the awful anniversary of Turkey’s illegal, brutal and unjustified invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974. It was followed on 14 August 1974 by the equally illegal, brutal and unjustified second invasion in which Turkey ethno-religiously cleansed 36 per cent of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey has remained in occupation of it ever since. In 1974, the world looked on with sympathy but did absolutely nothing of any substance in response.

We are currently witnessing the most dangerous developments in the Cyprus issue since 1974. Turkey is carrying out a third invasion by illegally sending drill ships into the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus – initially to explore but no doubt subsequently to drill. At the same time Turkey has secretly despatched 40 tanks newly purchased from Germany to the occupied area for what purposes no one knows. At the same time, Turkey has recently taken purchase also of the S-400 missile system from Russia allegedly to defend itself and threatened to open up the town of Varosha under Turkish control, despite having refrained from doing so for 45 years in order to use the town as a bargaining chip in the mislabelled peace talks. To cap it all, Turkey has descended into tyranny and, with the help of Russia, it is now building a nuclear power station in a seismically active area to the north of the occupied area.

The aggression of Turkey towards the Republic of Cyprus continues unchecked and contrary to countless UN resolutions. Turkey’s blatant disregard for human rights, cultural heritage and international law knows no limits. And still the world looks on with sympathy but does nothing to confront this bully.

Monday, July 2, 2018

Cyprus: The Beginnings of a Racial Bizonal – Bicommunal Federation - DEFEND DEMOCRACY PRESS



19/05/2017
Stephanos Constantinides

The solution negotiated by the Greek side for the Cyprus issue gradually shifted to a two-state confederation and an institutional framework that would confirm Ankara’s sovereignty over the entire island and preserve the interests of the US and NATO in the region.

This new state structure will emerge with the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus and will be structured on the basis of racial criteria.

This means that there will be an ethnic vote and citizens will not vote with single electoral lists but with lists based on their ethnic origins and religion.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

The Fallacies of the Cyprus “Problem” - E-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS


ILIAS KOUSKOUVELIS, AUG 12 2017

In the early morning of July 7, 2017, another round of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations on the so called Cyprus “problem” has ended in Switzerland. Some are trying to understand why. Others, however, have ostensibly entered the “blame game” and/or misinformation, unjustly pointing the finger to the government of the Republic of Cyprus, because, allegedly, it did not make the necessary concessions, so as to satisfy Turkish demands. For those who are trying to understand why, I am arguing, hereinafter, that none should have expected these negotiations (or any previous) to succeed. They were doomed to fail for three reasons, which constitute the fallacies of the so-called Cyprus “problem”.

Saturday, July 8, 2017

International Conference on Cyprus: hard truths - GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY


Saturday, 08 July 2017

Greece attended the Conference in Crans-Montana determined to contribute in every possible way to resolving the Cyprus problem, and in the hope that everyone would act in such a direction.

But Turkey's conduct dashed any hopes anyone had that there would be a change in its stance. Just as Turkey abandoned the first Conference, in Geneva, it torpedoed the second.

Friday, June 30, 2017

Save the Republic of Cyprus and democratic values – an urgent call to change strategy - LOBBY FOR CYPRUS


Lobby for Cyprus expresses serious concerns about the secrecy with which the ‘Conference on Cyprus’ in Switzerland is taking place. We are also alarmed by the astonishing fact that the Republic of Cyprus is not officially represented at the ‘Conference on Cyprus’ where its destiny may be determined.

Lobby for Cyprus condemns any attempt to dissolve or undermine the Republic of Cyprus and to permit any Turkish military personnel or colonists to remain in the Republic under the pretext of security.

Lobby for Cyprus calls upon the United Nations and all parties to:

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

We won't accept just any solution on Cyprus


On the eve of the Conference on Cyprus, we feel compelled to express our views on the Cyprus negotiations on behalf of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), the American Hellenic Council (AHC), the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey, and the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH). Our community has worked with successive U.S. Administrations on behalf of a workable and lasting solution on Cyprus. In 2004, when we warned that the flawed Annan Plan was headed in the wrong direction, some officials defamed us as “rejectionists”, “hard liners”, or as “not having a bottom line.” Yet history proved us right and the officials predicting a landslide victory in 2004 wrong. At this key moment in Cyprus’ history, we have decided that it is time for us to speak out, warn against false steps, and describe an agreement that we may be able to support.

We have not only advocated for an end to the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, but for a new and better Cyprus. We have: invested in Cyprus; led business delegations interested in a reunified Cyprus; pushed for better bilateral relations between Cyprus and the United States. We have prepared for reunification with our Turkish Cypriot brethren by supporting bi-communal programs, by opening lines of communications with Turkish Cypriot business and opinion leaders, by encouraging policies like the issuance of Republic of Cyprus passports to Turkish Cypriots. We are informed by Cyprus’ tragic past, but not enslaved by it. Our point of reference is the Cyprus of the future, not the Cyprus of 1974.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

The Turkish Sword of Damocles Over Cyprus - THE HUFFINGTON POST

Headline, the Brtish newspaper THE SUN, 5 August 1974

06/22/2017 07:31 pm ET

The headline "BARBARIANS" described the Turks who had invaded Cyprus. The reporter, Iain Walker, wrote about the dramatic and bloody effects of the Turkish onslaught against the Greeks of Cyprus (Photo: Fanoula Argyrou)

Once again Cyprus is fighting for its life. The Greek island-home of Aphrodite is confronting its ancient enemies, Turkey and the United Kingdom. This confrontation is taking place in a secret diplomatic meeting in Geneva on 28 June 2017.

Turkey and the UK are former imperial powers that colonized Cyprus for long stretches of time. In 1878, Turkey passed Cyprus to Britain in exchange for British promises to support the Turks in any Russo-Turkish war. The British were not much better rulers than the Turks in Cyprus. Greek Cypriots fought the British and won their freedom.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Glavin: Here's why Cyprus is as divided as ever - A Comment

No room for Anatolian concepts on the island of Venus
Various inaccuracies in this article in Ottawa Citizen but one piece of information is vital in understanding what history has proven beyond any doubt, that the Turkish invasion and subsequent division, ethnic cleansing and ongoing colonization of Cyprus was pre-PLANNED and prepared for:

The Greek coup happened 5 days before the invasion. During that unsuccessul attempt about 100 people died. All Christians. NOT A SINGLE member of the Turkish Cypriot minority was harmed. Yet, most will buy the Turkish MYTH (there are so many on a vast array of issues) of an ethnic cleansing that preceded the invasion. Did Turkish Cypriots also die in 1974? Of course. BUT NOT BEFORE 40.000 TROOPS INVADED A PRACTICALLY DEFENSELESS ISLAND. Not before Turkey and Turkish Cypriots declared war on Cyprus.

We must also ask and demand answers from Turks and Turkish Cypriots:

Saturday, March 11, 2017

International Justice: The Case of Cyprus - HUFFINGTON POST

Turkish troops invading Cyprus in the summer of 1974
By Constantine Tzanos

On May 22, 2016, the Greek Cypriots in the independent south of Cyprus will go to the polls, with the issue of the reunification of the island heavily weighing on their minds. Northern Cyprus remains under Turkish occupation since 1974.

The preamble of the United Nations (UN) Charter states: “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war... to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law... our respective Governments... have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations (UN).” The purpose of the UN, as expressed in its Charter is: “To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes.” To achieve this purpose, “all Members shall refrain ... from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” In the event that international law, as expressed in the UN Charter, has been breached the UN Security Council is empowered to decide on measures “to be employed to give effect to its decisions.”

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Mustafa Akinci is NOT a Hypocrite!


Mustafa Akinci, the leader of the Turkish Cypriot minority in Cyprus, strongly advocates:

  • the political equality of Turks and Kurds
  • Turk-Kurd rotational presidency in "Turkey"'s (RoT) new charter
  • exclusive Kurdish education for RoT's Kurds
  • external guarantees for RoT's long-persecuted Kurds
  • Kurdish veto rights in RoT
  • that Kurds, unlike Turkish Cypriots, have a legitimate claim to contiguous land
  • a new flag & charter for RoT that recognizes the reality of two peoples
  • PKK's armed struggle as a way to secure Kurds' rights in RoT
  • the UN presence in RoT to secure the safety of the Kurdish people next to Turks

Friday, February 10, 2017

Lobby for Cyprus statement on ‘talks’ to settle the Cyprus issue

February 8, 2017
Lobby for Cyprus

Any settlement to the Cyprus issue must be just, sustainable and above all, in line with the rule of law. It must be for the benefit of all citizens and lawful residents of the Republic of Cyprus, which encompasses the entire island.

It should not be overlooked that the so-called ‘Cyprus problem’ has been caused by Turkish-inspired constitutional segregation, which has been aggravated by Turkey’s invasion, occupation, ethnic cleansing and colonisation of 37 per cent of the territory and 57 per cent of the coastline of the Republic of Cyprus.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

State Propaganda Nobel Prize goes to ...

In normal countries state propaganda competes with free speech. In countries like "Turkey" state propaganda defines the limits of public discourse, punishing those that venture into the unsanctioned.

This is not an Erdoganian phenomenon. It has been true for all "Turkey"s since 1923. Turkish journalists, academics, etc. always knew their limits, knowing that careful self-censorship is a must for self preservation.

It's crucial to understand that the seemingly free opinions we read by Turks in the English language NEVER, I repeat, NEVER appear in any Turkish outlet in the Turkish language! It's in fact part of the carefully crafted state propaganda machine. The state wants foreigners to assume that what they read is also what Turks do. That is not the case. Articles written by Turkish journalists in English which offer a rosy picture of a "Turkey" that harbours all opinions are never published in the Turkish press in Turkish.

In Erdogan's "Turkey" things become even worse, as if they were not bad enough. In this new "Turkey" of his state propaganda is the sole truth. Pretenses have been dropped. Those who dare speak against the official state line, without exception, are 'eliminated' in one way or another.

In Cyprus we are victims of heinous Turkish propaganda for decades. The Turkish Cypriot minority in particular has been at its mercy, almost entirely shaping its fears, hopes, aspirations and ultimately its perception of reality.

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Turkish bombs and riots in Cyprus: Handling the facts - William Mallinson:


Why the public has had to wait so long to read some fairly obvious things is anybody’s guess. The papers that I excavated merely show that Britain knew full well that the Turkish Cypriots planned riots in Nicosia in the summer of 1958, and that the latter planted a bomb against their own people in order to blame the Greek Cypriots. Before commenting on the whole distasteful farrago and its relevance and implications for today, let us reproduce some extracts.
...
...
It is fairly well known that truth is the first casualty of war, although it does often emerge years later. Whenever one dares to speculate, one is often branded a ‘conspiracy theorist’, as I would have been, had I speculated that the Turks planted a bomb against themselves, without the documentary evidence that I have now provided. One day, perhaps we shall be provided with incontrovertible evidence that it was indeed also Turks who planted a bomb at their own consulate-general in Thessaloniki, although enough books by serious academics already point the finger at the Turks. And while on the subject of agents provocateurs, it is highly unlikely that Greeks or Greek Cypriots murdered a British housewife in Famagusta October 1958. [18] It could have been an American, a Turk or even an Englishman. One hopes that one day incontrovertible evidence will appear.

To conclude The moment that Britain began thinking of transferring its Middle East headquarters to Cyprus in early 1952, the die for dividing Cyprus was cast. [19] ‘All’s fair in love and war’, as some say, whether cynically or simply realistically. Britain and the US could not afford to countenance a truly independent Cyprus, given their fear of the Soviet Union. It is the same today, just as in the Ukraine, where agents provocateurs abound. One day, there, too, the truth will come out.

Source: Turkish bombs and riots in Cyprus: Handling the facts

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Not so fast! Turkey was no great 'secular' state before Erdogan - WND

Ethnic cleansing of Greek Cypriots by the invading Turkish military, 1974
Exclusive: Andrew Bostom examines brutal conquest, Islamization of northern Cyprus

By Andrew Bostom

Although much ballyhooed 42 years later for its unsuccessful attempt to remove current Neo-Ottoman, Islamic Jew-hating President/Muslim despot Mas-Kom-Ya Erdogan, July 20, 1974, the same putatively “secular” Turkish military waged a “successful” jihad invasion of n
orthern Cyprus.

Using Cyprus’ own short-lived July 1974 military putsch (the Greek junta-supported coup had collapsed by [July 23, 1974]) as a pretext for long sought expansionist designs within Cyprus, pseudo-secular Turkey claimed its 1974 jihad invasion was a “peaceful action” that sought to “restore” Cypriot rights, territorial integrity, and security “without any discrimination toward the (Christian majority and Muslim minority) Communities.” But the July-August, 1974 jihad of Turkey’s pseudo-secular military regime, consistent with the devastating half millennial legacy of its Ottoman forbears’ campaigns, was punctuated by Islamic jihadism’s trademark “sacralized” brutality against non-Muslims: massacre, pillage, enslavement, rape, deportation (of infidels) and colonization (by Muslim replacements).

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Brexit please!


BREXIT PLEASE! Let's put the EU to the test. If it cannot survive it, then it was just an illusion. An illusion of family, an illusion of security. The sooner we find out the faster we'll forge those strategic relationships that truly matter. My hope is that the EU comes out stronger. Hopefully the UK too. We face a financial risk from Brexit after all.

Of all the nations in the EU the only one facing an existential threat is us. A Brexit should help fellow members appreciate our top priority better. If they can't and won't back us 100% (with "Turkey"'s cheerleader out) then what the hell are we in for.

My thoughts on why Cypriots should want the UK out HERE & HERE.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Bizonality Defined

BIZONALITY (aka BBF) is that political system which requires the legalization of forced usurpation of land and properties of majority Christians via their very own vote, in order to create a unified de-jure majority Muslim geographic zone in the framework of a 50-50 federation-apartheid between the majority and a Muslim minority.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

The UN Negotiator Liking & Retweeting a Sworn Antibizonalist

Snapshot #1
UN Cyprus tweeted on June 8th 2016 about Lisa Buttenheim's departure (will we ever know the real reasons?) (1st snapshot). I replied with a tweet that read "Good people. Condemned to star in the Bizonality Sisyphean Tragedy. Cherchez le Brit" (2nd snapshot). And to my surprise Espen Barth Eide, of all people, both liked and retweeted (3rd snapshot). An honest mistake? Or perhaps not? I immediately captured the screen as I suspected it would not stay up for long. Indeed, minutes later it was gone!

But what (part of the tweet) could have prompted Mr Eide to both like and retweet? My tweet contained three messages.

All Time Popular Posts

Last 7 Days Popular Posts

Followers

Turkey's Kurds & Cyprus' tCypriots

As either unitary state or federation solutions are discussed as replacements to Cyprus' 1960 and Turkey's 1923 unworkable constitutions, should we abide by "if a right is a right too many for Turkey's Kurdish community (circa 23% of population) then that right is a right too many for Cyprus' tCypriot community too (circa 15%), and vice versa." Is the adoption of this fair logic the catalyst to securing just solutions for both UN countries.