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.

Dangerous double standards - KATHIMERINI

21.02.2022 • 21:30

Advocating for justice for Cyprus in Washington, DC requires levels of commitment and stamina that most people do not appreciate. Listening to administration after administration loudly declare commitments to human rights and international law while reducing such commitments to whispers with regard to Cyprus is maddening. Trying to decipher why the US State Department uses the word “occupation” around the world while studiously avoiding it when talking about Cyprus makes us feel for the scholars who were trying to understand hieroglyphics prior to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. Tragically, we often feel that State Department and National Security officials speak to us (and to the Republic of Cyprus) as if they are engaged in their own version of the Melian Dialogue: “The strong do what they will, the weak suffer what they must.”

This frustration reached a new level this month. On February 1, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. They discussed bilateral relations, regional cooperation (including fixing the mess caused by the famous EastMed “non-paper”), and new confidence building measures on Cyprus. The day before, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield admonished the Russians at the United Nations Security Council with this statement: “Imagine how uncomfortable you would be if you had 100,000 troops sitting on your border.”

One viable settlement: one Cyprus - LOBBY FOR CYPRUS

April 23, 2021

On 27-29 April the long anticipated UN-sponsored informal ‘five-party’ summit is set to commence in Geneva. The aim, according to the UN, is to forge a path towards kickstarting a new round of ‘talks’ to settle the Cyprus issue, ie the ongoing occupation by Turkey of the northern area of the Republic of Cyprus. 

In a typical display of intransigence and belligerence, Turkey and its subordinate regime in the occupied territories of Cyprus have attempted to up the ante and further poison the political climate by once again promoting the maximalist notion of a ‘two-state’ settlement that would once and for all carve up the Republic of Cyprus into two states. Such an outcome would not only reward Turkey for its brutal invasions of 1974, it would legitimise its illegal occupation of 36 per cent of the territory and 57 percent of the coastline of the Republic of Cyprus. The government of the Republic of Cyprus, with good reason would refuse to consider such an outlandish demand. 

But in calling for a ‘two-state’ settlement, President Erdogan of Turkey and his mouthpiece Ersin Tatar in the Turkish-occupied zone of the Republic of Cyprus are being disingenuous. Turkey does not seek to create two entirely independent states but a confederation in which Ankara is master of one ‘state’ in the north; has a say in the affairs of another ‘state’ in the south; and in addition exerts control over a central government. Via such a confederation (or indeed federation) Ankara’s occupation would not end, it would in effect be extended. 

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.

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.

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.

Akinci, Nami, Ozersay: the local Turkdom on the march again

In Crawshaw's book "Cyprus Revolt: The Origins, Development and Aftermath of an International Dispute" you will find the flyer / leaflet Turks were circulating in Cyprus in the 1950s to incite the local minority Muslim population. A similar propaganda is in the works today. By Kemalists then, by Islamists today. The beast is hungry yet again. Partition wasn't enough. And whatever the new demand will be, it won't be enough. A new generation will demand whatever may be left to take.

Here it is:

"Oh Turkish Youth! The day is near when you will be called upon to sacrifice your life and blood in the PARTITION/TAXIM struggle - the struggle for freedom. You are a brave Turk. You are faithful to your country and nation and are entrusted with the task of demonstrating Turkish might. Be ready to break the chains of slavery with your determination and willpower and with your love of freedom. All Turkdom, right and justice and God are with you. PARTITION OR DEATH."

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”.

Announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the celebrations in the occupied enclave of Kokkina, Cyprus, of the 1964 napalm bombings of Tillyria by the Turkish air force

Source

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.

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:

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.

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.

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:

A Dangerous Precedent

What's the face of your minority dictating the terms of your surrender?

Bizonality (not merely stupid, a criminal concept for Cyprus) raises the ante on every state with large difficult/unwilling-to-assimilate minority communities. Any form of legalized division on Cyprus would make a disaster precedent under international law. It's up to us not to approve such nonsense. Whatever the cost. And I'm afraid it may include human lives too, as Turks realize that the end game is nigh and they have no option but to play what has been their only card all along: military force.

Bizonality in a nutshell: Imagine a section of your town or country carved up, its Christians thrown out, forced to sell their properties, your country's Muslims (or ethnic minority) invited in, and the two zones, the smaller one de-jure for Muslims and the other for kafirs, to be equally represented in political structures, each with effective veto powers. If you can imagine it then you understand the solution the United Nations is promoting for Cyprus. It will never be approved. Just as you would never approve it. None of you.

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.”

A Typical Conversation with a Turkish Cypriot

A typical conversation with a member of the Turkish Cypriot minority suffocating in her/his own version of reality:

Cypriot: The Greek Cypriot majority granted you the privilege of exclusive education in Turkish as far back as in 1960. Do you support exclusive Kurdish education for Kurds in "Turkey", who constitute 20-25% of the country's population?

TC: What does the Kurdish issue have anything to do with Cyprus?

Cypriot: Well, for one I am trying to establish the pricniples we are trying to uphold, regardless of the people involved. Second, Kurds are a community of the country you claim to depend on for your security and rights. So how that country treats it's own ethnic community is relevant, would you not think so?

TC: The Kurds have nothing to do with us. You stole our rights and now you are trying to find excuses.

Cypriot: I see what you are saying. But, hypothetically, if Kurds were to ask a charter like the one you achieved in 1960, would you support them?

TC: You are a fascist. I will not talk with you anymore.

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

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.

If this ... why not this?

The over four fifths Christian majority of Cyprus, its historic community with non-stop cultural dominance on the island that spans millennia, wanted union with Greece. The British, the colonial power at the time, said no. Along with "Turkey", the patron of the circa 18% Muslim minority, they devised a political apartheid solution to grant Cyprus a crippled independence in 1960. The 1960 charter was never put to a vote.