Brian Coleman

249 comments from readers

Sol
22 October 2007 at 13:52

Brian, you make no mention of the 1810 Turkish Cypriots killed during the period 1963 - 1974, what is your opinion on the words of Niko Samson (the second and short lived president of Cyprus) who stated that is Turkey ha not stopped him he not only would have declared union with Greece, but would have "annihilated the Turkish Cypriots’."

Perhaps then the invasion was also a liberation (that is not to defend the actions of the Turkish military during that period).

It may interest you to know that over 100 Muslim religious buildings were destroyed in Cyprus, in 1963 along over 20,000 Turkish Cypriots were foced from their homes by the "plucky" Greek Cypriot militias.

Oh and the growth rate in northern Cyprus, a truly Aisiatic 12%. The Med Tiger so to speak...

Taner Alevok
22 October 2007 at 13:58

As a Turkish Cypriot I would never dream of living in the Republic of Cyprus as it is.

We've been quarreling with the Greek Cypriots for many, many years and we feel there has been some serious injustices against us.

The Greek Cypriot government has spent the past 40 years denying what many of us have lived through and witnessed, all while trying to promote the supposed unification of our country. The Turkish Cypriots know this is just a smoke screen and a means to manipulate public opinion in their favour. We know the ways in which the Greek government work well enough to know that they are not after peace, they are only after getting back what they lost to serious irresponsibility and greed.

We do not trust their government one iota. Consindering the animosity between us, we will never agree to becoming a mere minority in our homeland. If there wasn't so much hostility then maybe, but as it stands, after 40 years of denials and political wars we will not accept anything less than an equal status in Cyprus. After our turbulant history we need this guarantee.

When it was us being ethnically cleansed from our villages the whole world sat watching. When our people were being dug up from mass graves, the Greek Cypriot regime was disgracefully claiming the bodies were those of Greek Cypriots. Now they are so ignorant that they call our tragic experiences "lies" and counter them with UN documents expecting us to give in to their demands. We're used to double standards by now, but in return, people shouldn't expect us to play by the book. The international community should stop insulting our intelligence.

The destruction and looting of Churches is a disgusting crime, those practicing such activities should be locked up without a shadow of doubt. What happened to the Greek Cypriots is also tragic. We are very sorry for their suffering and we do not wish for them to be deprived of their lands forever, however, with their governments attitude and the ways in which they view the Turkish Cypriots, it makes it very hard to reconcile and settle the dispute.

As for Northern Cyprus. As long as the Greek Cypriot government continue their life long aim of reducing the Turkish Cypriot community to nothing but a minority ("a result of invasion" as they call us) the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will stay. We are not happy with some of the situations here either, but anything is better than giving in to the Greek Cypriot demands, and no amount of money, prosperity, EU promises, (or a free holiday in the case of Mr Coleman) will convince us otherwise.

We will never give up our homeland.

Either start negotioating or move on with your lives, either way stop moaning because the Turkish Cypriots have long stopped listening. Goodbye.

Fevz_Gooner
22 October 2007 at 14:21

Brian Coleman's comments are so unashamedly biased it beggars belief. I agree with Taner and Sol. It is highly irresponsible to highlight the Cyprus problem in a manner that is not balanced - I can't say that I expect anything less from BC - he backed London's unlawful ban on the Turkish Cypriot Tourism advertising on London's buses. People forget the ethnic cleansing that went on from 1963 to 1974. Over 1800 Turkish Cypriots perished in this inter-ethnic conflict. Nobody mentiones this - from a proportionate point of view more Turkish Cypriot's died than Greek Cypriots, but I guess this is immaterial. Of course the state of affairs in Northern Cyprus is very sad but us Turkish Cypriots continue to be ignored - anything we try to do with the international communities is constantly attacked by the RoC government - they are intent on allowing the ostracisation of Turkish Cypriot's to continue - we voted for the Annan plan in 2004 and still there is no change (what price voting or peace/unification??) - I am afraid my view is that the current RoC lot will never see us as an equal - have you heard of 'Love Cyprus, Hate Racism'? This is a great initiative by human rights group Embargoed! There are groups who are trying to help and obviously a lot of work is still to be done, if we are to go by Coleman's anti-Turkish comments. I pray one day the Cyprus solution will be remedied but more goodwill needs to be shown by RoC government.

Cyprushot
22 October 2007 at 14:28

Why just focus on the Turkish Cypriot deaths committed in the 1960s?

Why not mention the deaths of Turkish Cypriots by Turks themselves?

And why just focus on the 1960s?

The Ottomans and Turks have killed thousands of Cyprus' Christian inhabitants.

When one looks at the history of Cyprus, it is important to see events as part of a continous cycle of history. Turkey's presence in Cyprus is one of occupation, something Turkey's own politicians and army generals have admitted many times ago. For example Denktash, once upon a time leader of the Turkish Cypriot community stated:

Naturally Turkey has strategic interests in Cyprus. It is fortunate that the Turkish Cypriot community exists here. Even if the Turkish Cypriot community did not exist, Turkey would not have left Cyprus to Greece."

Turkish occupation representative Rauf Denktash, 23 July 1985

As for the point about Turkish Cypriots living in the Republic of Cyprus, many thousands do and enjow the prosperity of being within a recognised state and also part of the EU (to be a member a country must respect international law).

Sometimes, the pride of nationalism must be put aside when dealing with a nations religious and culturage heritage.

Instead of some Turkish Cypriots on relying on the past (attrocities were committed by both sides, and even the British), maybe they can help ensure that the 500 or so churches that have been desecrated in the north be restored.

Emina
22 October 2007 at 14:29

Mr Coleman i am glad you are clear about the fact that your trip to Cyprus was funded by your host perhaps you should also be clearer about the fact that the right wing Greek Brotherhood contributes to the coffers of your local Conservative Party. I also find it quite strange that you refer to Cyprus as a modern EU country as a second generation Cypriot i find it a long stretch of the imagination to describe Cyprus as anything other than a slightly more modern but non the less culturally middle eastern state. I feel that comment such as your are insulting to say the least and contribute to the maintanance of the status quo in the so called Cyprus Problem. But its about time the Brits owned up to their role which is more than buying up properties they have no legal right to but the fact that Britains disastrous divide and rule policy prior to independence bringing about the current situation and leading to the deaths of thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriot. Perhaps your funders should invest in some literature to help you in getting your facts straight Mr Coleman.

Sol
22 October 2007 at 14:42

Cyprushot

The history on both sides is tragic, You say there are 500 Churches which have been deserctated in the North, I would respectfully point out the destruction and paving over with a car park of the Grand Mosque in Phahos. At least the Churches are still there as a witness to the people who built them.

Either way it is pointless argueing about who did what to who.

Looking to the future, either the two communities build trust and move closer together, or not and they go for a two state solution. The status quo is untenible and a blight on the consciense of those involved.

Time is running out for reuniifcation, and while there are leaders who use the other side to scare their own voters for political gain it seems less lightly.

Mr Colman, rather than dismiss the Turks, (rather like David Lloyd George did), perhaps you should embrace them. For shutting Turkey out of Europe, slaming the Turkish Cypriots for the non reunification of Cyprus (after they voted for reunification under the Annan plan) hardly makes it a better world.

Sol
22 October 2007 at 15:46

On December 28, 1963 the Daily Express reported:

‘We went tonight into the sealed off Turkish Cypriot

Quarter of Nicosia in which 200 to 300 people had

been slaughtered in the last five days. We were the first

Western reporters there and we have seen sights too

frightful to be described in print. Horror so extreme

that the people seemed stunned beyond tears.’ Many

Turkish Cypriots escaped to Turkey, and the remainder

withdrew into defended enclaves and could no

longer participate in the government of Cyprus.

Instead of taking action against the Greek Cypriots,

the British, the Americans and the UN treated them

as ‘the Government of Cyprus,’ and still do to this

day. Some of the people responsible are still in senior

positions in Cyprus but have never been tried for their

crimes. The UN put an observer force into Cyprus but

they were brushed aside by the Greek Cypriots in 1974

when they tried again to impose a final solution on the

Turkish Cypriots. Sir Alec Douglas Home said in his

memoirs: ‘If the Greek Cypriot leadership could not

treat the Turkish Cypriots as human beings they were

inviting the invasion and partition of the island.’

The leader of the 1974 coup, Nicos Sampson, told

Eleftherotipia newspaper that ‘had Turkey not intervened

I would not only have proclaimed ENOSIS — I

would have annihilated the Turkish Cypriots’. The UK

and the US did nothing to save the Turkish Cypriots,

but fortunately for them Turkey did intervene, and

established a safe haven in the north where the Turkish

Cypriots now live.

Turkey’s action has had a high diplomatic cost to

itself, and the UK should make it clear that Turkey

should not be penalised in its relations with the EU, or

at the UN, for the action it had to take in 1974. The

Turkish Cypriots proclaimed their own state in 1983 but the British and Americans persuaded the world

not to recognise it.

If Britain’s new Prime Minister believes in the

moral values which he espouses, he should start

acting with honesty and decency toward the Turkish

Cypriots.

In Europe, Gordon Brown should press for the

full inclusion of Turkish Cypriot universities in the

Bologna process and for the right of Turkish Cypriot

MPs to speak in the European Parliament whenever

Cyprus is considered. At the UN he should call

for all countries to trade normally with northern

Cyprus. In Britain he should not allow the ‘Cyprus

High Commission’ to interfere in contractual relations

between exhibition organisers in the UK and Turkish

Cypriots who wish to organise or participate in exhibitions.

He should also make it clear to the Greek

Cypriots that he does not approve of their efforts to

use the UK courts to settle property disputes which

should have been settled through the Annan Plan or

through the compensation commission which the

Turkish Cypriots have established.

This would be the policy most likely to bring

the parties in Cyprus to serious negotiations. The

Turkish Cypriots still prefer settlement to permanent

separation, but the Greek Cypriot leaders need to be

convinced that the world will not tolerate restrictions

on the Turkish Cypriots any longer.

by Michael Stephen Former Conservative MP

alexander
22 October 2007 at 17:43

An excellent piece by Brian Coleman.

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 was a horrendous, barbaric act of ethnic cleansing, involving massacre, rape and the forcible expulsion of 200,000 Greeks from the north of the island. The shameful destruction of Cyprus’s artistic and cultural heritage which Brian refers to – the assault on anything which reminds the Turkish occupation regime of the island’s Greek and Christian heritage – is part of this process of ethnic cleansing.

It is incomprehensible to me that a country like Turkey is even being considered for EU membership; that it is, shows how morally bankrupt Europe has become.

As for the Turkish Cypriot minority (15% of the Cyprus population), it is a pity that they allowed themselves to be seduced by ultranationalist Turkish terrorists in the 1960s who were dedicated to partitioning Cyprus and prevented Turkish Cypriots from playing their full part in the Republic of Cyprus alongside Greek Cypriots.

Thank you, Brian, for doing such sterling work supporting your constituents and justice for Cyprus.

k Black
22 October 2007 at 20:11

Turkey cannot continue to occupy a country that is an EU state and then hope the rest of the EU members let them in to the EU.with no strings attatched!

Let us not be under any illusion.Turkey invaded another country on the pretext of protecting the Turkish Cypriots. Unfortunatly for the Turkish Cypriots, there has been a huge influx of Turkish settlers in northern Cyprus,over 100,000, which has lead to the Turkish Cypriots becoming a minority ethnic community in the north.So much for protecting them! Who is going to protect the Turkish Cypriots from the Turks!

Greek and Turkish Cypriots can be reunfied , if there is goodwill on both sides.The Annan plan ofcourse was approved by the Turkish Cypriots because it was so biased towards them, and the Greek Cypriots felt that it was not a viable workable solution.

Lets now look to the future and not hop on the Turkish propaganda machine which at the moment is pushing towards permanent partition and which is actually ignoring the needs of both sets of Cypriots, who can live together if the past is left behind. Cyprus is to small to be cut in two!

Larry
22 October 2007 at 20:39

With regards the number of settlers in Cyprus, serious academic reseaarch by the International Peace Research Center in Oslo (as well as finding of a House of Commons report) put that figure at no more than 35,000.

It should be noted the number of Greek and aprticulary the number of former Greek soldiers who have "settled" in the Southern part. (Greek Soldiers who have been stationed in Cyprus have a right to residency).

To deny the deaths of so many Turkish Cypriots and the ethnic cleansing which went with it, is very similar to BC take on Turkey denying the Armenian Genocide. Or is Christians murdering Muslims more acceptable than the other way round.

Taner Alevok
22 October 2007 at 23:18

Our people are living proof of what went on in Cyprus.

The manipulation coming from the Greeks is shocking. It beggars belief that these people actually think they will end up convincing us that the awful times we lived through were just figments of our imagination.

For the Greek Cypriots the Cyprus problem started in 1974. You will not find any of them bringing up the events of the 11 years prior to Turkeys arrival. This is understandable, since for 11 whole years, the Turkish Cypriots were made to feel less than foreigners in their own country. We were treated like animals and the Greek regimes criminal actions against us knew no bounds.

According to the Greeks, the Cyprus Problem is one of occupation. This is a very naive and irresponsible viewpoint. How can that be the only problem when Turkish Cypriots have the chance to move to the Republic (some of whom even have the chance to reclaim their homes back), yet the vast majority of them choose not to.

This is not just about occupation, for us it's more about principle.

What is this so called "good will" people are talking about? Where? When? There is no such thing between the two communities.

Their government is still trying to get the Turkish Cypriots to accept Makarios' deplorable proposals, in the vain hope of reducing our community to a minority and leaving our future in the hands of the same people that persecuted us for years. Those proposals are the reason we ended up in this mess, yet the Greeks are still trying to force us to accept the unacceptable.

There will never be a solution for the simple fact that it's the Greek Cypriots we are dealing with. Their politicians are not capable of finding a solution. They are complete amateurs. They have rejected so many plans in the past, some of which they'd probably die to bring back today.

We've given up waiting for these people to come to their senses. We would rather put up with the current situation and improve our own state no matter what it's faults, than take a leap of faith, putting our lives in the hands of people who are obviously not capable of looking after us.

Terry
23 October 2007 at 01:00

This article has convinced me not to vote for conservatives in the next general elections. It's nothing more than Greek propaganda drivel!

John Kaponi
23 October 2007 at 02:19

At last a politician with conviction who has the guts to tell the world the truth. Turkey must wise up recognise its wrongs and accept that the military option will always fail. Without a total withdrawal from Cyprus and the recognition of the Armenian genocide the Turks can keep focusing on building up Islamic unions, and forget joining the EU for next 20 years. Well done Brian!

andrew
23 October 2007 at 04:50

Well Done BC!!!

At last someone who speaks truth and sense!!! The Turkish occupation of Cyprus is illegal, immoral and barbaric!! Turkey must face the wrongs of its past if it is to be considered a peaceful westernised nation which fulfills the criteria of an EU nation!!

And as for the Turks which speak the lies; the figure of 1810 victims is misconcieved as it includes the Turk-Cyp victims of 1974 which comprise the vast majority of this figure!! They would have never perished if Turkeys didnt invade in such a barbaric manner; using Napalms, raping innocent women and children; torturing people and killing over 6000+ greek-cyp and forcing 200000+ to become refugees!!! Turkeys crimes are inconceivable and they must accept their wrong-doings!!!

Peace
23 October 2007 at 07:12

A retired turkish general was set upon for stating that it is time to seek peace with the kurds. Will it take the generals in charge of turkey now the same length of time to realise that seeking peace with the people in and around Turkey the only way forward. Hopefully that will happen before they retire.

Terence
23 October 2007 at 08:26

Having read the rubbish that Brian Coleman, Alexander, John Kaponi, John61 and Andrew have just written makes me feel quite ashamed. If it was not for the politicians of this world, and the fools who follow them, the world would be a far better place. Who are you, Brian Coleman, to judge anyone??

Terence

Suzy
23 October 2007 at 09:12

If Brian wants people to take his comments seriously, then he should go and carry out proper research and speak to Turkish Cypriot people who suffered at the hands of Greek Cypriots in order to fully understand what really happened in Cyprus. Writing a one-sided, flawed article based on what he has been told by Greek Cypriot extremists and acting as the mouthpiece of the Greek Cypriot administration in return for the free holiday he got in Cyprus is disgraceful.

A couple of years ago, his lack of reasoning and poor judgement led to him influencing TfL in banning north Cyprus holiday adverts on buses and the underground. The fact that this ban was quashed at the High Court on grounds of violation of Turkish Cypriots’ human rights shows how much importance Brian gives to Turkish Cypriots’ rights. It is a disgrace that he continues to remain ignorant about the Cyprus problem, Kurds and Armenians and makes no effort to find out the facts pushing ahead with his grossly biased views.

Troodo
23 October 2007 at 09:34

Hope you had a good free holiday Coleman. I don't supose you did your political standing much good, but never mind.

PS You might get a new villa next time. Ask that Villier woman for a few tips.

Troodo
23 October 2007 at 09:47

Well done NEW Statesman that saved a few pounds and filled a few colunm inches. Never mind about the truth.

alexandrou
23 October 2007 at 09:56

Brian Coleman's belief that Labour's desire to appease Turkey relates to the need to court the Muslim Vote is naive. Some labour politicians can be accused of that, nevertheless there are far more sinister reasons than that.

First there has been since the Independence of Cyprus a desire on the part of the UK to see a weak divided island. The US merely wanted what Turkey wanted. By 1967 plans were so advanced for the division of the Island that US General Haig put foward a plan to NATO resembling the present state of affairs. The UK policy was and remains as misguided as ever. An aspiration to have the UK as a king pin in the eastern Mediterranean and guaranteeing the presence of the UK bases to be used as a springboard to the Middle East.

Secondly it is simply politics and greed. Politics because those who supported partition and apartheid in Cyprus were largely those UK politicians who supported partition and apartheid in Northern Ireland. Greed because those who did and do support the Turkish occupation usually prosper one way or another, usually buy acquiring cheap properties stolen from refugees in the occupied area. The conservatives and Ulster Unionist were very good at this. More recently the former Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair benefited from a very generous brief fee to fight off attempts to enforce a Cyprus Judgment in the UK despite the highly controversial nature of having the Prime Minister's wife dealing in such a high profile political and controversial issue. Lucrative speaches and lectures tours in Turkey also appear on the agenda. We are still waiting to see what the present Prime Minister, Mr. Brown's view on the occupation are. The fact that he has a painting of ruins in occupied Cyprus painted by a Turkish Cypriot does not send a very encouraging message to the refugees and free Cypriots.

As for the other comments I have read, it is clear that either people are ignorant or are prepared to be inventive as to what happened in Cyprus. Less they forget, it was the Turkish Cypriots and Turkish regular troops posing as Turkish Cypriot fighters who started the inter-communal fighting. It was the Turkish Cypriots under orders from Ankara that walked out of the Cypriot parliament, and it was the Turkish Cypriots under Turkish Military Command that set up enclaves in which they isolated themselves away from the rest of Cyprus and passed laws which made any interaction with Greek Cypriots punishable.

The Turkish Cypriots despite representing only 18% of the population at the time, had a greater kill ratio than the Greek Cypriots throughout those troubles, which included in 1967 (is the date familiar, see above) a first attempt to divide the island and the napalming of Greek Cypriot Villages by Turkish warplanes. As for Nicos Sampson, he was a murderess puppet of the Greek Junta, who was not democratically elected and it was a credit to the Cypriot Politicians that they rejected to a man the forceful invitation of the Junta to take up the presidency following the attempted assassination of President Makarios. Less they forget, the majority population of the occupied area was Greek Cypriot (about 80%) and in claiming that half of the island, what ever excuses are given, they are stealing a land and a heritage that does not belong to them. Mr. Coleman should also remember that the refugees did not abandon the occupied area, they were evicted by force of arms. Arms supplied to the Turkish army by NATO.

Yours faithfully,

Andreas E. Alexandrou

Francis House, 2 Park Road, High Barnet, EN5 5RN,

020 8447 1503

nuodr
23 October 2007 at 09:57

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE TURKS THINK THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO EQUAL POWER WITH THE GREEKS IN CYPRUS EVEN THOUGH THEY ONLY REPRESENT 18% OF THE POPULATION. I HOPE ONE DAY THE KURDS WHO ARE OVER 20% OF THE POPULATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY ARE GIVEN THE SAME RIGHTS AS WHAT THE TURKS WANT IN CYPRUS, OTHERWISE THE TURKS ARE HYPOCRITES. WHY ARE TUKS SO OBCESSED WITH CONTROLLING CYPRUS, KURDISTAN, BULGARIA, GREEK AEGEAN ISLANDS. THEY SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON DEVELOPING THEIR OWN ECONOMY INSTEAD OF BEING A CONFUSED THIRD WORLD COUNTRY CONTROLLED BY THE MILLITARY WITH HIGH LEVELS OF UNECESSARY POVERTY. WELL DONE MR COLEMAN FOR DARING TO SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TRUE AXIS OF EVIL IN THIS WORLD.

Demetriou
23 October 2007 at 10:02

Same old Turks, you commit genocides and ethnic cleansing and then complain that you are hard done by. The millions of Armenians you hacked down and murdered, the millions of Greeks you drove from their homes in Asia Minor.

You talk about the demolition of Mosques, my grand parents graveyard in Morphou has been turned into a car park.

Your brutal attack and murder of a young father demonstrating against oppression and apartheid goes unmentioned, your rape of pregnant women, your lack of human rights are renowned.

I have not visited the land of my forefathers and refused to, until freedom and oppression has left with the Turkish troops that enforce it.

The fact of the matter is there are no Turkish Cypriots left in Cyprus, outnumbered by your Turkish Anatolian brethren that treat you like second-class citizens in your own country, and this is from the mouths of Turkish Cypriots, which I speak to in London.

Wake up and smell the coffee!!!!

Fanoulla Argyrou
23 October 2007 at 10:20

Turkish lies and deception is part of Turkish policy unfortunately. Just as they try to deny the Armenian Genocide the same ruthless way they try to deny their barbaric bloody invasion of Cyprus on the 20th July 1974 when they invaded Cyprus (Peter Snow on BBC2 19 July 1974), killed almost 6,000 Greek Cypriots, wounded thousands, uprooted 200,000 Greek Cypriots from their homes who fled for their lives abandoning their homes and belongings and made 1619 missing (killed by Turkish army and Turkish Cypriots). That was undisputable ethnic cleansing by Turkey in order to step into Cyprus in pursued of her expansionist policy of taking over the whole of Cyprus with the help and tacit approval of the then Labour Wilson/Callaghan government. The imported Turkish Anatolian squatters undisputably exceed the 120,000 number, and PRIO's (Oslo) research is fraudulant presentation. PRIO is funded by the British, American and Turkish governments and other corporate bodies who pay them to promote the sell out of Cyprus, as they did with the efforts of imposing the aparheid racist "Annan Plan". Which the Greek Cypriots rejected by 76% against during the 24 April 2004 referendum. We know full well what PRIO means and have exposed them in the Greek Cypriot newspapers. The Turkish Cypriots are 18% of the population of Cyprus and they should accept a solution based on the majority rule constitution, and not ask for a separate state. Can you imagine in Gt. Britain the muslims or the Hindus or the Chinese each to demand "separate state" for themselves?

As for the fallacy and political propaganda of the so 1963 problems in Cyprus those were instigated by Turkey and Britain in order to proceed with their partitionist policies. British military were training the Turkish Cypriots, heavy arms were being imported by Turkey to the Turkish Cypriots even before the Independence (case of Turkish ship Deniz which Sir Hugh Foot prefered to sink in order to save Turkey from the truth). The Republic of Cyprus had to protect its sovereignty and its people. The Turkish Cypriots were well prepared and armed when they attacked us in December 1963 in Neapolis, Trachonas and Omorphita and killed indiscrimately, raped, and tortured even children of 13 abandoning them dead in the streets.

Well done Mr. Coleman and thank you.

We demand to return to our stolen properties, the withdrawal of all Turkish army and settlers and return of all refugees to their homes. As for the Turkish religious monuments in the free part of Cyprus, the Gov of Cyprus keeps them in perfect condition unlike the Turkish Cypriots who have barbarically desecrated all our churches, turned them into shitting places, shops etc (Guardian 6 May 1976, "The rape of northern Cyprus", ITV, This Week, Thames TV John Fielding, The sun, first page 5/8/1974 "BARBARIANS").

Fanoulla Argyrou

Researcher/Journalist/Author

milenko
23 October 2007 at 11:55

what annoys me the most about the Greek Cypriot leadership is that they are never meeting the challenges of the Turkish Cypriots in their leadership and journalism. For instance when the Turks claim something along the lines of Greeks and the international community saying that the Cyprus Problem began in 1974, and then the retort about the persecution of TCs 1963-1974 justifies the invasion. As a matter of fact the Cyprus Problem began in the 1950s with the creation by the British of a paramilitary task force that was composed solely of TCs to command and control GCs. In 1963 the first murders took place by members of the TMT which was the TC terrorist group killing GCs, something we rarely hear about although we all know about EOKA-B. The first bombs to explode in Nicosia had been placed in the Turkish quarter, not by GCs or EOKA but by a Turkish agent provocateur, something Denktas had the decency to admit to in the 90s, although it was too late and the damage had been done. If reconiliation is possible it will have to start with a truth and reconiliation committee where the Turks admit to the things thet have covered up in their intensive propaganda machine

Tax Payer
23 October 2007 at 12:49

Mr Coleman needs to educate himself before speaking on subjects he knows nothing about. There are several books and articles written by people who have carried out thorough research into the Cyprus problem including Prof Clement Dodd and other academics at Cambridge University as well as former Conservative MP Michael Stephen and many more. However, I am not convinced that Mr Coleman really cares about Cyprus or wants to learn the facts but simply wants to make some comments to please the Greek Cypriot administration and his constituents so that they can offer him more free holidays and elect him as their Councillor. Read about the Akritas Plan to understand how the Greek Cypriots wanted to wipe out the existence of Turkish Cypriots on the island in 1963 and have ENOSIS (Union with Greece). The fact that Turkey intervened to stop the genocide of Turkish Cypriots on the island and their Plan failed has made them Turkey’s number one enemy.

Cypriot
23 October 2007 at 13:20

Dear BC, do you know actually who created the Cyprus problem?

In the Greek Cypriot version of history, Greece’s national issue, the “Megali Idea” (Mega Idea), the wish of “Enosis,” -- meaning the annexation of Cyprus to Greece -- stands firm.

The Enosis concept, based on the map of the Megali Idea drawn in 1791 and encapsulating the island of Cyprus in the territories of Greece, which at the time was under Ottoman rule, has stayed on the agenda ever since. This problem, led by Cypriot and Greece Orthodox Churches within their own historical evolution, has various stages.

1st stage: The problem called “Cyprus” actively appeared for the first time after the mapping of the Megali Idea in 1791, release of Enosis manifesto on 1821 and the uprising of Greeks under the leadership of Greek Orthodox Church.

2nd stage: The period between 1878-1914, when the active sovereignty of Cyprus was handled by the British. During this period, Turkish Cypriots were compelled to migrate in huge numbers, prompted by bloody attacks organized by swarms of Greeks and the properties owned by the Evkaf (Turkish Foundation) were confiscated. The origin of the property issue, still on the agenda today, goes back to this era.

3rd stage: The period covering the days after the unilateral annexation of the island by the British. In 1921 and 1950, Enosis plebiscites organized under the patronage of the Orthodox Church and Enosis helped with an uprising that took place in 1931, and 1955 the EOKA started an armed campaign steered by Greece.

4th stage: The period covered after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 till 1974. Greek Cypriots attempted to knock down the republic by changing the constitution and enforced the AKRITAS Plan on Dec. 21, 1963, where Mr. Papadopoulos was one of the masterminds under the code name “Defkalion”.

The international community, blaming Turkey for an occupation, seems to be forgetting the fact that Greece had sent secretly a division of 20,000 troops to the island in 1964. As a result, Turkish Cypriots had to evacuate 103 villages and were squeezed in “ghettos” covering barely 3 percent of the total land. They were forced to survive under unemployment, economic sanctions, restricted right of movement, no property rights and even massacred.

During the 4th stage, two fronts, actually both aiming for Enosis as the final target but differing in timing and procedure, came on scene. The EOKA-B, supported by the junta in Greece, was willing to achieve Enosis via short cut by overthrowing President Makarios, took over the administration by a military coup on July 15, 1974.

During the internal clashes within the Greek community in this period, 2,000 Greek Cypriots were killed and Nikos Sampson installed as the new president. Makarios, in his speech on July 19, 1974 at the UN Security Council stated that “the July 15 coup was organized by the Greek government and is an occupation threatening the independency and sovereignty of the island.”

All of these, based on written material, bring up the existence of a cluster of problems on the island, founded and governed by Greece before two centuries and finally aimed to overtake the administration. The 1974 military intervention by Turkey based on the Treaty of Guarantee is not the factor that created the Cyprus problem, but actually, on the contrary, aimed to end it and became a turning point by opening a passage for finding a political solution.

Alongside the statement of Makarios, the existence of the ruling of Supreme Court of Greece dated March 21, 1979 and ref 2658/79, stating, “The intervention of Turkish Army to Cyprus is fully legal, the responsibility totally belongs to Greek officers” are by no means the best testimonials to clarify the picture

chief112
23 October 2007 at 14:12

You talk about economic growth of southern cyprus and the lack of growth by the northern "occupied" territory without mention of the embargoes and lack of recognition.

How do you expect there to be growth if you dont think this country/state exists, so surely this shouldnt be a surprise to you.

Its a disgrace that my local MP would insult me and my family openly, by not writing a truly objective argument.

This argument is an insult to all the turkish cypriots who died in cyprus and even more of an insult to those who are still alive.

It is fact that the turks and greeks signed a treaty agreeing that cyprus would belong to neither, and still the greek army occupied the region between 1963 and 1974. maybe that might have slipped your mind, or the history book you were reading whilst in cyprus might have been missing a couple of chapters.

To make comments of the so called armenian "Genocide" is just attempting to bring bad press to Turkey itself. this further insults a whole nation of people.

to then suggest that the 12 troops who were killed, along with hundreds of civilians by the PKK might somehow be justified, or that turkey is over-reacting.....is disgusting. a known terrorist organisation exists and because it hasnt hit the UK we can turn a blind eye.....? I ask you whether you thought to insult everyone, or whether you are really this stupid.

Reading back some of the comments:

to Nuodr: TC's deserve equal rights just like you deserve equal rights in the UK....read your comment and tell me if GC's number the same as english people in england then ask if you deserve equal rights in england - ignorance and racism go hand in hand......

to the rest: we tried to live together, it didnt work greeks entered in 1963. and stayed until 1974. now you wish to live together again....?its a case one "once bitten twice shy" especially seeing as you want to live under majority rule....

your comments on this board reflect why there shouldnt be a majority rule, you are bitter and filled with hate....why should we want you to govern us.....

Fanoulla Argyrou
23 October 2007 at 15:39

T/C leader Raouf Denktash indeed admitted during interview in a Granada TV documentary that they indeed were themselves bombing their own mosques, killing their own people and indeed committing criminal offences and sabotage to blame the Greek Cypriots in order to force their expansionist policy against the Greek Cypriots.

Michael Stephens and Clement Dodd. Both promote pro-Turkish partitionist policies. Michael Stephens belonged to the Bow Group of the Conservative Party, established in 1951, with founder members among others Sir Geoffrey Howe. In the 1990s among its members was John Biffen, the then Chief Adviser to "Euro-Turkish Corporation" and it was in 1992 that Michael Stephen presented his pro-Turkish partitionist contribution to his masters in a circular titled" "Bow Educational Briefing - Cyprus Two Nations in one island" . His so called research was a most horrific selection of the most inuman distortion of facts. To believe such lies and extraordinary bias against the Greeks is as if one tries to make sense out of madness! But then that was the time of the Asil Nadir Polly Peck "empire rise and fall" when occupied Cyprus was used by Conservative British Government and America for exporting arms and other weaponery for the Iran/Iraq war and when that was over then Nadir was conveniently assisted to escape to the occupied area of Cyprus. (Research "Business Age").

As regards the so called "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots, this is a new word invented by ex Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who admitted that his best achievement during his presence in the Foreign Office was the start of Turkey's accession negotiations with the E.Union and his biggest frustration the fact that they failed to impose on us the aparheid racist "Anan/Hanney" plan (Londra Gazette), which according to Turkish analylists included 99% of Turkish demands over Cyprus including its de-criminalisation from the crimes of the invasion and continued occupation. The Greek Cypriots simply refused to commit suicide to suit British and Turkish interests vis-a-vis Turkish accession facilitation. This new inventive word of "isolation" Jack Straw promised two days after the referendum (i.e. 26/4/2004) to do all they could to end it. However, there IS NO isolation in the occupied areas. And if they have anybody to blame for whatever, that is the Turkish Army of occupation and their subortinates the Anatolian squatters. This is another myth to cheat the international community. Their "isolation" is the Turkish continued invasion and occupation of our land. Infact it is the Greek Cypriots who are barbarically isolated in their own country and cannot return to their own properties. The Turkish Cypriots are free to come and go as they please all over the Republic of Cyprus and whilst they hold on to our stolen properties: They enjoy free medical cover in our hospitals, whereas the Greek Cypriots PAY, thousands have been given PASSPORTS of the Republic of Cyprus with which they travel all over the world, use it to claim to be citizens of the Republic of Cyprus when it suits them to enter Universities abroad etc, well over 6,000 Turkish Cypriot pensioners enjoy pension from the Republic of Cyprus (the invasion did not stop the Republic from continuing this funding), they enjoyed free Electricity supply to the amount of well over £250 MILLION POUNDS worth which they did not reply (until they created their own), they are issued well over 90,000 IDENTITY CARDS of the Republic of Cyprus whilst they pay nothing in contributions like the rest of the Greek Cypriot citizens of the Republic and so many other benefits without giving a penny towards the government. and yet they have the audacity to use horrific lies and be so ungrateful to the Greek Cypriot victims, simply because we refuse to offer Cyprus to Turkey on a plate!!! To a minority of 18%!!! Let us not forget that the solution Michael Stevens, Clement Dodd and other belonging to that kind of thinking (like Baroness Ludford...) i.e. the aparheid, racist 'Anan/Hannay' plan based on a bizonal bicommunal federation is nowhere else to be found in the world democracies. The only time it was offered to people was in South Africa but even then it was rejected by Nelson Mandela (whose statue is about to be placed in London) and the Black Majority. Why should the Greek Cypriot majority in Cyprus victims of a barbaric ethnic cleansing by Turkey be treated any different? Are they children of a lesser God?

Robert Powell
23 October 2007 at 16:10

Vote Tory and get more Brian Colemans all at knockdown prices.

Michael
23 October 2007 at 17:29

It is not worth dignifying the topsy-turvy surreal revisionist histories posted by some of the T/C’s & their supporters, with corrections. Truth, just like Facts, has a quite stubborn characteristic, and can easily be verified by those with an unprejudiced mind & a willingness to investigate. Researching unbiased official international reports, as well as national official records (including recently declassified ones) is a good starting point.

Like a naughty child that when caught, Turkey always turns around and lies, “It wasn’t me” or "he hit me first", & points to others, normally the victims on the receiving end. Turkey & it supporters really need to grow-up, and take responsibility for their own actions, both past & present. Worst than just a naughty child, it is very much a spoilt child, in that it has gotten, indeed it has been facilitated, in its many recent crimes by Western support or acquiescence, simply because the “enemy of my enemy is my friend” guiding philosophy of NATO; that long border with Russia & all those bases so close to the Middle East, has literally allowed Turkey to get away with (mass) murder. It plays upon its value to the West, and has time after time used this as a blatant instrument of blackmail.

The Armenia Genocide is a good example, not only is blackmail & threats employed to invert the truth, but also corrupting bribes, witness the recent scandal of pro-Turkish US professors being funded directly by Turkish Government organisations. The recent Democratic initiative in the US of raising the Armenian Genocide issue, has tellingly only occurred because powerful Israeli lobby groups, especially the ADL, were having such trouble with rank & file members, because of these groups hypocritical official position of campaigning against anti-Semitism & denial of the Holocaust, but refusing to acknowledge the reality of the Armenian Genocide. A hypocritical stands directly following official Israeli Government policy. Historical truth being shamefully sacrificed on the altar of not upsetting Israel’s second best friend.

Regarding Cyprus, yes the history is long & involved, but the issue is simple; an illegal land grab by means of ethnic cleansing. The Turkish Cypriots were used by Turkey, exactly as Germany used the Sudeten German minority in Czechoslovakia to invade & annex that Country. Rather than imitating Nazi Germany, Turkey would do follow post-War Germany’s example of admitting it’s crimes & paying restitutions to all its victims; only then can when it comes to terms with its past, can it move forward as a modern progressive Country, and take its place amongst other nations without being dogged & haunted by is past.

Finally I agree with a previous commenter, that assigning the strong pro-Turkish bias of all recent British Governments, simply as a vote winning tactic is more than naïve, and mars an otherwise good article.

Ulpian
23 October 2007 at 18:12

Brian Coleman writes uninformed nonsense.

'Give me a free holiday and I'll say whatever you like about any subject' seems to be his mantra.

If his craven, lazy ignorance is representative of the Tories, which it seems it is, I too will not be voting for them again.

Leventis
23 October 2007 at 20:31

Turkey must understand that if she wants to join the club of the civilised Europeans known as European Union she must behave ln a civilised manner.

She must respect other members of the EU including Cyprus. She has no place in the EU with 40,000 Turkish troops occupying by force a third of Cyprus which is an EU member.

She has the audacity to ask for membership when she occupies a third of my country? How dare she?

Britain and the USA have got a lot to answer for Turkey's uncontrolable apetite for expansion and demands. Even today Gordon Brown and his Labour government awarded such behaviour by Turkey by signing a treaty of Strategic Co-operation/Alliance with Prime Minister Ertogan for the sole purpose of ending the so called "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots. That's how pathetic the Labour Government is. In 1974 the Labour Government has given the Green light to the Turks to invade Cyprus . Today Turkey is rewarded by the same Labour government who indirectly brought so much catastrophy in Cyprus (divide and rule).

Labour government by championing Turkey encourages her to be more intransigent and spoiled like a child and wanting more and more without giving anything back.

What the Labour goverment failed to understand is that the so called "isolation" of the TCs was impose by the presence of the 40,000 strong Turkish army there. Remove the Turkish army and you have no "isolation". The island of Cyprus can be reunited just like that. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots used to live together for many years. It can be done again.

Taner Alevok
23 October 2007 at 21:05

"6000 killed by Turkish troops"

What a load of nonsense. If people didn't already know, Turkey came in response to a Greek COUP in which Makarios' supporters clashed with the Junta.

Makarios himself stated that the death toll of the coup was in the thousands. The Greeks were killing eachother. The Greeks know these facts but the blame for these deaths is shamelessly dumped on the Turks.

"1500 missing".

70% of the Greek Cypriot missing are military personel. On the contrary the missing Turkish Cypriots mainly consist of, women, children and old folk.

Everyone knows that they are all dead, but the Greek government will use anything as propaganda, and that includes lying to their own people as was the case with Androulla Palma who was told her husband was missing when their government knew full well her husband was dead and buried from the very beginning (74).

The only people I have sympathy for are the refugees. The innocent Greek Cypriots who have lost their homes and towns. They deserve justice. Their government doesn't deserve anything however, I would rather die than let their amateur nationalist politicians decide the future of our people.

Mozza
23 October 2007 at 21:14

I am so sad to read that the propaganda coming out of Cyprus is believed by politicians in the UK! I am UK born and bred with no axe to grind re Cyprus, but why does every aticle you read support the south whenTurkey only invaded as a result of hostilitiesfrom the south. Ethnic cleansing went on on both sides of the fence, not one way. Also what about all the Turkish property in the south now occupied by south inhabitents or demolished. It works both ways you know! Both sides were at fault, but the north does not deserve all the factually incorrect propaganda which spouts forth from the south. Why does everyonoe keep harping on about what happened over 30 years ago what relevance does it have now, things have moved on. The south is more Greek than Greece itself and the north has become Turkish how can that possibly be united again? Why don't they just do what they did in India when they had internal fighting - recognise the diffences and make it official. Things have gone too far now to integrate the two sides. It would be impossible politically, fiancially, practically to undo 30+ years of seperation. So please would everyone bury the hatchet and get on with life, it's too short everyone lost on both sides.

Emina
23 October 2007 at 22:37

Well done Mr Coleman upon reading some of the comments made above i congratulate you in encouraging Greek and Turkish Cypriots as ill informed and intolerant as yourself to espouse the utter rubbish i am sad to read. Also how shallow does Mr Coleman believe the so called Muslim vote to be I am a Turkish Cypriot and certainly dont base my voting on any policy towards Turkey. I wish people like Mr Coleman and the rest of the fools making racist intolerant comments would just shut up and allow the Cypriots who genuinely feel a united Cyprus is possible get a word in edgeways.

George
23 October 2007 at 23:24

I guess BC never read any of the articles written by the former Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister, Nicos Rolandis where he repeated time and time again how the Greek Cypriot administration rejected 7 Peace Plans put in front of them. If it wasn’t for their greed for power to control the whole of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriots voted in favour of the UN and EU endorsed Annan Plan for reunification of the island, they would have gone back to Famagusta and Morphou and only 650 Turkish soldiers would have been left on the island. Instead, they followed the instructions from the Greek Orthodox Church telling them they would go to hell if they voted yes and the instructions from their extremist leader who sees ‘osmosis’ as the solution to the Cyprus problem. Wake up and smell the Turkish coffee! Greek Cypriot extremism is leading to partition of the island! Turkey is not the enemy of the Greek Cypriots it is their own power hungry, nationalist leaders who worship Hellenism.

Exactly why does Brian Coleman continue to promote Greek Cypriots’ interests? Could it by any chance be to do with his need of the Greek Cypriot votes in Barnet?

Shame on you BC! You are giving a bad name to the Conservative Party.

David
24 October 2007 at 00:05

M Coleman is a T**S*ER!!!!!!

I was plannin on voting for conservatives in the next elections - for a change rom labur but i people has suhrubbsh informed opinions of others, uch as thi guy.. i doubt it!

I kid you not tha this man cannot read.. nd has omemory, ethica beleifs.. and maybe his pocket dips into that of Greek lobbyists.

What you speak about is not about turkis olitics, its aboutteTurkish Cypriots.. people who have a legal ancestral right to a home of their own in cyprus

i ould ike to see you livethrough the inscurities of what the turkish cypriots did befoe Turkey intervened. Coleman, o you know what it is lie to sleep at night fearng or your life, and that of your childr? not to have your voice heard? to be traeted as a secod class citizen.. i think not.

what it you who was held in prisonr of war camps by the greeks?.. whos family was kille by the reeks, whos villages who "cleansed" by the greeks? i think not.

d you not hea the racism you are breathing that he greek leaders are breathing? their bsession with the turkish cypriots?. i think you are an idiot, for even ettng into the complicate Cyprus politics.

maybe EU has a thing or two to consider before theylet in a troubled nation, ne with racism asa forfront of teir politics.. or did they already do tht with serbia?.. we saw where that ended up!

if all it takes is a free holiday to convice you.. then just let the turkish cypriots know, and maybe they can visit your local travel agency and sort you a holiday out. one where you can realy have time to prepare an ignorant, foolish, racist, and fustratingly paphetic speach!

alexander
24 October 2007 at 01:28

It’s really sad to see all the Turkish Cypriot commenters here writing such rubbish and failing to deal properly with any of the issues Brian Coleman has so correctly raised.

Is he not telling the truth when he says the Turkish occupation regime has tried to wipe out Cyprus’ cultural heritage? Is he lying when he says that Turkey has brought in 150,000 settlers from Anatolia to change the demography of Cyprus? Is it not true that 200,000 Greeks were ethnically cleansed from northern Cyprus as a result of the Turkish invasion in 1974?

Turks must deal with these issues and leave the rants and personal invective aside.

Here’s a piece developing some of Brian’s arguments.

http://my.telegraph.co.uk/john_akritas/october_2007/labour_s...

skoopi
24 October 2007 at 10:00

The religious and ethnic cleansening of greek-christians in Cyprus by the Turkish army is the continuation of a century-long policy of persecutions and anihilations of the christian populations in the area.

This christian population is the living cultural and human heritage of the Roman-Byzantine empire.

The cleanesing policy started when the nationalist >Turks firs came in power in 1915, with the Amenian genocide, followed by the exode of the greek populations of Turkey between 1918-1923, the genocide of the Syriac Christians in the south of Turkey , the pogroms againts the greek population of Istabul between 1955 and 1965.

The greek population of Istambul felt from 200 000 to 4 000 in the last 40 years.

Althow the nationalistic persecution has not stopped and the Greek Patriach in Istanbul is still the target of both turkish gouvernment and nationalists.

The last step was the invasion of Cyprus in 1974.

The result of this policy is that the cosmopolitan and multi-religious society of the late ottoman empire has vanished and turned into a 99% muslim "modern" turkish state.

A "modern" state where Hrant Dink, aTurkish-Armenian journalist, has been setenced to prison and assasinated last year.

Why?

Just bescause he was critical of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian genocide.

Now Turkey is knoking to the door of the UE.

Maybe it's time for Turkey to apply the treaties it signed and to behave with respect toward its neighbouring countries.

But this will not be possible as long as the official propaganda will decribe the "gavurs" or infidels-christians as the ennemies.

David
24 October 2007 at 11:41

why are you all so ignorant when it comes to the facts. Did Turkey come in to Cyprus - yes!..

did Turkey and Britain, Greece signa guarrantor treaty? yes...

did Greek Cypriots push the rights of the turkish cypriots aside? yes..

did greek continuouly kill turkish Cypriots in acts of rage and ethnic cleansing? yes...

dont beleive me - fair enough.. but i think you will beleive the BBC!

BBC timeline below.. READ IT BEFORE YOU COMMENT WITH SUCH IGNORANCE.

before commentiung that Turkey invaded, understand why the came in, and what happened that lead to these events.

lets not forget at one point Greece tried to kill of the Cyprus president Makarios, that inter communal fighting broke out between all communities.. greeks were ven trying to kill greeks. lets also not forget there have been key witnesses by the british to all this.

then lets not forget why the turkish cypriots are still alive today - that is definately not due to Cyprus government, or Greece.

If invading is what you keep pressing on.. well maybe you should also think of the effects of your actions, and how these should be resolved and sorted out.. The attitude against the Turkish Cypriots by key government officials and brain washed individuals are not acceptable.

Cypriots do not seperate themselves into muslim and Christians.. they are all Cypriots remember that before bringing in world politics of Armenia and Kurds.

Finally lets not forget that Cyprus did belong to Turkey, and Turkey rented it to Great Britain as a Colony. This resulted to the conflicts when Greek Cypriots decided they no longer wanted to be a British Colony.

Piolitics is a complicated world - but its simple to see the facts that the Turkish Cypriots have been victims of ethnic cleansing, adn suppression in Cyprus.

ENOSIS and EOKA is not a fiction it is a FACT!

What can you say to this - nothing that will mean anything or change anything becasue this actually happened!

David
24 October 2007 at 11:43

Why are you all so ignorant when it comes to the facts. Did Turkey come in to Cyprus - yes!..

Did Turkey and Britain, Greece sign a guarrantor treaty? yes...

Did Greek Cypriots push the rights of the turkish cypriots aside? yes..

Did greek continuouly kill turkish Cypriots in acts of rage and ethnic cleansing? yes...

Dont beleive me - fair enough.. but i think you will beleive the BBC!

BBC timeline below.. READ IT BEFORE YOU COMMENT WITH SUCH IGNORANCE.

Before commentiung that Turkey invaded, understand why the came in, and what happened that lead to these events.

Lets not forget at one point Greece tried to kill of the Cyprus president Makarios, that inter communal fighting broke out between all communities.. Greeks were ven trying to kill greeks. lets also not forget there have been key witnesses by the British to all this.

Then lets not forget why the turkish cypriots are still alive today - that is definately not due to Cyprus government, or Greece.

If invading is what you keep pressing on.. well maybe you should also think of the effects of your actions, and how these should be resolved and sorted out.. The attitude against the Turkish Cypriots by key government officials and brain washed individuals are not acceptable.

Cypriots do not seperate themselves into muslim and Christians.. they are all Cypriots remember that before bringing in world politics of Armenia and Kurds.

Finally lets not forget that Cyprus did belong to Turkey, and Turkey rented it to Great Britain as a Colony. This resulted to the conflicts when Greek Cypriots decided they no longer wanted to be a British Colony.

Piolitics is a complicated world - but its simple to see the facts that the Turkish Cypriots have been victims of ethnic cleansing, adn suppression in Cyprus.

ENOSIS and EOKA is not a fiction it is a FACT!

What can you say to this - nothing that will mean anything or change anything becasue this actually happened!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1021835.stm

alexander
24 October 2007 at 12:31

Did Greek Cypriots push the rights of the Turkish Cypriots aside? NO.

Did Greeks continuously kill Turkish Cypriots in acts of rage and ethnic cleansing? NO.

The BBC article does not reveal what you claim it reveals. In fact, I find very little in it to disagree with. The BBC says regarding the 1963 events: ‘Makarios raises Turkish fears by proposing constitutional changes which would abrogate power-sharing arrangements. Inter-communal violence erupts. Turkish side withdraws from power-sharing’.

Obviously, I wouldn’t agree that the proposed constitutional amendments would have abrogated power-sharing – the BBC writer is wrong here – but would argue instead that Makarios’ amendments were aimed at making the 1960 constitution more viable following three years of Turkish obstructionism.

The BBC writer correctly says intercommunal violence erupted – note he does not say Greeks attacked Turks, as Turkish mythology would have us believe. I’m sure if the BBC writer had more space he would say that the intercommunal violence was instigated by the Turkish Cypriot terrorist group, TMT.

The BBC writer is also correct to point out that the Turks withdrew from power sharing, indicating that this was a voluntary withdrawal, i.e. Greek Cypriots did not force the Turkish minority out, as Turkish mythology would have us believe.

The EOKA campaign for enosis was aimed at British colonial rule, not at the Turkish Cypriots. Conversely, the Turkish Cypriot terrorist campaign for partition/taxi was aimed specifically at Greek Cypriots and predicated on the ethnic cleansing of Greek Cypriots.

Cyprus has been an overwhelming Greek island in population and culture for 3,500 years – regardless of which empire – British, Ottoman, Venetian – has technically ‘owned’ it. And if it is all a question of ownership, then I’m going to start talking about Evagoras, Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies and the Byzantines. But let’s not go there.

adouloti kerinia
24 October 2007 at 16:44

adouloti kerinia 24.10.07 -

We represent the Greek Cypriot refugees from the District of Kyrenia which is now under Turkish occupation since 1974. We were born and raised in Kyrenia. I would like to address the compatriots, Turkish cypriots with the following thoughts.

We find the article by the British MP very interesting and sincere, not because he was a quest here but because he speeks of the truth. Cyprus has suffered an external milittary invasion - fact 1

The dececration of our churces -fact2

The ethnic cleancing of the Greek Cypriots from the occupied areas of Cyprus who constituted the 86% of the population there before 1974 and who were the owners of 86% of the private property in the occupied areas -fact 3

The population distribution and land ownership in Cyprus have evolved over centuries and was last registered by the British colonial power in 1960 when Cyprus gained independence. The Greek Cypriots constituted the vast majority in population and property ownerhip. ---historical fact 4

On the way to independence from Britain ,British and Turkish Power politics in the Eastern Meditteranean cruelly applied the divide and rule strtegies of Britain

in order to gain imfluence and control on our island.--fact 5 verified by the British Foreign Office documents on Cyprus for the period 1955-1960.

As a result of the above, the ordinary Turkish and Greek Cypriots have suffered for decades. Artificial differences and forced bicomunal strife were the instruments used to break the harmony and peaceful coexistence of Greek and Turkish Cypriots. They found willing agents among us , members of both Comunities, who served the foreign conspiracy. --Fact 6 revealed again by the British Foreign Office Documents on Cyprus.

The mass of our people, whether Turk or greek have suffered the concequences severely.

The Turkish invasion was part of the planning of that conspiracy. Through the invasion and the forced movement of the people, ( ethnic cleancing of the Greeks from the occupied areas of Cyprus and the uwilling transfer of the Turkish Cypriots from tyhe free areas of Cyprus into the occupied areas under intimitation) Britain and Turkey achieved the our separation planned in the fifties and cruelly executed in 1974. We all learned our lesson the hard way and we should not continue to allow foreign interference lead us further into trouble. We owe it to our childrenand grand children. A whole population can not be condemned to suffer for years to come because foreign interests dictate so.

Untill the ANNAN Plan appeared we considered the Turkish Cypriots to be as much as we are, victims of the Turkish invasion and occupation. Since then things are begining to change. We get the impression that the Turkish Cypriots are settling to the idea that they will remain in our homes in the occupied areas of Cyprus and we shall remain refugees for ever. If this proves to be a fact then they will be identidied as our enemies as much as the Turkish occupation and the Turkish settlers illegally settled on Cyprus.

We are making it known that we shall never relinguish our rights to our homes and property in the occupied areas of Cyprus and we shall continue to claim and struggle for what belongs to us. Ourselves , our children and the generations to come , if necessary, shall always have our hearts and souls turned towards Pendathaktilos and our occupied homeland.

Therefore we call on our compatriots to thing again. We are condemned to live together on our island and that is why we must stand together in a common struggle to get rid of the invaders and the settlers and restore freedom to Cyprus , restore the human rights of all of us by our reenstatement in our towns and villages all over Cyprus like before with one difference. With the sworn determination to ensure that nobody will be able to cause friction between us , as free European citizens , of equal status on our Eyropean litlle island. Ourselves should become the quarantee for our peacefull coexistence on Cyprus.

Let us take Mr. Brian Colmans remarks as our uniting starting point for the common effort.

Mozza
24 October 2007 at 21:23

George - I couldn't have put it any better myself - very well said - bravo.

Mozza
24 October 2007 at 21:35

David - I am really trying to understand why the people in the south feel that their property is being illegally occupied when surely the same thing has happened the other way round as well. Or is it the fact that Turkey have presence in the north which makes outsiders view the north as illegal, cos in the north the ihabitents are just getting on with their lives the best they can in the same way I'm sure they are in the south. Do you really believe that Cyprus can be united again after all this time? I agree that being Cypriot should come before being Turkish Cypriot or Greek Cypriot, but it doesn't seem to. There will be always one side which wants dominance particularly when politcians are involved.

Sev
24 October 2007 at 23:32

It seems that Brian has a problem with Turks and Turkish settlers forgetting to mention that there are 230,000 Greek settlers on the south of the island. But then again that was not in the script given to him by his Greek Cypriot hosts, so he wouldn’t know anything about that.

As a British Cypriot who has been driven out of my property in Paphos in 1964 by the Greek militia who set fire to my home and my shop and were firing bullets at my family while we were running away for our safety, I have the following message to the Turkish troops in Cyprus:

“Thank you for coming and saving us from the brutal attacks of the Greek militia. We are indebted to you for sacrificing your lives to come and save ours and preventing the genocide of the remaining Turkish Cypriots on the island. We can never thank you enough for bringing peace to our island. We can now sleep safe in our beds knowing that you are here to protect us. God give you strength and long live Turkey. Please, do not leave us at the hands of the Greek Cypriot extremists until there is a comprehensive settlement plan in Cyprus based on political equality and respect for human rights.”

alexander
25 October 2007 at 01:01

'230,000 Greek settlers on the south of the island'.

Where do you get this stuff from? It's pure fantasy. Sometimes I wonder if Turkish Cypriots aren't on drugs.

As for the rest, you can go back to Paphos any time you like and you know you can. No one's stopping you, unlike the 200,000 Greek Cypriot refugees from northern Cyprus who are being deprived of their homes by 40,000 Turkish occupation troops and 150,000 Turkish settlers.

When you say you want a Cyprus settlement that secures human rights, I take it you want these human rights to apply to Greek Cypriots too and that these rights should include the right of Greek refugees to return to their homes in northern Cyprus. You do mean human rights – rights for all Cypriots – and not just rights for Turkish Cypriots, don’t you?

Chris
25 October 2007 at 02:13

Thank you to Brian Coleman for having the courage to criticise Turkey and its illegal occupation of one third of Cyprus. This is something that successive UK governments seem incapable of doing, despite Britain's obligation to protect the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

In the troubles in Cyprus of the 50s-60s Greek and Turkish Cypriots suffered approximately the same losses – around 500 each. But in 1974 Turkish troops committed mass atrocities, as documented by the report of the European Commission of Human Rights of 1976 which brought to light the mass executions, torture and rape (of women and young girls) conducted by the Turkish army and its officers with complete impunity. If there was a genocide in Cyprus it was committed by Turkey in its murder of 6,000 Greek Cypriots –  combatants and non-combatants and in attempts to eradicate the thousands of years long heritage of Cyprus that unfortunately for Turkey happens to be predominantly Greek.

This is the realisation of Turkey's long term plans to foist on Cypriots "taksim", Turkey's own racist brand of apartheid in Europe.

As for Turkey's European aspirations? Is it a civilised European state that attempts to alter the demographic composition of a country through the importation of 162,000 illegal colonists who have no legal, moral or historical right to occupy the homes and lands of Greek Cypriots? Is it a modern EU suitable country that daubs an entire mountainside with Turkish supremacist statements to taunt the ethnically cleansed Greek Cypriots living in exile in the free areas: "How proud is he who calls himself a Turk"? Actions speak louder than words and it is on Turkey's actions that it is being judged.

Mike Pagomenos
25 October 2007 at 04:04

Well done Mr Coleman. A well written article on issues that are rarely reported.

The young people of Turkey find it very difficult to accept that their fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, and great great grandfathers carried out Genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the desecration of churches. That is totally understandable. It is too horrible for anyone to believe or accept such despicable actions.

But denial puts salt in those great wounds.

The Turks usurped the indigenous peoples of the Middle East and eastern Europe. Not the other way around.

We can only forgive those who ask for forgiveness. Meanwhile, the unforgiven will be tormented by their own denial till the end of time.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Pagomenos

Documentary Filmmaker

To Kounoupi
25 October 2007 at 11:28

What Brian Coleman is too polite to point out is that the cultural genocide committed by Turkey in Cyprus is entirely consistent with her appalling tradition of genocide committed throughout the 20th century. The Armenians, the Pontic Greeks, the Smyrna Greeks, the Greek Cyprots and now the Kurds have all sufferred. Is there anyone left in the neighbourhood that Turkey has not tried to bully, victimise, intimidate or otherwise mistreat in her paranoid obsession at creating an ethnically Turkish state? The truth hurts and this is what has prompted the usual drivel from your Turkish readers. Coming to terms with history is the sign of political maturity, something Turks seem to lack. But let's not dwell on the past. The present is what Mr Coleman describes and he paints a truly awful picture of cultural cleansing following ethnic cleansing. In all genocides killings are followed by cultural cleansing. The final act is the denial of what happened. This is what the Turks have been desperately trying to do to the Armenians and those who have commented on this excellent piece are following this criminal pattern. Shame on you appeasers of genocide!!

TC
25 October 2007 at 11:58

I applaud Mr Coleman's frank and refreshingly truth based comments.

To all those who hark back 3 centuries, I'd suggest looking at ways to move forward and to stop fueling the pseudo ethnic conflicts which any visitor to North London can clearly see are not true.

Mr Coleman states the situation as it currently stands and as it is accepted internationaly by individuals, countries and organisations such as the UN and Europe whilst ignoring the propaganda which seeks to distort realities.

stoneman
25 October 2007 at 14:31

Excellent piece from Mr. Coleman. It reminds us about the essential truth behind the Cyprus 'issue'. Let us not forget that Turkey named the invasion of Cyprus 'Operation Attila.' A name which speaks volumes for the barbarity, brutality and evil of the invasion of Cyprus. A British newspaper at the time ran a front page filled with just one word for a headline: 'Barbarians.'

Since 1974 Turkish propaganda has attempted to rewrite the invasion as a 'peace operation' . A phrase so outrageously Orwellian in its scope that one wonders if Turks have any sense of shame. To invade, pillage, rob and occupy a democratic neighbour in the interests of 'peace' is a concept sadly many Turks still seem not to have any problems with.

Similarly, the Turkish propaganda machine continues its endless orgy of denial over the massacre of Armenians at the beginning of the last century. Turkey continues to live in a state of total denial about some of its most appalling abuses of humanity. As one critic has put it Turkey 'is unbending in its never-wrongness'.

To this day, Turkey maintains that the Armenian genocide never happened. There have been no admissions, no apologies and no compensation. For years the Turks refused to admit that Kurds even existed - there was no Kurdish language, no Kurdish culture, nothing.

As Mr. Coleman eloquently and bravely testifies, Greek culture in Cyprus - a place mentioned several times in Homer before the Turks existed - has been virtually eliminated from the north of the island, occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops and ruled behind the scenes by the Turkish Embassy in occupied northern Nicosia.

As far as north Cyprus is concerned, Mr. Coleman is utterly correct. Every aspect of its Greek and Christian heritage has been expunged, or else looted and exported. As Christopher Hitchens puts it 'perhaps nothing illustrates the real nature of the Turkish invasion and occupation better than the pillage of northern Cyprus.'

Well done to Mr. Coleman for being on the side of justice and truth.

Sol
25 October 2007 at 15:00

Stoneman wrote "Every aspect of its Greek and Christian heritage has been expunged, or else looted and exported."

Actually not, can you name one place, just one which has been destroyed? It is quite true that they have not been maintained, but the northern part of the island does have as much money. Some have been vanderlised. They have not been destroyed though.

Unlike the treatment of many of the Turkish buildings such as the Grand Mosque is Phahos. Now a car park.

Sol
25 October 2007 at 15:08

Alexander

'230,000 Greek settlers on the south of the island'.

Is based on research by Proffessor Ata Atun, this number includes many non Greek settlers, but also abound 100,000 "mainland" Greeks. It is interesting to note that the RoC has a policy of giving citizenship to any Greek Soldier who has served on Cyprus.

I read recently and article in the Cyprus mail abut the Pontus Greek in Cyprus and how they were poorly assimitated.

Jeyda
25 October 2007 at 15:12

Dear Mr Coleman, you seem to be uncomfortable with the Turkish settlers in the north but you fail to mention the Greek settlers in the south. Do I detect some hostility in your article towards Turks and Muslims or are you simply repeating what you have been told by your Greek Cypriot friends? I suggest you read the piece below so that you have a more balanced view of what goes on in Cyprus.

Historically, and particularly since 1961, Greece has systematically pursued a deliberate policy of colonizing and annexing Cyprus (a process they term “Enosis”), due to which 60,000 Turkish Cypriots were forced to leave their homes, memories and belongings in 1964 after the fierce attacks of Greek militia and a further 60,000 in 1974, as the outcome of the notorious coup d’etat against Archbishop Makarios, staged by Greek generals in Greece.

This is being done in order to change the demographic structure of the island, to control and adulterate the 1960 Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. Such attempts at consolidating the transformation of Cyprus’s demographic character continued even after the events of 1974.

Under international law mass transfers by another country of its own civilian population into territories outside its boundaries to change demographic structure is illegal. Greece sent over its own population to the island of Cyprus in the early 1900s, and more consistently since 1961.

Weeks before the parliamentary elections held on May 21, 2006 on the Greek Cypriot side, Greek Cypriot Interior Minister Andreas Hristu announced the election areas and the number of voters.

The crucial part of the announcement was the number of the additional voters. It revealed a dramatic increase of 30,000 on top of the existing 470,000 voters, with the new total topping 500,000.

When the backgrounds of these 500,000 voters were analyzed, a stunning outcome surfaced, clearly revealing the number of Greek settlers clandestinely accumulated on the island since 1961.

The breakdown of “Greek settlers” in this electoral list of 500,000 is approximately as follows:

Pontus Greek Cypriots: 60,000 - 70,000

Citizens of the former Soviet Republic: 30,000

Christians who fled Lebanon: 15,000 - 20,000

Immigrants from Greece: 100,000

Asylum seeker Kurds: 2,500 - 3,000

Asylum seeker citizens from third countries: 9,500

Total of “Greek settlers in Cyprus”: approximately 230,000

According to the existing but unpublished Greek Cabinet Decision of 1964, any Greek citizen who has done his military service in Cyprus or served in the Greek National Army (Ethniki Fruro) automatically becomes a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus (Greek Cyprus).

For years one Greek regiment and two battalions of Greek Commandos were deployed on the island and thousands of Greek officers served in the Greek Cypriot National Guard. These privates and army officers, who change every two years, have, since 1964, automatically become citizens.

Most Greek Cypriots go to study in Greece, get married and return to Cyprus. Their partners also immediately become citizens.

The Pontus Greeks (Pontii) and citizens of the former Soviet republics were made citizens soon after they settled on the island from 1974 and 1982, respectively.

Opening their arms to the wealthy Christians who fled the war in Lebanon, the Greek Cypriots also made them citizens.

Why are only Turkish Cypriots consistently blamed for bringing in 40,000 settlers from Turkey, while the Greek Cypriots are not, although they have given citizenship to 230,000 non-Greek Cypriots and dramatically changed the demographic structure of the island?

References :Simerini, Greek Cypriot Newspaper, April 30, 2006; Mahi, Greek Cypriot Newspaper, Sept. 20, 2006; Simerini, Greek Cypriot Newspaper, Nov. 28, 2006; Politis, Greek Cypriot Newspaper Jan. 14, 2007; Politis, Greek Cypriot Newspaper, Feb. 6, 2007

Rizokarpasso
25 October 2007 at 15:35

MaryK

At last, a politician that is not afraid to speak the truth. Thank you Brian Coleman for having integrity and seeking to uphold human rights for all the people of Cyprus. Greek Cypriots have been denied access, use and enjoyment of their homes and properties in occupied Cyprus for the last 33 years, meanwhile the illegal occupiers are not only occupying but also building and selling off properties to which they have no entitlement.

As an indication of the inhumanity of the current illegal regime in the occupied north of Cyprus this month Turkey refused to allow a Greek Cypriot born in Rizokarpasso to be buried in the cemetary there, as was his wish; possibly because all the crosses in the cemetary have been broken, the little church and the graves desecrated and human bones scattered everywhere. There are still 264 enclaved Greek Cypriots in Rizokarpasso, a Greek Cypriot village in the Karpass peninsular, who are denied basic Human Rights by the illegal Turkish occupying regime and are intimidated daily by the illegal administration and the illegal settlers from Turkey. Rizokarpasso had 3,500 Greek Cypriots in 1974, of whom 2,500 were enclaved following the Turkish invasion and have now been reduced to 264 following numerous attacks, deaths, beatings and other uncivilized acts.

I could say a great deal more but I will just put forward some basic points:

1) The Cyprus Treaty of Guarantee, Nicosia, 16th August 1960, Article II states: "Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, taking note of the undertakings of the Republic of Cyprus set out in Article I of the present Treaty, recognise and guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus, and also the state of affairs established by the Basic Articles of its Constitution.

Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom likewise undertake to prohibit, so far as concerns them, any activity aimed at promoting, directly or indirectly, either union of Cyprus with any other State or partition of the island". The three Guarantor powers have failed in their Treaty obligations to Cyprus; in fact Turkey went against its own Treaty obligations invaded and is still occupying part of territory of The Republic of Cyprus with 43,000 Turkish troops.

2) Most of the Turkish Cypriots have left the occupied area and it is now inhabited mainly by illegal settlers and their offspring transported to Cyprus by Turkey, an act which is against Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which forbids an occupying power from transferring part of its civilian population to occupied territory. Turkey, a NATO power has been allowed to disregard the Geneva Convention and is given much support by our British Government.

3) According to the 1960 Cyprus population survey the Greek Cypriot population was 77.1%, Turkish Cypriot population was 18.2%, Maronites and Armenians were 1.1%, others 3.7%. Since 1974 the transportation of over 150,000 Turkish settlers to colonise the occupied north and take over the Greek Cypriot homes and properties is a clear attempt to change the demography of Cyprus. Clearly our British Government places strategic self interest above adhering to an accepted code of conduct and upholding human rights.

4) Member of Parliament for Hendon, Andrew Dismore, in his letter, dated 13 th October 2006 to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, is very clear regarding the denial of Human Rights to the enclaved, which he observed first hand during his visit to Rizokarpasso in October 2006.

5) According to 1964 Land Registry Office Records, Greek Cypriots owned approximately 78% of the privately owned land in the territory now under Turkish occupation, while persons belonging to the Turkish Cypriot community owned approximately 21%.

6) Ethnic cleansing is condemned by all civilized countries, yet Turkey been allowed to ethnically cleanse the Greek Cypriots from their homes and properties in occupied north Cyprus. Approximately 150,000 Greek Cypriots fled for their lives when Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974. Not all were successfull, e.g. Sysklipos, a small Greek Cypriot village in the Kyrenia mountains, which had 337 inhabitants has 23 missing persons as a result of the Turkish invasion, who didn't manage to escape and whose fate only the invading Turkish forces know. There are 1,476 missing Greek Cypriots, mainly civilians like those in Sysklipos.

stoneman
25 October 2007 at 15:55

Sol,

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Reports show a systematic destruction of not only Christian churches but also of other important heritage sites.

This tactic by Turkey is a long-established one. History has shown that first the Turks eliminate the people, then destroy their cultural heritage in order to deny the existence of the original people.

According to Orthodox Church records, about 500 churches have been destroyed or pillaged in the occupied north. The Church has already recovered, through a lengthy legal battle in America, priceless frescoes that were stolen from the occupied areas. Other efforts are underway to repatriate various religious relics.

Italian journalist Giovanni Ricciardi has just published a chronicle of the 1974 Turkish military invasion of Cyprus and its repercussions up to the recent past.

The largest part of the report describes the condition of Christian churches in occupied Cyprus and the destruction of other important cultural heritage sites.

Ricciardi also notes the destruction of non-Orthodox churches in the occupied area, belonging to Maronites, Armenians, and Catholics and stresses that if Turkey wants to join the European Union, it has to allow the repair and restoration of holy sites as a gesture of good will.

Similarly, Dr. Charalambos Chotzakoglou of the University of Athens has recently written on the illegal trafficking of antiquities and efforts to repatriate Cypriot treasures. The Professor of History of Byzantine Art at the University of Athens presented the results of the registration program of Christian churches in the occupied areas and, using photographic material, he chronicled the registration of the Christian monuments, the improper use of the churches and their conversion into barns, mosques and hotels.

Contrary to what you suggest, the most sacred Muslim shrine in the free areas of the Cyprus Republic, the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque outside Larnaca, has recently been restored.

It really is about time the Turkish Cypriots stood up for themselves and spoke out about the injustice of the Turkish occupation, their marginalisation by Anatolian settlers, and their isolation as a result of an illegal occupation supposed to be for their benefit. It's very sad that few Turkish Cypriots seem capable of expressing some shame and alarm at what has been done to their homeland in the name of The Turkish 'peace operation' in Cyprus.

stoneman
25 October 2007 at 16:39

Jeyda writes: "Dear Mr Coleman, you seem to be uncomfortable with the Turkish settlers in the north but you fail to mention the Greek settlers in the south."

Do you mean the 230,000 Greek Cypriot refugees who were forcibly removed from their homes? I assume "settlers" is a strange Turkish euphemism for 'refugee' along with the 'peace operation' which has robbed and pillaged the north of Cyprus of its heritage and turned it into an Anatolian wasteland.

The Republic of Cyprus has always had thriving Armenian, Maronite, Turkish and Lebanese minorities. Until the Turkish invasion drove the Turkish Cypriots into isolation and mass exodus the Turkish Cypriots were the largest minority on the island.

The Anatolian settlers in north Cyprus were brought in not as legal migrants but as part of a systematic attempt to change the demographic character of north Cyprus. This is illegal under international law and a huge cause of bitterness to many Greek Cypriots whose homes lie in the north of the island.

To attempt to compare the systematic colonisation of tthe north of the island with the Republic of Cyprus's legal migration policies is absolutely shameless.

Why is the Turkish occupation regime only bringing in Turks to the north of Cyprus? Why not allow the Greek Cypriots who have property and land to return to their homes? Why not allow the Armenians and Maronites to return? Or is it only Turks who can live in northern Cyprus?

Sometimes you have to wonder if the Turkish Cypriots are really committed to a genuine reunification of the island or if they are content to live in a racially-pure Turkish statelet recognised by nobody...

YANNIS
25 October 2007 at 19:42

*After reading this article I have decided to join the Labour party.

*The Turkish troops have maintained peace on the island now for 33 glorious years; longest in the history of Cyprus. Hope they stay for ever.

*In 1974 the Greeks tried to extermeninate all the Turks on the island and anex it to Greece. They took a gamble and LOST. When you gamble and loose, the casino does not give you, your money back.

*We do not trust the Greeks. We want the Turkish troops to stay on the island to protect us from the aggressors in the South.

*The agression campaign is still going on to-day with the ambargoes. Given half the chance they are sure to resort to the military pactics and barbarisim they employed in 1974. The Turkish troops are there to make sure that this does not happen again.

*What are the British troops there for Mr Brian Coleman?

Sol
25 October 2007 at 20:01

Stoneman, Rather than offer vague "reports show" why not show us which reports? Who said it, what was their motivation?

Your statement that this is a well known Turkish tatic is not terribly credible since Christians Jews and Muslims lived for hundreds of years in relative peace in the Ottoman empire. In fact most of the Ottoman civil service was run by Greeks.

Today there are still many open and functioning Churchs in Istanbul or Ankara but no Mosques in Athens. What should we take from that?

Sol
25 October 2007 at 20:05

Stoneman

Academic reseach by the international peace research institute Oslo, and a House of Commons report put the number of Turkish settlers at around 35,000.

If Turks moving to Cyprus is colonisation then equally Greeks moving to Cyprus must also be colanisation, I fail to see the difference.

The UN did not appear to either, under the Annan plan which Greece among others backed.

stoneman
25 October 2007 at 21:48

Sol writes: "If Turks moving to Cyprus is colonisation then equally Greeks moving to Cyprus must also be colanisation, I fail to see the difference."

You're failure to see the difference is part of the problem. According to the Observer newspaper Turkish settlers from Anatolia are thought to number as many as 120,000 out of a population of 200,000. I notice you don't include the 40,000 Turkish troops in your figures.

Regardless of the numbers, I repeat the question: why bring Turkish settlers at all to the north of Cyprus when there are a quarter of million Greek Cypriot refugees originally from the north of the island? Why not allow the refugees to return to their homes in the north? I think we know the answer to that question: it would interfere with the idea of a racially pure Turkish statelet.

As for your refusal to recognize the systematic decescration of the north of Cyprus's cultural heritage this is typical of Turkey which seems to live in a state of infuriating denial about some of its most appalling abuses of humanity. It is unbending in never being wrong. To this day, the Armenian genocide never happened. There have been no admissions, no apologies and no compensation. For years the Turks refused to admit that Kurds even existed - there was no such thing, no Kurdish language, no Kurdish culture, nothing of all known evidence. Similarly, there has been no systematic and widespread desecration in north Cyprus, just the odd piece of 'vandalism' here and there. Such excuses would be laughable if the reality wasn't so appalling.

alexander
26 October 2007 at 00:18

This stuff about 200,000 Greek settlers, Cyprus granting citizenship to Greek soldiers and there being only 35,000 Turkish settlers on the island, is just mind-boggling. I can't believe I'm reading it. It's all made up. Just barefaced lies. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Don't Turks feel embarrassed coming out with this nonsense?

And as for the refusal to accept the evidence of the wanton destruction of Cyprus' cultural and artistic heritage in the Turkish occupied north, this is beyond shamelessness.

'The scourge [i.e. the Turkish invasion] has left its marks. It has struck Cyprus, the site of the most ancient Christian community on European soil, in its artistic, cultural, and religious treasury: stupendous Byzantine and Romanesque churches, imposing monasteries, mosaics and frescoes of inestimable value. It is a heritage that in the northern part of the island, under Turkish occupation, has been sacked, violated, and destroyed.'

Read the whole article by Luigi Geninazzi if you like:

http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/46544?&eng=y

There are hundreds of other articles and reports like it. The evidence is irrefutable. You make yourself look foolish by denying it.

YANNIS
26 October 2007 at 00:27

Mr Rent a Politician Adrian Colemean. I am absolutely disgusted by your values.

Obviously money and winning a few cheap votes comes very high up on your list, however safety and security comes on top of my list and the thousands of other Turkish and Greek Cypriots living in Cyprus.

The Peace Operation by the Turkish troops in 1974 brought long term security and stability to the Island. This is paramount to everything else. This in return brought prosperity to both communities for which they are grateful.

Both communities want the Turkish troops to stay on the island for the foreseeable future. Incidentally, we can understand why the Turkish and the Greek troops are on the island but can you explain to us what the British troops are doing there please?? In fact what are they doing in Iraq, Afghanistan etc??

If you can send troops to Falkland islands off the cost of Argentina, on the other side of the world to protect a handful of British citizens, then who the hell are you to criticise Turkey for coming to the rescue of his people in her own back-yard in 1974?

Turkey came across in 1974 to protect her people in her back-yard from a total massacre by the Greeks who wanted to annex it to Greece. She used her guarantor powers given to her by the 1960 constitution when Cyprus became independent from Britain. It was a legitimate and necessary operation.

May the Turkish troops stay on the island for another 100 years. As for you Mr Rent a Politician, if you were hoping that the Turkish Cypriots were now going to offer you a free holiday to get you on their side well tough because all you are gone get is two fingers up your……

Matt
26 October 2007 at 06:59

I think we need to deal with facts here. Why did the Turkish Cypriots set up a secret arms factory WHERE THEY MANUFACTURED OVER 18000 RIFLES? Why did they enlist several thousand Turkish Cypriots to swear allegiance to the motherland Turkey and the terrorist organisation TMT in the early sixties and all this BEFORE a single shot was fired between the two communities? This is all documented and confirmed by Rauf Denktash.

As far as European Turkey is concerned I have a question.

How can a country invade another country, occupy 37% of it’s territory, expel the indigenous population, bring in settlers to take their place, carry out widespread looting, rape, murder, illegally abduct and vanish hundreds of POWs, deliberately destroy the country’s 9000 year old cultural heritage, set up a pariah state that only they recognize demanding that everybody else do the same, and be possibly allowed to get away with all this?

Matt

JUSTICE FOR CYPRUS
26 October 2007 at 08:15

The Turkish posters here seem to of conveniantly forgotten the fact that any animosity towards the Turkish Cypriots may have something to do with the fact that in the ate fifties thay were part of a police force formed by the Brtish colonial government to control he Greek Cypriot police force. Whilst mentioning correctly the actions of the traitor NicosSampson and EOKA b' the Turkish posters appear to of forgotten to mention Rauf Denktash and his counter Turkish Cypriot group The TMT of corse the whiter than white Turkish would wouldn't they as they of course forget to mention that their alledged motherland always denies th Armenian genocide not to mention their current mistreatment of the Kurd. Whilst also telling us how WE the Greek Cypriots killed them in the early 60s (yes the early 60s not until 1974) they conveniantly again forget to mention the atroscities committed by the aformentioned TMT. Nor do they mention the bombing by the Turkish Airforce of a Greek Cypriot village using napalm. They also forget to mention that the TMT also killed their own people political rivals and tried to blame the Greek Cypriots. It seems that the Turkish/Turkish Cypriot posters here are the ones wih selective memories. All these things are fact not properganda the TMT still exists to keep Turkish Cypriot left winger pro unity supporters in check. Anybody who has visited Cyprus knows full well that mosques in the government south are protected buildings like te Sultan Tekke in Larnaca o just who is talking propergada. For those of you who claim that the INVASION of 1974 was an intervention please tell me how many Turkish Cypriots were killed between 15-20 of July? none sowhat were they intervening in and how did they manage to prepare a full invation force and invade in 5 days? what bull . As for the 1960 treaty of Guarentee it states that any one of the three guarentor governments ie UK, Turkey and Greece could intervene but only to ''protect the integrity and identity and defending the legally elected government'' his did not entitle Turkey to ''bomb'' Greek Cypriot Village in 1964. It did not entitle Turkey to smuggle weapons onto Cyprus to arm theTMT, (The fact is that it has always been known that Turkey had deisgns on Cyprus) Nor did it entitle Turkey to invade killing 1000s mostly civiians my Grandmother included. Nor does it entitle them to form a state which is illeagal. In December 1974 Archbishop Makarios had returned to power the ''legally''' elected leader this should under the treaty of guarentee of signalled the removal of Turksh forces from Cyprus under the terms of the treaty. So how does killing 1000s of people displaing 250,000 people including Turkish Cypriots occupying 37% by force constitute an ''intervenion'' ? how does that protect the itegrity and identity and Territories of

the ''Republic of Cyprus'' all three guarentor powers breached the treaty and just because a British MP decides enough s enough you decide to deride him. They say 'two wrongs don't make a right' . In Cyprus there is a village which belies the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot leaders claim that the two communities cannot live together its called Pila of course there is also Harringay and PalmersGreen, Wood Green,Enfield and Camberwell in London werethis alo applies so please shut your properganda gabage down. Both sides killed i the 1960s both sides killed its own political opponents and Just as EOKA'B existed so to did the TMT and just as Enosis (unity wih Greece) existed so to did Taxsim (unity with Turkey) those are facts. But its over 40 years since so accept your side is no innocent in all this leave your selective memory behind and move on. As for the BBC we know that is contrlled by the UK government and we also know is stance of total support of Turkey. As for the Pro Turkish Brits on here wha exctly do yu base your opinions on? Being there and experiencing it? reading Turkish Properganda? we already know with Armenia they can never admit to indescretions. Or perhaps you bought property belongin to Greek Cypriots illeagally? whatever yu cannot not know the truth. Finally if you believe that the 18% Turkish Cypriots should dictate to the 82% majority ie Greek, Armenianand MaoniteCypriotsthen perhps you will also accept the '' Jamaican Republic of South London'' or maybe the ''Islamic Republic of Bradford''.

If thats not acceptable how about the ''Hindi Republic of Brent'' and remember democracy is one man one vote. Finally on this MP i would point out that whilst touting for Greek Cypriot votes lets not forget the about the Turks and Turkish Cypriots living in his constituancy so the arguement he wants to win the G/Cs votes s flawed a is the claim he illegally assisted in banning advertising travel/holidays to the so called TRNC is rubbish how can you sell hoidays to an illegal unrecognised state not to mention the illeagal entry. When you have facts talk until then don't spout the gabage you fed by the Turkish Properganda machine or are you also saying that the Armenian genocide didn't take place either? and are you saying that Turkey has a perfect human rights record were everybody is equal?

JUSTICE FOR CYPRUS
26 October 2007 at 08:39

To the Conservative MP firstly how do you xpect the Greek Cypriots to accept a plan which expected the disbanding of the Cypriot naitonal Guard whilst the Turkish would keep the invsion force on the island fo some years before starting a slow and gradual withdrawl. So who would then protect the Greek Cypriots without an army? the pro Turkish British ho as guarentors have failed in all there obligations for over 30 years despite continuing to keep heir bases on the island and also showing no loyalty to a mmber of the British Commonwealth not to mention a cuntry which suplied 1000s of troops in the second world war on the sid of the British. Or perhaps the UN who are controlled by the USA another pro Turkey country, afterall how many resolutions have been passed but remained unenforced against Turkey. Or perhaps NATO anoth USA controlled body that has Turkey as a member so tell me sir who will protect the Greek Cypriots? as for seeking restitution from that puppet court in the North which is run by Turkey well are they anymore likely to be fair bearing thei lack of adhearance to countless decisions by the European Court of Human rights? As for seeking restitution through the British Courts i believe under EU law that is an option open to ALL EU member stateresidents but where else in Europe is this more neccessary. Itsobvious some British peope and MPs cannot forgive having to give Cyprus its independance even after all these years. It seems that were the British and USA Governments are concerned human rights only exist were there is oil, and international law only applies when the British or USA see fit and does not apply to the actions of Israel or Turkey. May i suggest that if you prefer Greek Cypriots didn't use the UK courts you then pressure your own Government to do more to dissuade British people from buyng property they aready KNOW its not their right to buy or the right of the seller to sell. Instead of wantng cheap properties for your robbing countrymen and women you should be more worried about the human rights of the legal owners. How many holidays have you had in Northen Cyprus?

JUSTICE FOR CYPRUS
26 October 2007 at 08:51

SOL what are you on? The Turkish Cypriots moved into the mountains of their own accord setting up enclaves so that they could cut up the island they did this with weapons smuggled in by Turkey and what about the TMT. What the Hell are you talking about 1810? and what does that have to do with Greek Cypriots who at that time were under the Turkish yolk. We keep hearing about ''They this they that'' whatabout ''we did this we did that'' Armenia, Kurdistanand the current Kurds the world knows your race but you are allowed to get away with far worse than you claim happened to Turks bcause your important to the Yanks. Sampson actually put out a message in 1974 that Turkish Cypriots would not be harmed. When The Turkish armyarrived radio messages were put out by Denktash tat any T/Cs remaining in the South would pay a heavy price. Did you expect to go into G/c villages killing as the TMT had done in the 60s without a response. It was not long ago that Denktash had reformed the TMT o contrl his own people and also imported the ''Grey Wolves'' to do likewise, again selective memory or knowledge YOURSIE WERE NO INNOCENTS AND THEY ALSO KILLED THEIR OWN IF THEY WERE SOLCIALIST OR POLITICAL RIVALS THEY DID IT IN HE 60S ANDSTILL DO NOW.

Emina
26 October 2007 at 11:16

Really sad and depressing to read all this crap Brian Coleman should be reported to Commission For Racial Equality for inciting these fools on both sides to vomit out all this venom

voicecomcy
26 October 2007 at 12:58

Bravo Brian!

So many lies in the World, it is quite refreshing to hear someone speak the truth. Who said that in in our times merely speaking the truth is a revolutionary act? Maybe Mark Twain.

What we are all facing in the in the Cyprus issue is ruthless Turkish Propaganda. Bicoommunal problems they say? There were none, until Turkey and Great Brittain decided to protect and enhance their interests on the island!

Turkish & foreign interests that have used and abused the Turkish Cypriot 18% minority - most of which has emigrated to other European countries - in order to invade, kill, pillage, occupy half of Cyprus to date, uproot 200.000 Greek refugees, and bring to Cyprus 40.000 Turkish troops and 150.000 turkish settlers.

Today the Turkish Cypriots, estimated at around 80.000, are truly a minority in the occupied North. So, was the 1974 murdurous invasion a peace keeping mission? If so, why do they still need 40.000 troops and 150.000 settlers?

Who is occupying who? Who is changing the demographics of Cyprus? And the biggest lie yet! Turkish Cypriot Isolation. Come and have a look at the brand new BMWs and Mercedes luxury cars with Turkish Cypriot license plates outside Marks & Spencers in the free part of Nicosia! They have pillaged our land in 1974 and shipped whatever goods they found to Turkey, and now they are selling the land to unsuspecting Europeans!

If there is a God, whether he is called Christ or Allah, these Turks will pay!

Michalis Mavromichalis

www.voice.com.cy

Sol
26 October 2007 at 13:03

alexander

These are the facts, see

This ties in with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons in their report of May 7, 1987, said that foreign observers, including the British Government, estimated the Turkish settlers in the north at about 35.000. Necatigil, Zaim M.; White, Gillian M. (1993). "Human Rights in Cyprus", The Cyprus Question and the Turkish Position in International Law. Oxford University Press, 139. ISBN 0-198-25846-1.

http://www.prio.no/files/manual-import/beyond_numbers_reduce...

Unfortunatley people tend to hide behind their own proaganda. (on both sides)

voicecomcy
26 October 2007 at 13:08

Emina dear,

You are so blind you do not see your own folly. You think this is a racist issue? Far from it. It is a human rights issue!

To prove it to you, let's forget the labels "Greek" and "Turk" and say we are all "Martians."

I still want my land and my house that was taken away when they "Martian" Army killed my father, raped my father and made us all refugees in our own land. Does your racist theory present a solution? I support your right to your land, do you support mine?

Best Regards

Michalis Mavromichalis

Sol
26 October 2007 at 13:10

It seems many of the supports of this article are unable to admit the terrible suffering that Turkish Cypriots went though.

How then do they expect Turks to reconcile with them.

Colemans article was biased and divisive and far from bringing the two communities together is further pulling them apart.

I say have a truth and reconcilliation commision from Cyprus. That may well be the only way to reconcile the two sides.

Sol
26 October 2007 at 13:19

Michalis Mavromichalis, equally those who suffered on the other side want the same thing. Fundermentally ever one wants the same thing.

I think one of the stumbleing block is that Turkish Cypriots want to return to land as of 1963 whereas Greeks want the land distributed as of 1974.

What do you think?

YANNIS
26 October 2007 at 14:33

(* It is incredible what level some people are prepared to drop to for a free holiday and some cheap votes.

(* Mr Rent-a-Politician Coleman, Turkish Peace keeping force in Cyprus has brought peace, stability and security to the troubled island of Cyprus for now over three decades; the longest in its history.

(* Peace, security and stability are PARAMONUNT