TURKISH CYPRIOT NETWORK NEWS
THE VOICE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS
JUNE 1998,  ISSUE NO:28
 
We demand Recognition of our Sovereignty and Equality   "Peace At Home, Peace With the World" 
27 Old Gloucester St.London WC1 3XX 

WHAT A SHAME

It is a crying shame that the peace, which is maintained in Cyprus due to the balance of powers created by Turkiye's intervention back in 1974, is in danger of coming to an end this summer.
  From 1963 to 1974, Greek-Greek Cypriot military and terrorist organisation EOKA subjected the Turkish Cypriots to every evil humanly possible for over a decade.
  Aiming to achieve ENOSIS, unification of Cyprus with Greece, they staged a military coup in Cyprus on 15 July with the ultimate aim of wiping out the Turkish Cypriot population and the Greek Cypriot opposition.
  As the late Makarios said in his speech at the UN General Assembly on 19 July 1974, this was the invasion of Cyprus by Greece. This invasion was stopped with the timely intervention of Turkiye on 20 July 1974, which stopped the massacres and persecution of Turkish Cypriots. Turkiye's intervention not only saved the Turkish Cypriots; it also saved thousands of Greek Cypriot lives.
  Since the bitter days of the 1974, apart from few border incidents, Cyprus had relative peace because of Turkiye. Alas, the Greek Cypriot sides determination to change the military balance in its favour by deploying the Russian S-300 missiles, in line with its so called defence doctrine with Greece, is threatening to put an end to this peaceful situation. Once again destruction and death is looming over Cyprus because of the expansionist Greek policy.
   Can we, solely blame the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo for the situation Cyprus is in at the moment? Certainly not, most of the blame lies with the EU. The unconditional support that the EU gives to this duo is the main reason why we are heading towards a possible crisis in Cyprus.
   The historical events that took place over the last hundred years or so prove that whenever Greece has the support of the Europeans behind her, she pursues an aggressive expansionist policy.
  As professor Norman Stone wrote in a recent article in The Daily Telegraph, it was the Greeks, in line with their expansionist policy, that attacked Turkiye three times in the last century, each time with the support of the Europeans.
  Now that a clash in Cyprus, which could lead to a wider conflict between Greece and Turkiye, is more than probable, is worrying the international community.
   Western countries, headed by the US and the UK, have been warning the Greek Cypriots and the Greeks of the consequences they would be facing if they go ahead with the deployment of these missiles.
 Apart from being a threat to Turkish Cypriot side and Turkiye, recent reports in the British and Turkish media claimed that the missiles constitute a threat to the other countries, such as UK, US, Israel and Egypt, that also fly their aircraft in the region because the radar systems of these missiles cannot recognise the country of origin of the aircraft.
  Recent arguments, between the British bases' officials and the Greek Cypriots about the British helicopters spying on the Greek Cypriot National Guard positions shows that Britain is seriously worried about the arrival of the missiles in Cyprus.
  On 26 May 1998 Greek Cypriot newspaper Agon, reported that two helicopters were spotted making suspicious movements and photographing National Guard positions. Quoting Greek Cypriot defence sources, Agon also claimed that two warning flares were launched in their direction. Agon further reported that strict orders were given to "act decisively" if the helicopters remained in the area.
  Another newspaper, Tharros, accused the secret services of Britain and Israel of carrying out espionage in Cyprus, in an attempt to  gather information about the missiles. Tharros claimed that Britain was concerned about loosing its intelligence gathering monopoly in the area, as the missiles came with very strong radar system, which were also of concern to Israel's military.
 Although Mervyn Wynne Jones, the British commander of the bases denied the incident, the so called Greek Cypriot defence minister Yiannakis Omirou confirmed that a confrontation did take place.
    The fears of a war becoming a reality in Cyprus were also voiced in recent articles published by the British media.
   Sunday Times published an article on 31 May 1998, which gave detailed account of  evacuation plans prepared by the British Ministry of Defence. The article headlined "RAF to airlift 250,000 if war erupts", reported that "Britain is planning the biggest airlift since the second world war because of mounting fears over war in Cyprus."
 Sunday Times further reported that "The Turkish government has warned that war will start in Cyprus if the Greek Cypriots take delivery of several batteries of S300 'Growler' anti aircraft missiles from the Russians."
  The European 8-14 June 1998 also published an article under the headline "Red-hot poker player", which gave details of an interview with the fake president of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides.
  The European said: "In his office on a corner of palatial former residence of the colonial British governor, Cyprus's president, Glafcos Clerides, fingers his worry beads. He has a lot to worry about." The European also reported that because of the leaked report by the British MoD about the evacuation plans, Greek Cypriot tourist industry is already suffering and their stock market has suffered 3% drop because of nervous selling.
   "Clerides has only himself to blame. The British plans reflect international concern at his government's purchase of S-300 air defence missiles from Russia, due to be delivered this summer despite fierce opposition from Turkey" the European said.
    A recent report by the Russian newspaper Sevodnya that the S-300 missiles were already delivered to south Cyprus was the subject of an other article in the British daily      The Independent on 10 June 1998.
  The Independent said: "... if Russia has, in fact, already delivered the long-promised S-300 missiles to Cyprus, then a full-scale showdown between Greece and Turkey over the divided island has moved a giant step closer."
    The Independent further reported "If they have arrived, the news would dismay not only Turkey, but Britain, a guarantor power of the 1960 treaties setting an independent Cyprus, and the United States, who all argue that they would upset an already tense regional balance of forces around the most heavily militarised island in the world."
  The Independent newspaper also questioned "what military purpose" would the missiles serve and suggested that "the missiles would not even dent Turkey's strategic superiority," and said that "In the event of all-out war, the Greek Cypriot two-thirds of the island would be overrun."
   After the evacuation report in the British newspaper, The Sunday Times, a letter issued to American citizens living in south Cyprus caused outrage and worry amongst the Greek Cypriot leaders.
   According to a local TV report on 5 June 1998,  US embassy had issued a letter to its citizens living in south Cyprus, requesting information on the number of Americans living on the island. The report also said that earlier in the week, the US embassy confirmed that it did have a contingency plan for the evacuation of the 2,000 or so US citizens on the island.
  Trying to play it down the Greek Cypriot spokesman Stylianides said that the letter sent to the American citizens was not a sign that the embassy fears a war on the island over the Russian missiles.



 
FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
 
 

Ambassador of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mr Hakki Muftuzade, his lady wife and his son displayed great courage when they went to the University of East Anglia on the third of June in the face of death threats made by the Greek and Greek Cypriot students there.
  Mr Muftuzade had originally intended to debate the Cyprus problem at the University of East Anglia in Norwich on the 12th of May at the invitation of the Turkish Society there. However, the invitation was withdrawn by the university when the Greek and Greek Cypriot students at the university threatened to beat him up and even to hang him.
   Mr Muftuzade complained at the withdrawal of the original invitation saying "We have freedom of speech, they (The University of East Anglia) should respect this.  They must recognise our right to free speech just as they do for the Greeks"
   During his speech Mr Muftuzade stated that the only route to a peaceful solution to the Cyprus Problem was through the implementation of confidence building measures, key among these being the opening up of the holiday centre of Marash and Lefkosha international airport for use by both communities. The acknowledgement of the Turkish
                                                                                                              Ambassador Muftuzade         Republic of Northern Cyprus in order that negotiations can proceed on the basis of two equal and sovereign states leading to the formation of a bizonal bicommunal federation.
   Mr Muftuzade then took questions from the audience which consisted of the members of the Turkish Society, Greek-Greek Cypriot students, other nationalities such as Arab, German, Serb students, around fifteen British students, guests and university officials.
   Fully briefed by the Greek fascist group "Lobby for Cyprus" and acting in line with the propaganda supplied by this group, Greek and Greek Cypriot students proved to have little understanding of the 1960 constitution and of the treaty of Lausanne. Indeed they were not even aware of the Greek invasion of Turkey in 1919. They therefore had no credible questions to ask Mr Muftuzade and no constructive comments to make.

Their questioning was as follows:

Q: "When will the Turkish Settlers be expelled from North Cyprus?"

A: "That is an issue for the Government of North Cyprus to resolve. However many of these settlers have been Turkish Cypriot citizens for Twenty Years, some have married Turkish Cypriots or have children that are Turkish Cypriots."

Q: "Will Turkey invade Greece to protect the Turkish minority there?"

A: "Under the treaty of Lausanne the Greek government should be protecting all their citizens regardless of their ethnic origin."

Q: "Does the Government of Cyprus have jurisdiction over North Cyprus?"

A: " Quite Evidently Not."

One Greek Cypriot Law student didn't seem to understand the answer and asked for the answer to be clarified.

A: "To all practical intents and purposes the Greek Cypriot regime has no jurisdiction over the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

Q: "What can you tell me about the Akritas Plan" (The plan created by the Greek Cypriots in 1963, for the union of Cyprus with Greece through the murder of all the Turkish Cypriots). (NB: This question was asked by a Briton)

A: "I would rather not discuss the Akritas Plan. I would rather talk about confidence building measures and a peaceful resolution of our national problem."

One so called lady, a Greek student and the pride of her family, displayed her contempt at Mr Muftuzade's peaceful overtures by responding with "Tell my Arse" to each of his statements.
Another of her compatriots showed off his mastery of the English language and the high standard of his British education by responding to Mr Muftuzade's calls for a negotiated peace settlement with the telling statement: "We don't talk to animals"

The Turkish Cypriot Network would like to thank him profusely for making that statement.

With that statement not only did the Greek point of view lose all its remaining credibility in the eyes of all the neutral observers there, but the Turkish Cypriot Network also gained three new British subscribers.

Our new subscribers said that they were disgusted with his attitude and his ignorance and wanted to learn about the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus and the Cyprus problem from the Turkish Cypriot Network.

The Turkish Cypriot Network were pleased to supply our new subscribers with copies of Harry Scott Gibbons's Book, "The Genocide Files" and have added them to our distribution list.  Thank you for recruiting these new subscribers for us.
 



 
PROVACATIONS BY GREECE

While the threat of war is looming over Cyprus because of the Russian missiles, a new threat has emerged, increasing the possibility of a clash in Cyprus.
   Greeks refusing to see that their actions are actually responsible for the threat of war, have landed six    F-16 jet fighters and two C-130 transport planes to the Paphos air base on on 15-16 June 1998.
 Greek Cypriot defence ministry spokesman Andreas Harides said that "The arrival of the planes is part of the implementation of the common defence accord between Greece and Cyprus," and claimed that this was intended to "ascertain the readiness" of the base.
 Also the Greek Cypriot defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou told a local television that the arrival of the Greek warplanes "proved that the base is operational," and claimed that "It also gives the political message that the pact exists.”
  Tensions between Greek and Turkish Cypriots over the Paphos base have been high since it opened in January and the opening caused Turkiye to briefly put on alert the security forces she maintains in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
 Commenting on the incident President Denktash said that in response to the opening of the Paphos military facility the Turkish side would convert an airport in the north of the island into an air base.
  It is certain that Cyprus is moving closer to a war, Russians are moving into the Middle east. With the powerful radar system that these missiles have, Russians will have the overall control of the region.
   Some diplomatic sources are claiming that Greeks seeing the Cardiff declaration as a victory and feeling the support of the EU behind themselves, are deliberately provoking the Turkish side. But others sources are claiming that the Generals who came to Cyprus on board of one of the transport planes, were their to see the war readiness of the base.
  Time will show whether these claims are true or not. But the undeniable truth is that the Greeks are becoming very provocative due to the fact that they have the full support of the EU.


“Greek forces would be defeated handily”

In an interview he gave to Turkish Daily News on 9 June 1998, Dr. Joseph Sisco the former US undersecretary of state said that the Turkish act of 1974 was not an invasion but an intervention.
 Sisco, who was the Ford administration's mediator to find a solution to the Cyprus crisis of July 1974 when Turkiye intervened after a Greek-inspired coup was also working with George Ball during the Cyprus crisis of 1963-64.
    In his interview Sisco talked about his contacts in Cyprus in 1964 and explained how ‘Makarios was playing the Soviets against the Americans.’
   Explaining about his contacts with the Greek generals, who was ruling Greece at the time, Sisco said: “There was a great deal of commotion, a great deal of bluster. I made the case that this is a time for calm, and got only bluster from these gentlemen -- ‘we are not going to stand for this,’ ‘we are going to respond militarily,’ and so on ... I said that this would be unwise. ‘The United States does not want war between the two allies. It would not be in the interest of the two allies.’ I then met a group of military leaders in Athens. Ioannides was not there. It was a group of navy and army people. The kicker I put in was: ‘I want to provide you generals with our assessments as to what would happen if you intervene militarily. Our assessment is that the Greek forces would be defeated handily.’         Ugur Akinci with Sisco                  I just told them, just like that, that there would not be great sympathy in the United States for this kind of a Greek move.”
  Sisco who still maintains that Turkish intervention in 1974 was not an "invasion", as anti-Turkish lobbies and as some U.S. officials like Richard Holbrooke claims, said that “Tripartite Agreement and despite our desire to dissuade the Turks from moving in militarily, Turkey had a legal basis for moving in, including recourse to the use of force.”
   In response to a question by the reporter about the US sanctions on Turkiye after 1974, Sisco explained that he was very heavily involved in working with Congress in order to prevent the application of the sanctions on Turkiye. He said hat despite of all the efforts,  they failed to prevent the sanctions and said: “Ford, and Kissinger, and we still were defeated by the Greek lobby. That was the first exercise of political power by the Greek lobby in the United States on a specific issue. That was the first example. They used money, and so on.”


TURKISH RETALIATION
    On 18 June 1998, in retaliation to the Greek F-16 warplanes landing at the Paphos air base on 16 June 1998, six Turkish F-16s landed at The Gechitkale airport in the TRNC. This was interpreted by the diplomatic circles as a retaliation to the landing by the Greek jets. It was to show the Greeks that Turkiye is always going to be besides the Turkish Cypriots. While seeing their action legitimate, Greek officials such as Pangalos and Reppas called the Turkish action illegal.
    Greek Cypriots seeing themselves as the legitimate representatives of all Cyprus, consider it to be their god given right to bring missiles to the island and build an air base for the Greek air force.
    Raising the tension on the island is basic principle of Greece’s foreign policy, the intention is to get Turkiye to react to the provocations so that she can show Turkiye as an aggressive country. Greece and south Cyprus have to remember that their is a limit to these provocations. They have to remember that they are responsible for their actions.
Kyprianou's Amnesia