TURKISH CYPRIOT NETWORK NEWS
THE VOICE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS
MARCH 1999,  ISSUE NO:37
  We demand Recognition of our Sovereignty and Equality 
"Peace At Home, Peace With the World"
27 Old Gloucester St.London WC1 3XX



 


SIR DAVID SEES THE LIGHT


 


British special envoy to Cyprus, Sir David Hannay said in London, that South Cyprus must join the EU only after the Cyprus problem is solved and that the solution must include a rotational presidency. He further said that the current system of guarantees must be maintained.
 
 





Comments by the President & Turkish Cypriot leaders on Sir David’s statement


 


President Denktash of the TRNC, responded to Sir David’s statement, repeating that the application of the Greek Cypriots for EU membership is illegal. "it has once again been made clear that South Cyprus cannot join the EU before the Cyprus problem is resolved." Denktash also reiterated that Turkey will always continue to be the guarantor of the TRNC. He added that Sir David has begun to see the reality of Cyprus. Denktash invited those who wish to encourage meaningful negotiations between the two communities act more circumspectly.
 
 
 
 
 

The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, Dervish Eroglu said that the remarks made by Sir David Hannay about Cyprus guarantees must be seen as a positive step." He said that "the Turkish Cypriots will never give up Turkey’s guarantees in any event." He also added that Sir David was talking about a federation, not a confederation and reminded that the Turkish Cypriots wanted a confederal solution.
 
 
 
 

Mustafa Akinci, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, said that unless his meaning is being misunderstood, Hannay’s remarks should be viewed as a very positive development. Akinci also said that his party has been pursuing this policy for years and that he hoped that all the European countries will agree with this position. He added: You must remember that what has been said and what has been done regarding these issue are two different things.
 
 
 

Serdar Denktash, leader of the Democratic Party (DP) said that compared with his past statements, Sir David’s remarks can be considered as progress, however, Serdar Denktash stressed that, "the Turkish Cypriots emphasise that their equality and sovereignty must be accepted, and this means a confederation. The parameters we propose have a much wider scope and Europe must think about them without wasting time."
 
 
 
 

Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that he was pleased with Sir David’s statement. Talat claimed that if South Cyprus joins the EU before the Cyprus problem is resolved, the partition of the island may be permanent. "We are opposed to that. It is a very important development that Sir David has seen this or, rather, that he has openly said something that was already known. In this way, the Greek Cypriots may begin to see the solution of the problem as a condition for membership of the EU". He also pointed out that the rotational presidency system and the issue of guarantees are not new, even so, hearing them discussed by a British diplomat is an extremely positive development.
 



A present from TCN to so called journalist like Julia Langdon who continue to mislead the public in the UK and Ireland about the missing people in Cyprus.

SHOCKING CONFESSIONS OF GREEK CYPRIOT PRIEST
 In a recent interview given to the Greek Cypriot daily 'Haravgi' on February 7, Father Andreas Stephanides confessed that, his son Yiannakis had been brutally murdered by members of EOKA and not by the Turkish Army.

Below are some extracts of articles written in the Greek Cypriot press on the issue and also an interview given by Father Stephanides regarding the brutal murder of his son Yiannakis by members of EOKA.

FATHER ANDREAS STEPHANITIS THE PRIEST WHO STOOD UP TO YIORGADJIS

There is no resident of Nicosia of a certain age group who would not remember Father Stephanides during the 1960s, who would ascend the pulpit after the holy liturgy at St. Anthony's church, later on at Phaneromeni and wherever else he could, cry out against the murderers of his son Yiannakis Stephanides and ask for justice. During the reign of Yiorgadjis, when his dreaded revengeful anger shadowed and crushed them all, Father Stephanides would shout into his face "Murderer, where are you keeping my son?" He used to lower his head, he says in his interview, and "Never did he look at me in the eyes. Neither did the other murderers who are dignitaries with titles today".
 

"A CRIMINAL CANNOT BE CALLED A HERO"

Father Andreas Stephanides is reported to have said, "…Let God forgive me for what I will tell. Had the Turks not arrived in 1974 the members of EOKA-B would have killed many a left wing and honest people. They have killed and buried many people. God sees, judges and sentences. I am a human being. I cannot silence the truth".
 

 Haravgi 7 February 1999

An interview from the past memoriam for unforgettable Father Andreas Stephanides and his brutally murdered son Yiannakis.

  “Last Sunday a memorial service was held for the EOKA fighter Yiannakis Stephanides, who was brutally murdered by members of EOKA, and his brave father Andreas Stephanides. The struggles conducted by the tragic father to find and disclose the brutal murderers of his son are well known.
 The Minister of Education, Ouranios Ioannides spoke at the memorial service and for the first time it was admitted through the lips of an official that Yiannankis was not killed by the enemy, but in the hands of his brethren.
  The admission confirms the complaints of tens of relatives of members of AKEL who were also brutally murdered by members of EOKA. It is about time that justice is done, even after death, for those who were victims of the hooded members of EOKA, who in order to cover up their crimes, used to stigmatise their victims as traitors.
   In memory of Yiannakis Stephanides and his late tragic father, Father Andreas Stephanides we publish again an interview he gave us in April 1994. The interview is very much in time as it has never been before because it strengthens the efforts of the Committee of Struggle for the restoration of the memory of the relatives of those murdered by hooded members of EOKA. The memorial service of Yiannakis Stephanides coincided with that of members of AKEL, Petro Petou and Elia Tofari who were also murdered by members of EOKA.”
  Extracts from an interview given by Father Andreas Stephanides, first printed in Haravgi on 19/4/1994:

  "Father Stephanides, there is no resident of Nicosia who would not remember the period of 1959-1960 when you used to rise in churches and other public places and accuse Yiorgadjis as the man mainly guilty of the murder of your son. Today certain members of the present government tell us that he was a hero, as the Minister of Education said, history is not written by rumours. How do you feel?
   I am in deep grief. There is nothing we can do with dead people. I have forgiven him. History is already written and the evidences that exist against the murderers of my son are not rumours. They are proofs no one has disputed to the present day. Neither did Yiorgadjis who used to name only one, A…N…, out of the four.
   God will not let them be called heroes, my daughter, never. I am sorry for those who are members of the government, who, although they know a lot, even Clerides, persist in distorting the events. To lie is a sin. Let God pity them. When I last met Clerides I asked him: "Where do you have the murderers of my son?" and he answered me "One of them is in Germany and the other one in England". Certainly I know where they are but just the same I asked as I did.
   Let us go back to the past. After the end of the struggle for freedom by EOKA how did you learn that your son had been murdered?
   When the struggle ended I inquired as to why my Yiannakis did not return, where was he? How great and just is God. You see one day I was passing by a kiosk. I stopped to buy a newspaper "The Phos". Never before did I buy this paper. It is then that I read in the first page that my son was one of those amongst the list of 12 fighters who were murdered by EOKA. I thought I would die. I boarded the bus and begged the driver to change his route and take me up to the door of my house. The man pitied me. I kept weeping for a week and thought my life had finished. .......

  At this pointed in his interview Father Andreas Stephanides explains how he went on to find out what happened to his son, where he explains how he went all the way to Greece to ask Grivas about his son.

...... In Athens, they begged me to stay but I told them I would go back to find my child.
   When I returned, I went to see Makarios and told him: "I want you to give me a signed document that my son was a fighter". He immediately signed. He had given orders that I should be allowed to go in freely whenever I went there to see him.
  Yiorgadjis, however, as Minister of Interior, had instructed otherwise, that I should not be allowed to go into the Presidential Palace. The following day when I went to visit Makarios his aid-de-camp gripped me by the cassock in order to prevent me. "Let the cassock down you…" he shouted. I told him: "Are you not ashamed? I am not here to ask for money or favour. I am searching to find my child". There was no swear word left which I did not utter. Let God forgive me. He started trembling. Makarios came out and inquired as to what was going on. I told him then. I am not going to visit you again but I shall give instructions for the slaying of the murderers of my son:
  P…C…A…N…T…I…and O…N… who had convinced him to come back from Larnaca so that they would succeed in killing him. I told him "that is what I would do if they would not return my dead son dead or alive". Makarios promised me that he would find my son in five days. He then called in Yiorgadjis and asked him to conduct inquiries. He even shouted at him. As soon as I saw him I shouted at him: "Criminal, where did you bury him, where did you burn him, where do you have him?" He did not answer me and he was at a loss as he looked at me. When I asked him as to who had killed my Yianni he would say A…N…

   As promised by Makarios they found him in five days. He was buried in the area of Arona in Eylandja.……."

Note: Yorgadjis was the interior minister in 1963, his code name was AKRITAS, which was the name of the extermination plan of Turkish Cypriots.



 


CIA WARNS GREECE


 


Once again the Greek terror organisation “17 NOVEMBER”, which works with Greek government and Greek intelligence services, is back on the seen to take revenge for acts by other countries that they believe to be undermining Hellenism.
  The International Affairs Research Centre (INAF) reported on 11 March 1999 that the Central Intelligence Service (CIA) of the US, warned Greece that it has established that the Greek terror organisation “17 November” and the PKK militants who are based in Greece are in preparation of new terror attacks on Turkish, American and Israeli diplomats and interests.
  According to the report the US Foreign Ministry has given the names of 10 Greek
Nationals who are working with the “17
November” terror organisation among whom there are six member of the parliament including a minister from the ruling PASOK party.
 The Greek terror organisation "17 November", first came on to scene in 1975, targetting and murdering American, Turkish and British diplomats as well as many Greek prosecutors, politicians and businessmen who were against PASOK.
  The “17 November” terror organisation, is at the top of the list of the terror organisations along with others, is a continuation of the terror organisation PAK, founded by the late Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreu. Papandreu used PAK during 1967-1974 against the military dictatorship then ruling Greece.
  Even if PASOK do not accept it, “17 November” has organic links with this party. STOHOS newspaper is also part of this terrorist setup. In short, the relationship of this terror organisation with the ruling party of Greece, makes Greece a terrorist country.



 


Partners of Terrorism


 


Ocalan’s capture by the Turkish forces in Kenya, caused a storm of violent demonstrations by PKK militants across Europe. Militants occupied Greek embassies in many European cities, showing the true face of the terrorism to the European citizens.
 Reports by the western media about the capture of Ocalan and the demonstrations were mixed. While some European papers and most of the American media supported Turkey on the incident, most of the European media went the other way and started an attack on Turkey using the so called human rights violations in Turkey. Tony Parsons of The Mirror went as far as making racist remarks about Turkey and the Turks. It is ironic that this racist article came at a time where the British government is trying to stamp out racism in the country.
 The attitude of many EU governments was no different to that of their media, they too started to attack Turkey. They tried to cover up of their own failure to deal with Ocalan and PKK under the international agreements, which they have signed. Instead of condemning Greece, the main supporter of the terrorism, they are trying to condemn Turkey.
  As the time passes, Ocalan and the other captured leaders of the PKK are revealing the support extended to the organisation mainly by Greece, Serbia, Iran, Syria and some EU countries.
  Confessions of some of the leaders of the organisation on the Turkish TV channel KANAL D, revealed that Italy and Germany are among the countries involved.
  Besides thousands of small arms, which included 20,000 kalashnikovs and ammunition, Greece provided the PKK with 80 stinger anti-aircraft missiles. One of these missiles was responsible for downing a Turkish helicopter resulting in the death of 20 officers and soldiers. The person in charge of PKK activities in Greece revealed that Greek officials cheered when they heard of the downing of the helicopter and paid a reward of $8 million dollars to the PKK. It has also been revealed that 40 of these missiles ended up in the hands of the Iranians, who kept some in order to copy the technology but gave most of them to Hezbullah.
  Serbia was in on the dealings too. Serbians sold weapons to he terrorist  and provided training on missiles.
  One terrorist claimed that Italians sold them land mines and that German officials made deals with the organisation in order to stop their violent acts in Germany and in return they allowed them to carry on with their political activities and extortion.
 Ocalan himself revealed that some 30 European politicians and state officials extended support to the terrorists. He also said that the Greek Church has provided help and gave money to PKK.
  Greece supports PKK and will continue to do so as long as Greece’s partners do not openly condemn Greece. While countries like Libya is on the list of terrorist countries for her terrorist acts, Greece is allowed to get away with it. Isn’t this a double standard? Is it because it is alright for Turkey to suffer from terrorism as long as Europe is safe?
  South Cyprus is as guilty as Greece and the rest. She provided a diplomatic passport to Ocalan and trains his militants in camps in South Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots do not regret doing this and are directly responsible along with Greece for the death of some 35,000 people.
 The Greek Cypriot newspaper Cyprus Mail reported on 20 February 1999 that leader of AKEL, Demetris Christofias and the leader of EDEK Vassos Lyssarides, have both said they would gladly have given their diplomatic passports to Ocalan. Cyprus Mail quoted Christofias saying, "If the Kurds came and asked me to give up my passport to Ocalan, I would have him given six passports not one."
   The EU and its politicians, who support the terrorists and the terrorist countries  Greece and South Cyprus do not have the right to criticise democracy and human rights in Turkey.
 




 


TURKEY ANSWERS EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

   In an answer sent to the ECHR, it was stated that the chief of the terrorist organisation was rendered ineffective by Kenyan authorities, and handed over to Turkish authorities. The letter gave detailed information about all stages of the mission from Ocalan's capture return to Turkey by airplane, his being taken into custody, and his arrest; it was stressed that the principles of European Council were respected in all these stages.
   The letter stated that the chief of the terrorist organisation is kept in a 13 square meter room, which is lightened, and is not sound-proof. It was also stated that Ocalan has  hot and cold water 24 hours a day. Ocalan is able to read books newspapers and magazines and listen to a radio, he is given every opportunity to continue his daily life.
  The chief of the terrorist organisation can take fresh air in a 45 square meters courtyard, four doctors, a nurse, and every kind of medical equipment are kept ready 24 hours a day.
  Every precaution is being taken to prevent Ocalan feeling himself to be isolated, he is definitely not exposed to any kind of psychological or physical pressure.
  The letter pointed out that Turkish Criminal Code was inspired by the German Criminal Code; and that greater limitations apply to terrorists in Germany than Turkey.
The letter said that the best example to this is the bans brought to the lawyers for such crimes in Germany.
   The letter reminded the ECHR that Italy and Germany, which were both members of European Council, could not even dare to bring Ocalan to trial. They side stepped their responsibilities using their domestic security as an excuse.
  The letter said Turkey is taking every security measure to protect this very dangerous terrorist.
  Stressing that an international arrest warrant  had been issued for Ocalan on charges of terrorism, crimes against humanity, and being a part of drug trafficking. The letter said Kenyan authorities handed over Ocalan to Turkish officials to be brought in front of justice in accordance with the general law principles.
   The letter said that Turkey did not perform any police activity in Kenya, and pointed out that Kenyan authorities did not have any complaint concerning this issue. The fact that Ocalan was blindfolded by Kenyan authorities was stressed in the letter. A Turkish doctor removed this blindfold on the plane to check Ocalan's health.



 


“stability of the whole Europe is in question”!


 


During the European Parliament discussions on the developments that followed the capture of the Abdullah Ocalan, it was reported that only a Greek parliamentarian supported the chief of the terrorist organisation PKK.

 It was reported that Vasilis Efremidis, a Greek parliamentarian spoke on behalf of the Group of Leftist Unity, shouting, ''the struggle of the Kurdish people will continue till it acquires a victory.''

  Jean-Claude Pasty, the French parliamentarian spoke on behalf of the Unity Group for Europe, pointing out that ''Turkey has captured a person responsible for terrorism, this is a very positive development for the region,'' he called on European countries to pay careful consideration to this issue.

  Pauline Green, the Chairman of the Socialist Group within the European Union said that ''when the Kurdish problem is in
question, Turkey says that this is her internal issue, however recent events showed that the stability of the whole of Europe is in question.'' Noting that there were terrorists among the people who held demonstrations in Europe, Green claimed that many of those people want peace. Pointing out that the Turkish justice has to prove its independence by respecting international obligations, Green said ''if cultural autonomy is given to Kurds, stability will be established both in Turkey and in the EU.''

   Is the stability of whole Europe in question as Ms. Green claimed or is it the stability of Greece, which is in question? Is this what is worrying Ms. Green?

   Recent events shows is that it is only the stability of Greece is in danger not that of Europe, it was Greece who supported the PKK and is now paying the price and is at risk of collapsing.

   The Simitis government is bringing charges against 18 people including politicians for aiding Ocalan’s entry into Greece using a false passport. This is nothing but a cover up operation and an attempt to distance the Greek government from those who had dealing with Ocalan. Greece cannot get out of this that easily there is strong evidence that the whole Greek State was supporting the PKK and not just a few politicians. The war between the PKK and Turkey has been shown to be a war between Greece’s Proxy, the PKK, and Turkey, taking place on Turkish soil with little danger to Greece.

   Pauline Green and her cronies were unconcerned during the 15 years when the stability of Turkey was being deliberately undermined. However now that Greece’s duplicity has been exposed, Pauline Green is talking about a possible clash between Turkey and Greece, saying that the stability of the whole Europe is in danger. However it is clear where responsibility will lie in the event of a clash between Greece and Turkey.

  Apostolos kaklamanis, the Speaker of the Greek Parliament admitted this in an interview he gave to the Greek newspaper "Ta Nea", where he accepted his country’s responsibility for the latest crisis. Newspaper reported that Kaklamanis said that tensions between the two countries had been greatly increased with these events. "We created the Kardak islets crisis, the S-300 missile crisis and finally the Ocalan crisis with Turkey. I should note that Greece has been guilty of these faults since the Turko-Greek war in 1897."

   It is clear that Greece would not act in this despicable manner if she did not feel that she had the support of the EU.
 EU’s decision to reject Turkey’s application for membership has encouraged Greece to carry on in this way.
 Greece has clearly violated numerous basic EU principles. Terrorist countries like Greece and her ally South Cyprus should be strongly condemned for their support of terrorism.



 


MEDALS FOR SERVICES RENDERED


 


  On the 4th March 1999 the Greek ambassador to London Vassilis Zafeiropoulos awarded the Order of Honour to British MPs Eddy O'Hara and Tom Cox on behalf of the President of the Hellenic Republic.
  These decorations were given to the two MPs in recognition of their considerable contribution to the promotion of "very good relations between the two countries and peoples, their substantive contribution within the framework of the British Parliament, to issues of principles concerning Greece and Cyprus, as well as the promotion of Greek cultural heritage."
 The Athens News Agency (ANA) reported that Mr. Cox referred to the Cyprus during the ceremony speaking of the complete and crude violation of the Greek Cypriots' human rights by the Turks.
  We do not know whether it was a coincidence or it was in return for their medals, however the Greek Cypriot news agency
(CNA) reported on 5 March 1999 that Tom Cox and Eddie O’Hara gave reiterated their anti Turkish and Turkish Cypriot stance on London Greek Radio (LGR)
  They accused Turkey of being a military regime and called upon Turkey to give a fair trial to Ocalan and improve her relations with Greece.
  Simon Hughes the Liberal MP, who was allowed to tag along, was even harsher in his criticism of Turkey, but then again being a new recruit to the Greek lobby he has to work harder for his medal.
  Hughes expressed his "frustration" with the lack of progress towards a solution in Cyprus and added that "it struck me that the British government has not been nearly strong or tough enough" in this respect. Hughes went on to say that Cyprus' application to join the European Union "is in itself putting pressure on Turkey because they will not like the idea of Cyprus joining" and being regarded as beyond the pale.
  The three MPs called on the US to apply more pressure on Turkey, they clearly do not understand politics or they come from another planet.
  A recent survey of Greek Cypriots has revealed that most of them do not believe that the application for EU membership is helping Cyprus, unlike their leaders and these MP’s, they believe that Cyprus is heading for a permanent division.
   The remarks made by these MP’s are a surprise to us, coming as they do at the height the Ocalan crises, we fail to understand why they never talk about the human rights of the 35 thousand Kurds and Turks, men women and children, whose deaths at the hands of the PKK were sponsored by Greece.