President Denktash Should pull out of the talks

The UN sponsored proximity talks due to start on July 5 in Geneva, are facing collapse as a result of Greek Cypriot blackmail tactics. ... more

Support for the 'Vigil' continues

Despite the continued attacks, the Turkish Cypriot Vigil opposite 10 Downing Street, demanding recognition and human rights for the Turkish Cypriots is continuing. According to the Vigil Committee, ... more

November 17 - Pandora's box

The tragic shooting of the British Brigadier Stephen Saunders, by the Greek terrorist organisation November 17, was widely reported by the international media. Almost all of them listed the terrorist acts committed by the Greek terror organisation. However, many of them miserably failed to... more

So much for bi-communal activities

Since the start of the UN sponsored proximity talks last year, the Turkish Cypriot side lifted the restrictions it had imposed on bi-communal activities. These restrictions were imposed due to the EU's Luxembourg decision to start accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side .... more

Who is going to be responsible for these lies?

As the exhumation of the bodies in Lakatamia cemetery in South Cyprus goes on, the policy of deceit practiced by the Greek Cypriot regime concerning the so-called Greek Cypriot Missing People is back-firing on them. Since the exhumation program, ... more

Kaiti Clerides admits to atrocities

Kaiti Clerides, daughter of the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, admitted to the atrocities that the Greeks committed against the Turkish Cypriots. ... more

Tom Cox struggling - Rudy Viz upset

The ongoing vigil was mentioned in the House of Commons in a recent debate concerning Cyprus. As per normal, MP Tom Cox who initiated the debate gave a long speech supporting ... more

Absurd claim by Mr. Terrorist

In its issue published on June 9, Machi, a Greek Cypriot newspaper argued, "Turks were behind British attaché's murder." Claiming that it has "indisputable information", extreme right wing ... more

Jewish Community fears new attacks

Major news agencies reported that the Jewish community of Greece is in fear of new attacks after the desecration of a Jewish cemetery by Greek vandals. On 26 may, Greek fanatics desecrated the biggest Jewish ...more

Simitis faces the mighty Orthodox Church

Greek government's recent decision to change the identity cards (ID) has sparked confrontation with the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek press reported that the Greek Orthodox church, who is against the new ID cards, which ... more

- Simitis and Archbishop Christodoulos in better days

President Denktash Should pull out of the talks

The UN sponsored proximity talks due to start on July 5 in Geneva, are facing collapse as a result of Greek Cypriot blackmail tactics.

In the third round of talks, which was already delayed due to the illness of the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, the sides were to move on to a higher level and present their positions on core issues, perhaps leading to face to face talks in the fourth round later in September.

The problem started when the Greek side demanded that the UN removes an addendum in the agreements to extend the mandate of the UN force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Due to this demand, the UN was delayed for a couple of days in deciding to extend the mandate. The addendum, which the Greek Cypriots found unacceptable, stated that for operations in Northern Cyprus the UNFICYP would make a separate arrangement with the Turkish Cypriot authorities.Initially the addendum was issued last December, and it cited the Turkish Cypriots as saying that the UN peace keeping mission on the Mediterranean island could only operate with the approval of both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot authorities.

Greek Cypriot side, claiming that this would amount to recognition of the TRNC, threatened to end the stay of the UNFICYP in Cyprus altogether. In the face of this threat, the UN decided to drop the addendum in order to avert a crisis. Turkish Cypriot side reacted strongly the decision of the UN and President Denktas discussed the matter with his aides and the government to decide on how to react to the development that he described as a 'serious mistake by the Security Council.' "It's unavoidable that this decision will have a negative impact on solution efforts. It is a serious mistake," he said.

According to diplomatic sources, the options under consideration in the TRNC are:

a) To pull out of the proximity talks process; refuse permission for UNFICYP activities in the TRNC; reject any form of contact with Greek Cypriots until after the equality of the two sides was 'formally' established.

b) To continue proximity talks; express deep dissatisfaction with the failure of the UN Secretary General to live up to his pledges; introduce comprehensive restrictions to UNFICYP activities in the TRNC.

c) To go to Geneva, attend the third round of proximity talks and verbally express to Annan the TRNC's strong protest over the council's decision; pending further developments, introduce restrictions on UNFICYP activities in the TRNC territory.

While only two weeks are left before the Geneva talks, President Denktas did not rule out withdrawing from the talks. Alvaro de Soto, the UN special envoy for Cyprus, who was in Cyprus talking to the sides about the third round of scheduled talks, found himself in the middle of this crisis. He held discussions with both sides concerning the problem.

Of the three options above, the diplomatic sources believe, it is very likely that the first option will be adopted as the policy of the TRNC because the developments inflicted a "serious crisis of confidence" between Turkish Cypriots, the United Nations Secretariat, Washington and London.

President Denktas agreed to attend the proximity talks process after he was assured by the UN Secretariat, Washington and London that Turkish Cypriots would be treated on the basis of equality. Turkish Cypriot side had considered the addendum to the December council resolution extending the mandate of the UNFICYP as a demonstration of that new policy.

Yielding to Greek Cypriot blackmail and referring only to the so-called 'Cyprus Republic', the Security Council is now facing a bigger problem. It is possible that the talks may collapse indefinitely.

Once again it is proven that, in words, the International Community and the Greek Cypriot side accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots but when it comes to deeds they display their true intentions.

Until the UN formally recognises the two sides as equals, President Denktash should pull out of the talks and all the activities of the UNFICYP in the north of the island should be stopped. This would demonstrate to all concerned that the illegal regime in south Cyprus does not represent the Turkish Cypriot people.-----------

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Support for the 'Vigil' continues

Despite the continued attacks, the Turkish Cypriot Vigil opposite 10 Downing Street, demanding recognition and human rights for the Turkish Cypriots is continuing.

According to the Vigil Committee, the latest attacks by the Greek Cypriots on the vigil took place between 21-22 May. In each of the three incidents the assailants ripped the banners, knocked down the tent and injured the person there.

Now in its 8th month, the vigil is gaining growing support from all sectors of the Turkish Cypriot community. Members of the community are turning up opposite the 10 Downing Street to give their support to the vigil.

Amongst the recent visitors to the vigil were children from Turkish Language schools and their folk groups, who performed Turkish Cypriot folk dances. The vigil, having become a landmark in the area, is being visited by Turkish Cypriot families and Turkish Cypriot associations on a regular basis. One such association was the Association of Young Turkish Graduates and Professionals, whose committee members attended the vigil and pledged their support.

Meanwhile Turkish Cypriot Network, who is giving full support to the vigil, in addition to thousands of leaflets, donated more than 300 copies of the book named the 'Genocide Files'. Genocide Files is a comprehensive study of the Cyprus conflict by Harry S. Gibbons, who personally witnessed the 1963-1964 attacks on the Turkish Cypriots by the Greek-Greek Cypriot terrorists.

Visit by members of the British public as well as hundreds of tourists passing by and asking information is a daily occurrence at the vigil. One such visitor was Drake Ewing an American journalist. Ewing who spent over two hours talking to the Turkish Cypriots at the vigil was also presented with a copy of the Genocide Files. Ewing, upon browsing at a few chapters of the book could not hide her astonishment and said that the Greeks in the US present the situation differently, showing themselves as the victims.

The members of the Vigil Committee stated that they are determined to continue with their efforts to voice the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people indefinitely.

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November 17 - Pandora's Box

The tragic shooting of the British Brigadier Stephen Saunders, by the Greek terrorist organisation November 17, was widely reported by the international media. Almost all of them listed the terrorist acts committed by the Greek terror organisation. However, many of them miserably failed to come out and demand that Greece give up protecting the terrorists.

The main question faced by the Western countries is how they should deal with an EU member state, which is in the habit of supporting terrorist organisations of other countries as well as protecting its own terrorists.

The fact that none of the November 17 terrorists have ever been captured or brought to justice and that they have never attacked anyone being a member of or having an affiliation to the PASOK, the ruling party in Greece today, puts the Greek authorities under suspicion.

In its report of the attack, the BBC points the finger at the Greek authorities by stating: "But some commentators believe that because the group emerged from the same resistance movement that gave rise to today's political establishment, there may be influential figures in Greece who do not want its members brought to book."

The resistance movement mentioned above was PAK, which was established by the late Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou to fight the Greek military regime between 1967-1974. In 1974 after the unsuccessful coup by the Greek military in Cyprus and the events that followed, Greece returned to civilian rule and PAK was abolished. It is believed that certain members of the former PAK then went on to establish the November 17.

On June 11, in his report to the BBC, Paul Wood quoted James Woolsey, the former CIA director, as saying, "The Greek government is refusing to act and is protecting the terrorists". Paul Wood further reported that, "In a new interview with the Greek press, Mr Woolsey said the Greek authorities were 'blitheringly incompetent' in dealing with terrorism.

He also said that they were unwilling to do anything effective about November 17. " He moreover pointed out that "Mr Woolsey believes that current or former members of Greek administrations have detailed knowledge of November 17 and are protecting it from the security forces."

"The theory is that a trial of those still in November 17 could prove embarrassing to some senior figures in Greece's ruling Socialist party, Pasok," Wood continued.

Also on June 11, Colin Smith of the Independent newspaper, writing about the murder of the Brigadier, titled his article "Gunned down by Athens Untouchables".

One part of his report said: "Even the Greek police seemed on occasion to have a sneaking admiration (for the November17)."

Looking back at one of the many murders committed by November 17 on 4 July 1994, namely the killing of Turkish Diplomat Ömer Sipahioglu, indicates quite clearly that there are some Greek officials involved with this organisation.

In May 1994, Stohos (Target), a Greek newspaper known to have close relations with the Greek Intelligence Service, published the names, addresses and the car registration numbers of all the Turkish Diplomats of the Turkish Embassy in Athens. This sensitive data appeared in Stohos under the banner headlines, "We are publishing the names of the MIT agents (Turkish Intelligence Service)."

Stohos also published a map where the private addresses of the Turkish Embassy staff were circled in red. Within weeks of the article appearing in Stohos, on 4 July 1994, Turkish Diplomat Ömer Sipahioglu was gunned down by November 17.

The big question is who leaked the names, addresses and car registration numbers of the Turkish Diplomats to Stohos, all sensitive data only known to the Greek Foreign Ministry ?

At the time of the Turkish Diplomat murder, Greek and Greek Cypriot newspapers were not as sympathetic as they were with the Brigadier's case.

The banner headlines of some papers published on 5 July 1994 were as follows:

Fileleftheros:"We avenged Theofilas" Alithia: "November 17 shot him. Theofilas Georgiades avenged"

Machi: "November 17, Theofilas Georgiades commandos cut up the Turkish Diplomat." To

Vima: "November 17 took responsibility. Theofilas avenged."

One newspaper went even further and with no shame published a picture of the Turkish Diplomat's tiny daughter taken at his funeral and on the picture wrote, "They killed your father".

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--Daughter of Sipahioglu at her father's funeral

Theofilas Georgiades was a Greek Cypriot drug baron who had a very close relationship with PKK terrorists harboured by the Greek Cypriot administration. He was shot in March 1994. Greek Cypriot administration and media claimed that the Turkish Agents were behind the shooting and gave him a military burial service.

Some time after the killing of Sipahioglu by November 17, Greek Cypriot media published that the Mafia had murdered him.

Commenting that this shooting incident came as the US congressional committee accused Greece of being the "weakest link" in fighting terrorism in Europe, Pangalos said: "It is a great coincidence, I do not want to say more. I do not like conspiracy theories."

Theodoros Pangalos can try to put the blame on others but let us not forget that last year he was the Greek Foreign Minister when the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan turned out as the head guest in the Greek Embassy in Kenya.

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So much for bi-communal activities

Since the start of the UN sponsored proximity talks last year, the Turkish Cypriot side lifted the restrictions it had imposed on bi-communal activities. These restrictions were imposed due to the EU's Luxembourg decision to start accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side in the name of all Cyprus.

During the time that they were in place, the Turkish Cypriot side faced a great deal of pressure from the international community to lift them. Although it has now been almost 5 months since the restrictions were lifted, in his speech in the House of Commons on May 2, Tom Cox MP, yet again criticised President Denktash for imposing restrictions on these activities.

In one part of his speech, Tom Cox said: "We are concerned at the lack of opportunity for people such as business people, trade unionists, farmers, teachers, doctors, ordinary men and women to meet in Cyprus and say that one day there must be a settlement to this issue. There must be such discussions in the build-up to what we hope will be an honourable settlement to this long-running tragedy. Why do these people never have the opportunity to meet in Cyprus? I have to say that Mr. Denktash is the cause of the non-meeting of the communities."

Recent incidents show that Tom Cox has no idea as to what really is happening in the real world but he is only repeating what his Greek friends convey to him.

First incident: Greek Cypriot doctors and dentists could not attend the "1st International Dentist Seminar", which was held in Girne between 27-28 May 2000, because of the pressure exerted on them by the Greek Cypriot regime. Seminar was organised by the Turkish Cypriot Doctors and Dentists Association, whose members attended a similar meeting organised by the Greek Cypriots last year, in Limassol.

Second incident: A panel discussion organised by the Turkish Cypriot radio and television 'BRT', with the participation of both Greek and Greek Cypriot journalist on 7 June 2000 at the Ledra Palace Hotel was blocked by the South Cyprus administration.

The Greek Cypriot 'CyBC TC' Channel organised a panel discussion at the same venue on 31 May 2000 with the participation of two persons each from Turkey, the TRNC, Greece and the South Cyprus administration together with the UN Secretary General's former Deputy Special Envoy for Cyprus, Gustave Feissel. However, when the Greek and Greek Cypriot journalists were invited to the panel discussion as organised by the 'BRT', they answered positively at first, but later sent a verbal message that they would not in fact take part in the discussion.

Third incident: A Greek beauty queen Catherina Delli, who went to the TRNC from Greece in order to take part in the "Miss Globe" beauty contest held on June 10, had to withdraw from the contest because she could not stand the pressure exerted by Athens at the instigation of Greek Cypriot leadership. She was threatened to face arrest if she later went to the Greek Cypriot side and was also told that she would be stripped of her title back in Greece.

Fourth incident: Around 20 British citizens, who reside in the TRNC, were refused entry to South Cyprus by the Greek Cypriot administration. Group was on their way to join the birthday celebrations of the Queen Elizabeth II at the British Embassy. This event takes place every year, where some of the 600 British residents living in the TRNC attend regularly.

The negative attitude of the Greek- Greek Cypriot front, evident in the above examples, shows that it is impossible to expect any kind of positive contribution from them to the proximity talks process.

Greek Cypriot front which talks about friendship, peace and the so-called significance of bi-communal contacts, at the same time continues to pursue an active policy against the Turkish Cypriots, which includes imposing embargoes and restrictions.

Note: A little birdie told us that President Denktash was responsible for all the incidents above.

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Who is going to be responsible for these lies?

As the exhumation of the bodies in Lakatamia cemetery in South Cyprus goes on, the policy of deceit practiced by the Greek Cypriot regime concerning the so-called Greek Cypriot Missing People is back-firing on them.

Since the exhumation program, which the Greek Cypriot regime embarked on last year, many bodies were subjected to DNA testing finding the bodies to be those of Greek soldiers and Greek Cypriots who were either killed by the Greeks themselves or who died in combat.

Test on one of the bodies revealed that this was no other then Christos Koukoularis, a Greek sergeant from mainland Greece who was on the missing list.

Greek Cypriot newspaper Politis published the news under the banner headline "This is how they destroyed a family- Dirty games were played on the families of the missing Greeks".

The interview conducted with Petros Koukoularis, brother of Christos Koukoularis, revealed how the Greek and Greek Cypriot authorities lied to his family since 1974 although they knew about the death of his brother.

Politis said that the Greek Cypriot administration knew from the beginning that Christos Koukoularis died during the fighting in 1974 and was buried in the Lakatamia cemetery and that there was an official document to this effect.

In the interview Petros said: "Since 1991 it was officially known that my brother was dead but we were not informed." Stating that in 1993 his mother and in 1996 his father died without knowing what happened to their son, he said that they always believed that Christos was still alive.

Asking who would be held responsible for the lies and deceit, Petros said: "Dirty games were also played in Greece, too. Families of the missing were tricked to believe that their loved ones were alive in Turkey. They wasted their lives and money because of this."

In its article, Fileleftheros, another Greek Cypriot newspaper, reported that10 more Greek soldiers, under the command of Koukoularis and who are now on the missing list, could also have been buried in the same cemetery. Fileleftheros also quoted Andreas Savvas, who helped bury many soldiers, as saying he helped bury around 45 Greek-Greek Cypriot soldiers on 17-18 August 1974, who are suspected to be amongst the Greek Cypriot missing list.

Commenting on the latest revelations, TRNC President Rauf Denktash stated that the Greek Cypriot side is once again using the 'missing persons' issue to make political gains and that it was up to the UN Secretary-General to put a stop to this.

Pointing out that, as each day goes by it is possible to see more clearly how this issue is used by the Greek Cypriots as a propaganda tool, President Denktash stated, "knowing full well that Greek Officer Christos Koukoularis was dead, because his body had been handed over to them by Turkish soldiers in August 1974, the Greek Cypriots still continue to include him as number 1,433 on the list of 'missing persons'."

He added: "In 1995 the Greek Cypriots requested that this case be investigated by the Autonomous Missing Persons Committee. This is a new indication that the Greek Cypriot Administration is pursuing a policy which is against morals".

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Kaiti Clerides admits to Greek atrocities

Kaiti Clerides, daughter of the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides, admitted to the atrocities that the Greeks committed against the Turkish Cypriots.

In an interview with the Greek Cypriot monthly magazine Selides in May 1999, Kaiti admitted that Greeks had committed certain acts against the Turkish Cypriot community, which the Greeks should not be proud of. She reminded that all the members of the Turkish community of Tokhni were killed by Greeks and then buried in a mass grave.

"I was trying to say that the events have some sort of relation between them. We can not isolate 1974 and talk only about 'invasion' and 'occupation'. Our problem started as of 1962.

The other thing we have to realise as Greeks is that we have committed certain acts against the Turkish Cypriot community about which we are not proud." Kaiti said. This is not the first time Kaiti Clerides has accepted the responsibilities of the Greek side in the Cyprus conflict. Not long ago she was declared a "traitor" by the Association of EOKA supporters for saying similar things in the past.

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Tom Cox struggling - Rudy Viz upset

The ongoing vigil was mentioned in the House of Commons in a recent debate concerning Cyprus.

As per normal, MP Tom Cox who initiated the debate gave a long speech supporting the Greek Cypriots.

Blaming Turkey and the TRNC President Rauf Denktash for non-solution in Cyprus he said: "I hope that my hon. friend the Minister will offer us an example of an action by either Mr. Denktash or Turkey since the 'invasion' nearly 26 years ago that would say yes, they have had concerns but, to their credit, they are making moves that suggest that they want a settlement. I hope that he will do that, because many of us have struggled in vain to find such an example in the actions of Mr. Denktash, the Turkish military or Turkish politicians."

Certainly Mr. Cox is not struggling hard enough, for if he did, he would have found how Kyprianou an ex Greek Cypriot leader, although he first agreed then refused to sign proposals by the UN in 1985, where President Denktash agreed to them all.

Upon his refusal to sign the UN proposals, Kyprianou was criticised by all the Greek Cypriot political parties and his ex Foreign Minister Nicos Rolandis.

Tom Cox also claiming that President Denktash offered to return Famagusta to the Greek Cypriots but later refused to do so continued by saying, "It was, and still is, one of the most beautiful towns in Cyprus. Before the invasion, it was occupied by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots."

President Denktash promised to return Marash not Famagusta (Famagusta has been a Turkish town since 1571, taken from the Venetians, a historical fact). He promised Marash in return for concessions from the Greek side. Did they agree to make any concessions? "No no no!" As Mr. Cox would put it

Did the Greeks offer anything to the Turkish Cypriots since they destroyed the Cyprus Republic? "No no no!" .

Did Greek and Turkish Cypriots live together in Marash?

Yes they did. But not before the Turkish intervention as Mr.Cox claims, but during the fifties and early sixties. All the Turkish Cypriots hurriedly left Marsh because EOKA thugs gave them 24 hours to leave the town.

Mr. Cox needs to struggle a little harder, may be he can get over that mental block, which stops him going prior to 1974 into the sixties. Not much; only ten years.

Also, just to remind Mr. Cox, up to 60% of the land that Marash was built on belongs to the Turkish Cypriot Charity 'VAKIF'. It was handed to the Greek Cypriots by the Colonial Rule. Struggle on Mr. Cox, one day you might find the truth.

One other speaker who joined in the debate was Rudy Viz MP. While he, like Tom Cox, displayed hundred percent support for the Greek Cypriots he could not hide his disappointment about the vigil opposite 10 Downing street.

"I do not want to oppose the United Kingdom's freedom of expression, which is absolutely wonderful, but I become a little upset when I see several tents flying flags of the 'occupied' part as I drive past No. 10 Downing street every day. We ought to do something about that, although that may be the wrong thing to say from the point of view of freedom of expression," said Rudy Viz.

Incidentally, the phrase "We ought to do something about that," reminds us of what the Greek Cypriot newspaper Eleftheria said, after which the vigil members were subjected to violent attacks by the Greek Cypriots.

Eleftheria had declared "It is essential that the Greek-Cypriot community and the National Federation of Greek Cypriots are ready to uncover and oppose this Turkish propaganda for once and for all."

Whether, recognised or not, whether it upsets Mr. Viz or not, Turkish Cypriots have the right to demand recognition of their country and their human rights, which is abused by the embargoes imposed on them by the so called western democracies.

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Absurd claim by Mr. Terrorist

In its issue published on June 9, Machi, a Greek Cypriot newspaper argued, "Turks were behind British attaché's murder."

Claiming that it has "indisputable information", extreme right wing Machi claimed that the assassins of Brigadier Saunders "belonged to the CIA and MIT, the Turkish Secret Service."

Machi also claimed that CIA and MIT "supported the Greek terrorist group, November 17."

"The murder, came just after Greece had been criticised by the United States for its unsuccessful track record against terrorism," said Machi.

What can one say to the claims of a newspaper owned by Nicos Samson, a known terrorist himself?

During the 1950's, Samson initially became famous for taking photographs of the British victims of the Greek Cypriot terror organisation EOKA. He always "appeared" at the crime scene before anyone else, taking photos, because he committed many of the murders himself.

Later, during the 60's he murdered many Turkish Cypriots. He was also the leader of the Greek coup against Makarios in 1974, where his gunmen and Greek soldiers murdered thousands of Greek Cypriots as well.

When the Turkish Diplomat Ömer Sipahioglu was murdered by November 17 on 4 July 1994, Machi did not hide its joy.

On 5 July 1994 Machi said: "November 17, Theofilas Georgiades commandos cut up the Turkish Diplomat."

In 1994 it is November 17 that kills the second Turkish Diplomat but now, when it kills the British Brigadier, it is said to be "supported by MIT" not to forget the CIA.

How low can a newspaper sink? Does one laugh at the behaviour of this newspaper and the people behind it, or should one not think seriously as to why the Greek and Greek Cypriot newspapers and some officials are allowed to get away with their support of terrorism?

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Simitis faces the mighty Orthodox Church

Greek government's recent decision to change the identity cards (ID) has sparked confrontation with the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Greek press reported that the Greek Orthodox church, who is against the new ID cards, which will not state the religious affiliation of the Greek citizens, has called on the 'faithful' to take to the streets to protest against the government decision to introduce these ID cards.

The new IDs are expected to replace the hand-written documents now issued by the Greek police, which show the religious affiliation of the person carrying it. In order to put pressure on Costas Simitis's government, 'Holy Synod' of the Church of Greece decided to organise two mass protests.

First one took place in Thessaloniki on June 14, where over 500,000 people protested. Next mass meeting is scheduled to take place in Athens on June 21. In line with an independent rights commission's decision that stating religious affiliation means discrimination against Greece's small Moslem, Jewish and non-Orthodox Christian minorities, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has made clear that the new IDs will not include religion.

Archbishop Christodoulos, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church attributed the new ID policy to the concerted efforts of domestic and foreign groups.

"We find ourselves before a combined effort of enlightenment circles, certain religious minorities and foreign influences" he said.

He also said: "I believe the church's reaction must move on to the political level, to persuade the government with all its means that the overwhelming majority of the Greek people are not prepared to tolerate measures aimed at the religious discoloration of Greek society."

The strong reaction and the statements from the Greek Orthodox Church shows that this establishment fears that the Greek government is preparing to break the church's political grip on the Greek community. The Greek Orthodox Church is one of the most racist establishments in the country, which shows no tolerance to Greek citizens, who are not Greek Orthodox.

In recent years, the church had played a major role in many of the attacks on the Turkish, Macedonians and Roma ethnic minorities. One such person is Metropolite Damaskinos who personally headed the fanatical crowds in these attacks.

Also, it is clear that the recent attacks on the Jewish community was incited by the church and some politicians, who openly suggested that it was the ethnic minorities in Greece and some foreign circles behind the new ID cards policy.

Considering the strength of the Greek Orthodox Church and its influence on Greek society, it will be very hard for Greece to overcome the problem it is facing. Greece has a long way to go in changing the Greeks' 'Xenophobic' and racial attitudes.

A good step would be to change official Greek policy, which denies the existence of ethnic minorities such as Turks and Macedonians.

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Jewish Community fears new attacks

Major news agencies reported that the Jewish community of Greece is in fear of new attacks after the desecration of a Jewish cemetery by Greek vandals. On 26 may, Greek fanatics desecrated the biggest Jewish cemetery in Greece and painted Nazi slogans and swastika on the cemetery's holocaust memorial, synagogue and around 100 graves.

News agency AP reported that "It was the third such attack against Jews or Jewish holy sites in the past month. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, believed to be the work of extreme right-wing groups." AP further reported that "In the cemetery attack, vandals painted 'Jews Out' and 'Hitler was right' on the synagogue, and covered the marble Holocaust memorial in swastika and emblem of the Nazi SS."

These anti-Jewish attacks came at a time when the Greek Church is involved in a dispute with the Greek government over its decision not to include religious affiliation on state issued identity cards.

Many people who oppose the plan to change the ID cards blame a "conspiracy" of Jews and European Union bureaucrats for the ID changes. Many statements made by church leaders, politicians and press clearly hold responsible, the ethnic minorities, and mainly the Jewish community in Greece and EU politicians.

Orthodox Press, a weekly newspaper, in a banner headline said: "Jewish plot behind the IDs".

In a television program, Giorgos Karatzaferis, a Greek member of the parliament said: "Who is, or who is not with the Jews? Who conspires and who does not conspire against our country?"

In the first protest march that took place in Athens, where around 3000 people marched to the parliament, protest leader Panayiotis Lyras said: "We ask our politicians; are they listening to the Greek Orthodox people or the Jewish lobby?"

Although the Greek spokesman Dimitris Reppas condemned the attacks and claimed that everything was done in order to find the vandals, Jewish community leaders have complained that the Greek government was slow in condemning these attacks.

More than 90 percent of the 80,000-strong Greek Jewish community was wiped out in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The community now numbers about 5,000.

Jean Cohen, a Greek journalist of Jewish background described the situation as being 'xenophobic' not anti-Semitic. He said: "It's xenophobia. There is a difference between being anti-Semitic and xenophobic. Xenophobic means they are against anyone who is not Greek Orthodox."

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Viewpoint

Greece: 'A banana Republic'

Albert Young

Greece has been involved in a catalogue of terrorist activities over the past half century. She set up and abetted armed struggle against the British in Cyprus in 1950's - hardly after seven years, when Britain helped her fight, first, against the Germans and then against the Communists by forming the resistance Organisation X and training hundreds of Greeks, including Grivas, during the Second World War.Grivas was sent to Cyprus to fight against the British and the Turkish Cypriots as a way 'to thank the British' for her role in saving Greece.

Between 1974 - 1980, 72 Turkish diplomats were murdered by 'ASALA', the notorious underground Armenian terrorist Organisation whose centre was alleged to be in Greece, until ASALA's head was shot and killed in Athens, presumably by Turkish sympathiser(s). Until recently, the Kurdish PKK terrorist Organisation established training centres in Greece. The then Greek Foreign Minister Pangalos was allegedly reported to have been personally involved during the plight of its leader Ocalan who was comprehended by Turkish Agents in the Greek Embassy in an African country. Mr. Pangalos was sacked for his misdemeanour, only to be pardoned and re-installed in the latest Simitis Government as the Culture Minister.

'17 November' Terrorist Organisation - claimed to be Marxist, has been active on Greek soil since the past 25 years. It has the blood of 22 innocent victims on its hands…Not a single member of this Organisation has been apprehended, tried or prosecuted. Incredible… The United States National Commission on Terrorism has just called for sanctions against Greece for `its poor record against terrorists`. A mild but meaningful statement…

The recent murder of a high-ranking British Diplomat, the Military attaché in Athens brought grief not only to his young wife and two teen-aged daughters, but to the whole peace loving world.

The Graeco-philae Tourist Organisers in England told the British people not to cancel their trips to Greece, as `the terrorists do not victimise travellers`- what a blunder; what a shame…

This amounts to calling upon the British people to forgive and forget anything that comes from the Greeks, and celebrate the occasion… But the British public does not share the same opinion; while the 15-year-old Nicola, daughter of the latest victim Brigadier Stephen Saunders, pleads, in tears, "Please catch my dad's killers".

An English writer, Simon Heffler in the Daily Mail, (June 10, 2000) calls Greece 'A Banana Republic posing as a serious Western country'.

The Head of CIA, between 1993-1995 James Woolsey, recently said, "I believe there are some people IN THE Greek Government who know certain members of November 17".

IF SO, WHO ARE THEY? This is a very serious statement the civilised World should heed to…`17 November`, thanked the British once again last week, for Britain's never-ending help and loyal friendship to Greece… and a word to visitors to Greece: Bon voyage…enjoy your Greek Wine!…

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The EU in Cyprus

The cause of permanent division or solution?

Kufi Seydali, M.Sc., DIC

The European Union (EU),wrongly or rightly, claims that taking further the EU membership of the Greek Cypriot part (South) of the island and a viable solution to that chronic problem known as the Cyprus problem complement each other and that accession would precipitate a peaceful solution and ethnic reconciliation in Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriot side (North) claims the complete opposite to this view. The North continues to believe that further progress between the EU and the South known as the "Republic of Cyprus" towards Greek Cypriot membership (and excluding the Turkish side), will inevitably promote the permanent division of Cyprus. Effectively, both sides would achieve their half a century old goals of "double Enosis" or "taksim", joining with their respective Motherlands, Greece and Turkey.

The myopic and selfish attitude reflected by the EU-Luxembourg Summit of December 1997, had prompted the Turkish Cypriot side to demand recognition of the TRNC before resuming negotiations towards a settlement. The solution now envisaged by the Turkish side would be a "confederation" which could then pursue a policy of EU accession by a Confederated Cyprus Republic. All talks with both the Greek Cypriot side as well as the EU were suspended.

This policy of "no talk" by the Turkish Cypriot side, also supported by Turkey, continued until the EU rectified her Luxembourg mistake, by declaring Turkey a prospective EU candidate in Helsinki and opening the doors to the proximity talks now in their third round and due to take place on 5 July in Geneva.

These proximity talks are unlikely to yield a solution because the Greek Cypriot accession procedure is running and cannot be stopped. The Greek Cypriot accession cannot be stopped by the Turkish side but at the end of the day, it may be stopped by the big EU boys such as France, Germany and Italy who would not want to risk having to deal with a Turkish response to this development.

These countries have repeatedly expressed their view that a divided Cyprus could not join the EU because it would cause very serious problems thereby endangering the whole enlargement process. It is quite clear that this EU attitude would eventually lead to a confrontation between Greece and Germany, however, there is also no doubt as to who the winner of this confrontation might likely be!

This show-down may even force Greece to leave the club just as she left NATO in 1974. Considering the election victory by Rauf Denktash as President of the TRNC, it is unlikely that he would now back down from his confederation proposals according to which the two confederate wings could enter the EU at the same time.

For this, separate negotiations on equal footing, accepting that the Greeks do not represent the Turkish Cypriots and assurances on retaining Turkey's right of guarantee are absolutely essential. In view of all this, let us consider what some European politicians have said in the past:

Lamberto Dini (Italian FM) : " It has to be recognised that there are two republics in Cyprus, two entities, two governments. If the EU does not recognise this basic fact in conducting negotiations for membership, then you run into problems. Nicosia does not represent Cyprus in its whole. We have to find a formula to involve the other side as well".

Pierre Moscovici (France's Minister of European Affairs) : " It does not seem reasonable to think that you can talk seriously, and get a result, with a Cypriot delegation which does not represent all communities in the island".

Hans Van den Broek (EU Commissioner) : "The Treaty of Accession would not affect the safeguards currently offered by the guarantor Powers, including Turkey. I have often heard it said that membership of the Union would spell the end of Turkey's role in Cyprus. Let me be clear about this: the Treaty of Guarantee is a fact of Cypriot life. If the parties to a settlement agree to retain it along with other provisions relating to Cyprus' security, I see no reason for the Union to stand in their way. Cyprus' membership should bring increased security and prosperity to the island's two communities. I reject the idea that Cypriot membership would herald the end of the Treaty of Guarantee. The future of this treaty will be decided by the common consent of the parties concerned."

In conclusion, the conditions laid down by the Turkish Cypriot side, at least in theory, look as if can be met. Furthermore, the economic advantages of EU membership for the Turkish Cypriots appear to overweigh the disadvantages. However, this may not be so for the Greek Cypriots who already enjoy the advantages of EU membership and without the burdens imposed on members.

From the Turkish Cypriot point of view, both the EU and the Greek Cypriot side are doing their best to keep the Turkish side out and hence solidify the permanent division of Cyprus. Recognising the fact that the Government in South Cyprus represents the people living in the South and that the Government in the North represents the people living in the North, an interim "body" or "entity" could be established in Cyprus. This body would be composed of representatives from the Greek Cypriot South and the Turkish Cypriot North, perhaps with some UN appointees. This "body" should see to the lifting of all embargoes and restrictions as well as the fair distribution of foreign aid. Until a comprehensive solution is reached, the two confederated Cypriot states could be represented in external affairs by Greece and Turkey respectively.

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