Latest info from Turkish occupied Cyprus provides a major provocation to the policies outlined by BOTH candidates in the elections for President of the Republic of Cyprus this Sunday -- "Turkish Cypriot daily 'Afrika' newspaper (22.02.13) reports that the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs, Besir Atalay, has said that they will grant the citizenship of the breakaway regime to 22 thousand families. According to the paper, “the reason why the [Turkey] Justice and Development party (AKP) insistently wants Irsen Kucuk is coming to surface” and adds that “the citizenship is being granted to 22 thousand families”.
The paper writes that during a meeting held at the Turkish self-styled embassy in the occupied part of Lefkosia last Monday, some insults were heard for the Cypriots and the “ministers” of the breakaway regime. Chairmen of organizations of Turkish settlers also attended the meeting. When some participants in the meeting said that they consider Turkey’s interference [in the National Unity Party’s (UBP) congress] to be “unfavorable”, Besir Atalay replied the following: “We are working for you. We will make 22 thousand families TRNC citizens”.
Meanwhile, in statements at a press conference yesterday, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Irsen Kucuk said that those [foreigners] who have worked in the occupied area of Cyprus for over five years could apply for being granted the “citizenship” of the regime.
http://www.moi.gov.cy/MOI/pio/pio.nsf/All/CE0B70E0E7496664C2257B1A0043A519?OpenDocument
Saturday, 23 February 2013
KTOS Turkish Cypriot Teachers Union leader Şener Elcil briefs the British about opposition to Turkey's Cyprus policies
English translation and video of:
"Şener Elcil briefs the British about opposition to Turkey's Cyprus policies"
http://youtu.be/lBn2fgh02Mg
Spoken in Turkish with Greek subtitles - CyBC TV 'Biz Emeis' bi-lingual program features an interview with Şener Elcil, General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teacher's Union KTOS, and protagonist of the 'Union Platform' - speaks about their trip to London in order to brief British journalists, unionists and parliamentarians about their opposition to the policy which Turkey has been trying to impose on 'northern' Cyprus.
19.02.2013 - interviewed by Christodoulos Christodoulou and Huseyin Halil
-----------------------
Translation into English from the Greek subtitles
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen
"Our subject tonight is that of the contacts by the trade union platform in London recently and we have with us the General Secretary of KTOS Mr Şener Elcil.
"Welcome.
"You visited London. What was the fundamental purpose of your meetings?
ŞE: "As you know, the trade union platform was created two years ago as a coalition of the unions against the package of measures which is being imposed by Turkey but also the impasse in the Cyprus problem. Two years ago the platform undertook significant initiatives and on 29th January and 2nd March [2011] it organised two massive demonstrations which included the participation of 80,000 people. A manifesto consisting of 13 articles was proposed and approved. That manifesto makes reference to the achievement of a solution on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, the demand for respect of the political will of the Turkish Cypriots and the respect of the will of the Turkish Cypriots for self-rule and also the reaction to the policies for the assimilation and integration of the north into Turkey.
"In order to promote those points we had contacts in Turkey and in Brussels. It was envisaged that there would also be meetings in England, as one of the three guarantors of the Republic of Cyprus in relation to our demands and to the will of the Turkish Cypriots.
"Within that context we had accepted the invitation by the Labour Member of Parliament, Mr Andy Love, which was the basis for our visit and the contacts we had.
Q: "What were the impressions you derived? What is the policy of the British?
ŞE: "The policy of the British is known. What is important is what do we do?
"The alleged representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community, Misters Eroglu, Kucuk and others, do not allow the will of the Turkish Cypriots to become known to the outside world. What they do project to the outside world are the policies which are set for them by the Foreign Ministry of Turkey. The trade union platform therefore shouldered the duty to make known to the outside world the thoughts, aims and wishes of our community.
"In the context of our visit we had the chance to meet with officials of the British Foreign Office as well as with Conservative, Labour and Liberal members of parliament and members of the House of Lords.
"In addition there was a meeting at the Parliament with the participation of journalists, politicians, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot residents in Britain and representatives of 'MKO'. During this we had the chance to convey our demands.
"We also had meetings with organisations of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots resident in Britain.
"Last Thursday there was an open meeting organised by the Democratic Association of Turkish Cypriots. This was attended by about a hundred Turkish Cypriot Londoners whom we briefed about the purpose and the aims of our visit.
Q: "How many Turkish Cypriots live in London, or in England, nowadays? Did you discuss the role they could play in these efforts ?
ŞE: "According to information we received there are in London nowadays some 250,000 Turkish Cypriots, living mainly in London. We're talking about a population which is twice the number of Turkish Cypriots on the island. These people are scattered. Some of them immigrated during the decade of the 1940's for economic reasons, others during the decade of the 1950s and 1960s for political reasons. The immigration process continues until current times, for political and economic reasons.
"During particularly the latest times, the flow of immigration has increased. The economic recession and the political pressures due to the political assimilation and incorporation which Turkey is implementing in the north is forcing our young people to immigrate.
"The Turkish Cypriot community in Britain is well organised. There are various organisations and associations.
"As far as a solution of the Cyprus problem is concerned, some of these promote the formal policy of Turkey. The democratic progressive organisations can only develop if they join their activities with us. If we do indeed succeed in combining our activities also with the Greek Cypriot organisations and work in a balanced manner for a solution for our country on the basis of political equality and bearing in mind that Cyprus is the common country of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, then we believe that our actions will be more effective.
Q: "Have you ascertained further to your visit there what the relationship is between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots? From the personal experience which Hussein and I had during a visit there 2 to 3 years ago within the context of our program - is that there are very strong relations between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. I don't know whethere these relations do still exist and whether you experienced them?
ŞE: "We had the chance to experience the relations between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. We ascertained that the democratic and progressive people think like we do, and that between them there is good cooperation, as long as there are no interventions from Cyprus or from the "mother countries"
"We were taken, for example, to an association of pensioners - of people who left the island during the decade of the 1950s as a result of the activities of EOKA and TMT. We saw people older than 70 years old, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, eating together, living and working together. These people live at the same old people's home.
"As I said, if people are left in peace, they can live comfortably together. Some however interfere with official policies and threats which put the people in a difficult position.
Q: "Your main aim was for the British public opinion to become aware of the Turkish Cypriots as one of the participants in the Cyprus problem.
ŞE: "As I said at the beginning, the Turkish Cypriot community is facing a problem of its representation. The Turkish Cypriot community can not express itself.
"At the negotiating table the negotiator, Mr Eroglu, is acting on the basis of instructions provided to him by the Foreign Ministry of Turkey. There is no projection of the views and intentions of the Turkish Cypriot community.
"In going to Britain we wanted to create an opening. What we want is a bizonal bicommunal federation on the basis of political equality. There are relevant agreements of the 23rd of May and 1st July [2006] between Mr Talat and Mr Christofias. We want a Cyprus with one single sovereignty, one citizenship, one international personality. We want reunification of Cyprus.
"Therefore we reject all the policies which Turkey is trying to impose in the north. The policy of assimilation, the transfer of population, the 'politicization', the pillage of Greek Cypriot properties, the alienation of the identity and culture of the Turkish Cypriots, of their religous beliefs.
"We felt the need to share all these factors with British public opinion, the British unions, and I believe that we achived positive results.
"The formal British foreign policy is in favour of Turkey. We ascertained this unequivocally. It is a support within the context of its interests in the region.
"The Republic of Cyprus - the south part of Cyprus - has joined the European Union, and the European Acquis applies to the part of the island governed by the Republic of Cyprus while in the north it is suspended. Turkey is a candidate country for joining. The British consequently believe that the Cyprus problem can be solved in the context of Turkey joining the EU.
"The Foreign Office and the government officials of Britain know about the population policy which is being applied in the north, and the cultural and political pressures. The opposition parties however, the MKO and the unions do not know the realities in the north of the island because the government and the opposition support the formal positions. They present what is happening as being right and that the Turkish Cypriots do not have any complaints.
"With our visit and the presentation of the realities the balance has changed.
"There has now been created a direct connection between us and so we have the chance to brief them continuously about the realities which we are experiencing. We have direct connections with the largest British unions, the educational unions, transportation, employees and the British Trade Union Congress. They have created a committee of friendship and solidarity in order to confront the attacks which are being experienced by the Turkish Cypriot unions and the difficulties which the Turkish Cypriot community is having to live with. They have also decided that when there are trials of our union officials they will come to Cyprus in order to support us. This is a significant development for us.
Q: "What are the British positions with reference to a solution of the Cyprus problem? Particularly now that there is oil and natural gas involved?
ŞE: "The British believe that their bases are necessary for the region and that they are available for use by themselves and by NATO. Within the framework of that perception they consider a NATO solution as being possible. A NATO solution matches the interests of the multinational companies, the exploitation of natural gas and oil which exists within the EEZ of Cyprus.
"Now they are awaiting the outcome of the presidential elections which will take place in the south. From what we observed, following the elections there will be moves to restart the talks for a solution on the basis of a loose federation, the exportation of the natural gas and of oil will happen through Turkey and there will be stability in the region.
"We as Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, having in mind the interests of the multinational giants and knowing the intentions of the imperialist countries must pursue our demand for a Cypriot solution in order to defend our own interests. This is something which the Turkish Cypriots must demand in common with the Greek Cypriots. Otherwise the result will be the permanent partition of our island because the imperialist countries will promote partition as the possible solution. Considering that they have exhausted all possibilities of a federal solution, I believe that they will consent to partition as a lasting solution.
Q: "The last time you were here you expressed the certainty that after the presidential elections there will be immediate moves for a solution to the Cyprus problem. If I remember this correctly, you had said this would happen in April or May. Are these hopes valid?
ŞE: "That is my impression and it has been reinforced following my visit to the UK. The British foresee a new initiative in May or June. I stress again that this involves a NATO solution. It envisages Cyprus joining NATO, the conversion of the British bases to NATO ones, guarantees for the Republic of Cyprus by NATO.
"Given that the existing guarantor countries, Greece, Turkey and Britain are all members of NATO the NATO guarantees will include the separate guarantees of the three guarantors. In this way the reaction of the officials of the Republic of Cyprus who have not wanted there to be guarantees [will be dealt with].
"Besides this a loose federation is anticipated, with exportation of oil and natural gas, the extraction of which is expected to begin in 2016, will happen through Turkey. That is the basis, I believe, upon which a solution will be formed.
"Given this you can expect the aggravation of the [economic] crisis in the south.
"In the north there has been developed a perception which is positive to any form of solution. Some in the north may reject a solution due to ideological reasons, not however for economic ones. The mentality of the community in the north is such that it will say yes to any form of solution.
"Something like that is what they are trying to cultivate in the south. Creating economic difficulties in the south they are trying to shape the conditions in the south in order for a NATO solution to be accepted. And, as a plan B, permanent partition is planned.
"It is a NATO mentality. "Either you agree or we will divide the island". The impression created is that something like that will happen very soon.
Q: "A last question. What are your future plans as the trade union platform?
ŞE: "As you know, the economic and political impositions by Turkey in the north are progressively being upgraded. The process of destroying the natural beauty of the island has already started. The social wealth is being taken over by Turkish capital.
"When you want to conquer a country you first invade it, then you transfer the population, you create a subservient administration and as a last step you steal the social wealth, the airports, the ports, the factories, which are taken over by your own capital. This is what is happening at this time in the north of the island. The occupation is being progressively upgraded.
"As the trade union platform we are reacting to this because we believe that what is happening is not right. We want to remind Turkey that it is on the island on the basis of international agreements. In relation to this we are continuing with certain political efforts and our demonstrations continue. We will continue to use every possibility and every action necessary to ensure the existence of the Turkish Cypriot community on the island.
"We thank you very much".
Previously uploaded interview with Mr Şener Elcil (with links to previously uploaded videos relating to the Demonstrations by Turkish Cypriots protesting against Turkey's policies on Cyprus during 2011 are available online at:
"Şener Elcil - Turkey does not wish Cyprus solution, wants annexation"
http://youtu.be/Gu0EMkXfT4Y
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
HH: The recent statements by the Turkish officials about Cyprus contain threats. Instead of initiatives towards a solution of the problem, Turkey theatens with annexation of one third of the island. As always, KTOS reacted intensely to these statements by Turkey. In order to hear more about this we have with us tonight the General Secretary of KTOS, Mr Şener Elcil.
CC: Welcome
HH: Following the statements by Turkey you made your own statements commenting that on the one hand Turkey talks about a Taiwanisation model, then about union with Turkey, and now about two states .... so, while Turkey claims that it wants a solution, its claim is unfounded.
SE: The talks, as is known, started in 1968 and then there were two basic chapters, the distribution of power and the granting of autonomy to the Turkish Cypriots. When we look at the matters which are at the negotiating table today we see that the basis of the problem involves three matters which were created in the period following 1974. The settlers from Turkey, a decision about the future of properties left behind by the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots and the right to sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot statelet which will be established in the northern part of our island which is defacto controlled by Turkey.
When we look at these issues we will see that there is a significant difference between the matters that were being discussed before 1974 with those which are being discussed today. All the problems which were created following 1974 are the result of the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
In 1974 Turkey invaded the island with the pretext of restoring constitutional order which was disturbed as a result of the coup by the Greek junta and for the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of Cyprus. At the point we have reached there are talks about a problem created beyond the context of international law.
The Turkish statements are outside of international law - such as the annexation of Cyprus, or its union with Turkey or Greece ... in the past certain circles in the Greek Cypriot community had been founded on the idea of Enosis (union) and had fought for it. The statements by Egemen Bagis are Enosis statements, meaning that Turkey has begun to accept the idea of Enosis. Turkey does not look only to the annexation of the occupied areas. Turkey's aim is for the whole of Cyprus to be placed under its jurisdiction.
The aim of the Turkish side in the talks, where Mr Eroglu is under the influence of the Turkish foreign ministry is to extend the deadlock but pretend that he wants a solution. That is what characterises Turkey's policy. If it really did have that aim, then following the 2004 referendum it could have very easily moved towards a solution. On the contrary, the Turkish officials used the Yes by the Turkish Cypriots and the No by the Greek Cypriots to blame the Greek Cypriots for not wanting a solution and to gain benefits internationally for the Yes of the Turkish Cypriots.
This policy is not a solution policy. It is playing a blame game while it is presenting itself as wanting a solution while it extends the deadlock.
HH: You have met with Mr Downer. What is the policy of the Turkish side in the talks?
SE: It is the future of all Cypriots that is being compromised at the negotiating table. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, all of us who live on this island must be informed about the discussions which affect our future. As the trade union platform we consequently asked to have a meeting with the three sides involved in the negotiations. Mr Eroglu, Mr Christofias and Mr Downer. Mr Eroglu has not yet scheduled a meeting with us. He has created an imaginary "people's council" which consists basically of organisations he controls. He has suggested to us that we take part in that with them and that we should obey the "people's council". When necessary he can meet and brief any organisation he chooses. We did not accept his suggestion and he is refusing to meet with us.
On the 10th of January we had a meeting with Mr Christofias. We listened to his views about where the negotiations are at, and we had a press conference in the north to brief our community.
We were due to meet with Mr Downer also at that time. However, due to the meetings at Greetree, we were not able to meet. We met him just two weeks ago. He briefed us that the negotiations are not at a good point, that there is an impasse on the basic issues, on the property issue, territory and settlers, and that Mr Eroglu is continuously creating problems regarding the rotating presidency and the cross-voting. He stressed that the people and all those who do want a solution should raise their voices and become more demanding. He also stressed that the continuation of the impasse will bring no benefit to the people of the island, that it does not bring prosperity and that it will further complicate the situation. We then briefed our people accordingly. Due to what he told us, some organisations in the north which are subservient to Mr Eroglu demanded that Mr Downer should be forbidden from entering the north with the excuse that he is provoking people. They tried to have him declared persona-non-grata. The same situation had also been created two weeks earlier in the south when the matter was discussed by the House of Representatives. That means that the denialists on both sides are at the same point.
CC: I want to go back a little, to the statements by the Turkish officials. Do you feel that these statements, over and above what you have already explained, are intended to bring pressure to bear on the Greek Cypriot side?
SE: In order for there to be a solution both sides must agree. If we are to reach a solution we must know how to take a step back. The parameters of a solution are known. They are the high-level agreements of 1977 and 1978. A bicommunal bizonal federation. Additionally there are the agreements Christofias-Talat of 23rd May and 1st July regarding a single international sovereignty, a single international personality, and one citizenship. The rotating presidency is one of the subjects on which there had been a conclusion.
The parameters of a solution are known. The sides must therefore show courage. To prepare political decisions. On the property issue for example the two sides must reach agreement. All the subsequent issues are technical matters.
My parents have property at Kalavasos, from where they had originated. The fate of the property must be judged by the experts in the technical committees. The politicians must make the political decisions and the technical matters must be left for the experts. On the property issue everything is very clear. There can be compensation, exchange or the restitution of the property. My family can not use the fields which they left behind at Kalavasos. That is since 1963. The property will be either exchanged, returned or compensated. The final decision will be taken by the owner. In other words it is a technical issue. The negotiators must have the authority to take political decisions. But what the Turkish Cypriot side is doing at the negotiation table is to show that it wants a solution while it is actually aiming at a deadlock. That is the reality.
From this perspective I believe that while there are moves which Mr Christofias must make on certain matters, they who must make substantive steps are Turkey and the Turkish side.
HH: Do you think that the recent threatening statements by Mr Egemen Bagis are intended more about the 1st of July?
SE: The 1st of July is being presented by Turkey and Mr Eroglu as a landmark. They say that if progress is not achieved by the 1st of July then the process of the negotiations will end. Mr Eroglu recently said that he is tired .... as if he very much wanted a solution to be found. He has hardly been in power for a year and a half and he is already tired!
Their intention is clear. To end the negotiations and after the 1st of July to proceed in another direction. Mr Eroglu had stated the following: "We could change the name of the north to the Turkish State as it had been designated in the Anan Plan, we might change the constitution, to make certain amendments towards democratisation" ... in other words they intend to make certain cosmetic changes to the secessionist entity in the north, something which we can no longer tolerate.
CC: How do the average Turkish Cypriots feel about ... while we all see that those things which were agreed between Christofias and Talat are now disputed by Mr Eroglu who is changing everything ... how do the Turkish Cypriots feel about it? Lets leave aside the rotating presidency ... how do they feel ?
SE: The people are losing their hopes. That is Turkey's intention. That the people should lose their hopes so that Turkey can implement its basic aim which is the annexation of the island. Mr Egemen Bagis talks about incorporation. The question is what is left for them to incorporate? They have transferred settlers to the island, the north uses the Turkish lira, they have changed the names of the villages, they have imposed surnames for Turkish Cypriots, a separate entity has been created in the north completely controlled by Turkey. A large proportion of the Greek Cypriot properties in the north has been given to settlers, they have been allowed to build ... the laws have been changed, the same with the educational system ... at this time we are under attack by the Sunni Muslims. All these are component parts of a systematic incorporation which has been implemented now and for many years. Mr Bagis has expressed this with honesty.
HH: In practice it has therefore achieved it ...
SE: In reality it has achieved it to a certain extent. There is however a section of the society which is reacting and which they are trying to silence.
CC: An impartial observer ... trying to look at the motivations behind the words and the actions of Turkey ... the conclusion to be reached with reference to the Turkish Cypriots is for them to be absorbed and for the community of the Turkish Cypriots to disappear. We are talking plainly about Turkey's policy regarding the Turkish Cypriots ...
SE: This is very clear. The mass demonstrations which we had last year on 28th January and 2nd March were about our communal survival. There is a policy which aims at the disappearance of the Turkish Cypriots. The deterioration of salaries, of wages, of the economy, social, political and religious structure cause the emigration of Turkish Cypriots from the island. The young ones do not intend any longer to remain on the island. The starting salary of an employee is 400 euros, an amount which is insufficient for someone to maintain a family and obtain housing. Our young ones are leaving the island. The number of Turkish Cypriots moving to the south has increased ... a systematic policy is being implemented for the complete control of the north by Turkey converting it into a colony.
This must not however gladden the Greek Cypriots, there is no reason for that. From the time when the Turkish Cypriots are gone from the island or become a minority, you must know that Greek Cypriots will find it very difficult to survive here.
HH: Some time ago you had made a statement in relation to Turkish Cypriots being forbidden to hold passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus. Have you had satisfactory responses?
SE: There has been no satisfactory reply. In the period up to 1st July a change can be expected of the name of the "state", of the "constitution", of "laws", and there will be efforts to upgrade the "beyond international legality" state. Within this context, although it is doubtful whether they can legally do this, they will try to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from making use of passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus. In 2001 there had been such a "law" which was not approved ... some Turkish Cypriots were even arrested while they were departing to go abroad from the "airport" and they were held for several days at the detention centres of "the police". From this perspective it is inevitable that there will be a total approach.
In Turkey, with the rise to power of Erdogan, more than a hundred journalists have been imprisoned, and unions have been closed down ... yesterday the indictment collapsed regarding the burning of 37 persons at Sivas in Turkey. Mr Erdogan praised the outcome of the case. Now the murderers are walking about free in Turkey. All these things are happening with the approval of the country's leader. Given such a regime it is natural that there will be pressures on the Turkish Cypriots. It is clearly a totalitarian regime.
Last year, on 22nd July, during Erdogan's visit to the island, our people suffered an inhuman attack by "the police". There were casualties who had to be admitted to hospital. We are therefore facing an inhuman regime, an inhuman administration. This is no joke, it is something which is known by all those who are experiencing it.
CC: We only have three minutes left. Can we expect any new mobilisations ... are things being planned?
SE: There are endless possibilities. When one wants to be saved one has to try. At this time we are trying to gather together all the people and all the organisations which want peace, in a struggle for our existence. We are trying to structure the form of the struggle. It is clear that we will not be able to overcome the problem with demonstrations and protests. At this stage the Turkish Cypriots have a problem of representation which we are trying to solve. We will be creating a lobby in Brussels, in England, abroad, in Turkey ... to explain the realities to the world and we will try to muster international support.
In the next few days the necessary actions to further this will be taking place.
CC: Are you in communication with corresponding Greek Cypriot organisations for their support of the whole effort?
SE: We meet certain Greek Cypriot organisations at certain events. With reference to the movement I am referring to, we are planning the way they could be involved, but we have not taken any steps yet.
If the Cyprus problem is to be solved and for Cyprus to be a democratic nation, this can not happen only with the struggle of Turkish Cypriots but with the common struggle of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
HH: Thank you very much
CC: Thank you for being with us today.
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation interview spoken in Turkish with Greek subtitles, broadcast by Biz Emeis bilingual program on 15th March 2012
See past history of items recorded and made available on the web about the Turkish Cypriot demonstrations during 2011:
"Turkish Cypriot demo protesting Turkey's Cyprus Policy - 07.04.2011"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/turkish-cypriot-demo-protesting-turkeys.html
"Another massive Turkish Cypriot demonstration 02.03.2011 - a blow to Turkey"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-massive-turkish-cypriot.html
"Turkish Cypriot Revolt, Demonstration & Protests which Rocked Turkey 2011"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/turkish-cypriot-revolt-demonstration.html
"Sener Elcil - UN and EU officials turn blind eye to Turkey's settler policy in Cyprus"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.com/2010/09/serer-ercil-un-and-eu-officials-turn.html
"Supporting Dissidents in Turkish occupied Cyprus"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/supporting-dissidents-in-turkish.html
Announcement from the Turkish Cypriot New Cyprus Party (YKP), one of the few branches of the community in 'northern' Cyprus which openly acknowledge the facts of the illegal military Occupation of the island, and openly oppose the occupation regime
Adnan Eraslan 1of3 - Turkish Cypriot Teachers Union KTOEOS
05 October 2009
Introduction - Turkish Cypriot Unions have entered a new phase of activism currently, prompted on the one hand by economic problems and on the other by a reduction in their effectiveness as a result of the importation of settlers from Turkey and recent efforts to turn Turkish Cypriot society from a cosmopolitan one to an islamic one. This has led to the creation of an alliance of 29 unions which are protesting these developments. We have with us today Mr Adnan Eraslan, President of KTOEOS (Union of Teachers in Middle Education), one of the most active among these unions.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNnNJDn_8NM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHu_SAe_syY
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgtVf0pfB48
Zeki Βeşiktepeli interviewed - BΙΖ / EΜΕΙΣ - 22.09.2009
(Bilingual with subs)
Be sure to watch all 3 parts.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwXGaA_V13w
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxRAHPCSqYE
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niu_s0AaKGc
"The ‘problem of Turkey’ in Cyprus" by LEVENT KÖKER
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=238197
"Turkish deep state and Cyprus" by ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=249710
HH: The recent statements by the Turkish officials about Cyprus contain threats. Instead of initiatives towards a solution of the problem, Turkey theatens with annexation of one third of the island. As always, KTOS reacted intensely to these statements by Turkey. In order to hear more about this we have with us tonight the General Secretary of KTOS, Mr Şener Elcil.
CC: Welcome
HH: Following the statements by Turkey you made your own statements commenting that on the one hand Turkey talks about a Taiwanisation model, then about union with Turkey, and now about two states .... so, while Turkey claims that it wants a solution, its claim is unfounded.
SE: The talks, as is known, started in 1968 and then there were two basic chapters, the distribution of power and the granting of autonomy to the Turkish Cypriots. When we look at the matters which are at the negotiating table today we see that the basis of the problem involves three matters which were created in the period following 1974. The settlers from Turkey, a decision about the future of properties left behind by the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots and the right to sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot statelet which will be established in the northern part of our island which is defacto controlled by Turkey.
When we look at these issues we will see that there is a significant difference between the matters that were being discussed before 1974 with those which are being discussed today. All the problems which were created following 1974 are the result of the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.
In 1974 Turkey invaded the island with the pretext of restoring constitutional order which was disturbed as a result of the coup by the Greek junta and for the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of Cyprus. At the point we have reached there are talks about a problem created beyond the context of international law.
The Turkish statements are outside of international law - such as the annexation of Cyprus, or its union with Turkey or Greece ... in the past certain circles in the Greek Cypriot community had been founded on the idea of Enosis (union) and had fought for it. The statements by Egemen Bagis are Enosis statements, meaning that Turkey has begun to accept the idea of Enosis. Turkey does not look only to the annexation of the occupied areas. Turkey's aim is for the whole of Cyprus to be placed under its jurisdiction.
The aim of the Turkish side in the talks, where Mr Eroglu is under the influence of the Turkish foreign ministry is to extend the deadlock but pretend that he wants a solution. That is what characterises Turkey's policy. If it really did have that aim, then following the 2004 referendum it could have very easily moved towards a solution. On the contrary, the Turkish officials used the Yes by the Turkish Cypriots and the No by the Greek Cypriots to blame the Greek Cypriots for not wanting a solution and to gain benefits internationally for the Yes of the Turkish Cypriots.
This policy is not a solution policy. It is playing a blame game while it is presenting itself as wanting a solution while it extends the deadlock.
HH: You have met with Mr Downer. What is the policy of the Turkish side in the talks?
SE: It is the future of all Cypriots that is being compromised at the negotiating table. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, all of us who live on this island must be informed about the discussions which affect our future. As the trade union platform we consequently asked to have a meeting with the three sides involved in the negotiations. Mr Eroglu, Mr Christofias and Mr Downer. Mr Eroglu has not yet scheduled a meeting with us. He has created an imaginary "people's council" which consists basically of organisations he controls. He has suggested to us that we take part in that with them and that we should obey the "people's council". When necessary he can meet and brief any organisation he chooses. We did not accept his suggestion and he is refusing to meet with us.
On the 10th of January we had a meeting with Mr Christofias. We listened to his views about where the negotiations are at, and we had a press conference in the north to brief our community.
We were due to meet with Mr Downer also at that time. However, due to the meetings at Greetree, we were not able to meet. We met him just two weeks ago. He briefed us that the negotiations are not at a good point, that there is an impasse on the basic issues, on the property issue, territory and settlers, and that Mr Eroglu is continuously creating problems regarding the rotating presidency and the cross-voting. He stressed that the people and all those who do want a solution should raise their voices and become more demanding. He also stressed that the continuation of the impasse will bring no benefit to the people of the island, that it does not bring prosperity and that it will further complicate the situation. We then briefed our people accordingly. Due to what he told us, some organisations in the north which are subservient to Mr Eroglu demanded that Mr Downer should be forbidden from entering the north with the excuse that he is provoking people. They tried to have him declared persona-non-grata. The same situation had also been created two weeks earlier in the south when the matter was discussed by the House of Representatives. That means that the denialists on both sides are at the same point.
CC: I want to go back a little, to the statements by the Turkish officials. Do you feel that these statements, over and above what you have already explained, are intended to bring pressure to bear on the Greek Cypriot side?
SE: In order for there to be a solution both sides must agree. If we are to reach a solution we must know how to take a step back. The parameters of a solution are known. They are the high-level agreements of 1977 and 1978. A bicommunal bizonal federation. Additionally there are the agreements Christofias-Talat of 23rd May and 1st July regarding a single international sovereignty, a single international personality, and one citizenship. The rotating presidency is one of the subjects on which there had been a conclusion.
The parameters of a solution are known. The sides must therefore show courage. To prepare political decisions. On the property issue for example the two sides must reach agreement. All the subsequent issues are technical matters.
My parents have property at Kalavasos, from where they had originated. The fate of the property must be judged by the experts in the technical committees. The politicians must make the political decisions and the technical matters must be left for the experts. On the property issue everything is very clear. There can be compensation, exchange or the restitution of the property. My family can not use the fields which they left behind at Kalavasos. That is since 1963. The property will be either exchanged, returned or compensated. The final decision will be taken by the owner. In other words it is a technical issue. The negotiators must have the authority to take political decisions. But what the Turkish Cypriot side is doing at the negotiation table is to show that it wants a solution while it is actually aiming at a deadlock. That is the reality.
From this perspective I believe that while there are moves which Mr Christofias must make on certain matters, they who must make substantive steps are Turkey and the Turkish side.
HH: Do you think that the recent threatening statements by Mr Egemen Bagis are intended more about the 1st of July?
SE: The 1st of July is being presented by Turkey and Mr Eroglu as a landmark. They say that if progress is not achieved by the 1st of July then the process of the negotiations will end. Mr Eroglu recently said that he is tired .... as if he very much wanted a solution to be found. He has hardly been in power for a year and a half and he is already tired!
Their intention is clear. To end the negotiations and after the 1st of July to proceed in another direction. Mr Eroglu had stated the following: "We could change the name of the north to the Turkish State as it had been designated in the Anan Plan, we might change the constitution, to make certain amendments towards democratisation" ... in other words they intend to make certain cosmetic changes to the secessionist entity in the north, something which we can no longer tolerate.
CC: How do the average Turkish Cypriots feel about ... while we all see that those things which were agreed between Christofias and Talat are now disputed by Mr Eroglu who is changing everything ... how do the Turkish Cypriots feel about it? Lets leave aside the rotating presidency ... how do they feel ?
SE: The people are losing their hopes. That is Turkey's intention. That the people should lose their hopes so that Turkey can implement its basic aim which is the annexation of the island. Mr Egemen Bagis talks about incorporation. The question is what is left for them to incorporate? They have transferred settlers to the island, the north uses the Turkish lira, they have changed the names of the villages, they have imposed surnames for Turkish Cypriots, a separate entity has been created in the north completely controlled by Turkey. A large proportion of the Greek Cypriot properties in the north has been given to settlers, they have been allowed to build ... the laws have been changed, the same with the educational system ... at this time we are under attack by the Sunni Muslims. All these are component parts of a systematic incorporation which has been implemented now and for many years. Mr Bagis has expressed this with honesty.
HH: In practice it has therefore achieved it ...
SE: In reality it has achieved it to a certain extent. There is however a section of the society which is reacting and which they are trying to silence.
CC: An impartial observer ... trying to look at the motivations behind the words and the actions of Turkey ... the conclusion to be reached with reference to the Turkish Cypriots is for them to be absorbed and for the community of the Turkish Cypriots to disappear. We are talking plainly about Turkey's policy regarding the Turkish Cypriots ...
SE: This is very clear. The mass demonstrations which we had last year on 28th January and 2nd March were about our communal survival. There is a policy which aims at the disappearance of the Turkish Cypriots. The deterioration of salaries, of wages, of the economy, social, political and religious structure cause the emigration of Turkish Cypriots from the island. The young ones do not intend any longer to remain on the island. The starting salary of an employee is 400 euros, an amount which is insufficient for someone to maintain a family and obtain housing. Our young ones are leaving the island. The number of Turkish Cypriots moving to the south has increased ... a systematic policy is being implemented for the complete control of the north by Turkey converting it into a colony.
This must not however gladden the Greek Cypriots, there is no reason for that. From the time when the Turkish Cypriots are gone from the island or become a minority, you must know that Greek Cypriots will find it very difficult to survive here.
HH: Some time ago you had made a statement in relation to Turkish Cypriots being forbidden to hold passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus. Have you had satisfactory responses?
SE: There has been no satisfactory reply. In the period up to 1st July a change can be expected of the name of the "state", of the "constitution", of "laws", and there will be efforts to upgrade the "beyond international legality" state. Within this context, although it is doubtful whether they can legally do this, they will try to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from making use of passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus. In 2001 there had been such a "law" which was not approved ... some Turkish Cypriots were even arrested while they were departing to go abroad from the "airport" and they were held for several days at the detention centres of "the police". From this perspective it is inevitable that there will be a total approach.
In Turkey, with the rise to power of Erdogan, more than a hundred journalists have been imprisoned, and unions have been closed down ... yesterday the indictment collapsed regarding the burning of 37 persons at Sivas in Turkey. Mr Erdogan praised the outcome of the case. Now the murderers are walking about free in Turkey. All these things are happening with the approval of the country's leader. Given such a regime it is natural that there will be pressures on the Turkish Cypriots. It is clearly a totalitarian regime.
Last year, on 22nd July, during Erdogan's visit to the island, our people suffered an inhuman attack by "the police". There were casualties who had to be admitted to hospital. We are therefore facing an inhuman regime, an inhuman administration. This is no joke, it is something which is known by all those who are experiencing it.
CC: We only have three minutes left. Can we expect any new mobilisations ... are things being planned?
SE: There are endless possibilities. When one wants to be saved one has to try. At this time we are trying to gather together all the people and all the organisations which want peace, in a struggle for our existence. We are trying to structure the form of the struggle. It is clear that we will not be able to overcome the problem with demonstrations and protests. At this stage the Turkish Cypriots have a problem of representation which we are trying to solve. We will be creating a lobby in Brussels, in England, abroad, in Turkey ... to explain the realities to the world and we will try to muster international support.
In the next few days the necessary actions to further this will be taking place.
CC: Are you in communication with corresponding Greek Cypriot organisations for their support of the whole effort?
SE: We meet certain Greek Cypriot organisations at certain events. With reference to the movement I am referring to, we are planning the way they could be involved, but we have not taken any steps yet.
If the Cyprus problem is to be solved and for Cyprus to be a democratic nation, this can not happen only with the struggle of Turkish Cypriots but with the common struggle of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
HH: Thank you very much
CC: Thank you for being with us today.
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation interview spoken in Turkish with Greek subtitles, broadcast by Biz Emeis bilingual program on 15th March 2012
See past history of items recorded and made available on the web about the Turkish Cypriot demonstrations during 2011:
"Turkish Cypriot demo protesting Turkey's Cyprus Policy - 07.04.2011"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/turkish-cypriot-demo-protesting-turkeys.html
"Another massive Turkish Cypriot demonstration 02.03.2011 - a blow to Turkey"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-massive-turkish-cypriot.html
"Turkish Cypriot Revolt, Demonstration & Protests which Rocked Turkey 2011"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/turkish-cypriot-revolt-demonstration.html
"Sener Elcil - UN and EU officials turn blind eye to Turkey's settler policy in Cyprus"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.com/2010/09/serer-ercil-un-and-eu-officials-turn.html
"Supporting Dissidents in Turkish occupied Cyprus"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/supporting-dissidents-in-turkish.html
Announcement from the Turkish Cypriot New Cyprus Party (YKP), one of the few branches of the community in 'northern' Cyprus which openly acknowledge the facts of the illegal military Occupation of the island, and openly oppose the occupation regime
Adnan Eraslan 1of3 - Turkish Cypriot Teachers Union KTOEOS
05 October 2009
Introduction - Turkish Cypriot Unions have entered a new phase of activism currently, prompted on the one hand by economic problems and on the other by a reduction in their effectiveness as a result of the importation of settlers from Turkey and recent efforts to turn Turkish Cypriot society from a cosmopolitan one to an islamic one. This has led to the creation of an alliance of 29 unions which are protesting these developments. We have with us today Mr Adnan Eraslan, President of KTOEOS (Union of Teachers in Middle Education), one of the most active among these unions.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNnNJDn_8NM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHu_SAe_syY
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgtVf0pfB48
Zeki Βeşiktepeli interviewed - BΙΖ / EΜΕΙΣ - 22.09.2009
(Bilingual with subs)
Be sure to watch all 3 parts.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwXGaA_V13w
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxRAHPCSqYE
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niu_s0AaKGc
"The ‘problem of Turkey’ in Cyprus" by LEVENT KÖKER
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=238197
"Turkish deep state and Cyprus" by ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=249710
Friday, 20 May 2011
Turkish Cypriot demo protesting Turkey's Cyprus Policy - 07.04.2011
Turkish Cypriot demo protesting Turkey's Cyprus Policy - 07.04.2011
As broadcast by the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation bi-lingual (in Greek and Turkish) Program "Kato Apo ton Idio Ourano" on 28th April 2011
Translation from the Greek subtitles:
[Commentator - introduction]
The demonstrations of the Turkish Cypriots continue, and their messages are varied and multidimensional. In our programme we will have the chance to follow reactions during the demonstrations on the 7th of April [2011].
[Banner: "Ankara take your hands off our collars - KTOS"]
On the 7th of April the demonstrators assembled in front of the "puppet-parliament" and the "embassy". The crowd was not as large as those during the "Demonstrations for Existence and Survival" but there was one substantial difference. The demonstrators this time were more dynamic and demanding. Their reaction this time was directed as much against Ankara and those cooperating with it within the administration here as against the political parties which participate in the "puppet parliament". Some of the demonstrators surrounded the General Secretary of the CTP [Turkish Republican Party] Ferdi Sabit Soyer and the President of the TDP [Communal Democracy Party] Mehmet Çakıcı and booed them, demanding their resignation.
During the demonstration, extra security measures had been taken. Efforts were made to intervene to remove placards with slogans against Turkey and also of the flag of the Republic of Cyprus. The demonstrators reacted violently against these interventions.
[Crowd chanting: "Out with the police"]
[Speaker 1 - with loudhaler] In the past they placed barbed wire between the north and the south. They did that because they considered one side as the enemy. Now they place barbed wire between this "parliament" and the people. These are our enemies. Those who are afraid of the people have no place in the "parliament".
[Speaker 2] If anyone expects democracy here, it is like expecting forests to grow in the desert. That's how simple it is. Unfortunately there is no democracy.
[Speaker 3] If the "parliamentarians" and "ministers" do not resign from the "parliament", if they do not respond to the people's demands, there will be far worse things happening.
[Crowd chants: "Ankara, take your hands off our collars" - "We don't want a dishonest parliament"]
[Speaker 4] Our demonstration is against privatisations.
[Question] What organisation do you work for?
In the Electricity one
[Q] Is that why you are here? Because you are against privatisations?
Yes, I have come because I am against the privatisations but also because I am bothered that they consider the Turkish Cypriot community as non-existent. For so many years we have been trying to explain to those who govern us that we are the Cypriot people ... but they open their ears, but do not hear us, it goes in one ear and comes out of the other.
[Speaker 5] I believe that all the problems in Cyprus can only be ended with a solution of the problem. I am therefore here to support the peaceful stance of the Trade Union Platform.
[Question] Today we did not see the practical support of the parties. What could be the reasons for this?
I am a member of the CTP but I am here. I believe the parties did not wish themselves associated with certain unpleasant events which could arise during the demonstration outside the "parliament" and the "embassy". They may be right. This is however binding only on the party leadership. The people, the simple members, as you can see have come here.
[Crowd chants: "Ayse go home"] ["Ayse goes on holiday" having been the code-name used by the Turkish forces during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974]
[Crowd chants: "Out with the puppets" ]
[Crowd chants: "We do not want a dishonest parliament"]
[Addressed to Speaker 6][Question] What is the reason why you are here today?
As you know the unions which are participating in the Union Platform have declared this year to be "The Struggle for Communal Existence". Within that context there are continuing demonstrations. Todays demonstration is a continuation of the demonstrations which took place on 28th January and 2nd March. That is the context of our presence today. We have come here because as Turkish Cypriots we want to recover our will from those who have usurped it, so that we will not disappear and in order that our voice is heard.
[Question] The security measures today are very stringent. How do you comment on that?
We consider this demonstration to be a peaceful one. We live in a fascist establishment. We see this in each of its manifestations. With every demonstration the "police" measures are becoming harsher and reach the stage of overreaction which become provocative. We condemn this hostile position towards their own people.
[Q] Some people compare these demonstrations here to those in Libya and Egypt. Do the same dynamics exist here and are similar results expected?
That is something which should be analysed by the politicians and the sociologists. What we see is that the Turkish Cypriots have risen against the establishment they find themselves living under. They will continue this struggle until the establishment changes completely. That is clear. I don't know whether this is similar to Libya and Egypt. This is Cyprus. People in those countries have risen up against a repressive establishment. From that perspective there are naturally similarities in our struggle. We want the divisive establishment which has been created in the north to be abolished. As Turkish Cypriots we seek the creation of a democratic establishment which will represent our will and as a continuation that we will reunite Cyprus. These aims of the Turkish Cypriots are clear. This is what they have demonstrated through their mass meetings in the squares. Unfortunately however certain organisations and parties which represent Turkish Cypriots have lagged behind a lot with reference to these demands by the people. As a result the footsoldiers and leaders of the social opposition are today the unions.
[Crowd Chanting: "To hell with fascism"]
[Speaker 7] Here the fascist practices have reached their limits. We see that they are trying through the use of barbed wire to block the march of the people. It is our democratic right to have these mobilisations. The people are demonstrating against situations which bother them. This is their most natural right. When "the state" tries to deny them this right using the police it is fascism. We can no longer speak of democracy. As you can see, they are trying with barbed wire to block the people. Surely the new "ambassador", or we should call him the new "governor", Halil İbrahim Akça, has put in his finger. As you know the Trade Union Platform has declared him persona-non-grata. This unwanted person is proving here how freedom-loving he is, filling the place with police. We have gathered here peacefully making use of our democratic right to express our uprising. They are however using violence. With the roadblocks and truncheons they believe that they will make our people submit. The day will come when our people will overcome all these obstacles. It may be that today they will succeed, but for us this is but one march in our struggle. Struggles are not won easily. They are trying with the use of the "police" and with violence, to stop this people's march, but they will not succeed.
[Question to Speaker 8] Has the way the Turkish Cypriots see Turkey changed?
The Turkish Cypriots had a mistaken view of Turkey. We believed that Edrogan was different, but we see that he is no different. He follows the traditional perception that our relations are those of victim and saviour. In order to change this the Turkish Cypriots must act in unity. In the demonstrations of 28th January and 2nd March this message was delivered. Some people got this message and despite what is said in public Ankara must review the situation.
[Chanting: "Occupier Turkey get out of Cyprus"]
[Speaker 9 - on loudhaler] We will not make presents of ourselves to the puppets .. we will resist the puppets in the same way as we have resisted the packet of measures.
[Chanting: "Out with the puppets"]
[Speaker 10 - on loudhaler] We are here to remind the UBP [National Unity Party] which is ignoring the struggle about the common demands of the Turkish Cypriot people that: the Turkish Cypriots want the withdrawal of the imposed package of measures and to protect their economic and social rights - the Turkish Cypriots do not wish to become the "public" property scapegoat in the name of privatisation.
[Speaker 11] I would very much like to hear the friends who have gathered outside the pseudoparliament, over there where the puppets are, shout the words "Ayse go home", for them to shout it there where Ayse is to be found [there, meaning the Turkish "embassy"]. That is the correct location. Turkey came with the pretext that it will bring peace, but it has enslaved us. It first brought its army, and it then brought its population. It grabbed the properties of the people. It created refugees. It created a false structure. The so called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is nothing other than Turkey's back yard. All its corruptions can be found here. This is known. They interfere with our flag, the flag of the Republic of Cyprus, the most beautiful flag in the world. That's why Turkey is here.
What is this flag? Of the TRNC? Let them come here to play football. They play with Anorthosis, they play with APOEL ... even Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu [currently the elected President of PACE, who had paid an official visit to Cyprus earlier in 2011], when he came to Cyprus, he did not come via the pseudo-airport. Yet they force me to hold the identification of the "TRNC". If I had it with me I would show it to you. They forced me to have it. They used the emblem of the Republic of Cyprus and placed on top of it a half moon and a star. The apotheosis of racism. The legacy of Denktash ... the Gray Wolves.... the wolves howl and the caravan continues.
[Speaker 12] Does İrsen Küçük [so-called 'Prime Minister' of the "TRNC"] have one of these IDs? He does. İrsen Küçük has one, we all have one ... Erdogan ... look at it. It is not a Greek Cypriot identity. It is Cypriot. For you I have written it also in Turkish.
[Speaker 11, addressing the armed forces] If they didn't block you, you would have these also. In Brussels I'm a local. You are an occupier. Europe doesn't accept you because you are an occupier.
[Q] You have shown your identity ...
I showed it to them ... the "policemen" lunge to grab the Cyprus flag, thats why I show them my identity card. On the Cypriot Identity Card there is the Cypriot flag and all the "parliamentarians" and "ministers" in there have one of these in their pockets. Let them not be ashamed to come out and show it. If they would allow the policemen, tomorrow they would all go to get one. Why do they all lunge against it?
When they are not on duty, they go to the other side every day. They do their trading. They go to the doctors and then they come here and they play the tough guys. This is not my uprising, it is the uprising of all of us. Let them not joke with us, its enough that they are double-faced.
The roadblocks have opened. Over there and over here ... it is all our country.
They have locked us in the sheep-pen, and they have put one ....
The instructions come from over there [presumably he is pointing at the Turkish "embassy"]. The last time we came there were no roadblocks here. Now the new governor has arrived they have them. So that no one can lunge against the governor. Is he a governor? Is it only England that would send us governors? There we are, now Turkey is also sending them. In one country they appoint an ambassador, on the basis of mutual respect. The "ambassador" of Turkey is afraid of us? Let him come out. What are the roadblocks doing here?
[applause]
The other day he told the newspapers that he can't understand ... when he's there, locked-in, then naturally he can't understand.
Let him come here close to us and we'll explain it to him. As long as he is locked up inside he will not understand anything.
[Chanting] "Ayse go home"
[Speaker 13] Tell me, what has changed ... we have had so many demonstrations ... in this place nothing changes without action. Even if we are to die we must do it. And if we are to die, lets die. Let us sit here and let them send the army, guns, tanks ... let them send whatever they want. We are not like the nationalists who are afraid in case the tanks come, just in case they find themselves face to face with the army. We are true patriots. We have worked for this country, we will fight for it. We are not like the nationalists. They are not brave guys who abandoned their positions. We have stayed here in our communities. We don't go around boasting that we have been at war, like those who boast ... "I was in the TMT, I fought, I am in the leadership of this or that group". Marauders raising "patriotic" flags ... let these marauders stop playing the tough guys. I've seen many of them running to save their lives. So let the nationalists not joke with us. We are the people. And we want to live in peace, like people already, in this place.
[Speaker 14 - holding a flag of the Republic of Cyprus] Neither the "TRNC" nor the Turkish flag. I only hold the flag and the identity of my country. Let the occupation come to an end. We don't want Turkey here, nor its money or anything else. We want a free Cyprus, to be able to govern it with our free will. We want a reunited Cyprus. This is my second flag. The first one was grabbed off me by the occupation "police". I would want to tell them that in 1974 when they invaded the island, the soldiers were holding this flag in their hands. They are here because of this flag. Turkey came here allegedly to restore the constitutional order, but it does not live up to its obligations. From now on we target the Turkish "embassy" and our demonstrations will continue.
[Banner] "Turkey take your hands off our collars" - KTOS
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This video (without the superimposed English subtitles) with the original subtitles in Greek is available (along with many other interesting items) at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJSYPunD0PY
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More video of this demonstration at:
http://www.kurultay.org/haberler/dunya/kktc-de-turk-elciligine-rum-bayragi-2011-04-07.html
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See also:
"Downer: No Cyprus Problem Solution – No EU for Turkey"
http://www.cyprusupdates.com/2011/05/downer-no-cyprus-problem-solution-no-eu-for-turkey/
My own comment about the short statement in the above item, about Downer's alleged comment about there being no possibility of 'recognition' of the so-called TRNC:
There is nothing new in "No Cyprus Problem Solution – No EU for Turkey", though its of course nice of Mr Downer to choose to actually remind the Turkish side on behalf of the UN about what is after all an EU matter - what IS interesting in the story as presented here is "in case of a solution he can guarantee Turkey’s EU membership" which just HAS to be a misrepresentation of what Downer might have said. It would be far too presumptive of a former Australian Foreign Minister and a representative of the UN to issue any guarantees on behalf of the EU, which would of course cause great offence to the people, as well as to a number of governments in the EU, as well as to the European Parliament and to the European Commission. That having been said, what is most interesting in this story, if this part of what is reported in this story is correct, is Downer having said that in his opinion there is no likelihood of 'recognition' for the illegal entity created in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus EVEN IF ... "the talks fail and Greek Cypriots are to blame".
That is something which in my opinion should be repeated again and again by all foreign 'dignitaries' having any contact with the Turkish side ... because of course that is what the radical elements on the Turkish side have been trying unashamedly to achieve ever since the troubles of 1963 which long preceded the calamity of the Turkish invasion of 1974!
Making sure that the politicians as well as those in the military and in the mass media in Turkey, but also the many thousands of Turkish settlers shipped into the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus, as well as the Turkish Cypriots still remaining on the island do need to understand. That 'romantic dream' of the Turkish psyche (of a recognised entity in the secessionist north) ... and the mainland's attachment to its own 'strategic interests' in Cyprus is what caused those elements so much damage when the brave Turkish Cypriots who do understand the realities of the world sought to display and raise the flag of the Republic of Cyprus outside their so-called 'parliament' building in April and during the massive demonstrations by Turkish Cypriots in January and March this year!
Flying the flag of the Republic of Cyprus within the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus is the one symbol which can cause the puppet regime in the north to implode!
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See also, the videos uploaded to the Syntyxanoume profile at Youtube:
ΙΝΣΤΙΤΟΥΤΟ ΓΚΑΙΤΕ_ΟΜΙΛΙΕΣ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB8qW7rpQjE
Debating "The Global Crisis and Social Movements and Revolts" - Seminar spoken in English, Goethe Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus - 4th March 2011
An event organised by the Bi-communal Peace Initiative United Cyprus.
Speakers Sener Elcil (KTOS Teachers Union), Nicos Georgiou, (PEO Trade Union), Niyazi Kizilyurek (University of Cyprus), Nicos Trimikliniotis (University of Cyprus), Ari Sitas (University of Capetown), Immanuel Wallerstein, (Yale University)
ΙΝΣΤΙΤΟΥΤΟ ΓΚΑΙΤΕ_ΣΥΖΗΤΗΣΗ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDW2eJTbPKU
Question and Answer - "The Global Crisis and Social Movements and Revolts" - QnA spoken in English, Goethe Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus - 4th March 2011
An event organised by the Bi-communal Peace Initiative United Cyprus.
Speakers Sener Elcil (KTOS Teachers Union), Nicos Georgiou, (PEO Trade Union), Niyazi Kizilyurek (University of Cyprus), Nicos Trimikliniotis (University of Cyprus), Ari Sitas (University of Capetown), Immanuel Wallerstein, (Yale University)
---------------------
See links to previous items regarding Turkish Cypriot demonstrations, available at:
"Şener Elcil KTOS - Turkish Cypriots demos planned at the EU against Turkeys Cyprus policy"
http://aspectsofreality.blogspot.com/2011/03/sener-elcil-ktos-turkish-cypriots-demos.html
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Arif Hasan Tahsin - a Cyprus History of the 50s and 60s by a former TMT commander
Spoken in Turkish with English subtitles superimposed over the Greek subtitles which were the basis of the translation - the history outlined is informed by a long term view spanning many decades of Cyprus history by a former leader of the TMT (Turkish Resistance Organisation) which was created in 1958 to counter the Greek Cypriot demands for self-determination meaning union with Greece and the corresponding Turkish Cypriot insistence on partition. The interview provides a brief outline of the relationship of the Turkish Cypriots with the Republic of Turkey which invaded the island in 1974 following the short-lived coup by the Greek Junta which collapsed as a result of that invasion. A brief analysis is also provided of geopolitical developments following WW2 and the relationship with Britain, the US and the Soviet Union, primarily focusing on the period 1955 - 65.
Broadcast by the Biz Emeis bi-lingual program by Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation on 22nd March 2011.
A full translation of the spoken content into English (from the Greek subtitles) is available below.
See also the wikipedia item, "Cypriot intercommunal violence" article here, which provides the information that:
This same video, uploaded to the YouTube profile of Huseyin Halil who conducted the interview, spoken in Turkish, with the original Greek subtitles is available at:
Arif Hasan Tahsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTmIa6cSRw
Readers of this item are urged to also look at the very considerable archive of other videos available at that profile.
(The video with Greek subtitles is embedded at the end of this blog item)
-------------------
The same video as above, is available at the Youtube profile of Huseyin Halil who conducted the interview, spoken in Turkish, with Greek subtitles.
Readers of this item are urged to also look at the very considerable archive of other videos available at that profile.
Arif Hasan Tahsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTmIa6cSRw
-------------------------------
In view of the above fascinating interview with Arif Hasan Tahsin, it would be very illuminating if someone would be so kind as to make a translation into English of the comments by him during the following discussion in the NTV discussion about the significance of the recent massive Turkish Cypriot demonstrations against Turkey's Cyprus policies. Posting a link to such a translation into English in the comments section below, should one become available, would be particularly appreciated.
http://video.ntvmsnbc.com/mirgun-cabasla-her-sey-7-subat-2011.html
Broadcast by the Biz Emeis bi-lingual program by Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation on 22nd March 2011.
A full translation of the spoken content into English (from the Greek subtitles) is available below.
See also the wikipedia item, "Cypriot intercommunal violence" article here, which provides the information that:
"Arif Hasan Tahsin was a Turkish Cypriot who joined the Colonial police, became a member of Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) and eventually rose as the number two in hierarchy of the Turkish Cypriots."---------------
This same video, uploaded to the YouTube profile of Huseyin Halil who conducted the interview, spoken in Turkish, with the original Greek subtitles is available at:
Arif Hasan Tahsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTmIa6cSRw
Readers of this item are urged to also look at the very considerable archive of other videos available at that profile.
(The video with Greek subtitles is embedded at the end of this blog item)
-------------------
Good evening dear viewers. We are together again in another program about clearly Cypriot subjects. We will begin tonight's program with a very interesting and informative report from Mr Arif Hasan Tahsin. There is no Turkish Cypriot who does not know of him. He is a person with very noteworthy knowledge about the Cyprus issue. Our journalist Huseyin who made this interview had to edit it and shorten it otherwise a single program would not be sufficient to hold all his knowledge and experience. Arif Hasan Tahsin made some truly noteworthy assessments in relation to the past and the present of Cyprus. I will not speak longer so we can go and hear directly from him.
Arif Hasan Tahsin, known to the Turkish speakers of Cyprus as Arif Hodja (teacher), is a retired primary school teacher. As he says himself he is one of the Cypriots who had closely followed every phase of the Cyprus issue from its beginning after the second world war, since which time he was at the centre of certain developments whose lives were stolen by the Cyprus issue from its beginning.
"A Summary of our recent past" - "There can be no rosegarden in the middle of the dirt" - "A Cyprus history" - Arif Hodja has written many books and continues to write as a columnist with the newspaper Afrika, so here now is a brief summary by Arif Hodja of the Cyprus problem.
(AH) When we look at the Ottoman Empire, we see that there is no country which was under Ottoman rule where, following the Ottomans' departure people were able to live together or which progressed. When we look again, where Greeks coexisted with Turks, the one [group] just had to annihilate the other.
Only on Cyprus they were not able to wipe out each other, and that because the British were here. There are a few [Turks] in Greece and also Greeks in Turkey. Despite the agreements however, Turkey does not miss a chance to expell the Greeks. This unfortunately is a historical reality and it has unfortunately also affected Cyprus.
The Greek Cypriots, to whom we usually refer as Greek speakers though I sometimes avoid doing that because there were also the Linovamvaki [Crypto-Christian Moslems of Cyprus] who spoke Greek, with some of them having adopted the Orthodox religion and others became Moslems. At this stage I will omit the terms Greek speaker and Turkish speaker without this meaning that I accept that this part belongs to the Greeks or to the Turks.
No, the island belongs to the Cypriots and the rest is all lies which are a matter of interests which have sowed enmity between the two groups.
This situation was in the interest of the English. In 1936 the then Governor of Cyprus sent a letter to London saying that with the passing of time the topic of 'enosis' would weaken and its place would be taken by Cypriot nationalism. "In order to extend our presence on Cyprus", he wrote "we must delay as much as possible the creation of a Cypriot nationalism". Relations were created between the two communities with Greece and Turkey and Greek and Turkish nationalism was imported into the country.
Basically this nationalism affected certain small groups of people which were imposed by force on the two sides, dividing people into Greeks and Turks. People were forced under those pressures to follow those small groups. Besides, that is the norm in such situations. A clandestine organisation can impose itself on a society, however much it may react, through the use of force, killing or ill-treating people. The society is coerced and no one can speak against the organisation. You see people who had initially been against, to suddenly appear to be extreme nationalists. Those are the rules of the game which was also played out in Cyprus.
We must however also consider the following. The English gave Greece the Dodecanese, Crete, they created Greece. After each defeat Greece took over territory as if it had won. All these things were the work of the English. They had furthermore married an English princess to the son of the King of Greece. If it would have benefited the English would it not also have given Cyprus to Greece? And yet, there is movement for the creation of an organisation which would try to achieve 'Enosis'.
Let us not forget however that in agreement with Stalin they had exiled the rebels. We must not forget that the winners of the second world war, England, America and the Soviet Union had carved up the world. Churchill and Stalin divided, in the absence of the Americans, their own areas.
According to this arrangement, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Middle East would belong to the English sphere of influence. America on the other hand had created such a great military power that it could no longer withdraw its army and disband it. It wanted to take the Middle East from the English and place it under its own control. In the conflict which followed the Americans tried to use Cyprus against England.
In the meantime Greece had replied negatively to the demand by the Cyprus Church for the creation of an organisation which would fight against the English. The reason was because the areas of interest had been determined and Cyprus belonged to England and if they wanted it would give Cyprus to Greece.
NATO had sections for 'special war' [Gladio] which were created by America with England and which were funded by America. Their aim was to hide guns which in case of Soviet occupation could be used by clandestine resistance groups. The Greek section created EOKA. Later, the corresponding Turkish section took under its influence the TMT which had in the meantime been created.
The whole thing began as a conflict between England and America. America pushed Greece and England put Turkey in the middle. Later England and America sorted things out.
At the NATO summit in Paris, in 1957, Eisenhower suggested to the presidents and the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey the creation of a small new independent state. The one wanted enosis and the other partition and he suggested an independent state. Instead of thinking about it they nearly clashed.
In 1958 the matter of self-determination was again raised. Whenever the matter of self-determination was raised America would maintain a neutral position. However the last time the matter was raised America voted against Greece. After the summit Zorlu approached Averof. Averof described the scene as follows: "I saw Zorlu coming towards me smiling. I thought of punching him twice in the face".
That is where the talks began in February 1957 in Zurich and then in London the matter was closed. As is generally said, these were the games of the Americans and the English.
OK, but if there were not the preconditions, if the communities were not predisposed, would they maybe begin to kill each other?
Therefore, there was a vacuum in the relations of the two communities in order for the English and Americans to be able to become involved with the result that there were so many murders and for the two communities to clash.
The First years of the Republic of Cyprus
The contention that the Cypriot people did not accept the Republic of Cyprus, its independence, is false. I don't know about EOKA, but the TMT which I was a member of, and also many others naturally, believed that the Republic of Cyprus would endure. No one told us that our aim was partition and that we would dissolve the Republic. So much so that while the two communities had the right to keep their English citizenship, so many of us had trusted the new state that very few felt the need to keep their status as English subjects. We had such great confidence that we all took out loans. Myself, my father, my brothers, all our fellow-villagers who had arable land took out loans in order to dig wells, to put in water turbines, and the same was happening in other parts of Cyprus.
I remember that in older days the Turkish Cypriots had difficulties in selling their produce. I remember how my father had to go to Nicosia and beg to sell a sac of almonds to the traders. Many times they would not be bought. The produce would remain unsold at home. But then sales had started to happen. Moreover I remember that the period was marked by the beginning of some intensive cultivation by both sides.
There was also however a reaction against the Republic. There was the conflict between Makarios and a group of people, and of Denktash with another group of people whom Denktash had led.
On the other hand the Turkish ambassador was intensely against any move against the Republic of Cyprus.
There was however a small group of people in each of the communities who did not embrace the Republic of Cyprus.
I do not believe that after independence Makarios still pursued Enosis. However, because he had signed for independence, the supporters of Enosis declared him to be an enemy of Enosis and consequently he was forced to make statements in favour of Enosis. Until 1967/68.
After that he started to state that there can be no Enosis and that he would work for that which was 'realisable'. I believe that what Makarios had aimed for was not Enosis. He only wanted to reduce the rights which had been granted to the Turkish Cypriots.
(Huseyin) We are talking about the 13 points.
There was the issue of separate municipalities, the issue of the need for a separate majority of the Turkish Cypriot community on certain matters, the taxation ...
In reality agreement had been achieved on these topics.
However, because of the information which Georgadjis was providing to Makarios in relation to TMT Makarios did not sign the agreement. When he did not sign the agreement and the 13 points were published that which followed happened.
If you ask me how it happened, I will tell you that I don't know.
(Huseyin) How did you experience the events?
At that time I was at Fota. While we should have been informed that in Nicosia the guns had been dug-out, that things were dangerous and for an alarm to be issued, none of these things had happened, and we had no idea about what was happening.
While they were taking out the guns and distributing them to left and right ... there were armed people circulating in the Greek Cypriot quarter ... I learned of these things many years after 1963/64, that is that on the 15th or 30th November the guns had been dug-out in Nocosia, that the guns were given to people that were not correctly trained ... and that the same thing was happening on both sides.
Both sides were equally to blame for things which followed, since both sides had been giving guns to people who were not trained.
Someone pressed the trigger, I don't know on which of the side that was ... the other side one way or another was ready ... that is how the bad things happened and we ended up where we did.
The intercommunal clashes and the Inonu letter
During the first days of the armed clashes no one could remain on the other side. Rafik-Bey and Niyazi-Bey remained ... and what happened? Were they able to keep their places? They were not able to. The one was the second in command of the police and the other the commander of the gendarmerie. They were not killed, but they were removed from their positions. But we can not claim that our own people did not wish to withdraw.
There is in relation to this the letter by Ismet-Pasa [Mustafa İsmet İnönü]. Dated 9th March 1964. Before the decision was taken, on 4th March, Ismet-Pasa had made an agreement with the English and with the United Nations, that the Republic of Cyprus was the state which was created in 1960. In order for the Republic of Cyprus to function the Turkish Cypriot state employees should return to their posts, and the members of parliament, and state officials, and that people should return to the villages they had fled from. That is how constitutional order would be restored.
After that agreement Ismet-Pasa sent Dr Küçük a long letter which you can read in my book, telling him the Turkish Cypriots should return to their duties. We learnt of this many years later when Denktash wrote his memoirs. Denktash did not however write that agreement had been reached. This became known when the English archives were published. In other words that there had been an agreement between Ismet-Pasa and England.
On 10th March Dr Küçük sent a reply letter to Ismet-Pasa saying that "we will not return, it is dangerous, they will kill us ... if however you insist you must grant us the right of asylum ... so that as many Turkish Cypriots as wish to leave Cyprus should be able to do so. If however we do take it upon ourselves to leave what will become of our cause? We will lose our cause ..."
What was the cause he was speaking of? This was likely to have been that of partition.
Within the context of the agreement previously reached, America was making preparations to intervene on the island and was in consultation with the English. The English told America that they should not be in a hurry to intervene because Dr Küçük wanted partition and that they would not return to the Republic. In the end it became understood that there was not to be a return and that is where things remained.
If our people had listened to Ismet-Pasa the situation would have ended there. Naturally this was not something which Makarios had agreed to. That was however the agreement between two of the guarantor powers with America and the United Nations which our people had made irrelevant in order that they should not return to the Republic and in order to achieve Partition.
TMT is placed entirely under the control of Turkey
I can not know the extent to which certain others may have had different instructions, however according to the orders I had from TMT the struggle we had been engaged in after those events had happened was not in order to cause Turkey to intervene, but for our autonomy, and that we had to act accordingly.
I don't know if anything had happened which we had not been told about, because the organisation was placed under the Special War Office in Turkey. The Turkish Cypriots however had never been able to communicate with the Turkish officers. At some point they rebelled and some of them went and betrayed their colleagues ... Bairaktaris organised special teams and opposed Kemal Semi until he was expelled from the organisation. In other words they divided us into two ... our own stupidity ...
On the other side there was also division with EOKA B and I don't know what else ...
Once they had separated out those who believed that Cypriots should rule, they used the others who were opposed to Kemal Semi who had led the movement. Kemal Semi was the commander of Nicosia. He never allowed the Turkish officers to give instructions to the Turkish Cypriots.
In 1964 I was relieved of my duties and in my place they brought officers from Turkey. I felt that they would also get rid of Kemal Semi. I had never hid that I did not want Turkey to come to rule us or for us to be placed under orders from the Turkish officers. My position was known. From the position I held previously I had under my command a powerful armed group. When they got rid of me no one opened their mouth. Lets leave all that however, there is considerable dirt ...
In summary things happened as follows. They got rid of Kemal Semi and none of his close colleagues opened their mouth. I had warned all of them. I had told them that all those things were happening so they could get rid of Kemal Semi and that they had to be careful because after they get rid of Kemal Semi they would also get clipped and that after that the Turks would take everything in their hands. Unfortunately they didn't listen to me. In that way Turkey in 1964 placed the armed forces under its control, whereas previously the armed forces had been under [Turkish] Cypriot control.
The Turkish officers had no right of contact with the armed forces since these were controlled by [Turkish] Cypriots. In 1964 they made things as they wanted them to be. They brought many officers from Turkey and thus subjugated the Turkish Cypriots.
The [Greek] coup and the invasion of 1974
That which happened in 1974 was expected. It is true that EOKA B was created by [the junta of mainland] Greece who had sent Grivas to Cyprus, and Turkey had no objection about this. The given scenario on our side was that they would assassinate Makarios, something they had attempted to do a number of times before the coup, when they fired at his helicopter etc. They would assasinate Makarios and put Clerides in his place who would sign the agreement which Makarios refused to sign. That is what was being whispered on our side. I don't know the extent to which that scenario was real. The reality is that there were attempts against Makarios.
Suddenly, while we were not expecting it, the coup happened.
It was clear that Turkey would intervene.
They thought that Ecevit was a true pacifist, that he was a true leftist, that he was full of love for humanity. They thought he would intervene to restore constitutional order and that the two communities would thus be rid of the problem and would not in future easily quarrel.
Things however did not happen like that. We saw what the outcome was.
The Soviet support of Turkey
I will tell you something else you don't know. It is generally said that Turkey invaded Cyprus with America's support. The first invasion happened with the support of the Soviets. I don't know the reason why. It is however clear that when Turkey decided to intervene it contacted the Soviets and the ambassador of the Soviet Union asked the then President of the Republic of Turkey whether Cyprus would continue after the invasion to be a member of the movement of non-aligned nations. When he received a positive answer, he gave his approval for the intervention.
Strange things happened.
Turkey did not have sufficient fuel for its aircraft. It asked Bulgaria to help. Someone who worked for the Turkish embassy in Bulgaria wrote a book in which he describes this. He says that the ambassador was given instructions by Ankara to ask the Bulgarians for fuel for the aircraft. The ambassador was puzzled. How could he ask for something like that and not be shown the door? He met the foreign minister of Bulgaria and conveyed Ankara's request to him. He asked him to wait a while, and he must have communicated with the Soviets and when he returned he told the ambassador to tell Ankara to send a petrol tanker. The ambassador informed Ankara and Ankara told him that they should provide the ship. Turkey did not have a petrol tanker to transport the fuel. This time the ambassador was really worried. He conveyed the request which was accepted.
This was a clear signal of support. I don't know the reason.
(Huseyin) You didn't learn the reason?
No.
That is with reference to the first invasion.
After that America became involved.
The Turkish army is a NATO army
(America) told Turkey that it can land as much force as they want. It is not a secret that the Turkish army is a NATO army and that Turkey is here as a NATO army.
I don't know if you read this in the Afrika newspaper, but when the Prime Minister or President of Turkey was Turgut Ozal he had a Cypriot advisor, Boulent Semiler. He told us about the event and allowed us to publish it.
They had visited America and met President Bush, the father. Bush said to Ozal: "You warned me and I did not invade Iraq. It was a very poignant warning and I thank you for that. I would like to repay you. You can ask me for anything you want and I will do it for you."
Ozal answered him saying: "I want you to save me from the Cyprus problem. I do not want to leave on Cyprus even the 650 soldiers. I am ready to withdraw the entire army but just save me from this torture."
The Secretary General of NATO, and later Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whose name escapes me just now, intervened saying: "Turgut note my words" ... he spoke like that because he knew Turgut Ozal from the days when he had worked in America. "You" he said, "are not in Cyprus to protect the Turkish Cypriots. Your army is a NATO army and it is there for NATO. If you want to withdraw it tell us and we will bring other forces from Australia, Canada and other countries."
In other words when they close their eyes to the illegalities done here by Turkey, they do it because of their own interests. You must naturally know that the guarantor countries have also guaranteed the English bases. Lets not forget that.
[Ends]
The same video as above, is available at the Youtube profile of Huseyin Halil who conducted the interview, spoken in Turkish, with Greek subtitles.
Readers of this item are urged to also look at the very considerable archive of other videos available at that profile.
Arif Hasan Tahsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTmIa6cSRw
-------------------------------
In view of the above fascinating interview with Arif Hasan Tahsin, it would be very illuminating if someone would be so kind as to make a translation into English of the comments by him during the following discussion in the NTV discussion about the significance of the recent massive Turkish Cypriot demonstrations against Turkey's Cyprus policies. Posting a link to such a translation into English in the comments section below, should one become available, would be particularly appreciated.
http://video.ntvmsnbc.com/mirgun-cabasla-her-sey-7-subat-2011.html
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