OPINION:
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s “Turkey’s Vision for Cyprus” (Web, March 19) represents nothing but transparent, shameful, official propaganda of the government of Turkey. It is a dismal effort to justify Turkey’s ongoing, brutal military aggression against Cyprus (including invasion, occupation, colonization, forcible division, ethnic cleansing, massive violations of human rights, destruction of cultural property, attempted secession, usurpation of property and more).
The Turkish occupation of Cyprus has victimized both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and has been universally condemned. It is an effort to promote Turkey’s future designs for permanent control over Cyprus through purported ’guarantees’ in order to keep military forces on Cyprus and claim ’rights’ of military intervention and interference in Cyprus’ domestic affairs. Given Turkey’s lack of qualifications to join the European Union, Ankara also wants to affect EU policies in Brussels indirectly, through Turkish-Cypriot veto powers on major policies and excessive special privileges in the government of a future weak Cyprus. Unfortunately, the European Union has yet to fully comprehend and reject Turkey’s machinations.
Let us hope that Brussels and the rest of Europe will wake up to reality before it is too late for both Cyprus and the European Union. Europe and the rest of the world have witnessed (and some have experienced first-hand) Turkey’s insulting arrogance and belligerent attitude toward anybody (including Turkish Cypriots) who does not surrender to Ankara’s blackmailing tactics. It is time to stand up to this dangerous bully led by an increasingly irrational leader, Erdogan, who threatens and undermines peace, stability and democracy in the region and in Europe.
MILTOS MILTIADOU
Dhiorios, Kyrenia
Republic of Cyprus
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