Letter to the editor: Northern Cyprus is anti-U.S., anti-Greek

OPINION:

Guy Taylor’s interview with Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, exposes the illegal entity’s — and by extension, Turkey’s — anti-American positions (“The Biden administration is not God’: Turkish Cypriot minister eyes progress on recognition,” web, Oct. 4).

The Washington Times should not provide Mr. Ertugruloglu — a politician in the government of an illegal state recognized only by Turkey — with a credible platform from which to advance unmerited recognition. He serves as a puppet and mouthpiece for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He parrots Mr. Erdogan’s conspiracy theories regarding U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, then blames the U.S. for the war in Ukraine.

Mr. Ertugruloglu also falsely claims that an Orthodox alliance exists between Russians and Greek Cypriots. Meanwhile, it is NATO ally Turkey that acquired the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

This interview just confirms that Turkey, via Mr. Erdogan’s proxy, is a failed NATO ally. Furthermore, in 1974, Turkey illegally invaded the Republic of Cyprus. Nearly 50 years later, Turkey continues to occupy the Republic of Cyprus — a European Union member and strategic partner of the United States — in violation of international law.

NICK LARIGAKIS

President and CEO, American Hellenic Institute

Washington