Letters On Cyprus Issue  

Letter writen by Sadettin Topukçu, TRNC Representative in Islamabad, published in the Daily Times, on September 20, 2003.

Dear Editor, the news item, ‘Denktaþ’s misjudgement’ published in the foreign news section (Daily Times, August 12, 2003), I would like to make the following clarifications for the benefits of the readers.

The Republic of Cyprus as established under and by virtue of 1960 international Cyprus treaties was a bi-national partnership Republic between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot peoples. This Republic ceased to exist in 1963 when the Turkish Cypriots were forcibly expelled from all organs of the state machinery by force of arms by Greek Cypriots. This date also marks the emergence of the Cyprus issue.

Having been left stateless for 20 years, Turkish Cypriot people exercised their right to self-determination in favour of their own state which culminated in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). It is worthy to note that the political existence of the TRNC is independent of recognition by other states – a view international law cites.

The Turkish Cypriot party is committed to a settlement in Cyprus. One must recall that the latest talks were initiated by President Rauf R. Denktaþ. The Greek Cypriot side, however, preferred a rigid stance than a cooperative one. Particularly after the endorsement of its unlawful European Union membership, the Greek Cypriot side has had no incentive to establish a new partnership with Turkish Cypriot people on the basis of sovereign equality.

In April 2003, even after the collapse of negotiations, the Turkish Cypriot side continued to put forward constructive proposals to overcome the crisis of confidence between the two peoples of the island and break the impasse. The Greek Cypriot leadership has turned down these proposals without even considering them. Nevertheless, the government of the TRNC has already put some of these proposals into effect.

The all-embracing embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriot people are evident. In particular the European Union continues to impose embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot people. Under these inhumane conditions, what is expected of the Turkish Cypriot people? Does one expect them to give in and forgo their independence? Taiwan carries out trade and other commercial activities with the rest of the world, why not the Turkish Cypriots?

The only way for Turkish Cypriots to continue their trade is via Turkey. Turkey is the only country, which helps the Turkish Cypriot people. The TRNC and Turkey, as two sovereign states, have engaged in cooperation in various fields, trying to overcome the embargoes against the Turkish Cypriot people. A resent example has been the signing of a Customs Union Framework Agreement between the two countries. Bearing in mind the very special relationship that exists between Turkey and the TRNC, it is natural that there are commercial agreements between the two countries. It seems that the Greek Cypriot administration has started asking European Union in order to pressure Turkey. I believe that it is high time for the international community to recognise the realities of the island.