TASKENT MARTYRS COMMEMORATED

Taskent martyrs, who were massacred by the Greek Cypriots 32 years ago, were commemorated yesterday (15 August) with a ceremony. 

Attending to the ceremony on behalf of the Prime Ministry, Minister For Public Works and Transportation Salih Usar in his speech stressed that what happened in Taskent 32 years ago was not a war but a crime against humanity and stated that the Greek Cypriots who thought that they would eliminate all the Turkish Cypriots by massacring innocent people should acknowledge that since then the Turkish Cypriots have embraced these territories more strongly. 

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots had rights, equality and the right to live as much as the Greek Cypriots had Salih Usar said he conveyed his respect in front of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for these territories. 

“I would like to underline that the Turkish Cypriots will continue to live on these territories forever and to announce this message to the Greek Cypriots, Europe and the world”, said the Minister and emphasized that the Turkish Cypriots desired peace. 

Calling upon the Greek Cypriots, Salih Usar said “there is only one thing you can do in this country, which is to reach a bi-zonal and bi-communal settlement with the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of political equality. In order not to experience the pains of the past again, you should understand the Turkish Cypriots’ need for security guarantees and accept this.” Usar added that therefore a solution to be found should definitely include Turkey’s active and real guarantee. 

            Referring to the new process, which has started in the last couple of months, Usar stated that during this process the Turkish Cypriots would do their best to achieve peace and settlement. 

            Continuing Minister Usar said: “But if the Greek Cypriots refuse to see the Turkish Cypriots as their equals and want to see them as a minority in these territories, they should know that this mentality would not take Cyprus to a solution and peace” 

            Usar said that the understanding of a settlement and peace followed by the President and the government in cooperation with Turkey would undoubtedly take the Turkish Cypriots to a solution and underlined that policies and mentalities excluding Turkish Cypriots would not be permanent.