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Cyprus mark the 44th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion

July 20, 2018 By administrator

Turkey’s stance on Cyprus has not wavered for more than four decades, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Friday night.

He was speaking at the presidential palace at an evening event to mark the 44th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion.

“Turkey says that seizure of property, the violation of human rights, the settlements, and the presence of Turkish troops, are all supposedly because our compatriots feel unsafe,” he said.

The President added that Ankara is ‘voluntarily’ ignoring the fact that the Greek Cypriot community accepted the bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, following a difficult compromise.

He said Turkey is ignoring the EU acquis and international law, “which is the protection of human rights and the protection of each person, regardless of ethnicity or religion.”

Regarding the Cyprus talks, the President said he is ‘sorry’ for this pretext Turkey is using, as it is in complete opposition to what was agreed during talks, namely that the security of one community could not come at the expense of the other.

“A member state of the UN and a full member of the EU cannot be considered independent and sovereign if it is subject to anachronistic guarantees and intervention rights of any third country.”

He said the UN also accepts this stance, as set out by organisation’s secretary general.

President Anastasiades said that at the Crans-Montana talks in 2017 the Greek Cypriot side’s proposal followed UN guidelines.

“We proposed an overall security architecture that would replace the anachronism and the strategic aspirations of third countries in Cyprus,” he added.

Responding to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci’s comment that the Greek Cypriot community continues to see itself as the ‘only landlord’ of Cyprus, the president said: “Our respect towards our Turkish Cypriot compatriots is a fact and we prove it through the acceptance of political equality, and also their full participation in the governance of the country.”

However, Anastasiades said the Greek Cypriot side could not accept provisions that would equate to a numerical equality in governance or create a state where one community, ‘and in fact the lesser population-wise’, would enjoy benefits that would make the solution non-viable and dysfunctional.

“A state, which instead of creating the conditions for peaceful coexistence, would be stillborn through the constant impasses that would be caused by the constitutional provisions that are not prevalent in any federal member state of the UN and the EU,” he said.

The president added that he has reiterated the Greek Cypriot side’s will to restart talks to the international community, the EU, and the UN.

Anastasiades said he hoped UN envoy Jane Holl Lute’s meetings on July 23 would allow the UN secretary-general to start a new round of talks.

He added that he hoped the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey would meet the new perspective positively, and take into account all the parameters the secretary-general set during Crans-Montana and not just some of them.

He called on the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot leader to ‘understand that the Greek Cypriot community wants to find a solution as soon as possible.’

“In closing, I would like to emphasise that despite the differences between us, we share the same principles and values but, above all, the common will to end the occupation and create prosperity for future generations, and, I repeat, in security and stability. This is the most important.”

Cypriots woke up Friday to the sound of sirens at 5.30am, the time the Turkish invasion was launched and its troops landed on the island`s northern shores.

On Friday morning, a memorial service for army officers and soldiers killed during the invasion took place at the Makedonitissa Tomb in Nicosia, presided over by Anastasiades. The Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos also attended with his Cypriot counterpart Savvas Angelides, representatives of the Church and political leaders. This was followed by the ceremony for the Noratlas plane, and the main church service at Phaneromeni in Old Nicosia.

A series of other anti-occupation events took place throughout the day in all district. Political parties and various associations and organised groups have issued statements, condemning the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation and reiterating their determination to fight for a just and viable solution.

In a message, Greek Foreign Minister Nicos Kotzias said the key to a functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem was to make the reunited state of Cyprus a normal modern state for the benefit of the entire Cypriot people “a state with full sovereignty, complete independence and territorial integrity, free from foreign occupying troops, foreign dependencies and unilateral third-country intervention”

Kotzias hoped that the recent appointment of a UN envoy would create new momentum in the talks.

Greece would remain a supporter of the Cypriot people, he added.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 1974, Cyprus, Turkish invasion

Turkish Invasion displaces 167,000 in Syria’s Afrin: UN

March 24, 2018 By administrator

People walk near a damaged car in Syria's northwestern city of Afrin on March 22, 2018. (Reuters photo)

People walk near a damaged car in Syria’s northwestern city of Afrin on March 22, 2018. (Reuters photo)

The UN has warned that 167,000 people have been displaced in Syria’s northwestern Kurdish region of Afrin since Turkey launched its offensive against the enclave.

On Friday, the UN warned that the new massive influx of refugees is posing health risks to the host communities in the surrounding area and villages.

The vast majority of refugees have fled from Afrin to the towns of Tal Rifaat, Nubul and Zahraa.

According to the UN children’s fund, UNICEF, nearly 100,000 still remain in Afrin region, nearly 50,000 to 70,000 of whom are in the city of Afrin, the main population center of the region.

In Nubul and Zahraa, people are sheltered in collective shelters in schools, mosques or stables with the lowest level of access to health services, UNICEF said.

The nearest medical facility is an insufficiently equipped field hospital three kilometers away. Those who need to go to a hospital in Aleppo, nearly 25 kilometers away, need to obtain special authorization.

Destruction of world heritage sites

On Thursday, Syria’s antiquities department said Turkish airstrikes against the area have damaged the ancient Christian heritage site of Brad south of Afrin.

The UNESCO world heritage site includes many Byzantine churches and monasteries as well as tombs dating back to the Roman period.

The airstrikes have destroyed many important archaeological sites, including the tomb of Saint Maron of the Maronite community, which is considered as one of the most beautiful pages of the history of Christianity, as well as the 4th century Julianus Church, which is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the head of Syria’s antiquities department, Mahmoud Hamoud, noted.

The Syrian official had earlier voiced concern over the fate of 40 ancient villages in the Afrin region, which UNESCO calls “Ancient Villages.”

Turkey and its allied militants with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched the so-called “Operation Olive Branch” against the nearby Syrian region of Afrin on January 20.

The offensive came after the United States said it sought to create a 30,000-strong force near the Turkish border in Syria with the help of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militant group, which is mainly comprised of Kurdish forces of Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG).

Later, Turkey threatened to move as far as Manbij, where American forces are also present, adding that Ankara would monitor the return of weapons given to the YPG by the United States.

The US’ arms and training support for the YPG, whom Turkey ties to the anti-Ankara Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) separatist group, has long been a bone of contention between the two sides.

The Syrian government has already condemned the Turkish offensive against Afrin as an act of aggression. Nearly 300 civilians have lost their lives since the offensive began, according to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Afrin, Syria, Turkish invasion

More civilian casualties due to Turkish Invasion in Afrin, Syria Video

February 4, 2018 By administrator

Turkish invasion of Afrin

Turkish invasion of Afrin

The number of civilians killed on Turkey’s offensive in Afrin has passed 100, according to local health authorities.  Afrin Hospital stated that 104 civilians have been killed and 165 injured.

Turkey has denied reports of civilian casualties. “No civilian has been harmed in Operation Olive Branch” by Turkish forces or their allied Syrian militias, Turkey’s National Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Tuesday.

A UK-based conflict monitors and Russia’s Foreign Ministry, however, have both confirmed civilian casualties.  The recent figures from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the civilian death toll at 68, including 21 children and 12 women. Another at least 185 have been injured.

Most of the civilians killed are Syrians displaced by conflict in other areas of the country, according to the PYD, the ruling political party in Rojava, northern Syria.

 

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Afrin, Turkish invasion

Terrorist State of Turkey Erdogan criticizes Iraqi plea to UNSC over Turkish invasion

December 11, 2015 By administrator

12363156_10153788259578633_3650050056246262912_oTurkey will not withdraw troops from an Iraqi camp close to the northern ISIS-controlled city of Mosul, said President Tayyip Erdogan, condemning Iraq’s appeal to the UN Security Council about Turkish forces’ presence, which deemed it to be “not honest.”

“They can resort to the UN Security Council, that is their natural right, but this is not an honest step and we believe that Iraq’s actions are related to the latest developments in the region, that is, the steps taken by Russia and Iran,” Erdogan said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

“I believe that the Security Council at the United Nations knows that this step is not honest and will issue its decision accordingly,” he added.

On Friday Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi instructed the foreign ministry to launch a formal complaint at the UNSC over an incursion nade by Turkish troops last week. The presence of Turkish troops in Iraq was a “blatant breach of the UN charter” and was not authorized by Iraqi authorities, Abadi once again reiterated in his statement.

“We demand the UN Security Council takes responsibility … to order Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops,” a statement by Abadi’s office said.

Taking to Twitter, the Iraqi Prime Minister reiterated that Turkey’s actions constitute a “flagrant violation of sovereignty.” At the same time, Abadi said that it is the “constitutional and national duty to protect the country and defend its security and sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The PM promised to take “all measures” and resort to “all legitimate means” to protect Iraq.

https://www.facebook.com/Haider-Al-Abadi-204803838632/?fref=nf

ان ارسال قوات مدرعة تركية من دون موافقة الحكومة العراقية لا يعتبر مساعدة ضد الارهاب بل هو انتهاك صارخ للسيادة العراقية، وليس على الاراضي العراقية اليوم قوات عسكرية مدرعة لأية دولة عدا تركيا ومن دون موافقتنا ولا علمنا، وكل مايقال خلاف ذلك محض افتراء

Earlier in the day Erdogan once again said he will not withdraw his troops, blaming Iraq for not taking the proper steps to protect its neighbor against the terrorist threat from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).

“Because Iraq is a place where terrorist organizations are running wild, especially Daesh [IS] … these terrorist organizations are a threat element for Turkey,” Erdogan said early Friday morning as he left on a visit to Turkmenistan

If the Iraqi central government does not take the necessary measures against possible threats to Turkey, we have to do it ourselves,” he added, reported Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.

The Turkish leader maintains that the Turkish presence was established at the end of 2014 for a training mission at the request of the Iraqi prime minister.

“Now it has been approximately a year-and-a half since the establishment of the Bashiqa camp. One would ask: where were you a year-and-a-half ago?” Erdogan asked.

Baghdad however keeps on reminding Ankara daily that the latest deployment of some 150 soldiers and a few dozen tanks was done without the permission or consent of from Iraq. Iraqi MPs told RT that Erdogan’s justification of the deployment is an “absolute lie” as it comes in an area where no Iraqi troops are present.

Iraq has also repeated that it wants to resolve the tension peacefully through negotiations and diplomatic means. On Thursday the Iraqi capital welcomed a Turkish delegation, including its head of intelligence Hakan Fidan.

“The Turkish delegation was told that the only way to resolve the crisis is the full withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraqi territory, and this will open the way for positive relation[s],” Thursday’s statement from the Iraqi PM said.

The results from that meeting were reported to Erdogan and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

“Taking into account the Iraqi government’s sensitivity, the decision was taken to reorganise the military personnel in the protection force at the Bashiqa camp,” Davutoglu’s office said in a statement.

After considering the Iraqi offer, Erdogan refused to withdraw his forces

“At the moment retreating our troops is out of question. […] [It] is not about keeping combat troops but a backup to protect our officers providing training there. All the numbers that have been released [regarding Turkish troops] are extreme. These numbers do not have any relation, close or far, with the number of soldiers we deployed,” Erdogan said Friday.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Iraq, Turkey, Turkish invasion, unsc

Turkish Invasion? Nineveh Governor Says Number of Turkish Forces in Iraq at 900

December 7, 2015 By administrator

1031311761The number of Turkish servicemen who have entered the Iraqi province of Nineveh stands at around 900, and they are currently located in a militant camp, the province’s Governor Nawfal Akub told Sputnik on Monday.

BAGHDAD (Sputnik) — On Friday, media reports emerged saying that up to 150 Turkish military personnel had been deployed in the northern Iraq’s Nineveh province allegedly to provide training to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

“According to my information, the number of Turkish forces in the province does not exceed 900. They are staying in a people’s militia camp in the village of Dad in the Shekhan district,” Akub said.

He added that he would discuss the situation at a meeting with the Turkish ambassador later in the day.

On Saturday, Baghdad described the move as “a serious violation of Iraqi sovereignty,” since it had not been authorized by Iraqi authorities.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi earlier urged Ankara to immediately pull out its forces, including tanks and artillery, from the Nineveh province. Iraqi President Fuad Masum referred to the incident as a violation of international law and urged Ankara to refrain from similar activities in the future.

On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed Turkish troops had been deployed in Iraq on the country’s Defense Ministry invitation.

The Iraqi authorities threatened to turn to the UN Security Council, if Turkey fails to withdraw its troops from northern Iraq within 48 hours.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Nineveh, Turkish invasion

Cypriot Parliament Marks 40 Years of Turkish Invasion

July 11, 2014 By administrator

by Nikoleta Kalmouki – Jul 10, 2014
During an event organised by the Cypriot parliament to mark the 40 years of the Turkish invasion, the House President Yiannakis Omirou stated that the difficult ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΒΟΥΛΗΣ - ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΒΟΥΛΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝeconomic situation of Cyprus should not affect the course of the Cypriot problem.

Omirou said that the national strategy must be based on the island’s natural resources and the geo-strategic, geo-political and geo-economic data that are forming in the region, such as the cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, the excellent relations of Cyprus with the Arab world, and Turkey’s deteriorating relations within the region.

“We have to work for the recovery of the Cypriot economy. We have to make good use of all the strengths of Cypriot society, just like after the tragedy of 1974. Our economy, along with our defence, are the top pillars of the necessary national strategy to achieve our goal,” he said.

The event was attended by the President of Greek Parliament, Evangelos Meimarakis. The Greek MP expressed the support of Greece for a just and functional solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN Security Council decisions and Cyprus’ status as a EU member.

The “Mikis Theodorakis” orchestra performed poems by Yiannis Ritsos, one of Greece’s most important poets, accompanied by Theodorakis’ music.
– See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/07/10/cypriot-parliament-marks-40-years-of-turkish-invasion/#sthash.2VZ5JCfS.dpuf

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Cyprus, Turkish invasion

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