Eroglu: Political And Geographical Basis Founded By Peace Operation Is Reality Of Cyprus

LEFKOSA - TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said on Friday that the political and geographical basis formed by Peace Operation was indispensable reality of Cyprus.
''Nobody has the power to change these realities against the resolution of the Turkish nation,'' said TRNC Prime Minister Eroglu.
Issuing a message upon the 29th anniversary of Yesilýrmak Resistance and Integration Day, TRNC Prime Minister Eroglu said that ''Yesilýrmak which was surrounded by Greek-Greek Cypriot forces has become the symbol of resolution of Turkish Cypriots on the way to freedom and independence.''
Eroglu said that Turkish Cypriot nation which had the honour of founding its own sovereign state knew the value of that very well.
''It is not possible for us to give concessions from our rights and interests, sovereignty, and political equality. The political and geographical basis formed by Peace Operation is the indispensable reality of Cyprus,'' he said.
On 15 July 1974 Greek troops assembled in Cyprus for the purpose of overthrowing Archbishop Makarios and making Nicos Sampson the new president. A coup d'etat was started and they began to kill not only fellow Greek Cypriots but also Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots asked for help from the guarantor states, but only Turkey responded. On 20 July 1974 motherland Turkey sent troops to Cyprus in order to save the lives of the Turkish Cypriots. This intervention by Turkey, called a "Peace Operation" by the Turkish Cypriots, was legal according to Article IV of the Treaty of Guarantee. After two days of fighting, on 22 July 1974 a UN Security Council cease-fire resolution was adopted. However, the cease-fire did not bring relief from suffering and anxiety to the Turkish Cypriots. On 25 July a conference was held in Geneva between Great Britain, Turkey and Greece, and on 30 July 1974 an agreement called the Geneva Declaration was signed. However, the Greek Cypriot side did not abide by the agreement and continued to attack the Turkish Cypriot people. Thus the then Premier of Turkey, Bulent Ecevit, launched a second peace operation in Cyprus on 14 August 1974. The aim was to put an end to the Turkish Cypriots' sufferings. After all these momentous events, Turkey with its legal military interventions in 1974 helped to create a safe haven for the Turkish Cypriots.
(ÖÞ-AÖ) 05.09.2003