Post on 07-Apr-2018
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CyprusUnder the half-moon
Henrik R. Clausen & Liz SchmidtSociet for Danish Culture & Constitution, Euro eNews
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An island divided
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Brief historical outline 1
1878: End of Ottoman rule
1923: Turkey writes of all interest in Cyprus
1925: British Crown Colony 1950: Turkey declares: No interest in Cyprus
1954: Britain forces Turkey to want Cyprus back
1956: Turkey decides to retake Cyprus 1958: Turkey establishes TMT underground army
1960: Cyprus gains semi-independence
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Brief historical outline 2
1960-1964: Escalating conflicts
1964: Turkey bombs Cyprus with Napalm
1964: UN deploys peacekeeping mission
1974: Turkish invasion on pretext of coup byGreek junta against Archbishop Makarios.
Turkey should have left when the coup collapsed. Rather, Turkey went from Attila 1 to Attila 2 and
conquered 36 % of the island the best parts.
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Images of an invasion
200,000 Cypriots displaced 6,000 civilians killed, 1,000 raped,
1,619 still missing 70 % arable land lost 65 % tourism lost 83 % port capacity lost
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What United Nations said
Security Council Resolution 353:
Calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty,independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus.
Requests the withdrawal without delay from theRepublic of Cyprus of foreign military personnelpresent otherwise than under the authority ofinternational agreements, []
Security Council Resolution 360:Noting that all states have declared their respect forthe sovereignty, independence and territorial integrityof the Republic of Cyprus,
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Taksin implemented: TRNC
UN Resolution 541:calls upon all states not torecognise any Cypriot state otherthan the Republic of Cyprus;
TRNC is illegal, but seeks to useanysituation to change that.
Rauf Denktash:If we would accept merely beinga minority, a solution could befound within a week.
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What United Nations said
Resolution # 541:
Article 2: Considers the declaration referred to above aslegally invalid and calls for its withdrawal;
Article 7: Calls upon all States not to recognize anyCypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus;
Isolation of TRNC is UN-mandated, because its
existence is an open violation of international law.Thus, it is also self-imposed by the Turks.
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Cultural destruction: A war crime
Protecting the cultural heritage of occupied territoryan obligation under international law.
Destruction of cultural property a war crime.
Turkey turns a blind eye to theft,for it aids its long-time objective.
UNESCO and others report:In the area occupied by the
Turkish army, museums andmonuments have beenpillaged or destroyed.
Long-term objective:
Eradicate the Cypriot past.
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Neglect, misuse, theft
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Collapsing churches who cares?
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Respect for Christianity? HAH!
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The Kykkos Monastery
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UNESCO: Church of Archanglos
Discreet outside, magnificent inside
Also to avoid attracting invaders, plunder
Many such places destroyed in the north:The Turkish invasiontook place just asUNESCO waspreparing todesignate sites.
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Inside theancient church:
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Cyprus vs. Turkey in the EU
2004: Turkey accepted as EU candidate
2005: Negotiations started despite widespread
public opposition in Europe. 2006: Recognition of Cyprus and customs
union become a stumbling block.
2011: Turkey stilldoes not recognize Republicof Cyprus, occupies 1/3 of its territory.
The situation is fundamentally absurd.
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2004 Annan Plan = Partition
Abolishes the Republic of Cyprus
Establishes loose federal state
Restricts Cypriots' right of return Legalizes Turkish settlers, TRNC
Retroactively legalizes the invasion
Fails to address cultural destruction
In short: A mockery of international law
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Annan Plan referendum:A result undesired for EU
Referendum on the Annan Plan April 24th 2004
To be null and void in case of rejection
Widely rejected by Cypriot politicians North: 65 % in favor
South: 76 % against
(Greek) Cypriots blamed for rejection Has been talking point by Turkey against any
further progress on Cyprus.
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Severe violations of international law
A war of aggression is a crime against internationalpeace.
Aggression gives rise to international responsibility. No territorial acquisition [] resulting from
aggression is or shall be recognized as lawful. Geneva convention forbids The transfer by the
Occupying Power of parts of its own civilianpopulation into the territory it occupies.
Rights to property, homeland, cultural heritage etc.
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A question of property rights
Cypriots deprived the use of their property
Private property, property of Church of Cyprus,Republic of Cyprus etc. still theirs.
2010 UK verdict against Oram family requires:
Cease trespassing the land of Mr. Apostolides;
Deliver up possession of the land to Mr. Apostolides;
Pay Mr. Apostolides rent of the land ( 1.2 million)
Knock down what has been built on the land.
Sets a significant and useful legal precedent.
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Opening the LedraStreet crossing
Opened in 2003
Easy passage for EU
citizens 15 million crossings
Many have visited their
old family property Feared unrest did not
materialize
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Defend Europe: Speak for Cyprus!
A test case for international law
UN Resolutions from 1974 & 1983 are good
Annan Plan and 2004 referendum cooked Recognizing Republic of Cyprus is crucial
Cultural destruction and theft a big issue
The tough question of the settlers Upholding fundamental property rights
Let the Cypriots have the final word!