Letter by Cyprus Embassy Press Counselor in the Washington Times exposes the false and misleading statements by Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the so-called "Minister of Foreign Affairs" of the illegal entity in northern occupied Cyprus.

WASHINGTON, DC—On December 4, 2003 the Washington Times published a letter to the editor written by the Cyprus Embassy Press Counselor, Miltos Miltiadou in response to a November 16, 2003 Op-Ed article by Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the so-called "Minister of Foreign Affairs" of the illegal entity in northern occupied Cyprus. Mr. Miltiadou’s excellent letter follows:

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

Letters to the Editor

Published December 4, 2003

Removing obstacles in Cypriot talks

Readers are well-advised to separate fact from fiction in Tahsin Ertugruloglu's misleading version of developments in Cyprus ("Greek Cypriot arrogance stymies talks," Forum, Nov. 16).

The author represents an outlaw regime, declared "legally invalid" by the U.N. Security Council and not recognized internationally. Turkey, whose illegal invasion and partial occupation of the Republic of Cyprus since 1974 has been condemned repeatedly by the international community, set up the puppet regime to control the Turkish Cypriot community. In the eyes of the world, that rogue regime is the byproduct of international aggression. In May 2004, the European Union will admit Cyprus as a full member. The EU rules and regulations will be suspended in the northern section of the republic, still under an illegal occupying force until Turkey's army vacates Cyprus' sovereign territory.

The vast majority of the people of Cyprus in both communities deeply resent Turkey's military occupation and its brazen rejection of U.N. efforts to reunify the republic. The reunification of Cyprus has the full support of the international community, including the United States.

Mr. Ertugruloglu falsely suggests that the Turkish Cypriots face problems when they cross into the government-controlled areas in Cyprus as a result of the partial lifting of the illegal restrictions imposed by Turkey's military occupation. In fact, as has been widely reported, these crossings on both sides of the shameful dividing line have been remarkably incident-free. The cordiality and warmth shown by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots toward each other destroyed the propaganda claim spread by Mr. Ertugruloglu's side that the two communities cannot get along and therefore must be kept separated. The Greek Cypriots have convincingly shown their desire to live in peace and security with their Turkish Cypriot compatriots in a reunified Cyprus, a member of the European Union.

It is clear from its official policies that the government of Cyprus readily embraces all Cypriots and is eager to assist the entrapped Turkish Cypriots held behind barbed wire in the occupied north.

Moreover, the government is ready to participate constructively in U.N.-sponsored negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot community to reach an agreement on the reunification of Cyprus. The record speaks for itself.

The real enemies of both Cypriot communities are among those in Ankara and its puppet regime in occupied Cyprus who advocate the permanent partition of our country. This anachronistic attitude hurts Greek and Turkish Cypriots alike. Turkey's army must be purged from the Republic of Cyprus, along with the rogue regime that fronts for Turkey's ongoing aggression. With Cyprus poised to join the European Union, the country must be reunited, so that Turkish Cypriots, too, can enjoy the benefits of accession.

MILTOS MILTIADOU
Press counselor
Embassy of Cyprus
Washington

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