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The Washington Times Publishes AHI’s Letter Rebutting “TRNC” Official

No. 92

WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Times published American Hellenic Institute President Nick Larigakis’ letter to editor on October 26, 2023, in response to Journalist Guy Taylor’s interview with Mr. Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the so-called “foreign minister” of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.” The Times published the interview on October 4, 2023.

President Larigakis writes that the Washington Times “should not provide Mr. Ertugruloglu — a politician in the government of an illegal state recognized only by Turkey — with a credible platform from which to advance unmerited recognition.”

Larigakis also rebuts Mr. Ertugruloglu’s claims that an “Orthodox alliance” exists between Greek Cypriots and Russians.

Larigakis concludes that the interview serves to confirm that Turkey is a failed NATO ally.

  • Larigakis’ published letter is found here.

  • Larigakis’ original letter for submission is found below.

The Editor
The Washington Times

Dear Editor,

Guy Taylor’s interview with the so-called “foreign minister of the TRNC,” Mr. Tahsin Ertugruloglu, exposed the illegal “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” entity’s administration, and by extension, Turkey’s, anti-American positions they possess and expound (‘The Biden administration is not God’: Turkish Cypriot minister eyes progress on recognition, Oct. 4).

Simply stated, The Washington Times should not provide Mr. Ertugruloglu, the supposed “foreign minister” of an illegal state that the international community does not recognize except for Turkey, with the credible platform to advance the flawed notion of recognition.  He serves as a puppet and mouthpiece for Turkish President Erdogan. He projects Mr. Erdogan’s conspiracy theories regarding U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus and then blames the U.S. for the war in Ukraine. Mr. Ertugruloglu also falsely claims an Orthodox alliance exists between Russians and Greek Cypriots. Meanwhile, it is NATO ally Turkey that acquired the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

The interview serves to confirm, that Turkey, via Mr. Erdogan’s proxy, is a failed NATO ally. Furthermore, for the record, in 1974, Turkey illegally invaded the Republic of Cyprus. Fifty years later, Turkey continues to occupy the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member nation and strategic partner of the United States, in violation of international law.

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The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

For additional information, please contact Zac Cotronakis at (561) 529-0306 or [email protected]. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at http://www.ahiworld.org.