
In order to understand the
Cyprus Issue, one needs to know the recent history of the island. The
summary of the timeline is as follows:
1571-1878 Ottoman
Empire Ruling on the Island.
The ancestors of the Turkish Cypriots are Turks who came from Anatolia
during the Ottoman ruling of Cyprus until 1878. All Turkish Cypriots can
be traced back to Turkey, where their ancestors lived.
1878-1960 British Era
In accordance with a defence alliance between the Ottoman Empire and Great
Britain, the administration of the island passed over to Britain in 1878.
At first, it looked like the island was 'rented' but then in 1914 when
Ottoman Empire went into World War I on the side of Germany, Britain declared
annexation of Cyprus to Great Britain. This was officially accepted in
1923 in the treaty of Lausanne by Turkey.
This was an era when Greek Cypriots constantly rebelled against the British
to declare independence of the island.
In 1955, the greeks formed a terrorist organisation called EOKA that aimed
at uniting the island with Greece and they started their heavy attacks
aimed at the British.
1960 was the time when the Republic of Cyprus was formed with the guaranteeing
states of Turkey, Greece and England. The guarantee given by these states
was to maintain the constitutional order on the island and lawfully intercept
any external intervention on the island.
1960-1963 Peaceful
days of Cyprus Republic
The first few years of the republic were calm. Both partners of the republic
worked in harmony to flourish the newly formed state. Greek representation
was 70% and the Turkish representation was 30% in the administration.
1963-1974 Inter-Communal
Strife in Cyprus
The Turkish citizens of Cyprus Republic were the last obstacle standing
in the way of unification of the island with Greece. Hence, the attacks
on the Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriots... The fresh partnership
with the Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the island collapsed... Turkish
officers and members of the parliament were thrown out of the administration.
15 July 1974 Coup d'etat
by Greek Military Officers in Cyprus
This is the 'little' detail that some politicians or fanatic Greek Cypriots
will 'miss' when they tell the story about Cyprus.
YES... The Greeks have overthrown the Government of Cyprus (which was
all Greeks) in order to unite the island with Greece.
YES... The Greek junta intervention on the island tried to kill Makarios
(President of Cyprus Republic, a Greek Cypriot) who fled from the island
with the help of British forces.
YES... The Greek junta killed many civilians (Greek and Turkish) who opposed
this intervention.
20 July 1974 Turkish
Military Intervention (Peace Operation) in Cyprus
In order to save thousands of Turkish and Greek Cypriots on the island
and restore order, Turkey has ordered its forces to land in Cyprus, only
after the Greek Military operation. Turkish operation was relatively short
and the island was divided in to two sections. Southern part of the island
is now occupied by Greek Cypriots and Northern part by the Turkish Cypriots.
For the first time since Ottoman Era in Cyprus, there has been continuous
peace on the island for the last thirty years.
15 November 1983 -
... Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
After repated inter-communal attempts to re-unite the island, Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared and the republic is now 22 years
old... The Turkish Cypriots are living peacefully in the Northern part
of the island. The latest attempt by Secretary
General Mr. Kofi Annan in 2004 was accepted by 65% of the Turkish
Cypriots and REJECTED by 76% of the Greek Cypriots. The plan gives official
recognition to the title deeds issued by Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus to properties in North Cyprus.
The property issue in North
Cyprus is a political one. One cannot expect resolving issues with the
help of courts. The refugees that came from South Cyprus to North and
the refugees that went from North Cyprus to South have all deserted their
properties in their original locations. The Turkish properties in the
south of the island are now occupied by the Greek refugees and the Greek
properties in the north are taken over by the Turkish refugees. The Greek
Cypriot administration has built many houses and other buildings on Turkish
properties in the south of the island. The Greek Cypriot propaganda about
properties in the North is a new effort by the Greek Cypriots to isolate
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not getting any international
recognition by any states other than themselves. Their vain efforts to
have the island completely to themselves have failed.
Please note that ALL of
our developments are being built on internationally recognised properties
and ALL our developments have the necessary permits, title deeds (free
of legal obligations) and our building standards are international. In
short, we do everything by the book.
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