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[halil]

Personal Stories From 1963-1974...........
The date was 22 December 1963 and, as it was repeated every day, most people of Tepebasi village went to Lefkosa. Some of us went to our schools and some to work. First everything was fine, until we learned that there would be an attack by Greek people on our village, and we wanted to turn back to our village and defend our families and our village. Everything happened very fast. Unfortunately, those who couldn't reach the buses to turn back got lost or died.
So, as we turned back to our village we understood that the Greeks were getting ready for an attack. This would happen sooner or later. A Turkish policeman was warned and sent home. Then a group of Greek policemen were patrolling in the Turkish part of the village, making people nervous. These events and gossip between the two communities in the village put pressure on the Turkish people. This pressure made the people of our village get prepared to protect themselves from their enemies. After one month we understood that this would be easy, and we decided to migrate to another village called Hisark”y to have better possibilities for defending ourselves. The date was 21 January 1964. We had a hard time getting used to this village. People of this village were very friendly and helpful. We stayed there for six months, though it was a small village for so many people. Armies of both villages defended their people.
After six months we mujahits (freedom fighters) of the Tepebasi village moved to Lefkosa to strengthen the defenses of Lefkosa. Then we lived there until 1974, which this year was the turning point for us Turkish Cypriots. In 1974 there was a big war between two parts in the island, where lots of people died. After the war had ended some of these (our village's) people turned back to our village and some of us did not. These two dates "1963 and 1974" are very important for the history of our defence.

Ahmet's Story
Now I want to tell you another story from a different point of view. I talked with my uncle who had to leave his house to another place with his wife and his little son. As I told you in the first story (that my father told me) the village was surrounded by the Greek armies. But people didn`t give up and they defended their villages for 22 days. My uncle says that. . .
We were not even sleeping during these days. One day, Turkish authorities came with a suggestion of moving to an other village called Hisark”y. In this way armies of both villages could defend their people better. So, we migrated to Hisark”y village and this took 3 days. As we moved to that village we had lots of troubles because the population of the Tepebasi village was 416 and the other village's population was 220. Now there was not enough food or housing. It was a very little village for a population of 636 people.
After a while we (my uncle and his family) had to move to another village called Fota in July. There were not enough places for their animals; therefore they had to move to that village, hoping to have a better life style. Then we lived there till December 1964 and then we had to move for the third time -- to Lefkosa. We lived there for ten years until 1974. But still they had lots of problems in their life styles.
In 1974 the war ended. Then the Turkish authorities told us to go back to our villages if we wanted. But we (me and my family) didn`t go back because we had gotten used use to that life style during 10 years. Also also our house that we had in the village was damaged badly and it was impossible to live there. Although, we could restore the house and start to live there again, we didn`t want to migrate for the fourth time with our children. Our house still appears but is in very bad shape.
Another reason was that the village never returned to those days before the war. There were big economic problems that people had when they went back. We continued to live our lives, although we were tenants in our houses that we were living in in Lefkosa. Tepebasi village was one of the worst damaged villages.
DEMOGRPAHICS:
Occupation or life's work: Farmer.
Age: 65.
Sex: Male.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where lives now: Nicosia.
Where lived during the events in this interview: Migrating from place to place. His village (Tepebasi) is near Kyrenia.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Farmer.
Kemal's Story

Q. Cyprus in 1963
In 1963 every village protected themselves with their own ability. The Greeks were starting to kill our people. During those days, we protected our village with hunting guns. One day, I was waiting outside of the village with my sister`s husband. He was working as a tanker driver for Mobil petrol, and he usually carried petrol between Larnaca and Limasol. In the morning he asked me if I wanted to go with him. He knew the danger of this work in those days. I didn`t want to go with him, because I was very tired. He left very early, when the Greek police cut the road with a check point. We missed him after that day. His friend who worked in Shell petrol got up early, and Turkish soldiers who waited near the road told him that the Greeks had cut the road, and he turned back. After a week Turkish police found his [my friend's] empty tanker near the road.
Q. Did you feel, or think something when you hear this event?
Yes, I felt that God had saved me, and I was chosen to live. During 1963 events we were missing many people like that. We learned that it is impossible to live with Greeks.
Q. Is there anything you would like to say about the questions I have asked or the style of the interview itself?
No. I remember those days. These questions and interview are very important to teach our history to younger generations.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Barber.
Age: 52
Sex: Male
Nationality: TRNC
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Mutluyaka village, near Magosa.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Mutluyaka in South, near Limassol.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Father was barber; his father worked in cafeteria at Agroturi Base.
Teacher's Story


Q. Teacher, what happened between the years 1963 and 1974. What kind of events were you faced with?
As you wish, first of all I want to tell you the beginning of the EOKA. EOKA means "Cyprus Greek Underground Organization." The period of EOKA starts at 1 April 1955. The aim of Greek Cypriots was to put an end to the English domination and to get hold of the sovereignty of the island. All the events start with the dream of getting the sovereignty of Cyprus, I mean ENOSIS. For that they made great preparations. Underhandedly, they stored the weapons stolen from English Army. As a result of organizing their underground organizations, they were ready to start. At April 1 1955 at twelve o'clock they turned off all the lights of the island for five minutes; this was a sign showing that all the organizations all around the island had been completed. The Turkish people were unaware of the event and they became anxious. When Greek Cypriots noticed the Turkish peoples' anxiousness they told then that their fight was not directed against them, it was directed against the English.
Until the year 1957 Greek Cypriots didn't make any attack against the Turkish Cypriots. The English Army came to an impasse in many places, they were bombed by Greek Cypriots. To gain power they [the English] formed a force from Turkish Cypriots. And when Greek Cypriots noticed that, they became angry and they started to torment Turks in 1958. After the year 1958 Turkiye and Greece began to be involved in these events. The English government invited both Turkey and Greece to a meeting. And in 1959, meetings in London started. During this period diplomacy worked frequently.
After the London meetings, the meetings came to an end in Zurich. And according to the result of the meeting in Zurich; the English army would leave the island, the island would be governed by a commission which would be formed by both Turks and Greeks. In this commission 70% would be made up of Greeks and 30% would be made up of Turks. For instance, if ten officers would be employed, seven of them would be Greeks and three of them Turkish. In Zurich a constitution was prepared.
The republic of Cyprus was established in August 16, 1960. After the Zurich agreement, soldiers from both Greece and Turkey came to the island. There were about 1500 Greek soldiers and about 950 Turkish soldiers. After these armies came to the island the republic was official. And the resentment between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots had given way to wonderful peace. This continued for 3 years. These two folks could have been happy together if there was no foreign pressure. But on 21 Dec. 1963 the Greek Cypriot police brought up a pretext and walked over the Turkish Cypriots. Their aim was to make the ENOSIS and Akritas plan to become real -- this plan was to eliminate the Turkish population on Cyprus. However during 1960-63 there is an event which is very important for me. I would like to tell you about this.
I was sent to Arapkoy to fulfill my duty as a lecturer. During that time the resentment between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots had given way to a wonderful peace. The Greek Cypriots who saw me said, "Look, our Turk teacher has arrived." This really got my attention. To tell the truth I was very touched that they would say, "The Turk teacher is here." They accepted me as a part of them. Like I said before, if there was no foreign pressure these two folks would have lived happily ever after. I believe that this massacre would have never happened if there was no foreign pressure.
Q. You said on 21 Dec. 1963 the Greek, Cypriot police attacked the Cypriot Turks, what happened after that?
After that event, restrictions came to Turkish Cypriots. For example, restriction on freedom of travel. No one Turk was allowed to leave his or her village to visit relatives, because they were afraid. Greek Cypriots had blocked the roads between all the villages. They either killed the traveling Turks or took them hostage. Therefore, it was impossible for the Turks to communicate with their relatives. Our only way of learning what was going on on the island was either the Turkish Radio of the Bayrak Radio. On 25 December 1963, Bayrak radio was established by the Cypriot Turk freedom fighters. They showed a very strong will to organize it, but it was worth it, since it relieved many Turks in the island -- at least gave motivation to stand up.
Until 1974, many Turk villages were burned down. Many people had to leave their villages. They were forced to live for months in tents without food and water.
Q. Did you have any thoughts or ideas or conclusions at that time?
In my opinion, if there was no foreign pressure the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots would have lived peacefully.
Q. Did these thoughts or ideas or conclusions help you in any way?
During these events I was doing my duty as a teacher, and my thoughts helped we not to be prejudiced towards Greek Cypriots.
Q. What were you feeling at that time?
I was very sorry. There was wrong being done to my people. Many of my friends, relatives and many of my people were being killed illegally. In such a bad situation I couldn't have been expected to be in a good morale. I still live through the bad experience of those days. War is something really bad. It tortures the individual in every way.
Q. Were these feelings or emotions a problem for you in any way?
My feelings never caused me any problems. The only thing that caused me a problem was the war and the things it brought with it. These things were the main reason why I am so down. At the conclusion my feelings became like this.
Q. Did you have any questions or confusions at this time?
Yes. I was living through some contradictions. For example in 1960, when Independence was declared. Until 1963 a peace was declared between the Turks and the Greek Cypriots. Then the Greek Cypriots changed their policy. It doesn't matter what their reason was, this change from peace to war mode is very contradictory. Why did all this happen this way?
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that was helpful for you?
While I was working as a teacher between the years 1960-63, I was sent to a village named Arapkoy for my duty. The Greek Cypriot villages were very friendly to me there. The friendly welcome gave me a positive motivation. This was very helpful to me.
Q. How did this help you?
This was helpful to me because I was thinking it would be hard for me to adapt to the new environment, but I was wrong, the villagers made me feel at home. I felt that I was being protected. I got my self confidence.
Q. Is there anything in your experience during this time that you would say was a "lesson for life?" What is that "lesson for life?"
War. If there are any lessons to be taken out of life, than this is thought through war. Because during a war a person deals with many problems, and learns to survive. This experience makes an individual mature. Life is hard. Humans fight for survival. The same is true in war.
Q. Is there anything you else you would like to say about your experience during this time?
My only hope is that nobody should go through this, I mean war.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation: Retired teacher
Age: 55
Sex: Male
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Akgdogan.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Arapkoy and many other places.
Occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in household when growing up: Teaching.
________________________________________
Sevgi's Story

In between 1955 and 1960 EOKA started to kill people. At that time we were living in Balikesir. But in those days there were only a few Turks living in our village. Most of the people were Greek. For that reason everybody started to come together in the villages where the majority was Turkish. I remember that in those days also we were forced to leave our villages. We were lucky people because we had relatives in Cihangir, so we stayed near them.
Q. Did you have any thoughts or ideas or conclusions at that time?
This experience was a very bad experience for me. To leave my village and also my home was something unbelievable for me. You have your own village, your own home, but you must go live in another place. This condition made me a very sad and troubled person.
Q. Did these thoughts or ideas or conclusions help you in any way?
This event helped me in this way: Before I left my village, I didn't know and see the beauty of my village. But when I left my home, my village, I saw that despite all the impossibilities we were very happy in our village and continued to live.
Q. Were these thoughts or ideas or feelings or conclusions a problem for you in any way?
These events which we lived were very damaging to me and also to my family. After all the events were finished we still continued to live with same agitation and fear. Today when I remember those days I still continue to be afraid. All those events leave traces in my mind. They burn in me psychologically.
Q. Did you have any feelings or emotions at that time?
Those days,those years were the worst days and years of my life. I never want to live those days again.
Q. Did these feelings or emotions help you in any way?
From those events I learned many things. For example I learn not to carry a grudge against somebody. I learned to love everything and everybody; also to live in a friendly way with people. But I can`t say the same things for Greek people. I believe that if there were a war to start again the Greeks will show the same quarrelsome altitude.
Q. Were these feelings or emotions a problem for you in any way?
As I told you before, I feel the same fear when I remember those days or on the anniversary of those events.
Q. Did you have any questions or confusions at this time?
At that time only one question was disturbing my mind. This was " What do they want from us?" During the days of struggle, I always thought this question and similar questions to it.
Q. Did these questions or confusions help you in any way?
These questions or confusions which were in my mind didn't help me in any way.
Q. Were these questions or confusions a problem for you in any way?
Yes, they caused a problem in my life. I always think this question and spend my days thinking about the answer to this question.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that was helpful for you?
Our relatives helped us very much. When we left our village if they didn't accept us we would have to stay outside. I have never forgotten this goodness of theirs, and every time I see them I show and tell my gratitude.
Q. How did this help you?
This helped us in this way: We were saved from living outside. If we lived outside we might have died from the cold; also we wouldn't have found to eat and would have died from hunger. And also this taught me to appreciate everything.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that hurt you or got in your way or was a problem for you somehow?
For 11 years we lived like migrants. During this time we lived by the help of Turkey. We ate food and wore clothes which came from Turkey. The injustice and tyranny of the Greeks hurt me very much.
Q. How did this hurt you or was a problem for you?
Greeks took our life justice from our hands. We started to live like slaves in our own country. This hurt me very much. We couldn't live anywhere that we wanted to live.
Q. Was there anything during this time that MIGHT HAVE helped you or COULD HAVE helped you?
During this time we needed help from Turkey. We needed soldiers, food, clothes, ammunition. Also we needed milk for our babies.
Q. How would this have helped you?
Beside all of these, if we had our own weapons and ammunition we could defend ourselves against the Greeks. They killed little children, fathers, mothers. They killed everybody in front of our eyes, but we couldn't do anything to them. We couldn't take our revenge for our people. But if we had had our own weapons and ammunition we could struggle against them, defend our rights and everything would be different.
Q. Is there anything in your experience during this time that you would say was a "lesson for life?"
During this period my husband was working in T.M.T. (Turkish resistance). The weapons which had come from Turkey were buried in our garden. Somebody denounced us and said that there were weapons in our garden. Then the people from EOKA entered our home without permission. They broke our doors and our windows but they didn't find the weapons and ammunition. Until that day we were never near the people from EOKA. This was the worst event of my life and I can say that this was a "lesson for life." Because from this I learned that disloyalty, infidelity and treachery is a very bad thing.
Q. Is there anything you else you would like to say about your experience during this time?
I never want to live through an experience like this. Also I never want for anybody to live through such an experience. War is something very bad. The bad effects of the war still continue after its conclusion.
Q. Is there anything you would like to say about the questions I have asked or the style of the interview itself?
The style of the questions were very helpful to remind me of those days.


DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Housewife.
Age: about 60.
Sex: Female.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Balikesir village.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Balikesir village.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Father was a farmer. Husband was a soldier; income of their family came from the government.
Sevgi's Story

Before 1974 we were living in Limassol. In our village both Turks and Greeks were living there. From our surroundings and also by the help of our radios and newspapers we learned that the Greeks, especially EOKA supporters, had started to kill Turkish Cypriot people. For a long time we continued to live with our Greek neighbours. We were always ready to help each other. After 1963 the violence of the Greek people in our village came to light. They also started to fight against Turks in our village, too. One day we woke up to the sound of gunfire. When we went outside to see what was going on we saw that one of our Greek neighbors broke in to our house and he killed my brother for no reason.
After this event, the tension was increased. But, in spite of these events the Turks continued to help them. On one day, the pregnant wife of the man who killed my brother went into labour and needed help. But in those days we didn't have a chance to take her to the hospital, because confusion was everywhere. There was only one person who was able to help her; that person was the mother of the man who was killed by the husband of the pregnant woman.
But, in spite of all events, the midwife helped the birth of the child of the Greek family. Because, first of all this was the obligation of my mother's job, and also we never wanted any evil for anybody.
The happiest part of this event for me was when I learned that they gave my brother's name to their child.


DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Housewife.
Age: About 60.
Sex: Female.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Balikesir village near Ercan airport.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Balikesir village.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Father was a farmer; husband was a soldier.
________________________________________

Salih's Story
Q. Mr Salih, can you give us some information about how EOKA was established, and how events developed after this?
The aim of EOKA at first was actually towards the English but their real aim was to take the Turks under their control. For this reason the Greeks formed EOKA and the Turks established Volkan union (later this was changed to T.M.T). The aim of T.M.T. (Turkish resistance organization) was to make the whole world aware of the problem because there were many Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus. In those days until 1960, meetings, arguments, marches, etc. were done.
The delegation between the five countries England, Turkish (Cypriot) society, Greek (Cypriot) society, Turkey and Greece took place in London and Zurich. In these meetings, with the Zurich pact it was declared that England will leave the direction of the island to its citizens who are the Turks and the Greeks. In this way it was agreed that the Republic of Cyprus was going to be established.
In the direction of the island the Greeks had a right of 70% and the Turks had 30%. The municipalities had to be separated too. On the 1st of August in 1960. The Republic of Cyprus was established and the governing of the island was given from the English to the citizens of the island.
Between the years 1960 and 1963 there were no problems between the Turks and Greeks, but after the attack of the Greeks on the Turks on the 21st of December in 1963 the republic was destroyed. The Greeks wanted to make the whole world think that they were the legal owners of the island.
Q. Mr. Salih, how and why did the attacks on the Turks happen on the 21st of December in 1963?
In 21 December 1963 there was an attack on the Tahtakale area in Lefkosa. The Greek police used this as an excuse and opened fire on the students of the Turkish Lycee (secondary school). After this the events happened rapidly and spread all over the island. In 1964 many Turks were forced to leave their villages because of the attacks of the Greeks, and they immigrated to other places under very difficult circumstances.
From 1964 to 1974 the Greeks attacked the Turkish villages several times. For example, in 1967 there were great attacks on the Turks in the villages Kohunye and Tatlisu. Again in the years between 1964-1974 the Greeks formed barricades in many places. They killed the Turkish Cypriots that were travelling, or held them as hostages. We were scared of going from one place to another and this restricted our freedom of travelling.
For years we couldn't get out of our villages. We heard all the news and happenings on the island from the radios of Turkey and Radio Bayrak that was established in 25 December 1963 in Nicosia. The establishment of Radio Bayrak heartened us.
Later in 1967 the EOKA B organization was established too. The leader of this organization was Sampson and the leader of EOKA A was Grivas.
The aim of EOKA B was to destroy the Turks in only one attack. But the leader of the Greek society was Makarios and he was from EOKA A side. He wanted to destroy the Turks slowly.
Therefore in 15 July 1974 a coup was made on Makarios. Makarios managed to escape and Sampson was unsuccessful. After a while Makarios was ruler again.
Because Sampson destroyed the Cyprus Republic by attacking Makarios, Turkey used its rights of guarantor and sent soldiers to the island in 20 July 1974, and the Turkish Cypriots gained their freedom.
Q. What were your feelings or emotions at that time?
I was very pleased with the interference of Turkey. It formed comfort and strength in people.
Q. Did these feelings or emotions help you in any way?
It helped me to look at the future with hope and pull myself together.
Q. Did you have any questions or confusions at this time?
Yes. We hoped that Turkey would send soldiers from at 4 sides of the island and save the Turks of the whole island because the Turks that were left at the south had very hard days.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that was helpful for you?
No. Because we were the ones who always suffered. At the time I had finished my school and after this happened all the Turkish young people were left unemployed.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that hurt you or got in your way or was a problem for you somehow?
We had to leave our houses and villages, we lost our relatives and families. What worse could have happened?
Q. Was there anything during this time that might have helped you or could have helped you?
No. There was only Turkey
Q. s there anything in your experience during this time that you would say was a "lesson for life?"
I believe that war is a lesson in life for people.
Q. Is there anything you else you would like to say about your experience during this time?
I hope that no one experiences war because it is a very bad experience which makes people suffer a lot and leaves people in pain.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Manager/secretary for corporation.
Age: 53.
Sex: Male.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Yesilyurt, near Lefke.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Gokagac (Alektora), near Limassol.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Farmer and mujahit.


next stories will be:Ahmet's Story
Now I want to tell you another story from a different point of view. I talked with my uncle who had to leave his house to another place with his wife and his little son. As I told you in the first story (that my father told me) the village was surrounded by the Greek armies. But people didn`t give up and they defended their villages for 22 days. My uncle says that. . .
We were not even sleeping during these days. One day, Turkish authorities came with a suggestion of moving to an other village called Hisark”y. In this way armies of both villages could defend their people better. So, we migrated to Hisark”y village and this took 3 days. As we moved to that village we had lots of troubles because the population of the Tepebasi village was 416 and the other village's population was 220. Now there was not enough food or housing. It was a very little village for a population of 636 people.
After a while we (my uncle and his family) had to move to another village called Fota in July. There were not enough places for their animals; therefore they had to move to that village, hoping to have a better life style. Then we lived there till December 1964 and then we had to move for the third time -- to Lefkosa. We lived there for ten years until 1974. But still they had lots of problems in their life styles.
In 1974 the war ended. Then the Turkish authorities told us to go back to our villages if we wanted. But we (me and my family) didn`t go back because we had gotten used use to that life style during 10 years. Also also our house that we had in the village was damaged badly and it was impossible to live there. Although, we could restore the house and start to live there again, we didn`t want to migrate for the fourth time with our children. Our house still appears but is in very bad shape.
Another reason was that the village never returned to those days before the war. There were big economic problems that people had when they went back. We continued to live our lives, although we were tenants in our houses that we were living in in Lefkosa. Tepebasi village was one of the worst damaged villages.
DEMOGRPAHICS:
Occupation or life's work: Farmer.
Age: 65.
Sex: Male.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where lives now: Nicosia.
Where lived during the events in this interview: Migrating from place to place. His village (Tepebasi) is near Kyrenia.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Farmer.
Kemal's Story

Q. Cyprus in 1963
In 1963 every village protected themselves with their own ability. The Greeks were starting to kill our people. During those days, we protected our village with hunting guns. One day, I was waiting outside of the village with my sister`s husband. He was working as a tanker driver for Mobil petrol, and he usually carried petrol between Larnaca and Limasol. In the morning he asked me if I wanted to go with him. He knew the danger of this work in those days. I didn`t want to go with him, because I was very tired. He left very early, when the Greek police cut the road with a check point. We missed him after that day. His friend who worked in Shell petrol got up early, and Turkish soldiers who waited near the road told him that the Greeks had cut the road, and he turned back. After a week Turkish police found his [my friend's] empty tanker near the road.
Q. Did you feel, or think something when you hear this event?
Yes, I felt that God had saved me, and I was chosen to live. During 1963 events we were missing many people like that. We learned that it is impossible to live with Greeks.
Q. Is there anything you would like to say about the questions I have asked or the style of the interview itself?
No. I remember those days. These questions and interview are very important to teach our history to younger generations.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Barber.
Age: 52
Sex: Male
Nationality: TRNC
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Mutluyaka village, near Magosa.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Mutluyaka in South, near Limassol.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Father was barber; his father worked in cafeteria at Agroturi Base.
Teacher's Story


Q. Teacher, what happened between the years 1963 and 1974. What kind of events were you faced with?
As you wish, first of all I want to tell you the beginning of the EOKA. EOKA means "Cyprus Greek Underground Organization." The period of EOKA starts at 1 April 1955. The aim of Greek Cypriots was to put an end to the English domination and to get hold of the sovereignty of the island. All the events start with the dream of getting the sovereignty of Cyprus, I mean ENOSIS. For that they made great preparations. Underhandedly, they stored the weapons stolen from English Army. As a result of organizing their underground organizations, they were ready to start. At April 1 1955 at twelve o'clock they turned off all the lights of the island for five minutes; this was a sign showing that all the organizations all around the island had been completed. The Turkish people were unaware of the event and they became anxious. When Greek Cypriots noticed the Turkish peoples' anxiousness they told then that their fight was not directed against them, it was directed against the English.
Until the year 1957 Greek Cypriots didn't make any attack against the Turkish Cypriots. The English Army came to an impasse in many places, they were bombed by Greek Cypriots. To gain power they [the English] formed a force from Turkish Cypriots. And when Greek Cypriots noticed that, they became angry and they started to torment Turks in 1958. After the year 1958 Turkiye and Greece began to be involved in these events. The English government invited both Turkey and Greece to a meeting. And in 1959, meetings in London started. During this period diplomacy worked frequently.
After the London meetings, the meetings came to an end in Zurich. And according to the result of the meeting in Zurich; the English army would leave the island, the island would be governed by a commission which would be formed by both Turks and Greeks. In this commission 70% would be made up of Greeks and 30% would be made up of Turks. For instance, if ten officers would be employed, seven of them would be Greeks and three of them Turkish. In Zurich a constitution was prepared.
The republic of Cyprus was established in August 16, 1960. After the Zurich agreement, soldiers from both Greece and Turkey came to the island. There were about 1500 Greek soldiers and about 950 Turkish soldiers. After these armies came to the island the republic was official. And the resentment between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots had given way to wonderful peace. This continued for 3 years. These two folks could have been happy together if there was no foreign pressure. But on 21 Dec. 1963 the Greek Cypriot police brought up a pretext and walked over the Turkish Cypriots. Their aim was to make the ENOSIS and Akritas plan to become real -- this plan was to eliminate the Turkish population on Cyprus. However during 1960-63 there is an event which is very important for me. I would like to tell you about this.
I was sent to Arapkoy to fulfill my duty as a lecturer. During that time the resentment between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots had given way to a wonderful peace. The Greek Cypriots who saw me said, "Look, our Turk teacher has arrived." This really got my attention. To tell the truth I was very touched that they would say, "The Turk teacher is here." They accepted me as a part of them. Like I said before, if there was no foreign pressure these two folks would have lived happily ever after. I believe that this massacre would have never happened if there was no foreign pressure.
Q. You said on 21 Dec. 1963 the Greek, Cypriot police attacked the Cypriot Turks, what happened after that?
After that event, restrictions came to Turkish Cypriots. For example, restriction on freedom of travel. No one Turk was allowed to leave his or her village to visit relatives, because they were afraid. Greek Cypriots had blocked the roads between all the villages. They either killed the traveling Turks or took them hostage. Therefore, it was impossible for the Turks to communicate with their relatives. Our only way of learning what was going on on the island was either the Turkish Radio of the Bayrak Radio. On 25 December 1963, Bayrak radio was established by the Cypriot Turk freedom fighters. They showed a very strong will to organize it, but it was worth it, since it relieved many Turks in the island -- at least gave motivation to stand up.
Until 1974, many Turk villages were burned down. Many people had to leave their villages. They were forced to live for months in tents without food and water.
Q. Did you have any thoughts or ideas or conclusions at that time?
In my opinion, if there was no foreign pressure the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots would have lived peacefully.
Q. Did these thoughts or ideas or conclusions help you in any way?
During these events I was doing my duty as a teacher, and my thoughts helped we not to be prejudiced towards Greek Cypriots.
Q. What were you feeling at that time?
I was very sorry. There was wrong being done to my people. Many of my friends, relatives and many of my people were being killed illegally. In such a bad situation I couldn't have been expected to be in a good morale. I still live through the bad experience of those days. War is something really bad. It tortures the individual in every way.
Q. Were these feelings or emotions a problem for you in any way?
My feelings never caused me any problems. The only thing that caused me a problem was the war and the things it brought with it. These things were the main reason why I am so down. At the conclusion my feelings became like this.
Q. Did you have any questions or confusions at this time?
Yes. I was living through some contradictions. For example in 1960, when Independence was declared. Until 1963 a peace was declared between the Turks and the Greek Cypriots. Then the Greek Cypriots changed their policy. It doesn't matter what their reason was, this change from peace to war mode is very contradictory. Why did all this happen this way?
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that was helpful for you?
While I was working as a teacher between the years 1960-63, I was sent to a village named Arapkoy for my duty. The Greek Cypriot villages were very friendly to me there. The friendly welcome gave me a positive motivation. This was very helpful to me.
Q. How did this help you?
This was helpful to me because I was thinking it would be hard for me to adapt to the new environment, but I was wrong, the villagers made me feel at home. I felt that I was being protected. I got my self confidence.
Q. Is there anything in your experience during this time that you would say was a "lesson for life?" What is that "lesson for life?"
War. If there are any lessons to be taken out of life, than this is thought through war. Because during a war a person deals with many problems, and learns to survive. This experience makes an individual mature. Life is hard. Humans fight for survival. The same is true in war.
Q. Is there anything you else you would like to say about your experience during this time?
My only hope is that nobody should go through this, I mean war.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation: Retired teacher
Age: 55
Sex: Male
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Akgdogan.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Arapkoy and many other places.
Occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in household when growing up: Teaching.
________________________________________
Sevgi's Story

In between 1955 and 1960 EOKA started to kill people. At that time we were living in Balikesir. But in those days there were only a few Turks living in our village. Most of the people were Greek. For that reason everybody started to come together in the villages where the majority was Turkish. I remember that in those days also we were forced to leave our villages. We were lucky people because we had relatives in Cihangir, so we stayed near them.
Q. Did you have any thoughts or ideas or conclusions at that time?
This experience was a very bad experience for me. To leave my village and also my home was something unbelievable for me. You have your own village, your own home, but you must go live in another place. This condition made me a very sad and troubled person.
Q. Did these thoughts or ideas or conclusions help you in any way?
This event helped me in this way: Before I left my village, I didn't know and see the beauty of my village. But when I left my home, my village, I saw that despite all the impossibilities we were very happy in our village and continued to live.
Q. Were these thoughts or ideas or feelings or conclusions a problem for you in any way?
These events which we lived were very damaging to me and also to my family. After all the events were finished we still continued to live with same agitation and fear. Today when I remember those days I still continue to be afraid. All those events leave traces in my mind. They burn in me psychologically.
Q. Did you have any feelings or emotions at that time?
Those days,those years were the worst days and years of my life. I never want to live those days again.
Q. Did these feelings or emotions help you in any way?
From those events I learned many things. For example I learn not to carry a grudge against somebody. I learned to love everything and everybody; also to live in a friendly way with people. But I can`t say the same things for Greek people. I believe that if there were a war to start again the Greeks will show the same quarrelsome altitude.
Q. Were these feelings or emotions a problem for you in any way?
As I told you before, I feel the same fear when I remember those days or on the anniversary of those events.
Q. Did you have any questions or confusions at this time?
At that time only one question was disturbing my mind. This was " What do they want from us?" During the days of struggle, I always thought this question and similar questions to it.
Q. Did these questions or confusions help you in any way?
These questions or confusions which were in my mind didn't help me in any way.
Q. Were these questions or confusions a problem for you in any way?
Yes, they caused a problem in my life. I always think this question and spend my days thinking about the answer to this question.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that was helpful for you?
Our relatives helped us very much. When we left our village if they didn't accept us we would have to stay outside. I have never forgotten this goodness of theirs, and every time I see them I show and tell my gratitude.
Q. How did this help you?
This helped us in this way: We were saved from living outside. If we lived outside we might have died from the cold; also we wouldn't have found to eat and would have died from hunger. And also this taught me to appreciate everything.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that hurt you or got in your way or was a problem for you somehow?
For 11 years we lived like migrants. During this time we lived by the help of Turkey. We ate food and wore clothes which came from Turkey. The injustice and tyranny of the Greeks hurt me very much.
Q. How did this hurt you or was a problem for you?
Greeks took our life justice from our hands. We started to live like slaves in our own country. This hurt me very much. We couldn't live anywhere that we wanted to live.
Q. Was there anything during this time that MIGHT HAVE helped you or COULD HAVE helped you?
During this time we needed help from Turkey. We needed soldiers, food, clothes, ammunition. Also we needed milk for our babies.
Q. How would this have helped you?
Beside all of these, if we had our own weapons and ammunition we could defend ourselves against the Greeks. They killed little children, fathers, mothers. They killed everybody in front of our eyes, but we couldn't do anything to them. We couldn't take our revenge for our people. But if we had had our own weapons and ammunition we could struggle against them, defend our rights and everything would be different.
Q. Is there anything in your experience during this time that you would say was a "lesson for life?"
During this period my husband was working in T.M.T. (Turkish resistance). The weapons which had come from Turkey were buried in our garden. Somebody denounced us and said that there were weapons in our garden. Then the people from EOKA entered our home without permission. They broke our doors and our windows but they didn't find the weapons and ammunition. Until that day we were never near the people from EOKA. This was the worst event of my life and I can say that this was a "lesson for life." Because from this I learned that disloyalty, infidelity and treachery is a very bad thing.
Q. Is there anything you else you would like to say about your experience during this time?
I never want to live through an experience like this. Also I never want for anybody to live through such an experience. War is something very bad. The bad effects of the war still continue after its conclusion.
Q. Is there anything you would like to say about the questions I have asked or the style of the interview itself?
The style of the questions were very helpful to remind me of those days.


DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Housewife.
Age: about 60.
Sex: Female.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Balikesir village.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Balikesir village.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Father was a farmer. Husband was a soldier; income of their family came from the government.
Sevgi's Story

Before 1974 we were living in Limassol. In our village both Turks and Greeks were living there. From our surroundings and also by the help of our radios and newspapers we learned that the Greeks, especially EOKA supporters, had started to kill Turkish Cypriot people. For a long time we continued to live with our Greek neighbours. We were always ready to help each other. After 1963 the violence of the Greek people in our village came to light. They also started to fight against Turks in our village, too. One day we woke up to the sound of gunfire. When we went outside to see what was going on we saw that one of our Greek neighbors broke in to our house and he killed my brother for no reason.
After this event, the tension was increased. But, in spite of these events the Turks continued to help them. On one day, the pregnant wife of the man who killed my brother went into labour and needed help. But in those days we didn't have a chance to take her to the hospital, because confusion was everywhere. There was only one person who was able to help her; that person was the mother of the man who was killed by the husband of the pregnant woman.
But, in spite of all events, the midwife helped the birth of the child of the Greek family. Because, first of all this was the obligation of my mother's job, and also we never wanted any evil for anybody.
The happiest part of this event for me was when I learned that they gave my brother's name to their child.


DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Housewife.
Age: About 60.
Sex: Female.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot.
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Balikesir village near Ercan airport.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Balikesir village.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Father was a farmer; husband was a soldier.
________________________________________

Salih's Story
Q. Mr Salih, can you give us some information about how EOKA was established, and how events developed after this?
The aim of EOKA at first was actually towards the English but their real aim was to take the Turks under their control. For this reason the Greeks formed EOKA and the Turks established Volkan union (later this was changed to T.M.T). The aim of T.M.T. (Turkish resistance organization) was to make the whole world aware of the problem because there were many Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus. In those days until 1960, meetings, arguments, marches, etc. were done.
The delegation between the five countries England, Turkish (Cypriot) society, Greek (Cypriot) society, Turkey and Greece took place in London and Zurich. In these meetings, with the Zurich pact it was declared that England will leave the direction of the island to its citizens who are the Turks and the Greeks. In this way it was agreed that the Republic of Cyprus was going to be established.
In the direction of the island the Greeks had a right of 70% and the Turks had 30%. The municipalities had to be separated too. On the 1st of August in 1960. The Republic of Cyprus was established and the governing of the island was given from the English to the citizens of the island.
Between the years 1960 and 1963 there were no problems between the Turks and Greeks, but after the attack of the Greeks on the Turks on the 21st of December in 1963 the republic was destroyed. The Greeks wanted to make the whole world think that they were the legal owners of the island.
Q. Mr. Salih, how and why did the attacks on the Turks happen on the 21st of December in 1963?
In 21 December 1963 there was an attack on the Tahtakale area in Lefkosa. The Greek police used this as an excuse and opened fire on the students of the Turkish Lycee (secondary school). After this the events happened rapidly and spread all over the island. In 1964 many Turks were forced to leave their villages because of the attacks of the Greeks, and they immigrated to other places under very difficult circumstances.
From 1964 to 1974 the Greeks attacked the Turkish villages several times. For example, in 1967 there were great attacks on the Turks in the villages Kohunye and Tatlisu. Again in the years between 1964-1974 the Greeks formed barricades in many places. They killed the Turkish Cypriots that were travelling, or held them as hostages. We were scared of going from one place to another and this restricted our freedom of travelling.
For years we couldn't get out of our villages. We heard all the news and happenings on the island from the radios of Turkey and Radio Bayrak that was established in 25 December 1963 in Nicosia. The establishment of Radio Bayrak heartened us.
Later in 1967 the EOKA B organization was established too. The leader of this organization was Sampson and the leader of EOKA A was Grivas.
The aim of EOKA B was to destroy the Turks in only one attack. But the leader of the Greek society was Makarios and he was from EOKA A side. He wanted to destroy the Turks slowly.
Therefore in 15 July 1974 a coup was made on Makarios. Makarios managed to escape and Sampson was unsuccessful. After a while Makarios was ruler again.
Because Sampson destroyed the Cyprus Republic by attacking Makarios, Turkey used its rights of guarantor and sent soldiers to the island in 20 July 1974, and the Turkish Cypriots gained their freedom.
Q. What were your feelings or emotions at that time?
I was very pleased with the interference of Turkey. It formed comfort and strength in people.
Q. Did these feelings or emotions help you in any way?
It helped me to look at the future with hope and pull myself together.
Q. Did you have any questions or confusions at this time?
Yes. We hoped that Turkey would send soldiers from at 4 sides of the island and save the Turks of the whole island because the Turks that were left at the south had very hard days.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that was helpful for you?
No. Because we were the ones who always suffered. At the time I had finished my school and after this happened all the Turkish young people were left unemployed.
Q. Was there anything that happened during this time that hurt you or got in your way or was a problem for you somehow?
We had to leave our houses and villages, we lost our relatives and families. What worse could have happened?
Q. Was there anything during this time that might have helped you or could have helped you?
No. There was only Turkey
Q. s there anything in your experience during this time that you would say was a "lesson for life?"
I believe that war is a lesson in life for people.
Q. Is there anything you else you would like to say about your experience during this time?
I hope that no one experiences war because it is a very bad experience which makes people suffer a lot and leaves people in pain.

DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation (or life's work): Manager/secretary for corporation.
Age: 53.
Sex: Male.
Nationality: Turkish Cypriot
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Yesilyurt, near Lefke.
Where lived during the events described during the interview: Gokagac (Alektora), near Limassol.
What was the occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in the household when growing up: Farmer and mujahit.

next stories will be:From the 1974 War
• Rose. "I thought that this was a bad dream and I would wake up, but it wasn't."
• Erkan. "We struggled very much and finally we managed to save our lives and our nationality from Greek Cypriots."
• Ayse. "Now when I hear a weapon shoot, I think the war is beginning again."
• Deniz. "When we lost all our hope the miraculous event occurred and the Turkish Army came to help us."
• Lale. "I was afraid because I had 5 children...how could I tell them that their father died?"
• Zehra. "Although it was a war, I was happy...because I was sure that Turkey would save our lives."
• Hasan. "I was afraid to leave my family, they might be taken prisoner by the Greeks, or killed by the Greeks."
• Pembe. "`They are waiting for an order, and they are going to kill us,' he said."

[miltiades]

33 Years, GCs are making a very hard effort to overcome the above situation:

The situation of Cyprus problem on the victims side (GCs) became GIA GELIA!!!!!

They are negotiating with Tcs who have not the power or authority to give a solution , they consider people (TCs) cooperating with occupation forces, paying taxes to them etc as citizens of ROC, with all respective benefits but no obligations, they are applying Zyrich treaty only in relation with Tcs rights and provisions. Gcs not calculated in applying this treaty.

The case became a redigulus leadership for 33 years with population nearby to be also a rediculus case . Annan plan showed a defend line on people however for how long this will be there? With THE KNOWN POLICY FOR MAXIMUM 5 YEARS MORE!!!

So what do you suggest we do Epsilon? The Greek Navy's compasses aren't working for some reason so they can't find us and I heard the Greek Air force also uses those same faulty compasses...

Life's a bitch sometimes hey?

When their own people were occupying them , they were too busy conning eatch other and shouting stupid slogans such as ELLAS ELLINON XRISTIANON.
The Cypriots got of their bruised arse , dusted them selves down and began the process or re inventing them selves and re building what was left of Cyprus. He actually believes that had it not been for Greece's efforts we would still be living in tents, and Cyprus would not be a member of the EU.I wonder who got Malta in to the EU ?
As GR said , the Greek navy and air force are in dire need of new 21st century navigation implements and not rely on their sharp noses smelling the air.

[humanist]

TURKISH TROOPS OUT OF CYPRUS

FREEDOM FOR THE OCCUPIED AREA OF CYPRUS


JUSTICE FOR CYPRUS AND ALL ITS PEOPLE

[T_C]

GREETİNGS FROM THE TRNC

Cyprus issue will never be solved! People are dreaming. After spending 2 days here and talking to people I PROMISE YOU that TCs and GCs will NEVER agree on a solution. Sad but true!!!

[EPSILON]

33 Years, GCs are making a very hard effort to overcome the above situation:

The situation of Cyprus problem on the victims side (GCs) became GIA GELIA!!!!!

They are negotiating with Tcs who have not the power or authority to give a solution , they consider people (TCs) cooperating with occupation forces, paying taxes to them etc as citizens of ROC, with all respective benefits but no obligations, they are applying Zyrich treaty only in relation with Tcs rights and provisions. Gcs not calculated in applying this treaty.

The case became a redigulus leadership for 33 years with population nearby to be also a rediculus case . Annan plan showed a defend line on people however for how long this will be there? With THE KNOWN POLICY FOR MAXIMUM 5 YEARS MORE!!!

So what do you suggest we do Epsilon? The Greek Navy's compasses aren't working for some reason so they can't find us and I heard the Greek Air force also uses those same faulty compasses...

Life's a bitch sometimes hey?

When their own people were occupying them , they were too busy conning eatch other and shouting stupid slogans such as ELLAS ELLINON XRISTIANON.
The Cypriots got of their bruised arse , dusted them selves down and began the process or re inventing them selves and re building what was left of Cyprus. He actually believes that had it not been for Greece's efforts we would still be living in tents, and Cyprus would not be a member of the EU.I wonder who got Malta in to the EU ?
As GR said , the Greek navy and air force are in dire need of new 21st century navigation implements and not rely on their sharp noses smelling the air.

Meltiadis, you have a very bad happit. Always we are speaking about procedures of Cyprus problem solution and GCs attendance on this and you reply about green horses.

I assume that you have a basic theory, Anybody who diseagree with your stupid ideas is a facist and can not speak.

[Kikapu]

GREETİNGS FROM THE TRNC

Cyprus issue will never be solved! People are dreaming. After spending 2 days here and talking to people I PROMISE YOU that TCs and GCs will NEVER agree on a solution. Sad but true!!!

Hi T_C,

I thought you might be there.

Tell us T_C, who did you talk to exactly.?

Were they the Settlers occupying GC properties.?

Were they the Partitionist who has bought up a lot of "Haram Land".?

Were they the Developers of GC land to foreigners.?

Were they the politicians and civil servants who's jobs may be at risk of losing.?

Were they the Turkish Military.?

Were they the Hotel owners, that once belonged to the GC's.?

Were they the ones who would like to live in a "Corrupt Society" by their own makings.?

If there were more reasons then please, provide us as much information as possible.

[Pyrpolizer]

Cyprus issue will never be solved! People are dreaming. After spending 2 days here and talking to people I PROMISE YOU that TCs and GCs will NEVER agree on a solution. Sad but true!!!

I agree with you that there will never be an agreed solution. But there WILL BE a solution, sooner or later. How will that come, and what the end result will be, I don't know. One thing is certain. Either the Gcs or the Tcs, will lose badly.

NB. How much GC land is there left for sale to Europeans Turkish_Cypriot? I need to know to calculate the timescale of final solution.

[Pyrpolizer]

Woops I actually wanted to reply to halil in this topic and got carried away.

Halil, many many thanks for your time and effort to write those interviews down. I lived through those days, but never really knew what was going on. I am glad your interviews made me understand the extend of the average TC suffering in the 60s. We Gcs tend to say many more of us were made refugeees and killed in 1974, but we tend to totally disregard that the fact that the suffering of the average TC was too prolonged. And as such it rubbered stamped their lives, and it created a fear that we GCs are unable to measure.

Is it possible to give us some interviews from TCs who were invloved in the Taksim cause? Or you think they will never talk? I mean Ok we learned how the events of 1963 affected so many innocent TCs, but the armed reaction of the Tcs during those days and the immediate cappturing of strategic posts in many areas (kionelli Ay Hilarion mountains and the other heights around Nicosia) showed beyond any doubt that they themselves were also working and preparing for their own aims.

[Kifeas]

Cyprus issue will never be solved! People are dreaming. After spending 2 days here and talking to people I PROMISE YOU that TCs and GCs will NEVER agree on a solution. Sad but true!!!

I agree with you that there will never be an agreed solution. But there WILL BE a solution, sooner or later. How will that come, and what the end result will be, I don't know. One thing is certain. Either the Gcs or the Tcs, will lose badly.

NB. How much GC land is there left for sale to Europeans Turkish_Cypriot? I need to know to calculate the timescale of final solution.

Pyro, "turkish_cypriot" is absolutely right in his assessment, and I agree with him!

If it was, is, or it is going to ever be up to Denktash and his average clone circulating in the streets of occupied Cyprus, Cyprus problem will never be solved! However, it wasn't, it is not, and it will never be up to any of the people that "turkish_cypriot" has met in the north during his recent trip! Therefore, no need to worry or pay attention to what these people may claim! They make their own Bayram, with their own minds and in the absence of the “innkeeper” (Turkey!)

If Turkey will decide, it will "trade" them like farmed chicken, no matter how much they will be screaming! They just fart with someone else's ass, and they do not even realise it!

[Pyrpolizer]

It's possible.
Which of the 2 Turkeys will trade them though? The Political Turkey or the Military Turkey?
Don't forget "Kibris" is the only thing they have to feed their illiterate masses with flags,and pseudo-nationalistic pride.... Losing "kibris" will mean the collapse of the Turkish Military state, and I don't think they will ever let it happen.