Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

Condemns Missing Persons Propaganda - 08 July 2008

London, 8th July 2008: A UK based Turkish Cypriot human rights group has criticised the National Federation of [Greek] Cypriots [NFC] for its one sided and inaccurate portrayal of Missing Cypriots following the bitter conflict on the island. It follows the Greek Cypriot association organising a demonstration called ‘Picketing of Missing Persons’ outside the UK Houses of Parliament today. Embargoed! accuses the NFC of exploiting this heartbreaking situation for political propaganda purposes.

Embargoed! also criticised UK MPs such as David Burrowes, who attended the ‘picket’, as showing insensitivity to Turkish Cypriots and their missing persons, as well as failing to show a reconciliatory attitude at a time when the two Cypriot leaders Talat and Christofias are trying to find a solution to resolve the decades long Cyprus problem. The group believes MPs and others interested in helping Cyprus should be actively engaged in promoting bi-communal events of remembrance where no one is excluded or portrayed as the enemy. Their actions encourage the divide between the two peoples of Cyprus.

Embargoed! Campaign’s Officer Ergin Balli said: “This July marks the 34th anniversary of the tragic events of 1974, which led to many deaths of Turkish and Greek Cypriots and to hundreds of missing persons on both sides. The continuing exploitation by Greek Cypriots of this tragedy in this way is counter-productive and will not bring a long lasting solution to the island.” He continued, “Both sides have recently declared a willingness to find a permanent solution and this should extend to curbing propaganda that seeks to demonise Turkey and Turkish Cypriots as ‘barbarians’ and ‘murderers’ responsible for all the Greek Cypriot ‘missing’. This is neither accurate nor helpful. The continuing emotive and false manipulation of this subject will not help lay to rest all those who lost their lives. Reconciling the two sides to help find out the truth about the missing and dead will. In this regard, we expect British MPs and others to act in a more sensible and sensitive manner on such issues”.

According to UN statistics, 50% of the Turkish Cypriot population was displaced between 1957 to 1974. 502 Turkish Cypriot civilians went missing and were presumed dead during this period. In addition, 1,810 Turkish Cypriots were killed during this period. To put this into context the figures if translated into the population of Britain, would amount to a staggering 250,000 of the population missing and a further 650,000 killed. Furthermore, many of the 1,500 missing persons reported by Greek Cypriots were actually killed by other Greek or Greek Cypriots during the July 1974 coup instigated by Athens’ generals. The dead bodies of the missing Cypriots are slowly being found during excavations in predominantly Greek Cypriot areas, with Cypriot media covering the painful experience for some of the families that have been deliberately misled about the fate of their missing relatives.

Ergin Balli added: “The time has come for all Cypriots who support the present peace process to respect the truth about our history and to recognise the misdeeds on all sides however caused if we are ever going to achieve a long lasting solution. The catastrophes which affect us all will forever hang over us unless we accept the truth about them. We can wrestle some good from these events and the work of trying to identify remains through the bi-communal Missing Persons Commission, which is an important example of how Greek and Turkish Cypriots can work together to bring closure to many on both sides”.

[paliometoxo]

the so called trnc is more filled with mainland turks now.... you turks just go home to mongolia... you come invade take our constantinopole then cyuprus, you people do nothing but take our land you greedy **********'s

[Get Real!]

Condemns Missing Persons Propaganda - 08 July 2008

Between you and Halil, you sure make the forum seem like a "TRNC" newspaper...

[zan]

Condemns Missing Persons Propaganda - 08 July 2008

Between you and Halil, you sure make the forum seem like a "TRNC" newspaper...

It may be late but true.......Remind me again...How long ago was 1974....

[paaul12]

paliometoxo

Most truths are so naked that people like you feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. you should try it some time

[zan]

paliometoxo

Most truths are so naked that people like you feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. you should try it some time

welcome back Paul12...You need to talk slower though...Remember who you are talking to!!!

[paaul12]

hi Zan,

keep up the good work my friend, one day ,Inshallah,

[zan]

hi Zan,

keep up the good work my friend, one day ,Inshallah,

Soon

[Get Real!]

hi Zan,

keep up the good work my friend, one day ,Inshallah,

Soon

...he'll have to put the straight-jacket back on!

[zan]

hi Zan,

keep up the good work my friend, one day ,Inshallah,

Soon

...he'll have to put the straight-jacket back on!

We shall see GR........I hope you have one to hand on the great day.....