Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

Turkish Cypriots want to return to Tylliria homes
By Jean Christou


TURKISH Cypriot villagers, originally from Tylliria on the north western coast of the island, are asking to move back and have made an official request to the government.

Reports yesterday said the government was considering the request and would given an answer by December.

According to Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeniduzen, former residents of five villages in the area who currently live in Yialousa, are demanding to return to their ancestral homes.

This might also pave the way for Greek Cypriots to return to live in Yialousa, the group representing the Turkish Cypriots said.

The group is also demanding compensation from the government for being forced to leave Tylliria in 1964 and being forced off their land prior to that during the intercommunal troubles.

Erdogan Ozbalikici, who heads the committee for the return of the villagers, told Yeniduzen their case was different because they were forced to abandon their homes in 1964, and not as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion.

“We want to be compensated for the fact that we were expelled in 1964 but we also want the possibility to return,” Ozbalikici said. “We have been forgotten by the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot politicians.”
Ozbalikici said he had met Interior Minster Andreas Christou and pointed out to him that Turkish Cypriots owned 77 square kilometers in the area.
“In August 1964 we were expelled from the area,” he said.

“We were forced live in an area of only six square kilometres. Many lived in caves, others in settlements, and in 1978 we lived in prefabricated housing.”

He added that the areas in question remained under Greek Cypriot control and even now when former Turkish Cypriot residents visited the area they couldn’t see their houses because they were under military army administration.

“If Titina Loizidou has the right to be compensated for her house, then the Turkish Cypriots of Tylliria have a hundred times more rights to this,” said Ozbalikici.

“We are victims and we want to be compensated under our international rights.”

He said they had been told by the Interior Ministry that they would have an answer by December.

Politis yesterday quoted Christou as saying the government was taking the request seriously but that there were many dimensions to it and that it would have to go to the Cabinet after an in-depth examination of the issues.


I have always said that the right of return should be everyones right

[Alexis]

I fully agree there brother.
Especially in the case of properties close to the green line (which these appear to be), which are currently only occupied by the military.
Just think how many properties lie in this category which could be re-occupied almost immediately following a settlement.

[brother]

Absolutely Alexis, why prolong the misery of these people when you could do the humane thing and let some of our people return to their ancestral homes, and this would be the biggest show of goodwill concievable.

[Othellos]

I have always said that the right of return should be everyones right

1000% in agreement with you, brother, as long as everyone means EVERYONE with no exceptions made based on ethnic background, religion etc.

O.

[Dhavlos]

Good, its about time the people started to do it for themselves, and not wait for politicians to 'solve' the problem-which frankly isnt gonna happen any time soon!

See, in another forum, i said i would think that TCs would want to return.

This shows how bizonality would not work!!! We are all spread out everywhere!!!

I have always said that the right of return should be everyones right

I completely agree [/quote]

[Nickp]

Rauf Denktash should also be allowed to return to his ancestrial home in pahphos.

[Agios Amvrosios]

I support them 100%. Steps should be taken for their return as soon as possible. I think this will pave the way for cooperation.