denizaksulu wrote:insan wrote:denizaksulu wrote:insan wrote:- 30.000 TCs became refugees from 1963 until 1967 and later 50.000 TCs became refugees in 1974-1975. 1/3 of TC community became refugees as a consequence of inter communal strife.
- 140.000 GCs became refugees from 1974 until 1977. 1/3 of GC community bacame refugees as a consequence of inter communal strife.
Was this situation the result of an ethnic cleansing plan or happened as a consequence of inter communal strife? Let's examine...
I highly tend to believe that population movements were inevitable under then the circumstances...
The actions - whether described as 'Baris Kuvvetleri' or invasion forces - of Turkey cannot be construed as 'intercommunal' strife. Am I wrong?
Deniz, if u can tell me some possible scenarios what would have happened if Turkish Peace Forces had not intervened after waiting and calling other concerned parties to take a joint action against the coupists for 5 days following the coup; I'll try to explain u whether the actions of TPF construed as intercommunal strife or a full stop to inter communal strife.
At the time, we were faced by an unknown danger. For all intensive purposes, as far as we were concerned the declaration of Enosis was inevitable. We had no idea which way the GC civil strife would turn. I do accept that under the circumstances the action of the TAF was justified as long as the promises/aims were adhered to. This was not so. It became an occupational army. Once the Legal Goverment was in control, the TA should have returned to 'barracks'. Ofcourse this was made difficult by the combined efforts of the GC's and their fighting forces, but the occupation should not have turned into 'ethnic cleansing.
The fact is that legal government was not in full control when Kliridis was installed as a so-called president(24th July). Irregulars of EOKA-B was still in action. They weren't touched for the sake of GC unity. It was believed that attempting to arrest the irregulars of EOKA-B would lead a civil war among opposing GC groups.
Irregulars of EOKA-B without any fear, still were threatening both the newly installed, so-called President of Cyprus and Turkey with waging a guerilla warfare.
Under such circumstances who would ensure the security of the lives of TCs living all around Cyprus and how?
What could TPF do under such circumstances? Wait until irregulars of EOKA-B begin launching guerilla battles and counter it with a 3rd phase of peace operation?
Deniz, irregulars of EOKA-B freely wandered around Cyprus until 1977. No one could dare to arrest them. In 1977, except some ring leaders of EOKA-B; all forgiven with an amnesty by Makarios.
Had Turkey not launched 2nd phase of peace operation much much more blod would have been shed while wasting time to come to a mutually agreeable position with GC leadership and Greece which were both in a politically very turbulent situation.
TPF together with TC forces achieved the best possible under then the circumstances, IMHO.