Written evidence submitted by Kyrenia
Refugees Association
Reassessment of the British Governments policy
on Cyprus
We understand that you will be re-examining
the policy of the British Government, on Cyprus, following the
Referendum outcome, on the ANNAN Plan.
We take this opportunity to convey to you some
points which we are sure shall be for the benefit of Britain and
Cyprus, the British and the Cypriot people, to consider.
Analytically, our views are presented in a series
of letters we have sent to the British Prime Minister, the British
Foreign Minister, the U.N. Secretary General, the Members of the
European Parliament, Mr Verheugen and the Members of the European
Commission, soon after the 24th of April Referendums, copies of
which are hereby attached for you to consider.
Please study carefully and let your heart listen
to our peoples cry for justice as the prelude to peace.
The first thing you should consider is the question
whether Britain has treated Cyprus and its people, Greek and Turkish
Cypriots, Maronites, Armenian and others, fairly, over the years
and especially today.
British Politics have been very unfair to Cyprus,
an ex-colony, a Member of the Commonwealth, a place where the
ordinary British Citizen has always been welcomed and felt at
home.
You can make up for lost time now, by proposing
a reversal of the British Politics towards Cyprus, which is still
quided by the 1950 attitude, as is being recorded in the British
Foreign Office documents of that period.
Cyprus has to be liberated from the Turkish
occupation and be rid off the Turkish settlers who are not part
of the Cypriot life.
The Cyprus Government has to restore its Authority
and Sovereignty over the hole of Cyprus and the Human Rights of
all the people here should also be restored.
We , the refugees are still waiting to return
to our homes and property and it was not fair at all to find out
in the ANNAN Plan that we were being condemned to remain refugees
for ever, while the current users were recognized as legitimate
users, with the right for first choice. The right of resettlement,
for the refugees, is not a matter of choice. It is an inalienable
Human Right.
Dear friends,
It is up to you to make a difference now, by
proposing that Britain should move ahead and drop the past politics
on Cyprus. That way Britain shall continue to safeguard and guarantee
it's vital interests in the Area.
Continuing the conflict with the Cypriot People
is not in the British Interest.
Ioannis Shekersavvas
Secretary, Kyrenia Refugees Association
8 September 2004
* * *
To all the Honorable members of the European
Parliament
Dear Sirs,
This is not a political or legalistic letter.
It expresses the views and the feelings of the Greek Cypriot refugees,
following the referendum on the ANNAN Plan, which took place on
April 24, 2004. It comes from the heart and sole and it expresses
the logic of the ordinary person. Not any person. The victim of
military aggression, whose life in the ancestral homes was interrupted
brutally and violently. The person who patiently waited for 30
years, looking to the world, to Europe, for justice and freedom.
Allow some of your precious time and listen to the voice of desperation.
It is with sadness, shock and astonishment that
we listened to the reactions, from European Officers and the European
Parliament, to the result of the referendum in the Greek Cypriot
Community, on the 5th ANNAN Plan, on the 24th of April 2004. First
of all we were shocked to hear the European Officials and Parliament
intervening before the referendums, calling for "yes"
to the ANNAN Plan, and trying to dictate the Cypriot Vote. This
is a practice that belongs to past centuries. Has it become part
of the Principles the European Union is founded on? We would really
like to know.
What was the aim of the referendum? Was it to
get a pre-decided "yes", or to obtain the free decision
of the people?
The Greek Community voted "no" with
a vast majority of 76%. The result of the referendum is a classical
case of the people speaking their mind, freely and democratically
and is telling the World, enough. Enough with lies, enough with
pressures, enough playing with our feelings, our lives, our Rights,
our destiny. Enough with the mockery of mediation for a solution
to the Cyprus Problem Enough…! That is why the majority is
so large, irrespective of Political Parties, irrespective of ideology,
irrespective of what the Party Leaders preached. The result of
the referendum is something to be respected and all those who
want to question it, should look closely and without any "strings",
at the "object" of the referendum. The ANNAN Plan.
What is really preposterous, is the insults
and damnation of the Greek Cypriots, heard from the lips of European
Officials after the referendum, such as: The accusation that we
were terrorized to vote "NO", or we were misguided to
vote "NO", that, since we voted "no" the boundaries
of Europe after Cyprus becomes a full member will be along the
Attila line, that Europe will start financing the illegal regime
in the occupied areas of Cyprus, that Europe will recognize the
illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus, that Europe will
start trading with the illegal regime in the occupied areas of
Cyprus through the occupied ports and airports of Cyprus, that
the number of Turkish settlers will continue to increase and the
number of Turkish troops will increase etc. Horrifying is also
the statement that "Europe" will not victimize the Turkish
Cypriots, because they voted "yes" and will punish the
Greeks, because they voted "no". This position will
deepen the division on the island.
Shameful is also the fact that the European
Union has endorsed the Annan Plan whose philosophy and parameters
and consequently each individual article, are contrary to the
principles upon which the European Union is founded, are contrary
to the Charter of the United Nations, and are contrary to the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is cleverly and vaguely
worded in order to cheat the Cypriot people in endorsing it, with
the sole purpose of legalizing the so called "realities",
created by the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus in 1974, as
well as the unilateral partitionist acts and war crimes committed
by Turkey in Cyprus over the last 30 years. It seems to us that
Europe hastily wants to "close" the Cyprus case without
due respect to the rule of Law.
The plan fails with respect to the Constitutional
proposals it makes, it fails with respect to Human Rights, and
it fails to reunite Cyprus. It simply legalizes the separation
of the Cypriot People, on the basis of race and religion, into
two separate constituent states. This is apartheid in the heart
of Europe. Such a plan is unacceptable to the Greek Cypriots and
we are sure is unacceptable to the Turkish Cypriots as well. It
is easy to conclude that the "yes" vote in the occupied
areas was given by the Turkish settlers, illegally being in Cyprus,
and who voted as Cypriots, with the blessing of European Authorities,
contrary to the European principles. This claim is legitimate,
and should be investigated. We say it is legitimate, since, by
the Turkish Cypriot "Authorities" admissions more than
once, the Turkish Cypriots remaining on the island are only 55-60
Thousand, while 143,000 people voted in the referendum.
The Cyprus problem is a pure case of foreign
military invasion, occupation and violation of Human Rights and
this FACT can not be revoked with the Annan Plan. We, the Greek
Cypriot refugees are the living proof, and although 30 years have
passed the fact remains. The Greek Cypriots as free people, as
true Europeans, waited patiently for 30 years, placing our hopes
and faith in the World Organization (UN) and the European Union,
which we worked so hard to join. The discussions went on for years.
We were kept in the dark, because the UN Secretary General had
imposed all these years a blackout on the discussions. We were
given hopes by random statements from the Europeans, none of which
was letting out what was really being prepared behind the closed
curtains of diplomacy.
We were not aware of what was being discussed,
until the Annan Plan was made public. Fortunately the Greek Cypriots
can read. It was not difficult to reject the Plan, because as
a whole, it is so clearly wrong. It is in violation of the rule
of Law, European and International. A simple comparison of Articles
can verity this fact. Our hopes and expectations to return to
our homes and property, arising from the guarantees, International
Law is giving us, were dashed in a 200 pages document, called
the Annan Plan. We were so looking forward to have our communities,
villages and towns, in the occupied areas, restored as entities,
so life can continue from were we left it in 1974. None of this
is happening with the Annan Plan, which instead, guarantees the
"realities" existing there today, with some of us returning
after a number of years, to be scattered here and there, among
the Turkish Community, as "aliens". We regretfully note
once more that the mediators did not work to reunite Cyprus. They
worked to legalize the "realities" brought about by
the war and the 30 years that went by. They worked to "let
Turkey off the hook" for all the crimes she committed in
Cyprus. One must not forget that these crimes were condemned by
the European Court for Human Rights.
Dear Sirs,
The present day is not only crucial for Cyprus.
It is also crucial for Europe, the European Accord and the European
Vision. The appeasement of an aggressor, (Turkey) especially if
he is seeking to become a Member of Europe, allows us to say that
it is the biggest mistake one can make, today.
We therefore call on you to reconsider your
position on the referendum in Cyprus, in order, not to undermine
the European Accord itself, as well as European Justice, by setting
a dangerous precedent. Look again at the Cyprus Problem from the
right perspective. If you really care about Cyprus do not encourage
Turkish secessionist plans with hasty decisions. The problem can
be solved by tackling the real issues. Human Rights must be fully
restored. Greek and Turkish Cypriots must resettle in their own
towns and villages all over Cyprus. This will restore the demographic
character of Cyprus and is the only guarantee for the re-unification
of Cyprus and it's people. All the Turkish settlers must leave
the island. All the Turkish troops must withdraw.
The security of the island and it's people should
be guaranteed by the European Union, as full members.
Constitution: Can be "build" in line
with European principles with one Government, sovereign, with
it's Authority exercised all over the island and with Turkish
Community Rights defined in the Constitution, giving them a say
in the running of the country.
The European Vision should not be undermined
for reasons of political expediencies, or economic and strategic
interests from with in and from across the Atlantic.
We would really appreciate it, if you give us
a chance to present our views by accepting a delegation of our
Association the soonest.
Sincerely
M Loulloupis I Shekersavvas
President Secretary
* * *
A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE KYRENIA REFUGEES
ASSOCIATION TO THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER IN NICOSIA, DATED
4 MAY 2004
Your Excellency,
Thank you for receiving us today.
On behalf of the refugees from the occupied
District of Kyrenia, we would like, firstly, to express our disappointment
with the British Politics on Cyprus especially over the last years.
We strongly protest with the British involvement
in the preparation of the Annan plan, with Mr Hannay. The provisions
of the Annan with respect to the restoration of the Human Rights,
is insulting to the Greek Cypriot refugees and are unacceptable.
The Annan plan as a whole package is in gross violation of International
and European Laws and Principles. If you require we can analyze
the Plan, article by article.
British Politics have let Cyprus down, once
again. Cyprus, being an ex-colony, an active Member of the Commonwealth,
expected and expects, a better treatment. The Cypriot people have
respected, at the expense of their own in many instances, the
British Interests on the Island. This is so, even though the responsibilities
of Britain arising from the Treaties of Establishment and Guarantees,
of 1960, have not been met.
We also strongly protest with the British response
to the result of the Greek Cypriot Referendum, with respect to
the Annan Plan. We consider as vindictive the British initiatives
within the European Commission and the European Parliament, which
lead, if adopted, to the recognition of the Illegal Regime in
the occupied areas of Cyprus.
Your country's campaign for opening the ports
and airports in the occupied areas and for direct financing of
the Illegal Regime there, by Europe, leads to of the de jure recognition
of the de facto situation there.
We call on your Government, to respect the result
of the referendum in the Greek Cypriot Community, respect International
Law in the case of Cyprus, respect the U.N. Security Council Resolutions,
541 and 550, the European Court's decisions on Trading with the
occupied areas of Cyprus as well as on Human Rights and the Protocol
of Accession to the European Union, signed by Cyprus on April
16th, 2003. We are sure that we do not have to remind you what
all the above references include, or say.
It is time, now, for Britain to decide to stop
being hostile to Cyprus and it's people. It is in our mutual interest.
Such a reversal, shall mean that Britain will
work with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus so that the
Cyprus Problem can be solved within the European framework, by
restoring International Law in Cyprus for the benefit of the Greeks,
the Turks, the Armenians, the Maronites and other legal Cypriots.
Restoration of International Law shall mean:
(a) The ending of the occupation, by having
the Turkish troops removed.
(b) The repatriation of the Turkish settlers.
(c) The restoration of the sovereignty and
authority of the Cyprus Government, all over the island.
(d) The restoration of the demographic character
of Cyprus to what it was in 1974 and 1963, with the return of
all the refugees, Turkish, Greek and other displaced Cypriots,
to their Homes and property.
(e) The design of a new Constitution for
Cyprus, within the new European Context and which will meet the
needs and fears of all people in a democratic society.
We shall await your Government's written response
on our views and request.
Sincerely
Mr Michalis Loulloupis Mr Ioannis Shekersavvas
President Secretary
* * *
A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE KYRENIA REFUGEES
ASSOCIATION TO THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DATED 20 MAY 2005
Dear Sir,
It is shameful that you should be using as an
excuse, the "NO" vote of the Greek Cypriots, to the
Annan Plan, in order to promote the recognition of the illegal
regime in the occupied areas. We are sure that, you know very
well why the Greek Cypriots voted NO to the Annan Plan. Because
it does not solve the Problem, it is unjust and totally unacceptable
to any self respecting person. If it had to do with you, we are
sure you would have voted NO, as well.
Your Government's proposals for direct trading
between Europe and the occupied areas of Cyprus, through the illegal
Ports there, constitute violation of the U.N. Security Council
Resolutions 541 & 550, constitute violation of European and
British Courts decisions and it violates the Principles Europe
is founded on.
As a consequence, you may think you are punishing
the Greek Cypriots, seeing to your own strategic interests, in
the area, but you are in fact undermining the European Union and
the European Vision.
Therefore we call on you to reconsider your
actions, and we ask you to direct them at eliminating the root
of the Cyprus Problem, which is the violation of International
Law by the Turkish invasion, occupation and violation of Human
Rights. The interests of the Turkish Cypriots, for which you seem
to be so concerned about, will not be served through your present
proposals.
Persisting with your present course of action
will only deepen the division between Greeks and Turks in Cyprus,
with consequences not only on the local people but on Europe and
the Greek/Turkish relations, as well.
Peace on the island can only be achieved with
the restoration of justice. Justice can, and will be served by
implementing in Cyprus the principles upon which the European
Union is founded. Once the process begins, we shall be able to
reverse the conditions on the island, from those of occupation
and partition, and harmonize them with the European Accord, in
the same way we harmonized the way of life in the free areas of
Cyprus to that of Europe.
Sincerely
For the Association
Ioannis Shekersavvas
Secretary
* * *
A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE KYRENIA REFUGEES
ASSOCIATION TO MR GUNTER VERHEUGEN, COMMISSIONER FOR THE ENLARGEMENT
Dear Sir,
This is not a political or legalistic letter.
It expresses the views and the feelings of the Greek Cypriot refugees,
following the referendum on the Annan Plan, which took place on
April 24, 2004. It comes from the heart and sole and it expresses
the logic of the ordinary person. Not any person. The victim of
military aggression, whose life in the ancestral homes was interrupted
brutally and violently. The person who patiently waited for 30
years, looking to the world, to Europe, for justice and freedom.
Allow some of your precious time and listen to the voice of desperation.
It is with sadness, shock and astonishment that
we listened to the reactions, from European Officers and the European
Parliament, to the result of the referendum in the Greek Cypriot
Community, on the 5th Annan Plan, on the 24th of April 2004. First
of all we were shocked to hear the European Officials and Parliament
intervening before the referendums, calling for "yes"
to the Annan Plan, and trying to dictate the Cypriot Vote. This
is a practice that belongs to past centuries. Has it become part
of the Principles the European Union is founded on? We would really
like to know.
What was the aim of the referendum? Was it to
get a pre-decided "yes", or to obtain the free decision
of the people?
The Greek Community voted "no" with
a vast majority of 76%. The result of the referendum is a classical
case of the people speaking their mind, freely and democratically
and is telling the World, enough. Enough with lies, enough with
pressures, enough playing with our feelings, our lives, our Rights,
our destiny. Enough with the mockery of mediation for a solution
to the Cyprus Problem Enough…!
That is why the majority is so large, irrespective
of Political Parties, irrespective of ideology, irrespective of
what the Party Leaders preached.
The result of the referendum is something to
be respected and all those who want to question it, should look
closely and without any "strings", at the "object"
of the referendum. The Annan plan. What is really preposterous,
is the insults and damnation of the Greek Cypriots, heard from
the lips of European Officials after the referendum, such as:
The accusation that we were terrorized to vote "NO",
or we were misguided to vote "NO", that, since we voted
"no" the boundaries of Europe after Cyprus becomes a
full member will be along the Attila line, that Europe will start
financing the illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus,
that Europe will recognize the illegal regime in the occupied
areas of Cyprus, that Europe will start trading with the illegal
regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus through the occupied ports
and airports of Cyprus, that the number of Turkish settlers will
continue to increase and the number of Turkish troops will increase
etc. Horrifying is also the statement that "Europe"
will not victimize the Turkish Cypriots, because they voted "yes"
and will punish the Greeks, because they voted "no".
This position will deepen the division on the island.
Shameful is also the fact that the European
Union has endorsed the Annan Plan whose philosophy and parameters
and consequently each individual article, are contrary to the
principles upon which the European Union is founded, are contrary
to the Charter of the United Nations, and are contrary to the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is cleverly and vaguely
worded in order to cheat the Cypriot people in endorsing it, with
the sole purpose of legalizing the so called "realities",
created by the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus in 1974, as
well as the unilateral partitionist acts and war crimes committed
by Turkey in Cyprus over the last 30 years. It seems to us that
Europe hastily wants to "close" the Cyprus case without
due respect to the rule of Law.
The plan fails with respect to the Constitutional
proposals it makes, it fails with respect to Human Rights, and
it fails to reunite Cyprus. It simply legalizes the separation
of the Cypriot People, on the basis of race and religion, into
two separate constituent states. This is apartheid in the heart
of Europe. Such a plan is unacceptable to the Greek Cypriots and
we are sure is unacceptable to the Turkish Cypriots as well. It
is easy to conclude that the "yes" vote in the occupied
areas was given by the Turkish settlers, illegally being in Cyprus,
and who voted as Cypriots, with the blessing of European Authorities,
contrary to the European principles. This claim is legitimate,
and should be investigated. We say it is legitimate, since, by
the Turkish Cypriot "Authorities" admissions more than
once, the Turkish Cypriots remaining on the island are only 55-60
Thousand, while 143,000 people voted in the referendum.
The Cyprus problem is a pure case of foreign
military invasion, occupation and violation of Human Rights and
this FACT can not be revoked with the Annan Plan. We, the Greek
Cypriot refugees are the living proof, and although 30 years have
passed the fact remains. The Greek Cypriots as free people, as
true Europeans, waited patiently for 30 years, placing our hopes
and faith in the World Organization (U.N.) and the European Union,
which we worked so hard to join. The discussions went on for years.
We were kept in the dark, because the U.N. Secretary General had
imposed all these years a blackout on the discussions. We were
given hopes by random statements from the Europeans, none of which
was letting out what was really being prepared behind the closed
curtains of diplomacy.
We were not aware of what was being discussed,
until the Annan Plan was made public. Fortunately the Greek Cypriots
can read. It was not difficult to reject the Plan, because as
a whole, it is so clearly wrong. It is in violation of the rule
of Law, European and International. A simple comparison of Articles
can verity this fact. Our hopes and expectations to return to
our homes and property, arising from the guarantees, International
Law is giving us, were dashed in a 200 pages document, called
the Annan Plan. We were so looking forward to have our communities,
villages and towns, in the occupied areas, restored as entities,
so life can continue from were we left it in 1974. None of this
is happening with the Annan Plan, which instead, guarantees the
"realities" existing there today, with some of us returning
after a number of years, to be scattered here and there, among
the Turkish Community, as "aliens". We regretfully note
once more that the mediators did not work to reunite Cyprus. They
worked to legalize the "realities" brought about by
the war and the 30 years that went by. They worked to "let
Turkey off the hook" for all the crimes she committed in
Cyprus. One must not forget that these crimes were condemned by
the European Court for Human Rights.
Dear Sir,
The present day is not only crucial for Cyprus.
It is also crucial for Europe, the European Accord and the European
Vision. The appeasement of an aggressor, (Turkey) especially if
he is seeking to become a Member of Europe, allows us to say that
it is the biggest mistake one can make, today.
We therefore call on you to reconsider your
position on the referendum in Cyprus, in order, not to undermine
the European Accord itself, as well as European Justice, by setting
a dangerous precedent. Look again at the Cyprus Problem from the
right perspective. If you really care about Cyprus do not encourage
Turkish secessionist plans with hasty decisions. The problem can
be solved by tackling the real issues. Human Rights must be fully
restored. Greek and Turkish Cypriots must resettle in their own
towns and villages all over Cyprus. This will restore the demographic
character of Cyprus and is the only guarantee for the re-unification
of Cyprus and it's people. All the Turkish settlers must leave
the island. All the Turkish troops must withdraw.
The security of the island and it's people should
be guaranteed by the European Union, as full members.
Constitution: Can be "build" in line
with European principles with one Government, sovereign, with
it's Authority exercised all over the island and with Turkish
Community Rights defined in the Constitution, giving them a say
in the running of the country.
The European Vision should not be undermined
for reasons of political expediencies, or economic and strategic
interests from with in and from across the Atlantic. We would
really appreciate it, if you give us a chance to present our views
by accepting a delegation of our Association the soonest.
Sincerely
Ioannis Shekersavvas
Secretary
* * *
A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE KYRENIA REFUGEES
ASSOCIATION TO THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DATED 30 MAY 2005
Dear Sir,
THE UPGRADING
OF THE
TURKISH CYPRIOTS
We wish to protest at the continuing British
efforts, to "upgrade" the illegal regime in the occupied
areas of Cyprus, following our NO vote on the Annan Plan. The
British Government acting cleverly as usual, continues to promote
the division of Cyprus, without letting the British Public know
the hard truth. Officially and publicly your Government claims
not to recognize the illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus.
However at the same time, with "blows below the belt",
it continues to undermine the legitimate Government of Cyprus
by promoting , so called measures of support and "upgrading",
say recognizing, of the illegal regime in the occupied areas of
Cyprus. This indeed will be the case if your efforts for direct
trading and movement of people via the occupied ports and airports,
succeed.
If your Government is really interested to help
the Turkish Cypriots, as well as, for the reunification of Cyprus,
it should endorse the NO vote of the Greek Cypriots and work closely
with the Government of Cyprus, to solve the Cyprus Problem , on
the basis of the new developments. Cyprus is now a full member
of the European Union and as a consequence the Principles upon
which the European Union is founded should become the basis and
should form the framework for the solution of the Cyprus Problem.
It is time for Britain to put behind her the
insensitive politics of the fifties. It is in your country's best
interests to drop the "divide and rule" politics as
well as the vindictiveness Britain has showed towards Cyprus ever
since the 1st of April 1955. Despite this cruel fact, which is
historically established through the release of the secret documents
of the British Foreign Office, as well as despite the fact that
there have been many occasions justifying otherwise, the British
Interests on the Island have so far been respected by all.
The only way the Turkish Cypriots can be helped,
is by being advised to re-integrate with the Cypriot Community
and not by trying to establish their separate state. They cannot
build the future on super privileges granted to them by the outcome
of the Turkish invasion, at the expense of the legitimate rights
of the large majority, of 82%, of their compatriots.
Therefore in the name of justice, in the name
of peace and on behalf of the refugees from the occupied District
of Kyrenia , the victims of aggression and violence, we ask you
to put a halt to the divisive measures you are promoting through
the European Commission and start to work for the ending of the
occupation of Cyprus and the restoration of International Law
on the Island.
Sincerely
For the Association
Ioannis Shekersavvas
Secretary
* * *
A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE KYRENIA REFUGEES
ASSOCIATION TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS, DATED
1 JUNE 2004
Dear Sir
About your expected report to the Security Council
regarding your proposed Plan for the solution of the Cyprus Problem
and the consequent results of the referendums.
In the light of the preparation of your above
report we hear that you would be critical of the Greek Cypriots
for voting NO in the referendum, that you would be calling us
to review our position on your proposals.
If all this is true we tell you without hesitation
that you would be twice as wrong as you were by proposing the
so called "Annan Plan" in the first place.
You should be the one to review your position
on Cyprus. You should remember that you were sworn as Secretary
General to the U.N. with the obligation to uphold it's Charter,
as well as International Law and the Universal Declaration for
Human Rights.
Having said this, we wish to remind you who
the Greek Cypriots are, who voted NO to your Plan and why.
We, the Greek Cypriots Refugees, are 33% of
the whole population of Cyprus, and we constitute over 82% of
the indigenous population in the occupied areas of Cyprus, and
at the same time we are the rightful owners of over 85% of the
property in the occupied areas of Cyprus.
We became refugees following the Turkish invasion
of Cyprus in 1974, after we were forcibly evicted from our homes
and property.
We remain refugees ever since, because the occupation
continues. You see, we are only a small nation and we can not
regain our freedom alone. The World Community not only did not
play it's part to restore the International Law in Cyprus, but
it also tried through you and your dictated proposals to obtain
our "YES" vote for the legalization of the "realities"
of the Turkish invasion.
Well, as a small Nation, believing in the existence
of the United Nations, and its mission for which it was founded,
being to protect the small Nations, from foreign aggression, we
could not endorse your "Plan" which was in total conflict
with the above principle.
How could you be asking us, the rightful owners
of property in the occupied areas, the people whose permanent
residence was in the occupied areas for centuries, to make an
application, which to be examined by a Committee, and if the "current
user", who do not belong there can oblige, we could be granted
an approval to have part of our property returned to us, after
a number of years. Have you really thought over seriously your
proposal?
How could you be recognizing to the invading
country Turkey, through your Plan, strategic interests on the
Island, the role of an interested party with the right to maintain
thousands of troops on the island and further intervention rights?
How could you be proposing to legitimize the
Turkish Settlers on the island, thus letting Turkey "off
the hook" for this serious war crime?
How could you be proposing for the separation
of the Cypriot people in terms of race and religion, thus promoting
apartheid?
How could you not respect the fact that Cyprus
was becoming a European Union Member and you proposed provisions
which are in contravention to the principles upon which the European
Union is founded?
How could you be asking us, the victims of aggression
to relinquish our Right to seek justice through the European Courts
for Human Rights for crimes committed against us by Turkey in
1974 ie killings of relatives and friends, ill treatment, prisoners
of war who never retuned, destruction of immovable property, deprivation
of use property, destruction of our churches and shrines, destruction
of our cultural inheritance etc.etc.
We could be raising such questions on every
issue covered in the 9,000 pages of your Plan. Every page we go
through until today, when we read over it, again and again, is
contrary to the U.N. Charter, International Law, European Principles
and Universal Declaration for Human Rights. Your proposals are
not in line with U.N. Security Council Resolutions, eg 541 &
550 and many others, as well as the European Courts' decisions
on Human Rights.
Indeed we would be interested to hear from you
a good reason, why we should have voted "YES" to your
proposed Plan.
Therefore we call on you to reconsider and really
think what you should report to the Security Council. We anticipate
that a U.N. Secretary General should act independently, and reject
all pressures, political expediencies and interference with his
work, which should be guided solely by the provisions of the U.N.
Charter.
Sincerely
On behalf of the Association
Ioannis Shekersavvas
Secretary
* * *
A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE KYRENIA REFUGEES
ASSOCIATION TO MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, DATED 29 JUNE
2004
Dear Sirs,
The Turkish Cypriot "YES" vote to
the ANNAN Plan do not justify illegal actions by the European
Union
We note with regret that, the "YES"
vote to the Annan Plan, by the Turkish Cypriots, is being exploited
and is being used as the excuse to promote measures which lead,
directly or indirectly, to the recognition of the illegal regime
in the occupied area of Cyprus.
It is a well calculated step in the direction
of legalizing the de facto situation created by the force of arms,
in line with the ANNAN Plan. Such measures, seem to be, according
to various press reports,
— Direct dealings by European Bodies,
with the illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus.
— Direct contacts with the representatives
of the illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus giving them
the status of State representatives.
— Direct flights to the illegal airports
in the occupied areas of Cyprus.
— Direct trading with the illegal regime
in the occupied area of Cyprus, through the occupied ports of
Famagust and Kyrenia.
As people who have suffered severely from intrigues,
political expediencies, arm twisting policies and political bullying,
lies, hypocrisy, and brute foreign intervention, and today, as
European citizens, we would like you to consider the following:
1. Is today's expressed sensitivity, about
the condition of the Turkish Cypriots, and the expressed desire
to "help them out of their isolation", really justified,
or is it part of the political expediencies serving the British
and American strategic interests, which dictate that the Turkish
designs on Cyprus be rewarded?
2. In trying to answer the above question
for yourselves you should consider whether it is worth violating
the principles upon which the European Union is founded, in order
to satisfy unlawful political aims, or, whether it is justified
in order to satisfy unlawful political pressure from countries,
European Members.
3. We hope, for the sake of the European
Union, that you would not allow the unlawful proposals under consideration
and preparation to materialize.
4. We also ask you to reconsider your views
on the Annan Plan, considering the true realities of the Cyprus
Problem, which are:
— Invasion by a foreign country, Turkey,
of another independent country, member of the United Nations.
Cyprus.
— Flagrant violation of the Human Rights
of 30% of the Cypriot Population. Refer this percentage to your
country's population, so that you can realize the dimensions of
the refugee problem.
— Illegal colonization of the occupied
areas, following the Ethnic cleansing carried out by the Turkish
invading troops. There has been mass, violent and forced population
movement, as a result of the Turkish invasion, a reality which
should not be ignored. You should ask yourselves whether these
cruel events, are dealt with by the Annan Plan.
5. Therefore the occupied areas of Cyprus
are not "a third country", which under the European
treaty can be eligible for trade with the European Union. We wish
to refer you to the Protocol of Accession of Cyprus which clearly
state that the whole of the Republic of Cyprus is entering the
European Union and that the European principles shall not apply
in the occupied areas while the occupation continues.
6. We ask you to investigate whether the
Turkish Cypriot "YES" vote, really expresses the will
of the Turkish Cypriots. We are of the opinion that the 66% who
voted "YES" in the occupied areas are the Turkish Settlers
who had no reason not to be satisfied with the Annan Plan. It
legalizes their stay in Cyprus at the expense of the indigenous
population. On the admissions of the illegal regime in the occupied
areas, before the Annan Plan appeared, the Turkish Cypriots remaining
on the island were only 55,000. (From 120,000 in 1974). On the
day of the Referendum the voters in the occupied areas were 141,000.
From these figures it is clear that the Turkish
Cypriots are about only 30%, ie they make the percentage which
voted NO, to the Annan Plan. We know for a fact that the Turkish
Cypriots are not keen to live for ever, either with the Turkish
settlers, or with the Turkish army staying on the island, nor
under the Turkish Government influence.
7. The integrity and the future of the European
Union is jeopardized by the actions of certain European Officers
who have turned the referendums on the Annan Plan, in to a Vendetta
against the Cyprus Republic, in full conflict with the European
accord, in a clear effort to satisfy interests, foreign to the
European Accord, contrary to the principles upon which the European
Union is founded.
8. It is a shame to undermine all that has
been achieved so far. We are sure you will not allow it.
On behalf of the refugees from the occupied
District of Kyrenia, the victims of Turkish aggression,
Sincerely
For the Association
Ioannis Shekersavvas
Secretary
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