Eroglu: what happened at Kokkina showed to the world that Turkey’s active and effective guarantees include military intervention
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (09.08.12) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has reiterated the Turkish view that a time limit should be put in the Cyprus talks after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and that if no solution is found the Turkish side will take “some steps”. Addressing yesterday a ceremony at occupied Kokkina village on the occasion of the attack against the area by Turkey in 1964, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has exerted the necessary effort for a just and viable solution having as starting point the “existing realities”. However, he claimed, this was not achieved because of the Greek Cypriot stance.
Referring to the EU term presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu reiterated the Turkish view that “the EU added another mistake to its mistakes by making the Greek Cypriot side, EU president”. He alleged: “The Greek Cypriot side, which resorts to every way so that progress is not achieved and a solution is not reached in the negotiations, has been rewarded instead of being punished. If this mentality continues, no agreement could be found in Cyprus”.
Eroglu went on and called everybody to “defend the state with the Kokkina spirit” and act together for getting rid of the so-called embargoes. He added: “Motherland Turkey and we are determined: we will not allow for the Turkish Cypriot people to be kept in uncertainty any more. Whatever will happen right after the Greek Cypriot elections and if there will be an agreement will be clarified within a short period of time, a time limit will be put. Otherwise, there are steps which we will take. At the presence of Kokkina martyrs, I once more call on the Greek Cypriot side for a just and viable agreement based on the realities and underline that they should know that the Turkish Cypriot people will never consider making a step backwards from governing themselves and abandoning their territory”.
Eroglu said that what happened at Kokkina showed to the world that Turkey’s active and effective guarantees include military intervention as well. Referring to the indispensable conditions of the Turkish Cypriots, he argued that these are their “determination to live free and sovereign, the continuation of Turkey’s active and effective guarantees and the development of their bonds with Turkey with mutual respect, love and brotherhood”. He said that the main reason for holding these ceremonies is to remind to the “people” of these indispensable elements for the Turkish Cypriots
