The 'Forgotten' Island
SIR,—I know that the general public loses interest in Cyprus, the 'forgotten' island, until the guns start spitting death and destruction; and I know it is the British government's policy (both Tory and Labour) to encourage this forgetfulness, and then, to appease our NATO ally Turkey, to lay the blame at the feet of the Greek Cypriots in general and Archbishop Makarios in particular when blood is spilled: and the blood of human beings is going to colour the Cypriot earth again soon if the British public is not given the chance to bring pressure to bear on the Government—by being allowed to learn the truth and who are the real aggressors and insti- gators of the present troubles in the island—to stop backing Ankara's schemes to partition the island; to insist they practise what they preach about all peoples' right to independence and self-govern- ment, and to uphold the UN resolution passed on Cyprus last December.
Mr Bottomley, on his last visit to Cyprus, made a remarkable statement here when he said that Britain supported a solution to the 'problem' based on the democratically expressed wishes of the people, but only with the agreement of 'all parties con- cerned': meaning, in effect, that the wishes of at least 82 per cent of the population as to its political future could never be implemented if the tiny minority of Turkish Cypriots raised any objections! I would like to ask Mr Bottomley or any other Minister of the Crown if he would ever agree to subject the decisions of the British people to the virtual veto of either the Welsh or Scottish 'minorities,' or any foreign government which might raise the claim of being an interested party.
I can quote dozens of incidents provoked almost daily by the Turkish Cypriot terrorist organisation, which holds its own co-racialists in a state of terror; and Britain and the US could put an end to this state of affairs any day they choose if it were not to their political advantage to do otherwise.
In the meantime, while we all sit complacently by, the whole of the Cypriot people, with their innate courtesy and hospitality, and, it would seem, inexhaustible patience, struggle to keep the economy going, and to get ahead with their plans for building dams, roads, etc., while their fellow Turkish Cypriots are kept idle in their en- forced segregation, while those who have the courage and resolution to defy their terrorist leadership make their escape over to the Greeks, where they seek protection for themselves and, where possible, for their families. I have been around this island, as have many other impartial observers, and have seen and spoken to Greeks and Turks living and working side by side in perfect harmony; it is just not true that they are all each other's enemies, but Turkish, and alas! British, propaganda continue to make it appear otherwise. Remember, Cypriots are human beings, not just pawns in a monstrous game of power-politics.
CONSTANCE DAW Ledra Palace, Nicosia, Cyprus
Previous page
